وَٱلْقَوَٰعِدُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَـٰتٍۭ بِزِينَةٍ ۖ وَأَن يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 60
Translations
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Wal-qawa'idu minan-nisa'i allaati la yarjuna nikahan fa laysa 'alayhinna junahu an yada'na thiyabahunna ghayra mutabarrijah bi-zienatin wa an yasta'fafna khayrun lahunna wallahu samee'un 'aleem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses elderly women who have passed the age of marriage and childbearing, permitting them to remove their outer garments (jilbab/khimar) without sin, as long as they do not display themselves in adornment. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that this concession is specific to post-menopausal women whose primary purpose for veiling—to guard against temptation—no longer applies. However, the ayah emphasizes that modest restraint and self-respect ('iffah) remain praiseworthy virtues for all women regardless of age, and Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing of their intentions and deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24), revealed in Madinah during the period when detailed rulings on modesty and interaction between genders were being established for the Muslim community. It contextualizes the broader dress code mentioned earlier in the surah (24:31) by making specific accommodations for elderly women while maintaining the underlying principle of dignity and chastity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Modesty and chastity are from faith' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Umm Salamah asked the Prophet about elderly women and the hijab, and this ayah was revealed in response, establishing compassionate rulings while preserving dignity (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Themes
Key Lesson
While Islamic law provides mercy and accommodations suited to different life circumstances, the spirit of modesty, self-respect, and consciousness of Allah transcends legal requirements; believers of all ages are encouraged to seek inner excellence and dignity as a reflection of their faith.