Quran 33:33 – Context And Historical Background
As for “tabarruj,” in the Arabic language it does not simply mean that a woman has not covered her head. Rather, its real meaning is that a woman displays her beauty, adornment, or physical attractiveness in such a way that it draws people’s attention toward her. In the period of pre-Islamic ignorance (Jahiliyyah), some women would go out in a manner where their clothing highlighted their adornment, jewelry was openly displayed, and their manner of walking was also meant to attract attention. Some reports also mention that even when the head was covered, the scarf would be worn in a way that the neck and upper chest remained visible. This type of style was referred to as “tabarruj of the former Jahiliyyah (tabarruj al-jahiliyyah al-ula).”
So that’s how it is… This is similar to prostitutes who display their beauty to attract customers. I understand a little about this behavior of tabarruj. Simply put, it’s not just about displaying beauty. Displaying beauty is fine, even if the clothes worn may not seem fashionable, such as not covering parts of the body that are close to private areas. It all depends on the situation, place, and context in which the beauty is displayed. For example, using perfume excessively to seduce men is clearly tabarruj. Wearing excessive jewelry and walking through the market so that the sound of the jewelry can be heard (this is done to seduce the men around her). This is also tabarruj. However, the context would be different if this were done in a different situation, such as at an art event featuring dance performances, where the dancers wear jewelry like bracelets and excessive makeup. Since the context is dance art and not seducing men, this is not tabarruj. Is my understanding correct?