Surah An Noor: An Utmost Light and Eternal Guide
By: Aadil Mohi ud din
Before the advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), social conditions in every nook and corner of the world were heart wrenching for all people irrespective of their age and gender. Dishonest trade practices, gambling, alcoholism, prostitution, female infanticide like heinous acts had torn the society into pieces.
The barbaric acts at length resulted in dehumanization of mankind. The (اشرف المخلوقات (of Almighty was sold and bought like a slave and had no dignity and prestige of his own. To sum up society was caught in a vicious web. There was utter darkness everywhere as human dignity had been placed at the bottom of the ladder?
Women particularly were no exception to this heartlessness. Their position in the society was equally distressing and disturbing. The birth of a female child was construed economic burden and so was buried alive. They were accorded low status and mostly considered inferior to their male counterparts.
However, the coming of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) changed the entire course of history for them. He uplifted the status of women and overturned the prevalent inhumane system that existed that time. He not only preached but also practiced by becoming a father of four daughters and marrying widows thereby setting a strong precedent for millions of generations to come. He declared that men should treat women with immense respect and regard. He freed women from the bondage of slavery and schooled us for treating them with utmost kindness, love and affection. In this day and age the highest status they enjoy has been given by Islam.
Woman to me is the finest creature of God Almighty. It is on account of their existence that this world looks colourful and bright. Allama Iqbal (AR), the great Poet elucidates the same in his own fashion in Zarb-e- Kaleem
وُجودِ زن سے ہے تصویر کائنات میں رنگ
اسی کے ساز سے ہے زندگی کا سوز دروں
He declares that the colourful world gets its tints and scents from a woman. She is the lyre that can impart pathos and warmth to human heart. She performs every part so well. In the light of Islam; As mother if revered guarantees you paradise, As wife completes your Eeman (faith) and As daughter, she is an epitome of love and affection.
She has been a principal architecture in Producing Prophets, Scholars, Sages, Philosophers, Scientists, Doctors and what not. She has been a finest teacher in producing the personalities of broader vision and mission. Muslim women out of their chastity and purity of character in the past have produced great warriors, religious scholars and visionary men of deep insight. History stands testimony that at the back of every conqueror, Scholar and scientist stood a well charactered, religious minded, God fearing and trepid woman.
For Muslim women, there can’t be any better role model than Hazrat Fatima Tu Zuhra (RA); the beloved daughter of Prophet (PBUH). She has ultimately set an example for Muslim women that supreme success doesn’t lay in following west but by obeying glorious Quran and Sayings of Prophet (PBUH).
If Surah An Noor is a theory, Hazrat Fatima (RA) is the practical in the truest sense. Surah An Noor is the precious gem where in clear signs lie in case you want admonition. Surah An Noor teaches that there is no greater ornament than Modesty. Immorality and nudity of the West shall land you nowhere but in dirt, filth and eventually in guilt. The need for modesty is the same in both men and women. But on account of the differentiation of the sexes in nature, temperaments, and social life, a greater amount of privacy is required for women than for men, especially in the matter of dress and the uncovering of the bosom. In the same Surah, Allah (SWT) declares:
“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 bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband´s fathers, their sons, their husbands´ sons, their brothers or their brothers´ sons, or their sisters´ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers! Turn all together towards Allah so that you may attain Bliss.”
We are clearly intimated that the prime objective we should hold in mind is our spiritual welfare. Our brief stay on this earth is probation. The entire surah under discussion is I think a jewel for Muslim women in the crown of Quran and an open guidance for a successful single and conjugal life. It encourages them to adhere strictly to chastity and modesty.
Privacy is precious, and essential to a refined, decent, and well-ordered life. Such a rule of course does not apply to houses used for other useful purposes, such as an inn or a shop, or a warehouse. But even here, of course, implied permission from the owner is necessary as a matter of common-sense. It discourages slander mongering and inspires chaste women not to lose heart for He is omniscient and has power over everything.
The story is completely dissimilar today as we seem to have deviated from this track absolutely. Instead of following Quran and Hadith, We look upon western culture as a sign of modernity, liberalization and follow it blindly. Consequently it has taken us far off from the fundamental principles of Shariah.
Late marriages, expecting future husband only to be a well earning government official, obtaining higher degrees first and neglecting marriageable stage, choosing a life partner on the basis of economic strength and not considering religiousness is nothing but the repercussions of our remoteness from Quran and Hadith.
Dear sisters in Islam, embrace Surah An Noor for it is undoubtedly a light and genuine guidance for female folk. It will for sure change your destiny for ever. Decorating yourself with transparent clothes, all time friendly dispositions and bedecking bazaars with your beauty and charm will only become a cause of Allah’s displeasure and wrath.
The timely adulation you receive shall fade with time and you will only lapse you into remorse and regret later. Go through the Seerat of Hazrat Aisha (RA), Hazrat Fatima (RA) and Rabia Al Basri thoroughly and find out how greatest women of all time they are; epitome of Modesty and chastity. Better is to adhere to the essence of Surah An Noor and see the mysteries so shrouded for women. It will make your Duniya and Aakhira which is our permanent oblivion.
All that we hide will be clear on doomsday before Allah, because He is the very essence of Truth and Reality. He is the true Noor (Light) of which all physical light is merely a type or reflection. We must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavour. Man has been created weak. May He come to our rescue when we fall. It is only His grace that can save us.
(The author works as Principal in DPS Vailoo Kokernag. He can be reached at aadilmohiuddin1997@gmail.com)
