Encyclopedia of Islam

purdah

  

561  J

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behavior recommended in the q

Uran

 and s

Unna

.

For example, quranic verses 24:30–31 call upon 

men and women to “lower their gaze” away from 

objects of sexual desire. Purdah practices in the 

subcontinent are mostly concentrated among 

members of the upper classes, thus frequently 

indicating elevated social status. It is important 

to note that practices of purdah vary significantly 

according to the surrounding social and cultural 

milieu, and they must be understood within their 

specific historical and cultural contexts.

See also 

harem

; 

veil

.

Aysha A. Hidayatullah