Niqab-According to Qur'an and Sunnah
Revelation of Al-Hijab
Hadith - Bukhari 1:148
The wives of the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)
used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at
Madinah) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar
used to say to the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)
"Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's
Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) did not do so. One
night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) 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).
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the
women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils)* all
over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely
except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be
better, that they should be known (as free respectable
women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
*the arabic word here is Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab),
which is the loose outer garment that covers all a
woman's body. It says here to use the Jalabeeb to cover
all, and scholars say this means to use it to cover her
head (agree upon by all scholars) and her face (agreed by
many scholars, not all) and one or both eyes, in order
for it to be known that she is a free woman and so not to
be exposed to any harm.
Hadith - Bukhari 6:282
'Aisha(R.A.) 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."
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul
Mu'minin
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.
The lower half of the hijab is a garment that does not
show the woman's figure. Jeans and certain obvious
garments do not meet this requirement.
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Dihyah ibn Khalifah
al-Kalbi
The Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was
brought some pieces of fine Egyptian linen and he gave me
one and said: Divide it into two; cut one of the pieces
into a shirt and give the other to your wife for veil.
Then when he turned away, he said: And order your wife to
wear a garment below it and not show her figure.
Prescribed Methods of Covering
Tafseer - Ibn Katheer
"Allah commanded the muslim women to cover this
sheet on top of them to cover their bodies except one
eye, when it is necessary for them to come out of their
homes."
Tafseer - Commentary by Ibn Jarir and
Ahkam-ul-Quran, Vol.III, p.457
Imam Muhammad bin Sirin said: "When I asked Ubaida bin
Sufyan bin al-Harith (ra) the meaning of this verse and
how the jalbaab was to 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"
Tafseer - Alu'si, Rul-ul-Ma'ani, Vol. 22, p. 89
"Ibn Jarir Tabari and Ibn Al-Mundhir described the method
of wearing the jalbaab according to Ibn Abbas (ra) and
Qatadah (ra). 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).
Color of Garment
The female companions were known to wear black and dark
colors (such as the hadith above, "crows on their
heads"), but other colors are also permissible for a
woman to wear. She must not wear any color,
however, in vanity.
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.715
...'Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green
veil ...
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.733
that he had seen Um Kulthum, the daughter of Allah's
Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), wearing a red
silk garment.
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.713
The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was given some
clothes including a black Khamisa. The Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) said, "To whom shall we give this to
wear?" The people kept silent whereupon the
Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "Fetch Um
Khalid for me." I (Um Khalid) was brought carried (as I
was small girl at that time). The Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) took the Khamisa in his hands and made
me wear it and said, "May you live so long that your
dress will wear out and you will mend it many times." On
the Khamisa there were some green or pale designs
(The Prophet saw these designs) and said, "O Um Khalid!
This is Sanah." (Sanah in a Ethiopian word meaning
beautiful).
Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood #4055, Narrated
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As
We came down with the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon
him) from a turning of a valley. He turned his attention
to me and I was wearing a garment dyed with a reddish
yellow dye. He asked: What is this garment over you?
I recognised what he disliked. I then came to my
family who were burning their oven. I threw it (the
garment) in it and came to him the next day. He asked:
Abdullah, what have you done with the garment? I informed
him about it. He said: Why did you not give it to one of
your family to wear, for there is no harm in it for
women.
Must a Woman Wear Niqab (Veil)?
The general understanding in Islam regarding Sunnah, is
that if the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) or any
of his wives (RA) or companions (RA) are recorded in
authentic hadith to have engaged in an act that is not
haram (prohibited) as defined by Qur'an or Sunnah, then
the act is declared halal (permissible). If the
companions engaged in an act that the Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) was aware of and did not speak out
against, it is halal.
It is well-known that the wives of the Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) covered their faces any time non-mahram
men were near. A woman named Asma, who was not a wife of
the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) , was also
recorded as covering her face. Easily, one can conclude
that wearing veil is halal (permissible).
However, Muslims and Muslimahs across the world have been
in "hot debate" for centuries, over the issue of whether
or not covering the face is obligatory upon a Muslimah.
Those who argue that it is not required, point to the use
of the word khimar in the Qur'an, and explain that
today's modern khimar does not cover the face, and
argue that khimar has never referred to the
covering of the face, but only to that of the hair, neck,
and bosoms. While one cannot deny the support of Hadith
that indicate that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam)'s wives wore khimar, one must realize
that they also covered their faces at all times in the
presence of non-mahram men.
BASING ON CULTURE VS. QURAN AND SUNNAH. ...
Most Muslim men, even in America, would be pleased if
their wives veil, but some state that a veil draws too
much attention, causing men to look upon her more than
normal. However, one must realize that when men
'look', they have nothing of her to see!
Regardless, this issue must stick to understanding and
implementing Qur'an and Sunnah, and not making excuses
based on the current culture. Muslims are ordered not to
imitate the dress of any non-Muslim culture, so, surely,
we cannot make the choice to wear Niqab based on the
pressures of modern day society; instead, we choose,
insha'Allah, to fear Allah, swt, and not mankind!
When in a state of ihram, the muslimah cannot wear niqab.
However, according to several scholars, such as Sheikh
ibn Baz, even when in a state of ihram, "she should lower
her headcovering or outer cloak over her face when she is
in the presence of non-mahram men." So, it is to say
that she should not cover her face around the other women
during ihram, but that she should cover it if a non-mahram
man approaches. He bases this on the hadith below,
narrated by 'Aisha .
In
Fathul Bari, chapter Hajj, a tradition reported on the
authority of Aisha (RA) says:
"A
woman in a state of Ihram (during Hajj and Umrah) should
stretch her head - cloth over to her face to hide it."
Hadith
- Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud 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, Asma also
covered her face at all times in front of men.]
Narrated
'Aisha (RA) who said, "The riders would pass us while we
were with the Messenger of Allah ). 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."
According to Shaikh ibn Uthaimin, "she is not required to
cover her face during the prayer unless there are
non-related men around her. She must then cover her face
from them, as it is not allowed for a woman to uncover
her face except to her husband and her male relatives
i.e., mahram."
If a woman is not around any non-mahram men and does not
fear that any will enter her area of salah, she may
reveal her face and hands. This is agreed upon by the
group of scholars.
So, whether agreeing that niqab is required or not, one
must surely acknowledge that it is a desirous sign of
piety. What better example of sunnah to follow for a
muslimah than that of the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) and his wives RA. Every Muslimah is encouraged
to cover to the fullest, showing only one or both eyes.
A woman does not have to wear a niqab (affixed
veil), but she should emulate the female companions by
using her hijab or other items, to lift and cover her
face when a non-mahram man approaches, even during ihram
(hajj), as this is in accordance with sunnah.
Hadith - Muwatta 20.16
Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that
Fatima bint al-Mundhir said, "We used to veil our faces
when we were in ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi
Bakr as-Siddiq."
The following Fatawa is from Sheikh Ibn Uthaimin:
"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 (i.e.
father, huband, etc.).
"As for those who claim that 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 no 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. Yet everyone
knows that the temptation from uncovering the face is
much greater than the temptation that results from the
uncovering of the feet. Everyone also knows that the most
sought after aspect of the woman for men is the face. If
you told a prospective groom that a womans face is ugly
but her feet are beautiful, he would not propose to such
a woman.
"However, if you told him that her face was beautiful but
her hands, palms, or shins were less than beautiful, he
would still propose to her. From this one can conclude
that the face is the first thing that must be covered.
"There are also evidences from the Book of Allah (SWT)
and the Sunnah of our Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam). There are also statements from the
Companions, the leading Imams and the great scholars of
Islam that indicate that it is obligatory for the woman
to cover all of her body in the presence of non-Mahram
men. This obviously indicates that it is obligatory upon
the woman to cover her face in front of such men."
What Age Must a Female Wear Niqab?
It is unquestionable that a female must begin covering by the
age of puberty. What is not agreed upon is what exact age
that is. Some say that covering commences the day of her
first menstrual cycle, others say at the first sign of pubic
hairs. Those weak in iman (faith) will look at the kafir
system's designation of "teenager" as the age of puberty,
i.e. they use the age 13.
In all situations, Muslims are to use the Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam)'s example for guidance. The
Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) married 'Aisha(R.A.)
before she had reached puberty and consummated the marriage
when she was approximately 9 years old. We do not know
precisely what he used to determine that she reached puberty,
and we don't even know the exact age that he consummate the
marriage, so the issue of puberty is not necessarily a clear
cut age to be applied universally to all, but a recognition
of the change to woman from child. The earliest pregnancy
recorded was that of a seven year old girl, and we know that
a menstral cycle does not have to start before some are
capable of becoming pregnant. May Allah swt guide each parent
to adequately prepare the daughter in time. Amin.
If a mother or father recently converts to Islam and has a
daughter who has reached puberty, s/he should immediately
begin covering the daughter. The parents should educate the
daughter to understand and appreciate the reasons and
advantages for covering as a Muslimah is instructed to. The
new revert to Islam should not feel apologetic for covering a
daughter who was not previously covering. It is as much of an
advantage to her as to the new adult muslimah revert, and
children do not always know what is best for them, so, like
other decisions you make daily for your children, do not
leave the issue of wearing hijab up to your children. Make
the transition as a family, not you first, then just hoping
the children follow suit on their own.
Some guidelines for preparing a child for hijab.
It
is encouraged that as soon as the child is able to walk, she
does not wear clothes that resemble the kafr, and that she
should always have her knees and as much as possible of the
arms and legs covered when leaving the house or having guests
over.
She
should be taught modesty in behavior and dress from the
cradle.
It
is ideal to sew small jilbabs (light overcoats) and
khimaar (head/neck/chest covering) for the young muslimah,
properly preparing her for full coverage at puberty. It is
actually less fitnah on the parent to dress her in the simple
attire of a muslim, as compared to looking for fashionable
clothes in a shopping mall.
At
the age of 7, the parent should order her to pray salah, and
of course, she must be wearing hijab (the entire head
and body covering) for the salah.
By
the age of 10, her parents may and should punish her for
missing fard (obligatory) salah, and once again, she
must be wearing hijab to perform salah.
When
she reaches puberty, insha'Allah, she will wear niqab
(literally: draw the khimaar over her face).
By
the age of puberty, she should already be used to wearing
hijab (which is in her fitrah [natural state] to be
covered).
She
may have already chosen to veil prior to reaching puberty,
and with the proper instruction, she will look forward to and
embrace this step in becoming a young woman.
Hijab
is not something a muslim parent gives as an option to a
child. The muslim parent is responsible for seeing that the
young muslimah is properly covered according to Qur'an and
Sunnah.
Parents
will have to determine when their daughter has reached
puberty, not the child, unless of course, she is a muslim
revert with non-Muslim parents, in which case she should seek
the counsel of a muslim wali.
Depending on a woman's environment, she may simply keep her
face uncovered and then draw the khimaar up over her face on
the rare occasion of a non-mahram's presence; or, if this is
too much fitnah to constantly draw it over her face, such as
circumstances when men are frequently present, she may choose
to affix a screen (i.e. the Niqab) that does this for
her without her needing to use a hand to hold it over her
face.
Hadith - Bukhari, Narrated Hishams father
Khadija died three years before the Prophet(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) departed to Madinah. He stayed there for
two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a
girl of six years of age, and he consumated that marriage
when she was nine years old.
Hadith - Abu Dawud, narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin
[Also recorded al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and ibn Majah. Al-Albani
says it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 2, p. 1280.]
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: Allah does
not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty
unless she wears a khimaar.
Hadith - Dawud, Narrated As-Saburah
[Also recorded by Ahmand and al-Hakim. Al-Syuti has give in a
notation signifying that it is authentic. Al-Albani has
graded it hasan. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 2, p. 1021.]
The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)said: Order your
children to pray at the age of seven. And beat them [lightly]
if they do not do so by the age of ten. And separate them in
their bedding.
Who Can She Uncover in front of?
A Muslimah should not uncover her adornment in front of any
non-Mahrahm male. Muslimahs should especially be careful and
remain covered, modest, and quiet around in-laws.
If a gay male is aware of female body parts, he should not be
allowed to view a woman uncovered. And, of course, a
bi-sexual male should not be allowed to view a woman without
proper covering.
In addition, a Muslimah should not uncover that which she
normally uncovers, in front of any non-Muslim female
whom she fears may describe her to others. She may also
choose to remain covered around any Muslim female whom she
fears may describe her physical attributes to their husband
or others.
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:30-31
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at
forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from
illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily,
Allāh is All-Aware of what they do.
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from
looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts
(from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their
adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of
hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way,
or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.),
and to draw their veils* all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their
bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal
their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers,
their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons,
their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's
sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islām),
or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old
male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no
sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet
so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of
you beg Allāh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may
be successful.
* the arabic word here is Khumaar, which is the plural form
of Khimaar.
Hadith - Bukhari 7:167
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "A woman
should not look at or touch another woman to describe her to
her husband in such a way as if he was actually looking at
her."
Hadith - Muslim, narrated Aisha
A eunuch used to come to the wives of Allah's
Apostle(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and they did not find
anything objectionable in his visit considering him to be a
male without any sexual desire. Allah's Apostle one day came
as he was sitting with some of his wives and he was busy in
describing the bodily characteristics of a lady and saying:
As she comes in front four folds appear on her front side and
as she turns her back eight folds appear on the back side.
Thereupon Allah's Apostle said: I see that he knows these
things; do not, therefore, allow him to enter. She (Aisha)
said: Then they began to observe veil from him.
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3109, narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud
[Tirmidhi transmitted it.]
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "A woman
should be concealed, for when she goes out the devil looks at
her."
Muslimahs should not socialize with non-mahram men, and
should only speak out of necessity to non-mahram men. Allah
swt knew that mankind would be tempted to let their guard
down and their hijab down, around in-laws. Surely Allah swt
is all merciful to provide us the guidance we need in every
aspect of our lives. In reference to socializing with
in-laws, such close relations can easily lead to adultery
which has the death penalty.
Hadith - Bukhari and Muslim
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "The
in-laws are death."
Shaking Hands
Men and women should not shake hands outside the mahram ties.
Hadith - Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, al-Nasai, al-Tirmidhi
and ibn Majah.
[Al-Albani has graded it sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami,
vol. 1, p. 494.]
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "I do not
shake the hands of women."
Hadith - Bukhari 9:321 (& 7:211)
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) used to take the
Pledge of allegiance from the women by words only after
reciting this Holy Verse: (60.12) "..that they will not
associate anything in worship with Allah." (60.12) And the
hand of Allah's Apostle did not touch any woman's hand except
the hand of that woman his right hand possessed. (i.e. his
captives or his lady slaves).
Hadith - Sahih Muslim, narrated 'A'isha
By Allah, the hand of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) of Allah never touched the hand of a woman. By
Allah, the Messenger of Allah never took any vow from women
except that which Allah had ordered him to take, and his palm
never touched the palm of a woman. When he had taken their
vow, he would tell that he had taken the oath from them
orally.
Speech
Wearing hijab must be accompanied by the proper mannerisms
and speech befitting a modest, pious woman. She should not
draw attention to her voice or use it in a soft, pleasing
manner that may tempt a man.
Similarly, a muslim man should avoid being around women who
speak soft (i.e. speak "sweet", flirt, are excessively
thankful, etc), should definitely turn his eyes downward his
eyes if viewing (even briefly) such a woman on t.v., and
should not listen to female singers.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:32
O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If
you keep your duty (to Allāh), then be not soft in speech,
lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil
desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but
speak in an honourable manner.
Muslim men and women should speak calmly and controlled, not
raising the voice, except out of necessity, such as yelling
'stop!' to a child who is about to cross a busy intersection
without looking, etc.
The Noble Qur'an - Luqman 31:18-19
And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in
insolence through the earth. Verily, Allāh likes not each
arrogant boaster.
And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and
lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the
voice (braying) of the ass.
Ridiculing a Woman in Niqab
The Noble Qur'an - At-Taubah 9:64-67
The hypocrites fear lest a Sūrah (chapter of the Qur'ān)
should be revealed about them, showing them what is in their
hearts. Say: "(Go ahead and) mock! But certainly Allāh will
bring to light all that you fear."
If you ask them (about this), they declare: "We were only
talking idly and joking." Say: "Was it at Allāh (swt), and
His Ayāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs,
revelations, etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking?"
Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed.
If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you
because they were Mujrimūn (disbelievers, polytheists,
sinners, criminals, etc.).
The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they
enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and
polytheism of all kinds and all that Islām has forbidden),
and forbid (people) from Al-Ma'rūf (i.e. Islāmic Monotheism
and all that Islām orders one to do), and they close their
hands [from giving (spending in Allāh's Cause) alms, etc.].
They have forgotten Allāh, so He has forgotten them. Verily,
the hypocrites are the Fāsiqūn (rebellious, disobedient to
Allāh).
Women past child-bearing age who do not expect wedlock
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:60
And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect
wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer)
clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to
refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better
for them. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
In
the Name of Allah, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful
