What is Pardah?
In Islam, Pardah is referred to as the seclusion of women from men who are deemed as Na-Mahram for her. Pardah is fulfilled by observing a veil to hide herself from the sight of any Na-Mahram. Na-Mahrams are the ones with whom the women and the men are not allowed to be alone with like cousin brothers or sisters, uncles, aunt, etc.
How Muslims offend Pardah?
Pardah is treated as a very less important virtue especially by today’s youth. In the sake of development, society has developed into a more open environment with a mixed gathering of both genders. Today, Muslim men and women who are compete strangers do not find any Haya in talking to each other and spending time along with one another. Such a behavior is not considered to be modest.
What happens when a man and a woman are along together?
Shaitaan takes great pleasure in keeping a Muslim man and woman who are not married to each other stay alone together. He tempts them to commit a sin so that the person is taken far away from Allah.
It is said in Qur’an,
“LO! A man is never alone with a woman (i.e., a woman who is neither his wife nor a female relative that he is allowed to be alone with) except that the third one with them is shaitaan. (Sahihul-jami: 2546).
So, at any point of time when a Muslim man and woman who are Na-Mahram are alone with one another, Shaitaan accompanies them throughout and tempts them to sin further. A prolonged stare is probably the first preliminary step that result in fornication
Advice in the light of Islam
Every noble and modest Muslim sister must take all necessary precautions to avoid personal meetings with a man. Not only strangers but any male cousin, or brother-in-law or uncle should not be allowed to spend alone time with you. For this you can take care that you limit your conversations with men. You should try to not shake hands while talking to men for any work related purpose. Also, you should restrict yourself from having eye contact as much as possible.