Purdah with non-mahram family men
Q: I would like advice regarding the following matter:
In our family, it is a norm that the women who are in parda don’t make parda from our family men but they make parda from everyone else. I did the same when I first went into parda but Alhumdulilah with the encouragement from my apas, Allah granted me the taufeeq to wear parda correctly (i.e for all ghair mahram men).
My family is not in favor of this decision.
1. An elder has reprimanded me for making parda for my mothers sisters husbands due to the fact that I cannot marry them. What should my reply be to such statements since it is an elder? They adamantly tell me to take it out and sit on the eating table.
2. If my uncles (non mahram) enter the kitchen or the area where the females are and they greet me I reply. I avoid any type of conversation with them. But someone had brought it to my attention that this is hurting their feelings as I use to treat them as if they were my fathers from a young age. Am I correct in what I am doing?
3. Some people say that it is sufficient to just avoid talking to all of these non mahram family men and not wear parda in front of them if ones family is like how my family is. Is this correct?
A: Your loyalty and allegiance is primarily to Allah Ta`ala. As long as you are in conformity with the command of Allah Ta`ala you do not have to pay attention to any person's criticism and remark. Just ignore all these statements and remain firm for the sake of Allah Ta`ala. Think about the respected wife of Firoun, Aasiya, and how she remained firm. As a result, Allah made her the best woman of the world and further exalted her in that she will be amongst the respected wives of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in the hereafter. May Allah Ta`ala keep you firm and reward you immensely.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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