The concept of “hijab” and veiling in the Quran and quranists.
May 27, 2011 13 Comments
I saw this post on one quranist FaceBook group, which I found honest and intriguing.
“I use to wear hijab and even defended the practise of doing so. I was adament that wearing hijab was part of the law. Well until I looked further into this practise using the Quran alone and not being influenced by the practices of my father’s beliefs. I was shocked at how negatively the Quran portrays those who cover their heads with veils or their outer garments as is stated in the Quran.
Allah makes numerous examples of those who veil and when things are veiled as being in darkness, not guided, in doubt and the list goes on and on. It is only when this veil, garment is removed from our heads, ears, eyes that we clearly see the message. Now this could be a metaphorical meaning but from most of the verses it is clear that covering any part of our heads is always used with negative connotations in the Holy Quran.
I will only quote a few verses so the reader must decide for themselves which meaning is best for them, to cover with a veil or not to cover Insha’Allah
Dress code for women using the Quran, there is no mention of a head cover:
33:59 O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they should lengthen upon themselves their outer garments. That is better so that they will not be recognized and harmed. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
If this head cover was a law for women I ask you, why would God use it so negatively?
Negative usage of the veil (head cover or hijab) in the Quran:
71:7 “And every time I called on them so that You may forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears and they covered their heads with their outer garments and they insisted, and they became greatly arrogant.”
2:7 GOD seals their minds and their hearing, and their eyes are veiled/covered. They have incurred severe retribution.
50:22 “You were heedless of this, so now We have removed your veil, and your sight today is iron/sharp!”
10:27 But us for those who have done evil deeds – the recompense of an evil, deed shall be the like thereof: and – since they will have none to defend them against God – ignominy will overshadow them as though their faces were veiled by the night’s own darkness: it is they who are destined for the fire. therein to abide.
Allah says we must cover except that which is apparent:
24:31 Tell the acknowledging women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts, and that they should not show off their attraction except what is apparent, and let them cast their clothes over their cleavage. Let them not show off their attraction except to their husbands, or their fathers, or fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or their children that come after them, or those who are still their dependants, or the male servants who are without need, or the child who has not yet understood the nakedness of women. Let them not strike with their feet in a manner that reveals what they are keeping hidden of their attraction. Repent to God, all of you acknowledgers, so that you may succeed
Hearing is as important as with our other senses. If we can’t hear, how can we enjoy the sounds of nature, the music that uplifts our soul, or hear the kind and loving words from our loved ones, and many other things. It is thru hearing that we communicate and become productive. As we age our hearing starts to deteriorate.”
I saw this video today posted in another FaceBook group, which contains some useful information from the Qur’an regarding the words “hijab” and “hijaban” . To be honest though it seems to be a little extreme where the video producer says that those who DO choose to wear a head-covering are performing Idol Worship. This is an extreme contrast to this video, which belittles even the efforts of those who try to wear a head covering of some kind in the belief that it is God’s command, only to point out to them that they are doing it wrong if it is not the correct exact amount of coverage, the correct fabric, the correct colour EVEN THE CORRECT SMELL!! (seriously!), and they go on to accuse those who wear perfume of being Adulterers!
Is there no middle ground? Talk about damned if you do, damned if you don’t! It seems to me that when it comes to the concept of “Hijab” the way the term is used today to mean basically covering all the body apart from the face and the hands (and in some cases even the face is covered too), not all is as it seems. Trying to think reasonably and logically about this: surely if there is no command in the Qur’an to cover your hair,/neck/ ears/face etc, then it’s not wrong to leave your hair /neck/ears/face showing? Likewise, if there is no command to NOT cover your hair, then if you choose to wear something that resembles some form of head covering for whatever reason you may have, or whatever style that is your personal preference – hat, pashmina, scarf – be it small, large, loose, tight, short, long, full cover, half cover, bright, sparkly, plain etc then what’s the problem?
It has really saddened me that these extreme attitudes in the videos I’ve mentioned just turn people off. It seems to me, such extreme attitudes, forms of either Islamic Fundamentalism or Quranic Fundamentalism do not leave any allowance for Qur’an 2:143.
More reading: Hijab word study from Quran
veil in the Quran
hijab in the Quran
Video from IIPC speaker Mohammad Shaikh – lecture on Hijab / veil
Hijab and Niqab in the Quran on QuranicPath.com
Read articles about the Quranist Identity here:
This section explains who we are as an association. Since there are numerous misunderstandings that we are a sect, we will attempt to correct that with the articles below. Who are Quranists? Please read below:
1. Quranists and the term ‘Quranists’ by Farouk A. Peru
2. An Analysis of Quranist Fundamentalism by Farouk A. Peru
3. Quranism: The Metaphor of the House by Farouk A. Peru
4. Quranists: Between Reading and Interpretation by Farouk A. Peru
5. Submitters and Quranists by Asfora
6. Quranism is not a Sect ! Here is Why by Farouk A. Peru
7. Justifying the Quranism / Quranist labels by Asfora
8. Quranism and Traditionalism: Not Mutually Exclusive! by Farouk A. Peru
9. Who are the Real Sectarians? by Farouk A. Peru
10. A Quranist’s Response to the term “Hadith Rejector” by Asfora
11. “Quran Alone-ism” and Quranism by Asfora
12. Multiple Paths to Salvation by Darcus
13. The Deceptive “Just Muslim” Label by Farouk A. Peru
14. Who is a Kaafir? by Kashif Shahzada
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Does the Quran Require Women to Wear the Veil?
a big yes because it’s in surah Ahzab ayat 59.The Noble Qur’an ……..
Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse #59
‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (“Jalabib”) veils all over their bodies (screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way Tafseer Al-Qurtabi) that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.”
Surah An-Nur, Verses #30 and #31
‘And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)
From the Hadith…..
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith # 282
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba (Radhiallaahu Ánha) “Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) used to say: “When (the Verse): “They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,” was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Hadith # 368
Narrated ‘Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) used to offer the Fajr prayer and some believing women covered with their veiling sheets used to attend the Fajr prayer with him and then they would return to their homes unrecognized .
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin in tafseer of this hadith explains “This hadith makes it clear that the Islamic dress is concealing of the entire body as explained in this hadith. Only with the complete cover including the face and hands can a woman not be recognized. This was the understanding and practice of the Sahaba and they were the best of group, the noblest in the sight of Allah (swt) with the most complete Imaan and noblest of characters. so if the practice of the women of the sahaba was to wear the complete veil then how can we deviate from their path? (Ibn Uthaimin in the book “Hijaab” page # 12 and 13)
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 4, Hadith # 148
Narrated ‘Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha): The wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. ‘Umar used to say to the Prophet “Let your wives be veiled,” but Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam’a the wife of the Prophet went out at ‘Isha’ time and she was a tall lady. ‘Umar addressed her and said, “I have recognized you, O Sauda.” He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of “Al-Hijab” (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).
Salaam Aleykum
You might be interested in these articles that explain about Quranism.
Agree with u sahar..don’t knw why ppl don’t understand Quran…n why they misinterpret it..
no sis the hair head eyes ears are all apparant, and if god wanted women to veil their heads it would have been made clear in the quran and it is not, it says cover the breasts and private parts, also legs should be covered, these things such as head, hands are apparent and ordinary, wear trousers lose ones, the head and hands should be free of covering otherwise the womans hearing can be affected there no sense in covering the hair,
a womans beauty is her face and body men find women attractive even if there head is shaved so dont tell me the beauty is in the hair, women should cover their bodies more because thats where men get attracted if thats covered men are less likely to
look at a woman lustfully.
Abu Dawood Book 14, Hadith # 2482
Narrated Thabit ibn Qays (Radhiallaahu Ánhu): A woman called Umm Khallad came to the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) while she was veiled. She was searching for her son who had been killed (in the battle) Some of the Companions of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said to her: You have come here asking for your son while veiling your face? She said: If I am afflicted with the loss of my son, I shall not suffer the loss of my modesty. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: You will get the reward of two martyrs for your son. She asked: Why is that so, oh Prophet of Allah? He replied: Because the people of the Book have killed him.
Abu Dawood Book 32, Hadith # 4090
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin (Radhiallaahu Ánha): When the verse “That they should cast their outer garments over their persons” was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
but theres no proof this is true, its just books written by men, we are not sure which hadiths are authentic fir sure so if in doubt then we must follow the quran which god said is the complete book that is protected.
From the Mufasireen of Quraan…
The Mufassir, Imaam Al-Qurtubi (Rahimahullah),
Cites in his Tafseer of the Ayah on Jilbaab (Al-Ahzab 33:59), that the Jilbaab is: “a cloth which covers the entire body… Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) and ‘Ubaidah As-Salmaani (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) said that it is to be fully wrapped around the women’s body, so that nothing appears but one eye with which she can see.” (Tafseer Al-Qurtubi Surah Al-Ahzab ayah # 59. This was also agreed upon by Imam WahidiImam Neishapuri in the book of tafseer of Quran “Gharaib -ul-Quran” and “Ahkam-ul-Quran”, Imam Razi, in his tafseer of Surah Azhab in the book “Tafsir-i-Kabir” Imam Baidavi in his tafseer of Quran “Tafsir-i-Baidavi” and by Abu Hayyan in “Al-Bahr-ul-Muhit” and by Ibn Sa’d Muhammad bin Ka’b Kuradhi and they have all descirbed the use of jalbaab more or less in the SAME way as the two described by Ibn Abbas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu).)
Also from Imaam Qurtubi (Rahimahullah)
in his Al-Jamia li Ahkaamul Qurãn states: “All women are in effect covered by the terms of the verse which embraces the Sharée principle that the whole of a woman is ‘Áwrah’ (to be concealed) – her face, body and voice, as mentioned previously. It is not permissible to expose those parts except in the case of need, such as the giving of evidence…” (“Al-Jamia li Ahkaamul Qurãn”)
At-Tabari and Ibn Al-Mundhir
described the method of wearing the jalbaab according to Ibn Abbas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) and Qatadah (Radhiallaahu Ánhu). The sheet should be wrapped around from the top, covering the forehead, then bringing one side of the sheet to cover the face below the eyes so that most of the face and the upper body is covered. This will leave both eyes uncovered (which is allowed in necessity).(Rul-ul-Ma’ani, Vol 22, p.89)
Ibn Kathir (Rahimahullah) said…
“Women must not display any part of their beauty and charms to strangers except what cannot possibly be concealed.” (Quoted by Mufti Ibrahim Desi in his article on hijaab)
Maoulana Abul A’la Maududi (Rahimahullah) In his tafseer of Surah Azhab ayah #59
“In verse 59 the third step for social reform was taken. All the Muslim women were commanded that they should come out well covered with the outer garments and covering their faces whenever they came out of their houses for a genuine need.” (From Tasfeer of Quran by Maoulana Abul A’la Maududi in tafseer of ayah # 59 of Surah Al-Ahzaab)
From the 4 Madhabib (4 madhabs)…….
Mufti Anwar Ali Adam Al Mazahiri (Mufti A’azam (Head Mufti) of Madrasa Madinatil Uloom Trinidad & Tobago.)
“Imam Shafi, Malik and Hanbal hold the view that niqaab (covering the face and the hands completely with only a small area for the eyes to see) as
being compulsory (fard). Imam Abu Hanifa says that niqaab is Wajib and the face and hands can be exposed provided that there is not fear of desire if one looks at the female face, otherwise if there is the slightest chance of desire developing in the looker (the meaning of desire is that the looker would see the female face and think that she is beautiful, sexual thaught is not what is meant) then exposing the face and hands is Haraam.
(This is from the fatwaa issued by Mufti Anwar Ali Adam Al Mazahiri on 13/9/99. He derived the opnions of the 4 Imaams from these sources Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Tafseer Ma’rifatul Qur’aan, Durre Muhtaar, Fatawa Shami, Al Mabsoot, Fathul Qadeer. And the opinion of Imaam Abu hanifah is a directly derived from his statements in the Famous book of hanafi Fiqh Fatwaa Shami)
Shaikh AbdulAziz Bin Bazz (One of the greatest scholars of our times. He passed away 26th of Muharram 1420 Hijrah. (12th of May 1999) Rahimahullah. He belonged to the Hanbali School of jurisprudence.)”It is compulsory for a woman to cover her face in front of non mahram men”(This has been quoted in Shaikh Bin Bazz’s pamphlet on Hijab and in the book ‘Islamic Fatwas regarding Women’ and in the Arabic version of the book “hijaab Wa Safur” page #51)
Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullah)
Relates that the correct opinion for the Hanbali and Malki madhaib is that is is wajib to cover everything except one or two eyes to see the way.
(from the Arabic book “Hijaab wa Safur” under the fatwaa of Ibn Taymiyyah on hijaab, page # 10)
Shaikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Quotes All of the woman is awrah based on the hadith of “Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said “All of a woman is ‘awrah.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi with a sahih isnaad).This is the correct view according to the madhhab of the Hanbalis, one of the two views of the Maalikis and one of the two views of the Shaafa’is. (Quoted in his book of fatwaa and on his web site)
Jamiatul Ulama Junbi Africa sated that the proper opinion for the Hanafi madhab is that “A woman must be properly and thoroughly covered in a loose outer cloak which totally conceals her entire body including her face!”
(This from the book Islamic Hijab by Jamiatul Ulama P.12)
Mufti-e-Azam Rasheed Ahmad Ludhyanvi (Rahimahullah, one of the head Muftis of the hanafi Madhab of his time This opinion is taken to be the correct opinion of the hanafi madhab today)
Explained in his tafseer of Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse #59. “Allah Ta’ala is telling them that whenever out of necessity they have togo out, they should cover themselves with a large cloak and draw a corner of it over their faces so that they may not be recognised.
(From his article “A Detailed, analytical review on the Shar’ee hijab”)
From the known and respect authentic Ullima…….
Ibn Al-Hazam (Rahimahullah)
“In arabic language, the language of the Prophet (saw), the word jilbaab (as mentioned in the Quran Surah Ahzaab ayah # 59) means the outer sheet which covers the entire body. A sheet smaller than that which would cover the entire body, cannot be catagrized as jilbaab. (Al-Muhallah, Vol 3. Pg 217)
Ibn Al-Mandhur (Rahimahullah)
“Jalabib is plural for Jilbaab. Jalbaab is actually the outer sheet/coverlet which a woman wraps around, on top of her garments to cover herself from head to toe. This covers the body entirely.” (Lisan ul-Arab, VOL 1. Pg.273)
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalanee (Rahimahullah)
A tradition reported on the authority of Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) says: “A woman in a state of Ihram (during Hajj and Umrah) should stretch her head cloth over to her face to hide it.” (In Fathul Bari, chapter on Hajj)
Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullah) relates:
“Women used to room about without Cloaks (Jilbaabs) and men used to see their faces and hands, but when the verse stating ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks over themselves.’ (Surah Al-Ahzaab,Verse #59)was reveled, then this was prohibited and women were ordered to wear the Jilbaab. Then Ibn Tayimiyyah goes on to say “The word Jilbaab means a sheet which Ibn Mas’ud (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) explained as a cloak covering the entire body including the head, face and hands. Therefore, it is not permissible for the women to reveal the face and hands in public. (Ibn Taymiyyah’s book on fatwaas Page# 110 Vol # 2 also in the book Hijaab Page # 15)
Shaikh AbdulAziz Bin Bazz (Rahimahullah)
“According to the understanding of the best generations (the “Salaf”) after the ayah of hijaab was revealed than Muslims women must cover everything including the face and hands. they can show one eye or two eyes to see the way. this was the opnion held by many of the sahaba like Ibn Abbaas, Ibn Masud, Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánhuma) and others and this opnion was upheald by the Tab’ieen who followed than as Ali bin Abi Talha and Muhammad bin Sirin (Rahimahullah) and by the ritious ullima who followed them as Ibn Taymiyyah and Imaam Ahmed bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah)” (Quoted from the book “hijaab wa Sufor”)
Shaikh Abubakar Jassas (Rahimahullah)
states “This verse of Surah Ahzab shows that the young women when going out of their homes are ordered to cover their faces from strangers (non-mahram men), and cover herself up in such a manner that may express modesty and chastity, so that people with evil intentions might not cherish hopes from her”. (Ahkum Al-Quran, VOL. III, p.48)
Imaam Ghazaali (Rahimahullah) “Woman emerged (during the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) with NIQAABS on their Faces” (From his famous book of Fiqh “Ihyaal Uloom”)
Qazi Al-Baidavi (Rahimahullah)
“to let down over them a part of their outer garments” means that they should draw a part of their outer garment in front of their face and cover themselves” (Tafsir-I-Baidavi, Vol 4, p.168)
Jamia Binoria Pakistan (This is a Question and Answer from a Mufti at one the highly respected hanafi Islamic Universites of Pakistan)
Ques: Under which conditions are women allowed to leave the home?
Ans: The principle command for women is that they should remain in their home and should not go out without any extreme need because mischief is feared in their going out. However if they have to go out in extreme necessity then they should go with a Mahram and duly covered in Burqa’ (a “Burqa” covers the whole body including the hands and face) or large overlay so that their body including their cloths should not be visible and after buying the required article they should come back at once. In this condition there is no Haraam.
It is also stated in the Famous books of Fiqh Durrul Mukhtar…
“Young women are prohibited from revealing their faces in the presence of men.”
Hakimul Ummah Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah) states in his famous book of Hanafi Fiqh “Bahishti Zewar.”
“It is not permissible for a young woman to expose her face in the presence of ghayr mahrams, nor should she stand in a place where she could be observed. We learn from this, that the custom of exposing the bride’s face in public where all the men can observe her is also not permissible. To do so is a major sin.” (Bahishti Zewar)
Shaikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (One of the great scholars of out time.
click here for the full fatwaa on covering the face and who can you uncover the face infront of–>Fatwaa on niqaab
“The most correct opinion, which is supported by evidence, is that it is obligatory to cover the face, therefore young women are forbidden to uncover their faces in front of non-mahram men in order to avoid any mischief”
An other fatwaa when he was asked about is it preferred for sisters to wear the niqab, he said….
“The fact is that it is obligatory for women to cover their faces” as to how to wear the niqaab the Shaikh said “A woman may uncover her left eye in order to see where she is going, and if necessary she may uncover both eyes. The opening should only be wide enough for the eyes.”
Yet in an other Fatwaa he explained what was the Awrah of a woman with…”Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said “All of a woman is ‘awrah.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi with a saheeh isnaad).This is the correct view according to the madhhab of the Hanbalis, one of the two views of the Maalikis and one of the two views of the Shaafa’is.
Shaikh ibn Uthaimin
Question: What is the Islamic hijab?
Response: The Islamic hijab is for the women to cover everything that is forbidden for her to expose. That is, she covers everything that she must cover. The first of those bodily parts that she must cover is her face. It is the source of temptation and the source of people desiring her. Therefore, the woman must cover her face in front of those men that are not mahram. As for those of who claim that the Islamic hijab is to cover the head, shoulders, back, feet, shin and forearms while allowing her to uncover her face and hands, this is a very amazing claim. This is because it is well known that the source of temptation and looking is the face. How can one say that the Shariah does not allow the exposure of the foot of the woman while it allows her to uncover her face? It is not possible that there could be in the Esteemed, Wise and Noble Shariah a contradiction.( ‘Islamic Fatwas regarding Women’ Page # 289)
Shaikh Jamaal Zarabozo
In Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 59, Allah has ordered the believing women to wear a jilbab. A jilbab as defined in all the books of tafseer is a cloak that covers the woman’s body from the top of her head to her feet. It is also described in those books, form the scholars of the earliest generation that after that verse was revealed, the women would completely cover themselves, leaving, for example, just one eye exposed so they can see the road. Hence, this is the outer garment of the woman that she must wear when she is in front of men she is not related to.
Shaikh Ibn Jibreen
Question: I am married to a woman who wears, praise to Allah, hijab. However, as is the custom in my country, she does not wear hijab in front of her sister’s husband and her sister does not wear hijab in my presence. This is the custom. Furthermore, my wife does not wear hijab in the presence of my brother or her cousins. Does this go against the Shariah and religion? What can I do while it has become the custom in my country not to wear hijab in the presence of those people that I mentioned. If I tell my wife to wear hijab in front of those people, she will accuse me of not trusting her and being suspicious about her and so forth.
Response: All of those groups of men that you mentioned in the question are not mahram for her. It is not allowed for her to uncover her face and beauty in front of them. Allah has only allowed her to uncover in front of the mahram men mentioned in the verse in surah al-Nur,
“[Tell the believing women] not to reveal their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers ……” (al-Nur 31).
First, you should convince your wife that it is forbidden to uncover her face in front of non-mahram men. Make her abide by that even if it goes against the customs of your people and even if she makes accusations against you. You should also make this point clear to your close relatives that you mentioned, that is, the brethren of the husband, the husband of the sister, the cousins and so forth. All of them are non-mahram and they all may marry her if she gets divorced. (“Islamic Fatwas regarding Women”)
Shaikh Abul A’la Maududi (Who was the founder of “Jamat-ul-Islami” also a known and respect scholar of the Hanafi madhab) “A person who considers carefully the wordings of the Quranic verses, their well-known and genreally accepted meaning and the practice during the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) cannot dare deny the fact that the islamic Shari’ah enjoins on the woman to hide her face from the other people and this has been the practice of the Muslim women ever since the time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) himself” (In the book “Purda” by Shaikh Abul A’la Maududi P# 199
The Ullima who are of the opinion that it is permissible to look at the face and hands of a strange woman (who is not mahrrum) say so mainly for the following reasons.
The hadith of Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) when Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ánha) the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: ‘O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands. But this hadith is WEAK because of 2 main weaknesses.
1. There is no link between Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) and Khalid bin Dareek, who narrated the hadith from her. And in every chain of narrators Khalid bin Dareek is mentioned.
2. In the chain os narrators Sa’eed bin Basheer appears, who is known by most of the Muhaditheen as being a weak narrator. This has been mentioned by Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah), An-Nasai (Rahimahullah), Ibn Madeeni (Rahimahullah) and Ibn Ma’een (Rahimahullah). This is also why Imaam Bukhari (Rahimahullah) and Muslim (Rahimahullah) did not except this hadith to be in their books.
(From Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin in the book “Hijaab” pages # 17 and 18.)
We also have to see that the Muhadith Abu Dawood when he quoted this hadith put with it that it is Musal (with a broken chain that does not lead up to the Sahaba).
(From The Book “Hijaab wa Safur” under tha fatwaa of Shaikh AbulAziz Bin Bazz on Page #61. Also stated as being weak by Shaikh Nasirudden Al-Albaani in his Daeef Sunan Abu Dawud in Kitab-ul-Libas under hadeeth number 4092 (which is the original hadeeth number.) It has also been mentioned in the magazine called “Al Hijrah” that Ullima agree this hadith is weak.)
An other thing that shows the weakness of this hadith is that after the ayah for hijab (Surah Al-Ahzaab – Verse #59) was revealed then the women of Sahaba wore a complete veil and covered the faces and hands. This includes Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ánha) the daughter of Abu Bakr, who is supposed to have narrated this hadith. Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ánha)covered herself completly including tha face, this has been narrated in authentic hadith in Imaam maliks “MUWATTA Book 20 Hadith # 20.5.16.”
Arabic words explained by Sahaba and Ullima….
Shaikh Ibn Al Hazam (Rahimahullah) writes: “In the Arabic language of the Prophet, Jalbab is the outer sheet which covers the entire body. A piece of cloth which is too small to cover the entire body could not be called Jalbab.” (Al Muhalla, vol. 3, p.217.)
The Tabi’ee, Qatadah (Rahimahullah), stated that the Jilbab should be wrapped and fixed from above the forehead and made to cover the nose, (although the eyes are to show) and the chest and most of the face are to be covered.
Jalabib, which is used in the verse is the plural of Jalbab. “Jalbab, is actually the outer sheet or coverlet which a woman wraps around on top of her garments to cover herself from head to toe. It hides her body completely.” Lisan ul Arab vol 1 p. 273. (The best explanation is that it is what we would today call a burqa or an abiya.)
Ibn Masood (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) explained Jilbab to be a cloak covering the entire body including the face and hands. (fatwaa Ibn Taymiyyah Page #110 Vol. #2)
What is Hijab really mean?
“The root word of hijab is hajaba and that means: (hajb) to veil, cover, screen, shelter, seclude (from), to hide, obscure (from sight), to make imperceptible, invisible, to conceal, to make or form a separation (a woman), to disguise, masked, to conceal, hide, to flee from sight, veil, to veil, conceal, to cover up, become hidden, to be obscured, to vanish, to become invisible, disappear from sight, to veil, to conceal, to withdraw, to elude perception.
Hajb: seclusion, screening off, keeping away, keeping off,
Hijab plural: hujub: cover, wrap, drape, a curtain, a woman’s veil, screen, partition, folding screen, barrier,
Ihtijab: Concealment, hiddenness, seclusion, veildness, veiling, purdah.
Hijab: Concealing, screening, protecting,
Mahjub: concealed hidden, veiled!
Just to make it clear the point of this reply is NOT to say if a woman doesn’t wear niqaab she will go to Jahunum, as we know there are two valid view points on the hijab. One view held by the Ullima is that the niqaab (covering the face) is wajib (compulsory) and other Ullima hold the view it is Mustahab (recommended and the best thing to do but not compulsory). This page is to explain to those people who say things like “The niqaab is not in islam or is not important” or is “bad for dawa” these people should understand that the Niqaab is from the Quraan and Hadith and even if you hold the view of it not being wajib it is still THE BEST thing and recommended and anyone who wears it is to be respected. And is anyone discourages the wearing of Niqaab or denies it being in Islam or makes fun of someone who wears it they should fear ALLAH and take their shahadah over.
And ALLAH (swt) knows best.
I also used to argue on these topics but now alhamdulAllah I know what is the truth. M more secure n liberal than ever. AlhamdulAllah .
I just read your article and found it interesting since I used to argue the same viewpoints when I first converted to Islam. I still only base myself off the Qur’an, but I wear the veil now because it is clearly within the Qur’an itself. Its also in the Torah and the bible, so it’s not a new concept. Virgin Mary wore the veil and she’s regarded as one of the best women to have existed. What inspired me to wear the veil is to protect myself from attention, to follow God’s orders, and to save myself from vanity. The veil makes all women equal, wether your balding, have bad hair, we are all apparently the same on the outside. I’m just sharing my opinions and reflections, there is no compulsion in Islam, and I wish you the best, peace 🙂
i believe the same, the quran is clear just be modest, cover the legs breasts etc, it does not mention the hair, also islam is the only book that says marry only one it is better for you for you can never do justice. i agree with you totally stuying the quran is the way as its gods words and the only protected source in this day of doubt we must follow the direct word of god, while im here what about prayers? is there prostrations and rakahs? and how many according to
the quran. im also supiciouse that the saudi family who are not true muslims are in charge of printing and translating the quran these people are not teue muslims so what is going on? they
are also spreading wahabism?