Question: Can an Islamic sister wear fashionable and crystal-studded attractive Burqa’ when exiting her home?
Answer: This is extremely dangerous because men will stare at such Burqas. Remember! The fancier and more fashionable a woman’s Burqa’ is, the greater the possibility of mischief. The famous commentator, Ḥakīm-ul-Ummat, Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الْـمَنَّان says, ‘It is necessary for a woman to avoid exiting her house wearing attractive clothes and Burqas, because such Burqas are not veils. In fact, they are a means of showing beauty.’ (Mirāt, vol. 5, pp. 15)
Question: What if a woman exits her home with her entire body covered with a white or flowery shawl?
Answer: A shawl should not be attractive at all. This is a summary of a piece of advice by Ḥujjat-ul-Islam, Sayyidunā Imām Muhammad Bin Muhammad Ghazālī عَـلَـیۡـهِ رَحْـمَـةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـوَالِی, ‘Eye-catching shawls and veils that women usually wear are not sufficient. In fact, a white shawl or an eye-catching face-veil arouses lust even more because men think that her face would be even more beautiful and they may desire to see her face. Therefore, it is Ḥarām for women to exit their homes wearing a white shawl and a beautiful face-veil as well as a beautiful Burqa’. Any woman who does this, is a sinner. If her father, brother or husband allows her to do this, then he is also sinner.’ (Kīmiyā-e-Sa’ādat, vol. 2, pp. 560)
Question: Then what kind of Burqa’ should Islamic sisters wear?
Answer: A loose, simple, dull-coloured and thick fabric-made tent-like Burqa’ that makes it hard to decide whether the wearer is old or young.