Veiling Misconceptions
and Clarifications
One of the most misunderstood concepts of Islam is the wearing of the
veil, (In Islam, it is called Hijab.) This concept was discussed
under misconceptions, but I will discuss it here in more detail.
It is believed by many people who have no knowledge of Islam that women
are required to veil (cover their face and hair). Women are
admonished in the Qur'an to wear Hijab (cover). What is Hijab? It
means that the woman should cover all of her body down to her wrists and
ankles and wear opaque loose-fitting clothing. She is also
admonished to cover her hair. Hijab is not only a way of dressing
but it is also a way conducting oneself. Covering the face
as it is practiced in some Islamic countries is cultural rather
than religious.
The
parts of the dress should include Khimar (head cover), Jilbab (overgarment)
and [Niqab (veil) according to some scholars]
Clarification
July 21, 2000
I wish to make a clarification on the statement that covering the face
is cultural rather than religious. In the time of the Prophet
(PBUH) it was advised that the when speaking to the wives (i.e. of the
Prophet [PBUH}) it was to be done from behind a screen.
In his book Islamic Dress Code
For Women, Mahmoud Ridha Murad sets these as the conditions of
veiling.
-
The outer garment should be long, loose and opaque.
-
It should hide the entire body of the woman starting from her head,
hair, face, hands and bosom down to the toe of her feet.
-
Her anklets and bracelets should not tinkle to allure men towards
her.
-
It must be plain and close in texture not to draw attention to the
woman. Also, it should not be decorated with ostentatious colors
and designs.
-
It must not be transparent that reveals the woman's shape or her
inner clothes.
-
It should not be designed to resemble the clothing of the
disbelieving women.
-
It should not be similar to men's outfits in color or design as the
Prophet (PBUH) is reported as having said:
"Allah condemns those men who act in a womanlike manner, and those women
who behave or act in a man like manner."
-
It should not be perfumed at all as it not permissible for the
Muslim woman to wear perfume while leaving home for an outing. The
Prophet (PBUH) has said:
"Every
eye is adulterous and when a woman perfumes herself and passes a company
(of men) she is such and such (meaning adulterous)."
(At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud )
Although, there is some difference in opinion among scholars as to
whether the woman should veil her face or not, it is agreed that the
minimum that should be covered is her head (i.e. hair), neck, bosom, and
her entire body to her wrists and to her ankles. This is to be
within Islamic standards of dress.
In her book The Muslim Woman's
Hand Book, Huda Khattab says this:
"There is a certain amount of debate among scholars as to the extent of
the covering. Some (mostly Shafi'i and Hanabali) favor covering
the face and hands too. The Malaki Madhhab considers the whole
body - except the face and hands - to be 'Awrah [that which must
be covered]. The Hanafis suggest likewise; later Hanafi scholars
have allowed uncovering the feet too, but other scholars have suggested
that this is an unfounded ruling."1
The extent of covering (i.e. the face) should be the woman's choice and
should not be forced on her. When a person is forced to do
something, they will often resent it and will find ways of circumventing
it. We have only to look at the situation in Iran (Reader's Digest
May 2000 article Rebels With A
Veil).2
A second point that I wish to make is that the wearing of Hijab is a
means by which a Muslimah (a Muslim woman) is identified. It sets
us apart, and any Muslim man who sees a woman wearing Hijab should
immediately understand that this is a woman who should be treated with
the utmost respect. Now, you the reader, may ask why should it
make any difference what a woman wears? Unfortunately, in the
society of man, it does. Let me present you with an example of
what I mean.
A pretty woman is walking down the street. She is wearing an
outfit that brings attention to the fact that she is attractive.
It may be a short skirt or a form fitting suit. The typical male
reaction would be whistles, catcalls or leering looks etc. For a
time, this may make the woman feel special, but after awhile it becomes
an annoyance because she is being looked at as an object not a person.
Now, let us consider the same situation but the pretty woman is now
wearing conservative clothing and she covers her hair with a scarf.
What would be the male response now?
As much as we would like to think that we live in a society where
everyone is equal, this is not the case. Men as a rule will
continue to think of women as objects of desire, servants, or baby
factories.
In Islam, this is not the case as set down in the Qur'an. The
wearing of Hijab is Allah's way of reminding men that women are people
and should be treated accordingly. An unfortunate circumstance but
very much a fact of life
In these next two sections I
have listed some verses from the Qur'an and Hadith dealing with
covering.
Qur'an
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their
Furuj (private
parts),and disclose not their adornments except only that which is
apparent, and that they should draw their head covers over their
Juyub (bosoms), and
that they disclose not their adornment except to their husbands, their
fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of
their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or their women, or what
their hands posses, or such of male attendants who have no sexual desire
or young children who have not attained the knowledge of women's private
parts. And that they should not stamp their feet lest what they
hide of their ornaments be known. And turn you to all together, O
believers that you may be successful." (24:31)
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters, and the women of
the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies, that
is more proper that they may be distinguished and not molested.
And Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful." (33:59)
"And when you ask them for anything you want, ask them from behind a
screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts." (33:53)
This is the verse that scholars will often use when explaining the
veiling of the face. It is interpreted as meaning that nothing
should be visible.
Hadith
Abdullah, son of `Umar bin Khattab reported that Allah's Messenger
(PBUH)said:
"On the Day of Resurrection, will not look at the man who trails along
his garment with pride." There upon Umm Salamah asked, What should
women do with their garments?" The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"They should lower their garments a hand span," (half their shins down),
Umm Salamah further said, "Women's feet would still be uncovered."
Allah's Messenger (PBUH) replied: "Let them lower them a forearm's
length, but no longer.
Asma said: "We used to cover our faces from men." (Al-Hakim)
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Allah, Most High is Ha'yeii (most Bashful), Sit'teer (provides means
that shield against the uncovering of disobedient acts), He loves Haya,
(Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."
Collected by Abu Dawoud, An-Nissa'ee, Al-Baihaqee, Ahmed, and in Saheeh
An-Nissa'ee.
Sources
in support of veiling of the face
The following sources were sent to me via e-mail and I have felt it
appropriate to include these. I leave it up to the reader to
decide the issue.
Proof for covering the face, taken from this page:
http://members.tripod.com/ibnfarooq/niqaab.htm
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Just to make it clear the point of this page is NOT to say if a woman
doesn't wear niqab 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
niqab (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 niqab is not in Islam or is not important" or is "bad
for dawa" these people should understand that the Niqab is from the
Qur'an 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 Niqab 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.