Divine caution for Muslim women for guarding their diginity and modesty

Muslim women are generally portrayed as the most repressive being and Islam is "condemned" for placing more restrictions on women for many rulings are visibly associated with them (e.g., hijab, public modesty, gender interaction). But Islam’s guidance is complementary, not one-sided: Men also have restrictions (lowering the gaze, avoiding free mixing for desire, providing financially, leading families responsibly, etc.), though these may be less visible.

However, the guidelines for women are more noticeable because they involve outward practices like dress and roles in family/public life. It is because Qur’an and Sunnah set rules to preserve human dignity, protect society from corruption, and balance roles. 

Restrictions on both genders serve these aims:

• For men: Stronger emphasis on lowering the gaze, avoiding exploitation, being financially responsible, not abusing power.
• For women: Stronger emphasis on modest presentation and safety in social interactions.

So restrictions are not about limiting freedom, but about protecting individuals from harm and preserving justice, for Islam does not impose “more restrictions” on women out of inequality, but because of the different roles, risks, and responsibilities between genders. Men and women are spiritually equal, but their guidance is shaped according to their nature and context. What looks like restriction is, in essence, a framework of protection and dignity—and men’s responsibilities, though less visible, are equally heavy.

Let’s unpack the 32nd verses from Surah al-Ahzāb in which wives of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم have been Divinely cautioned to refrain from talking softly to men for such whispering may transmit unwanted signals for men to come closer. Although the subject in the following verse are wives of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, yet these are applicable to all Muslim women, as we will discuss later.

The Verse

يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ ۚ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women, if you fear Allah. So do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should desire, but speak in an appropriate manner.” (33:32)

Note: Herein under, we will only mention the context and its relevance to our present times while unpacking the above quoted verse. Those wanting to know detailed explanation, my refer to Exegesis of Surah Al Ahzab, already published.

1. Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl)

The command was given during the Madinan period when the Muslim community was growing and women often interacted with men for social and religious purposes. Thus, this verse was revealed specifically addressing the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, who had a unique and elevated status as Mothers of the Believers. Since they were role models, their conduct had to set a high standard for Muslim women.

2. Core Instructions

The verse is divided into three parts:

• Not like other women: Their position demanded higher responsibility, not privilege.
• Guard speech: Avoiding excessive softness, flirtation, or suggestive tones in speech that might stir unhealthy desires in weak-hearted men.
• Speak appropriately: Communication should remain dignified, respectful, and purposeful.

3. Broader Meaning Beyond Wives of the Prophet ﷺ

Although revealed for the Prophet’s wives, scholars explain that the principle extends to all Muslim women:

• The Qur’an often begins with a particular case (Prophet’s family) and then gives a principle for all believers.
• This verse teaches women to balance modesty with dignity in speech, avoiding both harshness and flirtatious softness.

4. Relevance in Today’s World

This verse is highly applicable today, especially in an age of constant communication, workplace interactions, and digital conversations:

• Professional Speech: Women (and men too) should communicate clearly, firmly and respectfully, without suggestive tones or intentions.
• Digital Age: On social media, texting, or calls, modesty in words matters just as much as in physical interaction.
• Preventing Exploitation: Sadly, harassment and objectification are common today. This verse shows Islam’s proactive approach to protecting women’s dignity by setting guidelines for interaction.
• Role Models: Just like the Prophet’s wives were examples, believing women today serve as examples in workplaces, schools, and communities.

5. Supporting References

• Qur’an 24:30–31: Both men and women are commanded to lower their gaze and guard modesty.
• Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said:
• “Modesty brings nothing but good.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 37:9)
• “Every religion has its distinct characteristic, and the distinct characteristic of Islam is modesty.” (Ibn Mājah 4181)

6. Key Lessons for Muslim of the day, specially women

• Islam doesn’t forbid communication between genders but sets boundaries for protection and dignity.
• Both speech and tone can influence hearts; hence, mindfulness in communication is part of taqwā (God-consciousness).
• This guidance fosters safe, respectful, and healthy social environments.

Summary:

33:32 teaches that speech should be dignified and free of suggestiveness. While addressed to the Prophet’s wives, it applies broadly today, guiding Muslims—especially in mixed settings, workplaces, and digital communication—to interact respectfully and modestly, ensuring protection of hearts and preservation of dignity.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 33. Al-Ahzāb already published.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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Lone brave Indian Muslim girl protects her Hijab from intimidating Hindutva terrorists

Hijab is a symbol of modesty for women in Islam and at many places in Qur'an, women have been commanded to wear clothes that cover them from head to ankles leaving open their face, hands and feet. In fac all religions advocate women to be properly and "adequately" covered. But other than Islam, this dress has been left for nuns only while the generally women feel exposed with as much less clothes as possible. Read more on the subject in one of our earlier posts : Hijab for Muslim Women

But despite the so called freedom of women, the hijab of Muslim women pains the non Muslims and in some countries there is a total ban on hijab by Muslim women  Franc takes a lead is such countries. However recently Indian religious fanatic and radicals have unleashed a wave of intimidation and harassment against Muslim women clad in Burka, a loose black overall covering the entire body of the Muslim women. There have been instances wherein Muslim students girls wearing hijab have been stopped from entering their educational institutions. 

Recently a video has gone viral in which a lone Muslim female student clad in burka is seen being intimidated by a shouting and intimidating bunch of Hindu radicals in Indian state of Karnataka. But hats of this Muslim girl, later identified as Miss Muskan, who kept her wits about, dauntlessly stood the Nazi-type heckling, insult, and harassment at the hands of Hindutva fanatics and kept walking to her college chanting Muslim slogan of Allah hu Akbar (God is great). In the photo above she can be seen tailed by Hindu radicals. 

The entire Muslim world has joined hands together in appreciating and commending Mis Muskan for her very brave reactions to a mob which was very volatile and chanting prop Hindu slogans. Her courage to protect her modesty and hijab has been appreciated and will be a big question mark on the face of so called secular India. It may be noted that these Hindutva terrorists are the from the Indian BJP party of Indian PM Modi and since his occupation of the seat, incidents of hostilities against Muslims and Christians have increased manifold.

Her individual yet bold action and response to intimidation has made her a symbol of resistance on behalf of Indian Muslim girls who are suffering because of wearing Hijab in public. While burka or hijab is taken as offensive clothing, no one around the world objects to Hindus wearing saffron scarf which is in fact a symbol of radical Hinduism. In an interview, the brave girl says she is happy to see the appreciation she has received on social media: "So much love they are giving me and it gives me so much strength. I thank them very much."

Watch the video below of the entire incident as it went viral on the social media. As she walked towards her class after parking her scooter, a group of Hindutva terrorists began to mock her hijab by chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Unperturbed by the terror unleashed by BJP supporters, the girl stopped to shout ‘Allahu Akbar.’

It is time now that world must realize that Hijab by Muslim women is a reality and no amount of intimidation and anti hijab laws and hijab bans can rob the Muslim women from their right to observe hijab.

You may also refer to our reference page on Women in Islam and other Reference Pages created so far, to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Women in Islam

The West mocks Islam for cloaking their women from head to toe and restricting them to mere household chores and giving birth to and raising children. In fact a very bleak picture is painted of the plight of women in Islam and her wearing a hijab has become a matter of severe criticism. Some even pity the state and 'plight' of women in Islam.

This is one view. The other view is that of non Muslim women, living in a state of openness, individual freedom and free from any bonds to choose the living they wanted, still converting to Islam. This is the answer to those who pity women in Islam as women who were apparent free still chose to be women of Islam. Thus therefore, there must be something that still attracts women to Islam, beside men, and live a life altogether different of their forefathers, families and friends.

This subject will be not restricted to just one post, but many other to follow to explain the privilege and special position and status Islam reserves for the women.

The status of women in great Empires like the Roman Empire and other has been rather derogatory, unequal and for lustful needs of the men with no independent and individual status. For example in the Roman Civilization, If married she and her property passed into the power of her husband... the wife was the purchased property of her husband, and like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not exercise any civil or public office, could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or curator; she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract. Among the Scandinavian races women were: under perpetual tutelage, whether married or unmarried. As late as the Code of Christian V, at the end of the 17th Century, it was enacted that if a woman married without the consent of her tutor he might have, if he wished, administration and usufruct of her goods during her life.

As per the Common English Law: ...all real property which a wife held at the time of a marriage became a possession of her husband. He was entitled to the rent from the land and to any profit which might be made from operating the estate during the joint life of the spouses. As time passed, the English courts devised means to forbid a husband's transferring real property without the consent of his wife, but he still retained the right to manage it and to receive the money which it produced. As to a wife's personal property, the husband's power was complete. He had the right to spend it as he saw fit.

But Islam right from the outset set clear instructions as regard to status of woen when revelaed in the 7th century AD. It was only by late 19th century did the Church and Christian world started to relaise the status of women and granted them a semblance of equalness.

Before the revelation of Islam, the Arabs in Arabia would bury the newly born baby girls as it was a matter of shame for a MAN to bear a girl. Quran makes a special mention of this ritual:

"When news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on?" [Quran 16:58-59]

And it was one of the very commandments from Allah to stop this inhuman treatment meted out to women and spelt to some rejoicing status and role for women under the fold of Islam. In fact one complete chapter in Quran, Surah Al Nisah' is reserved for the affairs related to women in Islam.

The status of women in Islam is amply highlighted in Sahih Bukhari Vol 8 Book of Aadab Chapter 2 Hadith 2: 

Once a man asked Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) who deserves the most love and companionship in this world. For that Prophet replied “It’s your mother first”, then he asked who is next “again it was told as mother”, third time it is asked “again the reply was mother”, finally when the fourth time asked “it was mentioned as your Father”. This strongly declare that women in Islam can’t be oppressed at any cost, doing which it will revert as biggest sin on those who commit it. 

Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) thus says: "Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise. "

At another place the Prophet is quoted as saying: "Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the Day of Judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together). " As against many misconceptions about imparting of education, the Prophet categorically asserted, "The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males as seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim."

The Chasitity of women is guarded by Divine Commandments. For example it is said in the  4th verse of Surah 24 An Nur:

وَالَّذِيۡنَ يَرۡمُوۡنَ الۡمُحۡصَنٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَاۡتُوۡا بِاَرۡبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ فَاجۡلِدُوۡهُمۡ ثَمٰنِيۡنَ جَلۡدَةً وَّلَا تَقۡبَلُوۡا لَهُمۡ شَهَادَةً اَبَدًا​ ۚ وَاُولٰٓـئِكَ هُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ ۙ‏

(24:4) Those who accuse honourable women (of unchastity) but do not produce four witnesses, flog them with eighty lashes, and do not admit their testimony ever after. They are indeed transgressors,

This is to ensure that the honour of women is not compromised by false allegations and that their status is honoured in the society.

We will continue to be more specific as to the status and rights of women in Islam to quell many a misnomer about life of women in Islam.

References | Photo

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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