|
 In
the Name of Allah, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful
"The Niqaab in light of the Holy Quran and Sahih
Hadith and in the Opinions of the great scholars....
From
the Quran.....(This tafseer is Agreed upon by Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtabi
and At-Tabari)
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).
Tirmidhi with a SAHIH chain reports...
"Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said “All of
a woman is ‘awrah.”
(Shaikh
Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid quotes this hadith narrated by
Tirmidhi with a sahih isnaad and says this is a direct hadith
from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) and has
made it clear that a woman must cover everything including the
face and hands!)
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.
Abu Dawood Book 32, Hadith # 4091
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin (Radhiallaahu Ánha) "May
Allah have mercy on the early immigrant women. When the verse
"That they should draw their veils over their bosoms" was
revealed, they tore their thick outer garments and made veils
from them. Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalanee, who is known as Ameer Al-Mu'mineen
in the field of Hadith, said that the phrase, "covered
themselves", in the above Hadith means that they "covered their
faces". [Fath Al-Bari].
Imaam Malik's MUWATTA Book 20 Hadith # 20.5.16
Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that Fatima
bint al-Mundhir (Radhiallaahu Ánha) said, "We used to veil
our faces when we were in Ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi
Bakr As-Siddiq (Radhiallaahu Ánha). "This
again proves that not only the wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam) wore the Niqaab and that even though in
Ihram women are not supposed to wear Niqaab but if men are there
they still have to cover the face.
Abu Dawood Book 10, Hadith # 1829
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: (Radhiallaahu Ánha) who
said, "The riders would pass us while we were with the Messenger
of Allah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). When they got
close to us, we would draw our outer cloak from our heads over
our faces. When they passed by, we would uncover our faces.
Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah, Narrated 'Aisha. [In
his work Jilbab al-Marah al-Muslimah, al-Albani states (p. 108)
that it is hasan due to corroborating evidence. Also, in a
narration from Asma {who was not the wife of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam)}, Asma also covered her face at all times in
front of men.] Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin in his tafseer of this hadith
explains "This hadith indicates the compulsion of the concealing
of the faces as an order of Shariah, because during the Ihram it
is "wajib" (compulsory) NOT to wear the Niqaab. So if it was
only mustahab (recommended) to cover the face then Aisha and Asma
(Radhiallaahu Ánha) would have taken the wajib over the mustahab.
It is well known by the Ullima that a wajib can only be left
because of something that is also wajib or fardh. So Aisha and
Asma (Radhiallaahu Ánha) covering the face even in Ihram
in the presence of strange (ghairMahraam) men shows that they
understood this to be an act that was wajib or fardh or they
would not have covered the face in Ihraam.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 715
Narrated 'Ikrima (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) narrates "Rifa'a
divorced his wife whereupon 'AbdurRahman bin Az-Zubair Al-Qurazi
married her. 'Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green
veil." It is a very long hadith but the point is the women of
Sahaba wore the full veil.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Hadith # 347
Narrated Um 'Atiya (Radhiallaahu Ánha) We were ordered (by
Rasulullah '(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) to bring out our
menstruating women and veiled women in the religious gatherings
and invocation of Muslims on the two 'Eid festivals. These
menstruating women were to keep away from their Musalla. A woman
asked, "O Allah's Apostle ' What about one who does not have a
veil (the veil is the complete cover with only one eye or two
eyes showing)?" He said, "Let her share the veil of her
companion."
Shaikh Ibn
Uthaimin in tafseer of this hadith explained "This hadith proves
that the general norm amongst the women of the Sahaba (Radhiallaahu
Ánhuma) was that no woman would go out of her home without a
cloak, fully concealed and if she did not posses a veil, then it
was not possible for her to go out. it was for this reason that
when Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) ordered them
to go to the Place for Eid Salah, they mentioned this hindrance.
As a result Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said
that someone should lend her a veil, but did not say they could
go out without it. If Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
did not allow women to go to a place like the Eid Salah, which
has been ordered by Shariah for women and men alike, then how can
people let women to out to market places and shopping centers
without where there is open intermingling of the sexes, without a
veil. (by Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin in the book "Hijaab" page # 11)
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Hadith # 572
In
the end of this very long hadith it quotes Anas (Radhiallaahu
Ánho) rates from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
"and if one of the women of Paradise looked at the earth, she
would fill the whole space between them (the earth and the
heaven) with light, and would fill whatever is in between them,
with perfume, and the veil of her face is better than the
whole world and whatever is in it." This show that even the
women of Junnah have veils and the word veil is what covers the
face (niqaab).
Abu Dawood Book 33, Hadith # 4154, Agreed upon by Nasai
Aisha(Radhiallaahu Ánha) narrates that on one occasion a female
Muslim wanted to give a letter to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam), the letter was delivered to the Holy
Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) from behind a
curtain.
Note: Quoted in the famous book Mishkaat. Here the Mufasereen of
hadith have explained that the hadith where women came up to
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) face to face were
before the ayah "And when you ask (his wives) for anything you
want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your
hearts and for their hearts." (Surah AlAhzâb ayah # 53) And
this hadith proves this order is for the whole Ummah not just for
the wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)!
Abu Dawood Book 2, Hadith # 0641
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin (Radhiallaahu Ánha) "Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said "Allah does not accept
the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a
veil."
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 9, Book 89, Hadith # 293
Narrated 'Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) Utba bin Abi Waqqas
said to his brother Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas, "The son of the slave
girl of Zam'a is from me, so take him into your custody." So in
the year of Conquest of Mecca, Sa'd took him and said. (This is)
my brother's son whom my brother has asked me to take into my
custody." 'Abd bin Zam'a got up before him and said, (He is) my
brother and the son of the slave girl of my father, and was born
on my father's bed." So they both submitted their case before
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Sa'd said, "O
Allah's Apostle! This boy is the son of my brother and he
entrusted him to me." 'Abd bin Zam'a said, "This boy is my
brother and the son of the slave girl of my father, and was born
on the bed of my father." Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) said, "The boy is for you, O 'Abd bin Zam'a!" Then
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) further said,
"The child is for the owner of the bed, and the stone is for the
adulterer," Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
then said to Sauda bint Zam'a, "Veil (screen) yourself before
him," when he saw the child's resemblance to 'Utba. The boy
did not see her again till he met Allah. note:
This hadith proves Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
did infact order the veil to be observed.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Hadith # 375
Narrated Anas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) I know (about) the Hijab
(the order of veiling of women) more than anybody else. Ubai bin
Ka'b used to ask me about it. Allah's Apostle became the
bridegroom of Zainab bint Jahsh whom he married at Medina. After
the sun had risen high in the sky, the Prophet invited the people
to a meal. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
remained sitting and some people remained sitting with him after
the other guests had left. Then Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) got up and went away, and I too, followed him till
he reached the door of 'Aisha's room. Then he thought that the
people must have left the place by then, so he returned and I
also returned with him. Behold, the people were still sitting at
their places. So he went back again for the second time, and I
went along with him too. When we reached the door of 'Aisha's
room, he returned and I also returned with him to see that the
people had left. Thereupon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) hung a curtain between me and him and the Verse
regarding the order for (veiling of women) Hijab was revealed.
Abu Dawood Book 32, hadith # 4100
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin (Radhiallaahu Ánha):
I was with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) while
Maymunah was with him. Then Ibn Umm Maktum came. This happened
when we were ordered to observe veil. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam) said: Observe veil from him. We asked: oh
Rasulullah! is he not blind? He can neither see us nor recognize
us. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: Are
both of you blind? Do you not see him?
The opinions of the great scholars about the Niqaab...
From
the Sahaba (Radhiallaahu Ánhuma) .......
Ibn
Ábbaas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu), who was one of the most
knowledgeable companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) even made
duwaa for him saying "O Allah, make him acquire a deep
understanding of the religion of Islam and instruct him in the
meaning and interpretation of things."
Ibn
Jarir (Rahimahullah) with an authentic chain of narrators
has quoted Ibn Abbaas' (Radhiallaahu Án) opinion was "that
the Muslim women are ordered to cover their head and faces
with outer garments except for one eye." (This is quoted in
the Ma'riful Qur'an in the tafseer of Surah Ahzaab ayah # 33,
with reference of Ibn Jarir with a sahih chain of
narrators). The Tabiee Ali Bin Abu Talha explained that this
was the last opinion of Ibn Abbas and the other opinions quoted
from him were from before Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse #59 and the
order of the "Jalabib". Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin commented on this
saying of Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) by saying "This
statement is "Marfoo" and in shariah that is the same category as
a hadith which is narrated directly from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam). The quote of Ibn Abbas is quoted by many
tabi'een like Ali Ibn Abu Talha and Ibn Jarir in Ma'riful Quran
by Mufti Muhammad Shafi vol.7 pg.217 and also in Tafseer Ibn
Jarir, Vol. 22, pg.29 and also by Imaam Qurtabi all with SAHIH
Chains and explained in the book "Hijaab" by Ibn Uthaimin, Page #
9 and authenticated in the book "Hijaab wa Safur"by
Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullah) on page #11 and by
Shaikh AbdulAziz bin Bazz (Rahimahullah) on page # 55 and 60 )
Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Radhiallaahu
Ánhu) Who was known as the most knowledgeable Sahabi in matters
of Shariah. He became Muslim when he was a young kid and ever
since that he stayed with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) and gained the understanding of Quran from him. Umar
Ibn Khattab (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) said about him "By Allah, I
don't know of any person who is more qualified in the matters
dealing with the Quran than Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud"
Explained, the word Jilbaab (as mentioned in the Quran Surah
Ahzaab ayah # 59 ) means a cloak which covering the entire body
including the head, face and hands. (Quoted from Ibn
Taymiyyah (Rahimahullah) in his book on fatwaas Page#
110 Vol # 2 and By Shaikh Ibn Uthamin in the book Hijaab Page #
15)
Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha)
Stated that in verse 30 and 31 of Surah An Nur "What has been
allowed to be shown is the hands, bangles and rings but the
face must be covered.
(Quoted by Shaikh Abdul A'la Maududi in the book Purdah P# 195
and in his Tafseer of Quran under the tafseer of Surah An Nur)
Abu Ubaidah Salmani (Radhiallaahu Ánhu), an other well
known Sahabi is quoted saying
"Jilbaab should
fully cover the women's body, so that nothing appears but one
eye with which she can see." (Tafseer Al-Qurtubi) And In the
time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) "The women
used to don their cloaks (Jilbaabs) over their heads in such a
manner that only the eyes were revealed in order to see the
road." (The Book "Hijaab" page # 9)
Ubaida bin
Abu Sufyan bin al-Harith('Radhiallaahu Ánhu' An' Other well
known and knowledgeable Companion of Rasulullah )
Imam Muhammad bin Sirin (Rahimahullah) One of the most
knowledgeable tabi'een) said "When I asked Ubaida bin
Sufyan bin al-Harith ('Radhiallaahu An') how the jalbaab
was to be worn, he demonstrated it to me by pulling a sheet of
cloth over his head to cover his entire body, leaving the left
eye uncovered. This was also the explanation of the word 'Alaihinna
in this verse" (Commentary by Ibn Jarir and Ahkam-ul-Quran,
Vol.3, p.457 also in "hijaab wa Safur" quoted by Shaikh
AbdulAziz Bin Bazz under the chapter of his fatwaa on hijab on
page #54)
From the Tabi 'een..
Hassan
Al Basri (Rahimahullah)
States in his tafseer of the Surah An-Nur,
"What a woman is allowed to show in this Ayah implies to those
outer garments (not the face or hands) which the woman
puts on to cover her internal decoration (her beauty).
(Quoted
in the book "Purdah" P#194 )
Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullah) Quotes the opinion of Ibn Ábbaas (Radhiallaahu
Ánhu)
"Allah has enjoined upon all Muslim Women that when they go out
of their homes under necessity, they should cover their faces
by drawing a part of their outer garments over their heads." (Tafseer
Ibn Jarir, VOL 22, pg.29)
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.
The Tabi'ee Ali bin Abu Talha (Rahimahullah)
Quotes from Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) that he used to say
it was allowed to show the hands and face when Surah Nur ayah
#31 was revealed but after Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse #59 with
the word "Jalabib" was revealed then after this Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu
Ánhu) said that That the Muslim women are ordered to cover
their head and faces with outer garments except for one eye."
And this was also the opinion of Ibn Mas'ud (Radhiallaahu Ánhu).
(This is quoted by Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullah) in his book of
fatwaa and by Shaikh AbdulAziz Bin Bazz (Rahimahullah) in the
book "Hijaab wa Safur" Page # 60)
Imam Muhammad bin Sirin (Rahimahullah) One of the most
knowledgeable tabi'een)
"When I asked Ubaida bin Sufyan bin al-Harith ('Radhiallaahu
Ánhu' Other well known and knowledgeable Companion of
Rasulullah) the meaning of this verse about "Alaihinna" and how
the jalbaab was to be worn, he demonstrated it to me by pulling
a sheet of cloth over his head to cover his entire body,
leaving the left eye uncovered. This was also the explanation
of the word 'Alaihinna in this verse"(Commentary by Ibn Jarir
and Ahkam-ul-Quran, Vol # 3, p.457 also in "hijaab wa Sufor"
quoted by Shaikh AbdulAziz Bin Bazz under the chapter of his
fatwaa on hijab on page #54)
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)
"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 )
Refutations from Shaikh Ibn
Uthaimin
This is taken from the book "Hijaab" by Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin
from Saudi Arabia. Printed by Madrasah Arabia Islamia
Azaadville-South Africa.
Translated by Hafedh Zaheer Essack, Rajab 1416 (December 1995)
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!
These definitions of the hijab were taken from the:
Arabic-English Dictionary, The Hans Wehr dictionary of modern
written arabic, edited by JM Cowan.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Just to make it clear the point of this page 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.
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