Poetic Justice

Introduction

There are 114 chapters to the Quran and many subjects are dealt within those chapters. Chief amongst these is probably the subject of conduct or adab of believing men or women vis a vis other men or women, their community and the world at large.

Modesty in Islam for Women

Consider for instance verse 31 from Sura’ Al Nur (Chapter 24 : The Light):

And say to the believing women
That they should lower
Their gaze and guard
Their modesty; that they
Should not display their
Beauty and ornaments except
What (must ordinarily) appear
Thereof; that they should
Draw their veils over
Their bosom and not display
Their beauty except
To their husbands, their fathers,
Their husbands’ fathers, their sons,
…

Taken at face value, it is clear from the above verse that there is a standard to be observed if a believing (Muslim) woman wishes to maintain her modesty. This much is beyond argument.

However, what may be a matter for further contemplation is the phrase “guard their modesty” and “draw their veils“. For example, does “veil” refer to a selendang (shawl) or a niqab/burqa or hijab?

Modesty in Islam for Men

What then about the standards of modesty for men? The answer to that question is actually contained in a verse that PRECEDES verse 31 from Sura’ Al Nur (Chapter 24 : The Light):

Say to the believing men
That they should lower
Their gaze and guard
Their modesty: that will make
For greater purity for them:
And Allah is well acquianted
With all that they do. 

Two points are immediately apparent from the above verse:

1. Believing (Muslim) men are similarly enjoined in observing a particular standard of modesty;
2. The men’s standard of conduct (verse 30) precedes  the standard of modest attire (verse 31).

Even so, again there seems to be a matter for further contemplation as evident by the phrase “guard their modesty”. What exactly constitutes “modesty” for men?

Modesty : Being Attired is Definite

No matter what one may say about the parameters of modesty, whether for men or women, what is beyond argument is that the minimum standard is that one must be clothed. Consider verse 26 from Sura’ Al-A’raf (Chapter 7 : The Heights):

O ye Children of Adam!
We have bestowed raiment
Upon you to cover
Your shame, as well as
To be an adornment to you  …

“Raiment” simply means clothing and from the verse it is clear that the purpose of clothing is two-fold, i.e. to preserve Man’s modesty and to grace Man’s form.¹ As can be seen, it is patently clear from that verse that one must be clothed.

Modesty : The Specifics

Having addressed the question of whether clothing is necessary, there is still the question of what exactly is considered modest clothing in Islam for men and women.

Admittedly, the Quran provides greater clarity as to what is deemed to be modest in the case of Muslim women as compared to Muslim men.² Even so, the Holy Quran appears mercifully diplomatic about the specifics of the attire.³

Conclusion : Should Modesty be Regulated?

All said and done, to the best of my knowledge, the Quran does not appear to prescribe any form of earthly punishment when there is a departure from the standards of modesty. Consequently, it is sensible to ask whether “dress codes” should be regulated or whether “dress codes” should be left as a matter of personal choice so long as it conforms to some common standard of decency.

This question remains a live one given that the charge against Siti Noor Idayu, a singer charged for “dressing sexily” with the attire in question being in a sleeveless top, was withdrawn.

There is of course the general principle to enjoin the good and prohibit the bad (3:104, 3:110, 9:71, 9:112) and which may provide some justification for regulation but standing in immediate contrast to that amr maaruf principle, is the principle that there should be no compulsion in religion (2:256). Does the latter principle therefore mean that matters such as this are to be left as a matter of personal choice?

The answer to that question can vary depending on the context. Suffice to say however that the answer always lies in appreciating that faith can only genuinely bloom within the meadows of moderation.

P.S. The ‘model’ in the picture is Sonam Kapoor (Anil Kapoor’s daughter) and is from a still taken from Sanjay Leela Bansali’s Saawariya. Image used only as a matter of illustration. Be forewarned that the soundtrack is far better than the film.

1. See http://www.answers.com/topic/raiment and http://www.answers.com/adornment [↩]
2. Do note that some amount of dispensation is given as the women ages. See 24:60. [↩]
3. Kindly also see here for a more scholarly exposition of the same Quranic verse. [↩]

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