up:: Islam
Tabarruj
Tabarruj (Arabic: تبرج tabarruj / tabarruj) is an Islamic term which refers to a woman displaying her beauty in a way deemed inappropriate by Islamic standards. It is often used to refer to a woman who fails to observe hijab, but the term also encompasses a general attitude in social interactions. Those who engage in tabarruj are called muttabarijat (Arabic: متبرجات mutabarrijat).
- The word “Tabarruj” is derived from the noun burj (Arabic: بُرْج), which literally refers to a prominent building such as a tower or castle. Tabarruj thus refers to a display of beauty in a prominent or highly visible position.
- A number of definitions of the term are found in classical Islamic literature:
- Mujahid said “Women used to go out walking in front of men, and this was the Tabarruj of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance).”
- Qatadah said “When they go out of their homes walking in a shameless and flirtatious manner, and Allah, may He be exalted, forbade that.”
- Muqatil ibn Hayyan said “Tabarruj is when a woman puts a khimar on her head but does not tie it properly.”
- Abdullah ibn Masud said “Tabarruj by means of displaying beautification in an improper place.”
- as-Suyuti said in an explanation: “Tabarruj by displaying beautification is showing off to strangers and this is disliked. This is the explanation of ‘an improper place’. It is not so if the beautification is done for the husband.”
