The Living Purdah Site

The living purdah site.

All praises and thanks be to Allah, the creator of mankind, jinns and all that exists. The greatest thing that God had offered humanity is that he provided them messengers chosen from among the best of their kind. He disclosed and conferred upon man the Revelation to guide everyone towards the truth, the straight path, as well as warn and deliver people from falsehood and evil, such that they would seek alone His pleasure and satisfaction in pursuit of Paradise. Since time immemorial, God sent prophets after prophets, messages after messages --- dating from Noah to Abraham, Moses, Jesus (Peace be upon them) and culminating with the seal of them all, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who came to confirm not only the previous messengers but especially that of the universal message which calls people to worship the Creator alone.

Imagine that.

What is it like to be a Muslim woman? What do sisters do all day? What is life like in purdah? These typical questions have simple answers. Come with in the confines of an ordinary day in the life of a Muslimah in Purdah and see what Allah SWT shows you of this lifestyle.


	Before emailing me with a question, READ the "information" page - your answer is there 75% of the time.

A TYPICAL DAY IN PURDAH:

About an hour before dawn the alarm buzzes and the family arise with prayers on their lips from their foam mattresses, wash for prayers, dress in long clothes, put on their scarves or caps, and assemble in the living room, where Ibrahim, 9 years, calls them to prayer. They begin with the night prayer and make prayer requests for the Mujahadeen, the Muslim community, and personal causes. They make zikkar until the adan is sounded for the first obligatory ‘fard’ prayer of the day, fajr. They do a voluntary ‘sunnah’ prayer before the fard one and complete it with repetitive worship called ‘zikkah.’ After this quran is recited until sunrise.

The morning worship is essential in the life of the Muslim. It sorts the hypocrites from the believers. It is a relaxed way to start the day with focus on Allah SWT rather than the hectic buzz of worldly life. It is a time to ask favors from Allah swt and to form a closeness to Him.

Five times a day the family will come together in prayer. They will accomplish the Sunnah, the fard and the zikkar. Prayer is foremost in the actions of a believer. It is the very least that a Muslim should do for his or her own soul.

The Moogrib prayer after sunset is followed by about an hour, until the isha prayer, of quran or dua reciting or discussions about hadeeth. This is a chance to go over what has been learnt and to discuss it.

Thoughout the day cassettes, by sheikhs on various subjects important to the Muslim community, are listened to. These could be about the importance of Jihad, the Rights of Spouses etc. It is Sunnah to have a rest during the day, and if not tired use it as an opportunity to do more zikkah while resting. Children may wish to listen to nasheeds or play quietly at this time if they are not interested in having a nap. The frequency, the centrality, the importance given to prayer show its pivotal position. It is interrupted with little periods of work, not vice versa. Purdah is a life of worship. Inshallah.

DOMESTIC DUTIES AT HOME:

Chores around the home are fairly normal, they include cooking and cleaning, knitting, checking the mail, taking out the trash, gardening, helping children with their subjects, studies, and answering email prayer requests. Home education takes up a lot of spare time. Dawah and communicating with extended family members by email, phone, or in person is also important. Then there are bills and rent to pay, and shopping to do.

ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES IN PURDAH:

What do sisters do during their 'spare' time? Well mostly chitter chatter or spend some time browsing the internet. Perhaps visit another sister for tea and share the joy of the day. Maybe go to the park or the library with her family. As the days are longer in summer she may extend her free time to play a 'halal' sport. This doesn't mean she forgets Allah SWT, only that it is her chance to do something she has an interest in.

The family goes for regular outings, usually walks and activities park. They also take the time to visit friends and be visited and to keep in touch with extended family. There are many alternatives to TV, 'dua walking' and 'zikkar cross stitch,' exercising, reading good books, making dawah, playing with children and helping those in need are some alternatives.

EAT, DRINK & BE HUMBLE THE SUNNAH WAY:

Fasting is very important to Muslims. Everyone over ten in the house fast on Monday and Thursday if possible. This is Sunnah. They also fast during the entire month of Ramadan and six days in Shawal. The fast is broken at Moogrib with dates and milk. It is followed by prayer and then a modest dinner.

They enjoy good conversation during meals and shared meals because the Prophet SAW encouraged this, alhumdulilah and avoid addatives, preservatives, caffine and food colourings as they are like poisons.

SPIRITUAL SPACE IN PURDAH:

Staying at home and spending a life in worship is very important. Sisters do not go out without a good reason, such as medical. For the most part a sister's husband will do the shopping and pay bills. This leaves her free to worship and safe from threats in markets etc. This doens't mean a sister is a bird in a cage. In the beginning of Islam only 'lewd' women were locked away. No this is simple modesty and controlling naffs. There are far greater rewards for a woman to stay at home, pray at home etc. However even the Prophet's wives during their purdah after his death, completed hajj (although a couple did not want to repeat it) and visited each other, and had family members visit them.

This is Islamic Purdah! They did not associate with non-mahrem men at any time and wore a face veil like other believing and free women. When in purdah a sister can still go out, but she covers up! It is as simple as that. Certainly it is easier if she is with a male relative but not nessesary on small trips. Personally I prefer it though.

What kind of muslimah should give purdah a go? Basic requirements are that you...

must want to be obedient to Allah swt
must love to worship Him
will need a male relative to care for the outside needs
need a male relative who will be sensitive to your needs
will need adequate space and privacey
need to feel sure that you are not putting your trust with someone who may abuse you
should do it for the right reasons

Purdah is not imprisoning yourself, you can still go out in niqaab.

A TYPICAL DAY IN PURDAH (schedule)


	3:30 - Rising 3:50* - Tahajjat Prayer followed by Duas Fajr & Sunnah Prayers & Quran Reading 6.30am* - Sunrise Breakfast Studies Domestic Duties 12:00* - Mid-Day Zohr Prayer Zohar & Sunnah Prayers Sunnah Sleep 4:00 - Madressi, Khudbas on tape, Dua Walking 5:00 - Dinner (unless fasting) Domestic Duties (Resumed) 5:30* - Assr Prayer 6:00 - Free time & Recreation 8:00* - Moogrib & Sunnah Prayers Quran Studies 10:00* - Isha And Sunnah Prayers 10:30 - Sleep Witr Prayer*

*Prayer times change slightly each day. INSHALLAH!

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