Surah An-Nur — Verse 31

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• Yaghḍuḍna (يَغْضُضْنَ): To lower or cast down the gaze, restraining it from looking at what is forbidden.
• Furūjahunna (فُرُوجَهُنَّ): Their private parts; includes guarding chastity and modesty.
• Zīnatahunna (زِينَتَهُنَّ): Their adornment — both hidden (like jewelry, necklaces, anklets) and that which is apparent (like outer garments).
• Khumurihinna (بِخُمُرِهِنَّ): Plural of *khimār* — the head covering that drapes over the chest and neck.
• Juyūbihinna (جُيُوبِهِنَّ): The openings of garments at the chest area.
• Buʿūlatihinna (بُعُولَتِهِنَّ): Their husbands.
• Tābiʿīn (التَّابِعِينَ): Those who follow the household — servants or attendants who have no desire for women.
• Ghayri ulī al-irbah (غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ): Men who have no sexual desire or need for women (e.g., the mentally impaired, the elderly with no libido, or eunuchs).
• Aṭ-ṭifl alladhīna lam yaẓharū ʿalā ʿawrāt an-nisāʾ (الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَىٰ عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ): Young children who have not yet reached the age of awareness of women’s private matters.
• Yadribna bi-arjulihinna (يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ): To strike the feet on the ground (to make anklets jingle and attract attention).

The Interpretation:

O Prophet, convey to the believing women the divine command that perfects their modesty and elevates their honor. They are to lower their gaze, turning their eyes away from anything that Allah has made unlawful for them to see — whether from men or from their own bodies being exposed improperly. They must guard their chastity and cover their private parts, protecting themselves from all forms of immorality and indecency.

They are commanded not to display their adornment — whether hidden jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, and anklets, or the beauty of their bodies — except for that which is naturally apparent and cannot be concealed, such as the outer garments they wear in public. Even this must not be worn in a way that invites temptation or draws undue attention.

Furthermore, they are instructed to draw their head coverings over their chests, ensuring that their hair, necks, and bosoms are fully concealed. This is not merely a cultural practice but a divine ordinance that safeguards their dignity and shields them from the gaze of those with ill intentions.

The verse then specifies those before whom a woman may reveal her hidden adornment. These are her husband, her father, her husband’s father, her sons, her husband’s sons, her brothers, her brothers’ sons, her sisters’ sons, her fellow Muslim women (and trustworthy women of other faiths in matters of concealment), the female slaves she owns, male servants who have no desire for women — such as the mentally impaired or those who have lost all sexual capacity — and young children who have not yet become aware of women’s private matters. These exceptions are rooted in the natural closeness of family bonds and the absence of any sexual temptation, making it permissible for them to see what is ordinarily concealed.

The believing women are also forbidden from striking their feet on the ground while walking in a manner that causes their hidden adornments — like anklets — to make sound, thereby drawing attention to themselves. This prohibition extends to any action that reveals what should remain hidden, whether through sound, movement, or display.

Finally, the verse concludes with a universal call to repentance: *“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, so that you may succeed.”* This is a gentle yet profound reminder that no one is perfect, and that the path to success — in this life and the Hereafter — lies in constantly returning to Allah, seeking His forgiveness for any shortcomings in fulfilling these commands, and striving to embody these noble qualities.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear believer, this verse is not a restriction — it is a liberation. It frees women from the chains of objectification and elevates them to a station of honor and respect. When a woman lowers her gaze, guards her modesty, and conceals her beauty, she is not being oppressed; she is being protected. She becomes a pearl hidden in its shell, precious and unattainable to those who would seek to diminish her worth.

And to the men who read this, know that the command to lower the gaze applies to you as well, as mentioned in the preceding verse. Modesty is a shared responsibility — a fortress for both genders. When society embraces these values, it becomes a garden of peace where hearts are pure, relationships are built on respect, and communities thrive in harmony.

So let us all respond to this divine call with sincerity. Let us repent for our past shortcomings, strive to implement these beautiful teachings, and trust that Allah’s promise of success — in this world and the next — is true. For indeed, the one who guards their modesty for the sake of Allah will find that Allah guards their honor, their heart, and their destiny.