# Religion and Conversion in Veiled Women

> Theme guide for Veiled Women by Marmaduke Pickthall.

Barakah's conversion to Islam is a central plot point, used to critique both Western Christian assumptions about Muslim women and to explore the spiritual and social dimensions of religious identity in a colonial context.

## Where it surfaces

- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/i): The English governess's conversion to Islam ("islamed") is a central plot point, sparking reactions of amazement and skepticism among the women.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/ii): The governess's conversion to Islam is a central plot point, causing tension between the Pasha and the Consul.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/iv): Barakah's willingness to convert to Islam and her rejection of English pietism underscore the theme of religious change and its social implications.
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xi): Barakah studies Islam under Yûsuf, learning prayers and rules, and is fascinated by the faith's tolerance of human failings.
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxvi): Murjânah explicitly links Barakah's parenting failures to her lack of genuine faith, suggesting she has not truly embraced Islam.
- [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxix): The women frame political events in religious terms, viewing Arâbi as a defender of Islam and the English as infidels threatening Muslim rule.
- [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxiii): Barakah sees her son's death as divine punishment for her sinful life and plans to enter a religious order to pray for Muslims.
- [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxv): Barakah's prayer oscillates between Christian and Muslim forms, reflecting her tangled religious identity and desperation.
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxvi): Barakah experiences a moment of spiritual unity, feeling that 'there was one God for Christian and for Muslim,' transcending religious divisions.
- [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxvii): Barakah secretly dreads Islam and longs to return to Christianity, contemplating seeking an audience with English rulers to announce her conversion.
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxviii): Barakah's secret plan to convert to Christianity drives the chapter's plot, emphasizing the personal and societal stakes of religious change.
- [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/chapters/xxxix): Barakah's struggle between Christianity and Islam culminates in her acceptance of Islam, finding peace in self-annihilation and the teachings of the Prophet.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/themes/religion_and_conversion
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/veiled_women_se/themes