Re-explaining the statement of Allah the Exalted: "And postmenopausal women who have no hope of marriage—there is no blame on them if they put off their garments, not displaying adornment, and..."
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Then He, the Exalted, said: [An-Nur 24:60]"Those who have passed the age of menstruation and childbirth because of their old age [An-Nur 24:60] therefore, there is no sin on them if they take off their outer garments, such as the jilbab, the rida', the niqab, and the khimar, displaying their hidden adornment, such as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet, and if they are modest" to the end of it. "Al-Qa'idat" is the plural of "qa'idah." His saying "of the women" specifies "al-Qa'idat" because the "al" in "al-Qa'idat" is a relative pronoun, because when "al" enters a derived noun, whether it is a passive participle or an active participle, it becomes a relative pronoun. So "al-Qa'idat" means "those who have sat down." His saying "of the women" specifies "al-Qa'idat," but they sat down from what? The author says: "from menstruation and childbirth". The meaning of "al-Qa'idat" is those who do not give birth and do not menstruate because of their old age. It was also said that "al-Qa'idat" are those who stay in their homes because of their old age, because they do not go out due to weakness and frailty, so they are "qa'idat." It was also said that "al-Qa'idat" is a general term for old women, just as we say "old woman" (derived from weakness); we also say "qa'idah" meaning one who is unable to stand, go, and return. Now, his saying: [An-Nur 24:60] "who do not hope for marriage"—is this a description of "al-Qa'idat" or of "the women"? It is a description of "al-Qa'idat," because if you said "of the women who do not hope for marriage," it would include "qa'idat" from the women who do hope for marriage, and that is not the case. So his saying "who do not hope for marriage" is a description of "al-Qa'idat." And his saying "do not hope"—how do they not hope, when they are feminine and "rajun" is a masculine verb?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, the "waw" is the "waw" of the verb, and the "nun" is the "nun" of the women. The meaning of "do not hope for marriage" is that they do not desire it, and that is due to their old age, for a man does not desire old women...[An-Nur 24:60] There is no doubt that the intended meaning of his statement is not all garments, meaning they remain naked. This cannot be said. So what is meant by garments? The outer garments that are customary to wear, such as the jilbab. The author mentions the rida', the niqab, and the khimar. These are the outer garments. It is permissible for an old woman to wear a simple dress and show her hands, head, face, feet, and legs, but on the condition that she does not display adornment, "not displaying adornment." If she displays adornment desiring marriage, showing herself like young women, wearing a bracelet and an anklet, and sitting ostentatiously before people, this is not permissible. But if the matter is natural, it is permissible for her to put off her garments.
The student: Even if she is with a non-mahram?
The Shaykh : Yes, even if she is with a non-mahram, because she does not seek marriage... We begin to mention the benefits.
The student:[An-Nur 24:60] ...?
The Shaykh : Because there is no display except with adornment. I say this is an explanation of the reality.
The student: ...postmenopausal women from the women...?
The Shaykh : If she is an old woman, there is no objection. If a person brings an old woman servant into the house, it is permissible for her to be uncovered; there is no harm. The student: She travels only with a mahram...
The Shaykh : A mahram. The hadith is general: it is not permissible for her to travel except with a mahram.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : And what is the condition? Because if there is no seclusion in the house, there is no objection.
The student: Puberty is the completion of fifteen years.
The Shaykh : The condition of puberty is the completion of fifteen years... Take it, 'Abd al-Rahman... this book, because you are the one concerned, without a title, and so I crossed it out...
And women of post-menstrual age
والقواعد من النساءwho have no desire for marriage
اللاتي لا يرجون نكاحاnot displaying adornment
غير متبرجاتwho have no desire for marriage
اللاتي لا يرجون نكاحاThe student: ...
The Shaykh : Yes, the "waw" is the "waw" of the verb, and the "nun" is the "nun" of the women. The meaning of "do not hope for marriage" is that they do not desire it, and that is due to their old age, for a man does not desire old women...
there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments
فليس عليهن جناح أن يضعن ثيابهنthey put on their garments
يضعن ثيابهنThe student: Even if she is with a non-mahram?
The Shaykh : Yes, even if she is with a non-mahram, because she does not seek marriage... We begin to mention the benefits.
The student:
[but] not displaying adornment
غير متبرجات بزينةThe Shaykh : Because there is no display except with adornment. I say this is an explanation of the reality.
The student: ...postmenopausal women from the women...?
The Shaykh : If she is an old woman, there is no objection. If a person brings an old woman servant into the house, it is permissible for her to be uncovered; there is no harm. The student: She travels only with a mahram...
The Shaykh : A mahram. The hadith is general: it is not permissible for her to travel except with a mahram.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : And what is the condition? Because if there is no seclusion in the house, there is no objection.
The student: Puberty is the completion of fifteen years.
The Shaykh : The condition of puberty is the completion of fifteen years... Take it, 'Abd al-Rahman... this book, because you are the one concerned, without a title, and so I crossed it out...