What is the interpretation of the saying of Allah the Exalted: “And postmenopausal women who have no hope of marriage—there is no blame on them if they lay down their garments, not displaying their adornment—and it is better for them if they are modest. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.”
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The questioner : He inquires about a noble verse, which is the saying of Allah the Exalted: [An-Nur 24:60]?
The Shaykh : The meaning of the verse is that the *qawa'id* are the elderly women who have stayed in their homes and[An-Nur 24:60], meaning they do not hope that anyone will marry them due to their advanced age. [An-Nur 24:60], meaning: the garments that cover the woman entirely. She may uncover her face, hands, and feet, on the condition that she is not displaying her adornment, meaning: she does not wear clothes that would cause fitnah (temptation) for others.
[An-Nur 24:60], meaning: so they do not lay down their garments, but the woman covers her entire self from men who are not her mahrams (close relatives), [An-Nur 24:60].
This is regarding the *qawa'id* (elderly women); what about the young women who uncover their faces, hands, and feet in the presence of their husbands' brothers, uncles, or similar relatives, as is the custom of some people, or who uncover themselves to strangers in markets and elsewhere? But because people are far from reflecting on the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and because customs have taken control of them, this has led to the display of adornment and lack of concern. We ask Allah to return us all to what is in our well-being and happiness in this world and the Hereafter.
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
والقواعد من النساء اللاتي لا يرجون نكاحا فليس عليهن جناح أن يضعن ثيابهن غير متبرجات بزينة وأن يستعففن خير لهن والله سميع عليمThe Shaykh : The meaning of the verse is that the *qawa'id* are the elderly women who have stayed in their homes and
who have no desire for marriage
لا يرجون نكاحاًthere is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments
فليس عليهن جناح أن يضعن ثيابهنBut to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them
وأن يستعففن خير لهنis better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
خير لهن والله سميع عليمThis is regarding the *qawa'id* (elderly women); what about the young women who uncover their faces, hands, and feet in the presence of their husbands' brothers, uncles, or similar relatives, as is the custom of some people, or who uncover themselves to strangers in markets and elsewhere? But because people are far from reflecting on the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and because customs have taken control of them, this has led to the display of adornment and lack of concern. We ask Allah to return us all to what is in our well-being and happiness in this world and the Hereafter.