Zurarah cited from Imam Sadiq (‘a) that he interpreted the words of God...

Zurarah cited from Imam Sadiq (‘a) that he interpreted the words of God, إلّا ما ظَهَرَ مِنها, in the following manner: زرارة، عن أبی عبدالله (ع) فی قول الله عزّوجلّ: {إِلّا ما ظَهَرَ مِنها} قال: «الزینة الظاهرة الکحل و الخاتم.» “Manifest adornments consist of Surmah and rings.”[^3] Abubasir states: أبوبصیر، عن أبی عبدالله (ع) قال: سألته عن قول الله عزّوجلّ {لا یُبدِینَ زِینَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا ما ظَهَرَ مِنها} قال: «الخاتم و المسکة و هی القلب.» “I asked Imam Sadiq (‘a) for the interpretation of God’s words, لا یُبدِینَ زِینَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا ما ظَهَرَ مِنها, he stated: Manifest adornments consist of rings and bracelets.”[^4] After speaking of Hijab the Quran states: ...وَلْیَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلیٰ جُیُوبِهِنَّ...

Khumur (خُمُر) is the plural form of khimar (خِمار) which is a kind of large veil or headscarf. Also, juyub is the plural form of jayb which means shirt collar. It is said that at the time of the Prophet of Allah (S) women wore shirts that were open at the collar and revealed a portion of their breasts. Additionally, they put the sides of their headscarves behind their ears; therefore, their ears, earrings, neck, and a portion of their breasts were bared.

Consequently, this verse directs women to cast their headscarves over their open neckline in order to cover their ears, earrings, neck, and breasts. Tabarsi interprets this verse thus: “ Khumur (خُمُر) is the plural form of khimar (خِمار) which is a kind of veil or headscarf that falls over one’s neck and neckline.

This verse instructs women to cast their headscarves over their breasts in order to cover their necks, since formerly, they would cast their headscarves behind their heads, which caused their breasts to be revealed.”[^5] Following this statement, the Quran states: ...وَ لا یَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِیُعْلَمَ ما یُخْفِینَ مِن زِینَتِهِنَّ...

In order to completely observe modesty and prevent social corruption, women are advised to refrain from walking heavily to keep non*-mahram* men from hearing the sounds of their adornments. This is because such sounds may cause men to become sexually aroused and hence cause problems in the society, especially for youths and single men.

Several important ethical and Islamic issues can be derived from this verse: Men and women (who aren’t married to each other) must abstain from visual indulgence and looking at each other in a lustful manner. People must not look at one another for sexual pleasure. Women must not reveal their hidden adornments to men.

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