ভূমিকা

And if they refrain themselves, it is better for them; and Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." Commentary: Islam rules are in accord with realties, necessities, needs, and social abilities. Therefore we should slacken it for an old woman who does not have inclination for husband and does not apply cosmetics. Thus in this verse an exception for the ordinance of the veil of women is mentioned by which exempts old women from this ordinance.

It says: "And (as for) women advanced in years, who have no hope of marriage, it is no sin for them if they put off their (outer) clothes in such a way as not to show adornment...." In fact, there are two conditions for this exception: Reaching an age in which there is usually no hope of marriage in them. In other words, they have lost any sexual attraction completely. They should not have any cosmetics when they take away their veil.

It is clear that with these two conditions there will be no mischief when veil is discarded in them. For this reason Islam exempts them from this ordinance. It is also obvious that its purpose is not to be naked and to take off all clothes, but it means to remove outer garments that in some narrations it has been interpreted into veil (chador) and scarf.

In a tradition Imam Sadiq (a.s.) about this verse says: "The purpose (of it) is veil (chador) and scarf." The narrator says he asked Imam: "Before every one?" Imam said: "Before every one, but she must not apply cosmetics and she must not wear adornments."[^1] Some other narrations with the same content are narrated from Imams, Ahl-ul-Bayt (a.s.).[^2] It is added at the end of the verse implying that yet if they refrain and cover themselves it is better for them, because from the view point of Islam the more a woman observes her veiling and chastity, she will be more admirable, pious, and pure.

The verse says: "...