and guard your private parts (except from your wives)...

and guard your private parts (except from your wives); cast down your eyes; with hold your hand from committing aggression or forbidden things." [^11] Respecting a Woman The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), addressing the Muslims on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage, warned them against the values which he feared would be neglected after him, and referred to woman as one of the important issues about whom he said: "Observe your duty to Allah in respect to the women, and treat them well." The Blessed Marriage Anas narrates that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: "Whoever marries a woman for her glory, Allah will not increase his, but will bring him humiliation; whoever marries her for her wealth, Allah will not increase his, but place him in poverty; whoever marries her for ancestral claims, Allah will not increase his, but in meanness; whoever marries a woman for nothing but to cast down his eyes, guard his private parts, and join a relationship, Allah will bless him through her and vice versa." [^12] The Holy Qur'an says: "And one of His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs for a people who reflect."(Holy Qur’an, 30:21).

In another verse, the obedient married women are described: "...there fore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what God would have them guard." (Holy Qur’an, 4:34). Encouragement to Keep Hijab Islam, with its benevolent view towards women, encourages them to keep hijab in this verse of the Holy Qur'an: "O Prophet!

Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they should cast their outer garments over them (when abroad); this is more proper, that they should be known (recognized as such) and not molested. And Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (Holy Qur’an, 33:59). Equality The Holy Qur'an speaks of the equality of the two sexes in various verses. In one place it says: "...and women have rights similar to those against them in a just manner,..." ( Holy Qur’an, 2:228).

Elsewhere, the Holy Qur'an says: "O mankind, surely We have created you from a mele and a female, and made you nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Surely the noblest of you with Allah is the most righteous. Surely Allah Knowing, Aware."(Holy Qur’an, 49:13).