You must carry out a struggle against your desires and self-interests. You must struggle
and face up to the prescription held by certain segments of Society about you. You must be courageous and strive to establish your pure values in the face of ridicule and mockery, and you must strive to always implement the laws and teachings of the Qur’an in your daily lives. Only then will you be deemed a true-believing woman.
I sometimes receive complaints or reports that though some Ahmadi girls or women do cover their heads, yet when they go to the mall they wear tight jeans and t-shirts or blouses that barely reach their waist. Remember that such clothing and such immodesty is a mockery of your religion.
On many occasions, I have reminded Ahmadis that Allah has not only commanded purdah of the face but has commanded purdah of the entire body. This is also clearly evident from the verse of the Holy Quran (Ch. 24:32).
Thus, when you go outside of your home, it is necessary that you wear a loose overcoat or a long shawl. If you fail to follow this, not only is it a violation of purdah, but it is also a display of immodesty and the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught that modesty is a part of faith. Indeed on another occasion, he taught that every faith has a special and unique characteristic, and Islam’s is modesty. Those who do not observe modesty have been cursed.
Therefore, to protect your faith and to become a true model of Islam, you must correct any weaknesses that exist in what you wear and you must always protect your chastity because by doing so your faith is protected. It may be that the very minimum acceptable level of purdah requires you to only cover your hair and chin. However, if you adopt this form of purdah, then you should not wear make-up. Islam does not stop women from working, but such work-that requires a Muslim woman
to compromise her sanctity by wearing inappropriate clothing or uniform-is not permitted.
Certainly, there are Ahmadi women throughout the world, who are working as doctors, teachers, engineers, scientists and in many other professions, and they conduct these careers whilst maintaining the proper standards of modesty and upholding their hijab.
Selected synopsis of addresses to Lajna Imaillah on Purdah by
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (atba), Khalifatul Masih V
Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
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