MUHARRAM SERIES - 11/01

MUHARRAM SERIES - 11
Shaam-e-Ghareeban, the Imam was being introduced as tents burnt

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During the time of Madinah, Sura Ahzab (chapter 33 was revealed). There are many different topics discussed in this Sura of the Qur'an. One of those topics is the requirement of Hijab for Muslim women. The specific verse we want to quote here is as follows:

[Shakir 33:59] O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments(jalaabeeb-i-hinna); this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

So, we can see that this JILBAAB, over-garment in English (Chadar in Farsi and Urdu) was a sign of respect and honour for the women of the family of the Prophet and other Muslim women.

After all the men were killed at Karbala including Imam Husayn, the soldiers of Yazeed's army attacked the surviving women. With the points of their lances they picked up those chadars away from the women's heads.

Why was this done? Were the soldiers doing it on their own?

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