Hijab or Niqab

Hijab or Niqab ?


Confusion continues - unabated – on the question of Hijab or Niqab – on Muslim women’s dress.

What is originally required by the Quran is hijab (purdah) and a later modified version is the niqab (face – veil)

Today more and more sisters than ever before are making the decision to don the niqab (FACE VEIL) due to various incidents they encounter in many parts of the world. In doing so, they are indeed brave – but are they adhering to the Islamic injunctions in this connection? There is confusion and it is imperative that we examine this carefully and try to follow according to Shariah.

PURDAH – In this system, there is controversy among the Muslim.
(1) the new enlightened sections of Muslims between the old conservative school of thought (close and complete confinement of women in their homes) and
(2) inclined to Western Culture.

Women in early Islam:
1a) They were not totally confined to their homes.
b). They participated on economic, social and religious activities
c). They did not make themselves objects of attraction.
d). They avoided intermixture of sexes by remaining apart from men.

As regards 1 above – (Holy Quran) says:-

33:33 - And stay quietly in your houses and make not a dazzling display like that of the former Times of ignorance; and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Apostle. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you ye Members of the Family and to make you pure and spotless. 3714. 3715.

This was life in Arabia in pre-Islamic days of women, and they had to change to Islamic principles
And by this injunction, they were to lead a life of decency and responsibility without displaying their
charms and indulge in amorous talks with strangers by which they suffered. So the Quran wanted Muslim
women to take more interest in the affairs of their homes and not to wander about displaying their beauty to
charm and attract the men . So she should feel that her primary interest lies at home and come out only
during pressing necessities which has the following restrictions:

33:59 - O prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. 3764 3765 3766 3767.

3764 This is for all Muslim women, those of the Prophet’s household, as well as the others. They were asked to cover themselves with outer garments when walking out of doors. (33.59)

3765 Jilbab, plural Jalabib: an outer garment; and long gown covering the whole body, or a cloak covering the neck and bosom. (33.59)

3765 The object was not to restrict the liberty of women, but to protect them from harm and molestation. In the East and in the West a distinctive public dress of some sort or another has always been a badge of honour or distinction, both among men and women. This can be traced back on the earliest civilisation. Assyrian Law in its palmiest days say ( 7th century B.C.), enjoined the veiling of married women and forbade the veiling of slaves and women of ill fame: see Cambridge Ancient History, 111.107. (33.59)

3767 That is, if a Muslim woman sincerely tries to observe this rule, but owing to human weakness fails short of the ideal, then “Allah is Oft – Forgiving. Most Merciful”. (33.59)

24:30-Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will
make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. 2983
2983 The rule of modesty applies to men as well as women. A brazen stare by a man at a woman (or even at a man)is a breach of refined manners. Where sex is concerned, modesty is not only “good form “: it is not only to guard the weaker sex, but also to guard the spiritual good of the stronger sex. (24.30)


24:31- And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands their fathers their husbands’ fathers their sons their husbands’ sons their brother or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women or the slaves whom their right hands posses or male servants free of physical needs or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss. 2964 2985 2986 2987.

2984 The need for modesty is the same in both men and women. But on account of the differentiation of the sexes in nature, temperaments, and social life, a greater amount of privacy is required for women than for men, especially in the matter of dress and the uncovering of the bosom. (24.31)

2985 Zinat means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. I think both are implied here, but chiefly the former. The woman is asked not to make a display of her figure except to the following classes of people: (1) her husband, (2) her near relatives whom a certain amount of neglige is permissible; (3) her women, 4) slaves, male and female, as they would be in constant attendance; but this item would now be blank, with the abolition of slavery; (5) men who are free from sexual desire and who usually frequent the houses; and (6) infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. Cf.also xxxviii.59 (24.31)

2986 It is one of the tricks of showy or unchaste women to tinkle their ankle ornaments, to draw attention to themselves, (24.31)

2987 While all these details of the purity and good form of domestic life are being brought to our attention, we are clearly reminded that the chief object we should hold in view is our spiritual welfare. All our brief life on this earth is a probation, and we must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavour. (24.31)
It is therefore clear that it is not intended in the Quran to prohibit totally the movements of women outside their homes. If so, in getting out should they hide their faces by means of a veil or (NIQAB)?

2988 Verse 33:59 speaks of a Jilbab (Outer Garment) over their persons when abroad; and Verse 24:31 –Not to Display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof.

Jilbab means an over - garment,; a long and loose gown which covers the body from neck to the feet. Ordinary dress, even if it covers all parts of the body exposes the beauty and charm of women. So it is very necessary that they put on a long over - garment over their ordinary clothes.
Could they uncover their hands, feet and faces and is Niqab necessary? The interpretation of the words: “Except what (must ordinarily) Appear thereof.” This means the HANDS, FEET AND THE FACE.

Sunan of Abu –Dawood
Hadith 4092 Narrated by
Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin

Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma ‘. when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah
Fiqh 1.113

Woman’s aurah & hijab

There is no such dispute over what constitutes a woman’s aurah. It is stated that her entire body is ‘aurah and must be covered, except her hands and face. Says Allah in the Qur’an, “And to display of their adornment only that which is apparent (do not expose any adornment or beauty save the hands and face)”. It has been authentically related from Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Aishah that the Prophet said, “Allaha does not accept the prayer of an adult woman unless she is wearing a headcovering (khimar, hijab).” This is related by “the five,” except for an-Nasa’i, and by ibn Khuzaimah and al-Hakim. At-Tirmidhi grades it as hassan.

It is related from Umm Salamah that she asked the Prophet,”Can a woman pray in a long shirt (like a night shirt) and head covering with a loincloth?” He said, “If the shirt is long and flowing and covers the top of her feet.” This is related by Abu Dawud. The scholars say it is sahih in mauqoof form (as a statement of Umm Salamah and not that of the Prophet).

It is also related that “Aishah was asked, “In how many garments is a woman to pray?” She answered, “Ask ‘Ali ibn Abu Talaib and then return to me and tell me what he said.” ‘Ali’s answer was, “In a headcover and a long flowing shirt.” This was told to ‘Aaishah and she said,”He has told the truth.”

The clothes worn must cover the ‘aurah, even if they are tight enough to highlight those features. If the clothes are so thin that one’s skin color can be seen, they are not suitable for prayer.

According to famous jurists of Islam :-

IMAM MALIK...-The entire body of a woman is included in satr (i.e. parts which should be kept covered) except the hands and face.

IMAM SHAFI’I – Also makes an exception in favour of the face and hands.

IMAM AHMED - Entire body of a woman should be kept fully covered except the face.

IMAM HANBAL – Entire body of a woman should be kept fully covered except the face.

IMAM ABU HANIFAH – says it is not lawful for a stranger to see any part of a woman’s body, but he can
See her face and hands.
IMAM ABU YUSUF...In addition to the face and the hands, the wrists of a woman may also be lawfully
Seen.
According to Ibn Hazm in his book al - Muhalla that the Quranic words ‘they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof, expressly permit the uncovering of the face and the hands.

See Hadith below:
Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 8.247 Narrated byAbdullah bin Abbas
Al-Fadl bin 'Abbas rode behind the Prophet as his companion rider on the back portion of his she camel on the Day of Nahr (slaughtering of sacrifice, 10th Dhul-Hijja) and Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet stopped to give the people verdicts. In the meantime, a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khath'am came, asking the verdict of Allah's Apostle. Al-Fadl started looking at her as her beauty attracted him. The Prophet looked behind while Al-Fadl was looking at her; so the Prophet held out his hand backwards and caught the chin of Al-Fadl and turned his face (to the other side) in order that he should not gaze at her. She said, "O Allah's Apostle! The obligation of Performing Hajj enjoined by Allah on His worshipers, has become due (compulsory) on my father who is an old man and who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient that I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said, "Yes."
.”Ibn Hazm argues that if it were prohibited for a woman to uncover her face outside her home, how is it possible that the Prophet (Sal) should have tolerated her to appear uncovered in public? Moreover, how could Ibn Abbas know whether she was ugly or pretty? Ibn Hazm therefor declares that the uncovering of the face and hands in public is lawful for a woman.

From these opinions it is clear that a veil which totally covers the face of a woman is not necessary and she is permitted to come out with faces and hands uncovered in case of genuine need. Barring the face, the hands and the feet, all other parts, including the neck, should be completely covered and a long over - garment put on, which leaves no part of the body exposed.

SOME VIEWS:
Whoever intends to marry a woman should look at her.
She is allowed to pray with the face uncovered, but must cover the head. If she prays with her head uncovered, then she must repeat such prayers.
The awrah of the free woman is her whole body except the face and the two hands upto the wrist.
The soles of the feet are not awrah.
Prophet (Sal) forbade the woman in IHRAM to put on the face veil or gloves .She may need to uncover them for such day to day matters as buying, selling, giving, taking, etc.
It is Al-Nur 24:31 – which deals with the rule of covering the Muslim woman’s awrah.
Ibn Jarir explains the phrase” Beyond what may decently be apparent thereof” on Nur 24:31 – means that they should not reveal their adornments except to people who are their mahram (those who are not allowed for them in marriage) the hidden ones – the anklet, the two bracelets, the two ear-rings and the necklace which can be seen only by the husbands.,and the clothes – this can be seen by anyone. (Ibn Mas’ud)
Maliki and Hanafi say that the apparent ornaments are the face and hand.
Hanbali say that every part of the woman is awrah.
Shafi’i do not regard the face and hands as awrah.

24:60 – Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things. 3040 3041

3040 For elderly women in the home the rules of dress and decorum are not so exacting as for younger women, but they are also enjoined to study modesty, both because it is good in itself, and example to the younger people . (24.60)

3041 Another example of a refrain: see n.3039 above. Verses 58 and 59 were closer connected: their refrain was practically identical. This verse, though ancillary, is less closely connected: its refrain comes in like a half - note in a melody. (24.60) .

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith
Hadith 269 Narrated by
Ziyad ibn Hudayr

Umar said to me: Do you know what demolishes Islam? I said: No.Whereupon he said: it is the slip of a scholar and the dispute of the hypocrite by the Book, and the commands of the misquided rulers which demolish it..

Transmitted by Darimi.

A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Any one who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem, they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her feminity to be brought out.

FOR HIJAB:
1. Avoid thin clothing which exposes the body and reveal its shape,
2. This should be loose enough so as not to reveal the shape of the woman’s body – preferably a cloak over other clothes. If the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment will not be necessary.
3 Wear thick clothes so as not to show the colour of the skin or the shape of the body.
4. The hijab should give an over - all dignified appearance – not attracting men’s attention, not shiny and flashy. (preferably black).
5. Avoid dressing like men and avoid dressing like the unbelievers.
6. Be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain admiration or sympathy.
7. One’s behaviour, manners, speech and appearance in public goes hand in hand with hijab.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith
Hadith 3887 Narrated by
Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Prophet’s standard was black and his banner white.

Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah
Fiqh 5.65b

Muslim reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) entered Makkah wearing a black turban and without an ihram. It is said about Ibn ‘Umar that he returned after travelling part of the way and entered Makkah without ihram.

Sahih Muslim Hadith
Hadith 3148 Narrated by
Amr ibn Hurayth

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) addressed the people (on the day of the Victory of Mecca) with black turban on his head.
76:29 – This is an admonition: whosoever will let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.
77:15 – Ah woe that Day to the Rejecters of Truth!

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith
Hadith 7.33 Narrated by
Usama bin Zaid

The Prophet said,”After me I have not left any affliction more harmful to men than women.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith
Hadith 7.158 Narrated by
Anas

I will narrate to you a Hadith I heard from Allah’s Apostle and none other than I will tell you of it. I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “From among the portants of the Hour are the following: Religious knowledge will be taken away: general ignorance (in religious matters) will increase; illegal sexual intercourse will prevail; drinking of alcoholic drinks will prevail. Men will decrease in number, and women will increase in number, so much so that fifty women will be looked after by one man.”

HIJAB – A SYMBOL OF LIBERATION
By Samuel Cole:
(A freelance writer living in Carob)

“The term Hijab comes from the Arabic world “hijaba”, which means to hide from view. It is the long dress and veil worn by many Muslim women with the function of distinguishing them from non-Muslims, reminding them of their Islamic faith, and concealing them from the public view of males. In many of the more traditional Muslim societies women tend to remain outside the public sphere of men, devoting themselves to child rearing and taking care of the home. In part because of this apparent restriction from the public realm, many Americans see the Muslim hijab as a symbol of female oppression.

Despite this perception, Islam is growing rapidly in America and female converts outnumber males four to one. Hijab is not a symbol of oppression, but is instead a symbol of liberation. Young Muslim women are reclaiming the hijab., to give back to women the ultimate control over their bodies. Yet to most Americans this is a strange assertion. How can a law that restricts a woman’s dress be liberating”? To Muslims the answer is easy . The Islamic tradition of hijab frees women from being perceived primarily as sexual objects. (Non-Muslim) women are taught from early childhood that their worth is proportional to their attractiveness. It is not hard to understand this: leafing through the ads of any woman’s magazine, even a male reader can sense the incredible pressure on women to conform to some ever - changing and abstract image of female beauty. Is it any wonder that American woman spend billions of dollars on hair and beauty products, or that they subject themselves to plastic surgery, drugs, and diets, or that in despair they fall into neurotic cycles of anorexia and bulimia? It is the pursuit of a mirage and mdash, one that degrades and sickens the pursuers.

The hijab liberates a Muslim woman from this insidious oppression. She need not concern herself with her hair or makeup before she goes out. Underneath her hijab she can remain if she so wishes, simply herself unshaved, unpainted, unplucked, or even a little overweight. All this without having to worry about what others think of her. The tradition of hijab, is simply a woman’s assertion that judgement of her physical person is to play no role whatsoever in social interaction. Since a Muslim woman is invisible behind her veil, she can be appreciated only for her intellectual qualities. Thus the importance of her intelligence and personality.

But the sacrifice of health (and self-esteem) in a futile pursuit of physical attractiveness is not the worst effect of sexual objectification. Societies that view women as sexual objects have a horrendous rate of violence toward women. In the United States, one out of every four women will be sexually assaulted at some time in her life. And even in relatively non-violent Canada, one woman is assaulted every six minutes. Women in our society live with the awareness that they must always be cautious of dark alleys and fearful of strangers. This is true oppression, a type that stems directly from the perception of women as sexual objects.

In the few societies that closely adhere to the Quran and in many repressive Islamic regimes this sort of violence towards women is quite low. In 1990 the number of reported rapes in Egypt, a relatively westernized Islamic society with a secular government, was only 17 (Israel reported 369 rapes that same year)

My sister (now a Muslim convert in Lahore) told me that as a Muslim woman, she feels a respect and security on the streets of Pakistan that she had never felt in 30 years of living in America. It does seem hard to ignore the fact that many Islamic women enjoy a level of protection and respect that is unheard of in the West. In some countries this is no doubt in part the result of Islamic law that imposes draconian punishment on offenders. But extreme enforcement of religious law is not practised in moderate Islamic countries such as Egypt or Pakistan; and there it seems Muslim tradition alone protects the dignity of women.
Nevertheless, Islam and its tradition of hijab can seem an extreme solution to the sexual objectification of women. Can’t society simply be changed through more education? Or perhaps through encouraging men to practise some self - restraint? In fact this has been a goal of the women’s movement for years. But although there has been some success at increasing career and educational opportunities for women, the oppression of women continues unabated. One only needs to peruse the horror section of the local video store to see that the most common victims of violence portrayed in popular films are women. And not surprisingly statistics in the United States point to more violence directed at women, not less.

The problem in western society; as some Muslim writers see it, is that predominantly Judeo-Christian cultures have no convention of equality between men and women. Instead, these traditions hold Eve to be ultimately responsible for original sin and the downfall of man.

The story in Genesis is a cornerstone in the foundation of our culture. As such, it has institutionalized an essentially inferior status for women. This is not so in the tradition of Islam. Eve is not blamed for tempting Adam. Together they sinned, together they are guilty, and together they both begged for (and received) forgiveness from God. It is true that Islam holds women and men to be different in the most integral qualities. But unlike Judeo-Christian doctrine, the Quran pass women and men on equal footing before God and thus as equally, and innately valuable to society.

Unfortunately, many of us see Islam as a religion of suicidal bombers or of bearded zealots intent on returning us all to a cultural stone - age. But this image is perhaps unfair. All religions have their own fair proportion of crazies. Islam, however, is the largest and the fastest growing of the world’s monotheistic religions, and has (quite properly) more than most. Still the Muslims have something to offer for women. Pierre Craibites (an American judge) writes: “Muhammad, 1300 years ago, assured to the mothers, wives and daughters of Islam a rank and dignity (still) not generally assured to women by the laws of the West.”

The conversion of my sister to Islam was a shock and then a mystery to me for many years. It did not seem possible for an intelligent feminist woman, to without coercion, suddenly chuck her ideas and embrace the religion of the mysogynist Ayatollah. Within my family the subject is beyond the bounds of rational discussion, and it is only from my; sister’s very recent letters that I may have finally acquired an understanding of her unique brand of feminism: You see, in adopting Islam she has rejected a culture that assigns value to a person based on a masculine ideal of success. In exchange she has adopted a culture where she is value as an equal... for no other reason than that she is a woman.

From THE DAILY NEWS
28th January, 2000.

“PURDAH” Stands for protection, says KAMALA SURAYYA
Mumbai, Thursday (PTI)

“In life or death,” I will not abandon my new religion and if I am killed may my blood inspire people,” Dr> Kamala Surayya, 67-years old celebrated authoress who recently embraced Islam, has said.

I have had too much freedom and now would like to throw it down like a used weapon. Give me a second chance so that I can lead a disciplined and clean life,” she told a seminar on On “Indian Muslims: Agenda for the 21st century” on Sunday here.

Referring to her controversial decision to change her religion, she said +purdah+(veil) had afforded her a previously experienced anonymity+purdah+ she said, stood for protection. In it, women could go anywhere in the world and not be touched or teased, the authoress felt.

Kamala Das, now rechristened as Dr.Kamala Surayya, said in an emotional tone “I have come here as a very happy woman, probably at the end of my life. I want you to love me.”

She observed: “You will hear terrible scandals about my life that the media has created, about all those alleged love affairs I am supposed to be having. Allah knows the truth. He is my new master. My old age has been abandoned on roadside. Now I dream of a future where I can be of use to all Muslims.”

In Kerala, she said, men were experiencing feelings of inferiority due to dowry demanded in arranged marriages. Men felt they were beggars for sale while women were becoming like men in all spheres because of the dowry they were bringing in.

She was later presented two +fez+ caps for her sons and a nose cloth to complement her+burqa+ by Khair-e-ummat trust which organised the seminar.


*****
Some points from a question-and-answer session with Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaani
produced by:JAM'IAT IHYAA' MINHAAJ AL-SUNNAH24 BISHOPS HILL, IPSWICH, SUFFOLK, IP3 8EN
Topics:

What is the ruling for wearing the 'Niqaab' (face-veil) these days, and gloves? And further, if she feelsthere is a chance of 'fitnah' so she wants to wear this,but the parents refuse to let her, then what should shedo?Ans. If their refusal only refers to her not covering her face and hands, then she has to obey her parents in that,but if their refusal includes more than that, then,"There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator." Since covering the body except for the face and hands is obligatory for the Muslim woman, andcovering her face and hands is not obligatory but'mustahabb' (recommended). So if the parents do not wanther to cover her face and hands, then there is no harm inher obeying them and no sin in it, as opposed to whatwould be the case if they wished her to uncover otherthan that, in which case she owes no obedience to them since that is a sin. What is the ruling regarding a woman's wearing a scarfon her head?Ans. That is not enough - she has to wear a 'khimaar'which covers the head and chest. The scarf is not loosefitting and does not cover enough.Should not the shoulders also be covered by it?Yes, that is the 'khimaar'. It is a wide cover coveringthe head and shoulders. When we say that it covers thechest, then it covers the shoulders since it is wide. Butas regards the head-scarf we often see a woman wearing itrevealing a part of the neck due to it, but the 'khimaar'covers the neck and shoulder, and Allaah ta'aala ordersthat saying:WALYADRIBNA BIKHUMURIHINNA 'ALAA JUYOOBIHINNAThe head-scarf is as they say these days a compromise,and there is no such thing in Islaam!Many people hold that the khimaar' is a covering forthe face.Ans. That is ignorance with regard to the language. The'khimaar' is a covering for the head and the man alsowears the khimaar - putting it upon his head - the sameas for the woman. He ta'aala said:WALYADRIBNA BIKHUMURIHINNA 'ALAA JUYOOBIHINNAIf the khimaar covered the face then He ta'aala would notsay WALYADRIBNA meaning pull/draw together, but he wouldhave said "let fall" [ using the verb 'sadala' ]. This isignorance regarding the language.Is it permissible for women to wear high-heeled shoes?Ans. That is not permissible. It involves resembling theDisbelieving Women or the wicked women. It has its originamong the Jewish women before Islaam. When one of themwanted to attend a gathering where her lover was present,then she would wear a pair of high shoes for him to seeher, being taller. Then after a time that became high-heeled shoes! Further, this type of shoe changes awoman's way of walking, causing her to tilt from left toright and therefore the wicked and the unbelievers choosethis type of shoe. Therefore a Muslim woman following theSharee'ah should not wear high-heeled shoes - speciallysince many times it causes her to fall.

*****









Confusion continues - unabated – on the question of Hijab or Niqab – on Muslim women’s dress.

What is originally required by the Quran is hijab (purdah) and a later modified version is the niqab (face – veil)

Today more and more sisters than ever before are making the decision to don the niqab (FACE VEIL) due to various incidents they encounter in many parts of the world. In doing so, they are indeed brave – but are they adhering to the Islamic injunctions in this connection? There is confusion and it is imperative that we examine this carefully and try to follow according to Shariah.

PURDAH – In this system, there is controversy among the Muslim.
(1) the new enlightened sections of Muslims between the old conservative school of thought (close and complete confinement of women in their homes) and
(2) inclined to Western Culture.

Women in early Islam:
1a) They were not totally confined to their homes.
b). They participated on economic, social and religious activities
c). They did not make themselves objects of attraction.
d). They avoided intermixture of sexes by remaining apart from men.

As regards 1 above – (Holy Quran) says:-

33:33 - And stay quietly in your houses and make not a dazzling display like that of the former Times of ignorance; and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Apostle. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you ye Members of the Family and to make you pure and spotless. 3714. 3715.

This was life in Arabia in pre-Islamic days of women, and they had to change to Islamic principles
And by this injunction, they were to lead a life of decency and responsibility without displaying their
charms and indulge in amorous talks with strangers by which they suffered. So the Quran wanted Muslim
women to take more interest in the affairs of their homes and not to wander about displaying their beauty to
charm and attract the men . So she should feel that her primary interest lies at home and come out only
during pressing necessities which has the following restrictions:

33:59 - O prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. 3764 3765 3766 3767.

3764 This is for all Muslim women, those of the Prophet’s household, as well as the others. They were asked to cover themselves with outer garments when walking out of doors. (33.59)

3765 Jilbab, plural Jalabib: an outer garment; and long gown covering the whole body, or a cloak covering the neck and bosom. (33.59)

3765 The object was not to restrict the liberty of women, but to protect them from harm and molestation. In the East and in the West a distinctive public dress of some sort or another has always been a badge of honour or distinction, both among men and women. This can be traced back on the earliest civilisation. Assyrian Law in its palmiest days say ( 7th century B.C.), enjoined the veiling of married women and forbade the veiling of slaves and women of ill fame: see Cambridge Ancient History, 111.107. (33.59)

3767 That is, if a Muslim woman sincerely tries to observe this rule, but owing to human weakness fails short of the ideal, then “Allah is Oft – Forgiving. Most Merciful”. (33.59)

24:30-Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will
make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. 2983
2983 The rule of modesty applies to men as well as women. A brazen stare by a man at a woman (or even at a man)is a breach of refined manners. Where sex is concerned, modesty is not only “good form “: it is not only to guard the weaker sex, but also to guard the spiritual good of the stronger sex. (24.30)


24:31- And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands their fathers their husbands’ fathers their sons their husbands’ sons their brother or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women or the slaves whom their right hands posses or male servants free of physical needs or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss. 2964 2985 2986 2987.

2984 The need for modesty is the same in both men and women. But on account of the differentiation of the sexes in nature, temperaments, and social life, a greater amount of privacy is required for women than for men, especially in the matter of dress and the uncovering of the bosom. (24.31)

2985 Zinat means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. I think both are implied here, but chiefly the former. The woman is asked not to make a display of her figure except to the following classes of people: (1) her husband, (2) her near relatives whom a certain amount of neglige is permissible; (3) her women, 4) slaves, male and female, as they would be in constant attendance; but this item would now be blank, with the abolition of slavery; (5) men who are free from sexual desire and who usually frequent the houses; and (6) infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. Cf.also xxxviii.59 (24.31)

2986 It is one of the tricks of showy or unchaste women to tinkle their ankle ornaments, to draw attention to themselves, (24.31)

2987 While all these details of the purity and good form of domestic life are being brought to our attention, we are clearly reminded that the chief object we should hold in view is our spiritual welfare. All our brief life on this earth is a probation, and we must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavour. (24.31)
It is therefore clear that it is not intended in the Quran to prohibit totally the movements of women outside their homes. If so, in getting out should they hide their faces by means of a veil or (NIQAB)?

2988 Verse 33:59 speaks of a Jilbab (Outer Garment) over their persons when abroad; and Verse 24:31 –Not to Display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof.

Jilbab means an over - garment,; a long and loose gown which covers the body from neck to the feet. Ordinary dress, even if it covers all parts of the body exposes the beauty and charm of women. So it is very necessary that they put on a long over - garment over their ordinary clothes.
Could they uncover their hands, feet and faces and is Niqab necessary? The interpretation of the words: “Except what (must ordinarily) Appear thereof.” This means the HANDS, FEET AND THE FACE.

Sunan of Abu –Dawood
Hadith 4092 Narrated by
Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin

Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma ‘. when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah
Fiqh 1.113

Woman’s aurah & hijab

There is no such dispute over what constitutes a woman’s aurah. It is stated that her entire body is ‘aurah and must be covered, except her hands and face. Says Allah in the Qur’an, “And to display of their adornment only that which is apparent (do not expose any adornment or beauty save the hands and face)”. It has been authentically related from Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Aishah that the Prophet said, “Allaha does not accept the prayer of an adult woman unless she is wearing a headcovering (khimar, hijab).” This is related by “the five,” except for an-Nasa’i, and by ibn Khuzaimah and al-Hakim. At-Tirmidhi grades it as hassan.

It is related from Umm Salamah that she asked the Prophet,”Can a woman pray in a long shirt (like a night shirt) and head covering with a loincloth?” He said, “If the shirt is long and flowing and covers the top of her feet.” This is related by Abu Dawud. The scholars say it is sahih in mauqoof form (as a statement of Umm Salamah and not that of the Prophet).

It is also related that “Aishah was asked, “In how many garments is a woman to pray?” She answered, “Ask ‘Ali ibn Abu Talaib and then return to me and tell me what he said.” ‘Ali’s answer was, “In a headcover and a long flowing shirt.” This was told to ‘Aaishah and she said,”He has told the truth.”

The clothes worn must cover the ‘aurah, even if they are tight enough to highlight those features. If the clothes are so thin that one’s skin color can be seen, they are not suitable for prayer.

According to famous jurists of Islam :-

IMAM MALIK...-The entire body of a woman is included in satr (i.e. parts which should be kept covered) except the hands and face.

IMAM SHAFI’I – Also makes an exception in favour of the face and hands.

IMAM AHMED - Entire body of a woman should be kept fully covered except the face.

IMAM HANBAL – Entire body of a woman should be kept fully covered except the face.

IMAM ABU HANIFAH – says it is not lawful for a stranger to see any part of a woman’s body, but he can
See her face and hands.
IMAM ABU YUSUF...In addition to the face and the hands, the wrists of a woman may also be lawfully
Seen.
According to Ibn Hazm in his book al - Muhalla that the Quranic words ‘they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof, expressly permit the uncovering of the face and the hands.

See Hadith below:
Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 8.247 Narrated byAbdullah bin Abbas
Al-Fadl bin 'Abbas rode behind the Prophet as his companion rider on the back portion of his she camel on the Day of Nahr (slaughtering of sacrifice, 10th Dhul-Hijja) and Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet stopped to give the people verdicts. In the meantime, a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khath'am came, asking the verdict of Allah's Apostle. Al-Fadl started looking at her as her beauty attracted him. The Prophet looked behind while Al-Fadl was looking at her; so the Prophet held out his hand backwards and caught the chin of Al-Fadl and turned his face (to the other side) in order that he should not gaze at her. She said, "O Allah's Apostle! The obligation of Performing Hajj enjoined by Allah on His worshipers, has become due (compulsory) on my father who is an old man and who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient that I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said, "Yes."
.”Ibn Hazm argues that if it were prohibited for a woman to uncover her face outside her home, how is it possible that the Prophet (Sal) should have tolerated her to appear uncovered in public? Moreover, how could Ibn Abbas know whether she was ugly or pretty? Ibn Hazm therefor declares that the uncovering of the face and hands in public is lawful for a woman.

From these opinions it is clear that a veil which totally covers the face of a woman is not necessary and she is permitted to come out with faces and hands uncovered in case of genuine need. Barring the face, the hands and the feet, all other parts, including the neck, should be completely covered and a long over - garment put on, which leaves no part of the body exposed.

SOME VIEWS:
Whoever intends to marry a woman should look at her.
She is allowed to pray with the face uncovered, but must cover the head. If she prays with her head uncovered, then she must repeat such prayers.
The awrah of the free woman is her whole body except the face and the two hands upto the wrist.
The soles of the feet are not awrah.
Prophet (Sal) forbade the woman in IHRAM to put on the face veil or gloves .She may need to uncover them for such day to day matters as buying, selling, giving, taking, etc.
It is Al-Nur 24:31 – which deals with the rule of covering the Muslim woman’s awrah.
Ibn Jarir explains the phrase” Beyond what may decently be apparent thereof” on Nur 24:31 – means that they should not reveal their adornments except to people who are their mahram (those who are not allowed for them in marriage) the hidden ones – the anklet, the two bracelets, the two ear-rings and the necklace which can be seen only by the husbands.,and the clothes – this can be seen by anyone. (Ibn Mas’ud)
Maliki and Hanafi say that the apparent ornaments are the face and hand.
Hanbali say that every part of the woman is awrah.
Shafi’i do not regard the face and hands as awrah.

24:60 – Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things. 3040 3041

3040 For elderly women in the home the rules of dress and decorum are not so exacting as for younger women, but they are also enjoined to study modesty, both because it is good in itself, and example to the younger people . (24.60)

3041 Another example of a refrain: see n.3039 above. Verses 58 and 59 were closer connected: their refrain was practically identical. This verse, though ancillary, is less closely connected: its refrain comes in like a half - note in a melody. (24.60) .

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith
Hadith 269 Narrated by
Ziyad ibn Hudayr

Umar said to me: Do you know what demolishes Islam? I said: No.Whereupon he said: it is the slip of a scholar and the dispute of the hypocrite by the Book, and the commands of the misquided rulers which demolish it..

Transmitted by Darimi.

A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Any one who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem, they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her feminity to be brought out.

FOR HIJAB:
1. Avoid thin clothing which exposes the body and reveal its shape,
2. This should be loose enough so as not to reveal the shape of the woman’s body – preferably a cloak over other clothes. If the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment will not be necessary.
3 Wear thick clothes so as not to show the colour of the skin or the shape of the body.
4. The hijab should give an over - all dignified appearance – not attracting men’s attention, not shiny and flashy. (preferably black).
5. Avoid dressing like men and avoid dressing like the unbelievers.
6. Be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain admiration or sympathy.
7. One’s behaviour, manners, speech and appearance in public goes hand in hand with hijab.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith
Hadith 3887 Narrated by
Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Prophet’s standard was black and his banner white.

Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah
Fiqh 5.65b

Muslim reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) entered Makkah wearing a black turban and without an ihram. It is said about Ibn ‘Umar that he returned after travelling part of the way and entered Makkah without ihram.

Sahih Muslim Hadith
Hadith 3148 Narrated by
Amr ibn Hurayth

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) addressed the people (on the day of the Victory of Mecca) with black turban on his head.
76:29 – This is an admonition: whosoever will let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.
77:15 – Ah woe that Day to the Rejecters of Truth!

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith
Hadith 7.33 Narrated by
Usama bin Zaid

The Prophet said,”After me I have not left any affliction more harmful to men than women.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith
Hadith 7.158 Narrated by
Anas

I will narrate to you a Hadith I heard from Allah’s Apostle and none other than I will tell you of it. I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “From among the portants of the Hour are the following: Religious knowledge will be taken away: general ignorance (in religious matters) will increase; illegal sexual intercourse will prevail; drinking of alcoholic drinks will prevail. Men will decrease in number, and women will increase in number, so much so that fifty women will be looked after by one man.”

HIJAB – A SYMBOL OF LIBERATION
By Samuel Cole:
(A freelance writer living in Carob)

“The term Hijab comes from the Arabic world “hijaba”, which means to hide from view. It is the long dress and veil worn by many Muslim women with the function of distinguishing them from non-Muslims, reminding them of their Islamic faith, and concealing them from the public view of males. In many of the more traditional Muslim societies women tend to remain outside the public sphere of men, devoting themselves to child rearing and taking care of the home. In part because of this apparent restriction from the public realm, many Americans see the Muslim hijab as a symbol of female oppression.

Despite this perception, Islam is growing rapidly in America and female converts outnumber males four to one. Hijab is not a symbol of oppression, but is instead a symbol of liberation. Young Muslim women are reclaiming the hijab., to give back to women the ultimate control over their bodies. Yet to most Americans this is a strange assertion. How can a law that restricts a woman’s dress be liberating”? To Muslims the answer is easy . The Islamic tradition of hijab frees women from being perceived primarily as sexual objects. (Non-Muslim) women are taught from early childhood that their worth is proportional to their attractiveness. It is not hard to understand this: leafing through the ads of any woman’s magazine, even a male reader can sense the incredible pressure on women to conform to some ever - changing and abstract image of female beauty. Is it any wonder that American woman spend billions of dollars on hair and beauty products, or that they subject themselves to plastic surgery, drugs, and diets, or that in despair they fall into neurotic cycles of anorexia and bulimia? It is the pursuit of a mirage and mdash, one that degrades and sickens the pursuers.

The hijab liberates a Muslim woman from this insidious oppression. She need not concern herself with her hair or makeup before she goes out. Underneath her hijab she can remain if she so wishes, simply herself unshaved, unpainted, unplucked, or even a little overweight. All this without having to worry about what others think of her. The tradition of hijab, is simply a woman’s assertion that judgement of her physical person is to play no role whatsoever in social interaction. Since a Muslim woman is invisible behind her veil, she can be appreciated only for her intellectual qualities. Thus the importance of her intelligence and personality.

But the sacrifice of health (and self-esteem) in a futile pursuit of physical attractiveness is not the worst effect of sexual objectification. Societies that view women as sexual objects have a horrendous rate of violence toward women. In the United States, one out of every four women will be sexually assaulted at some time in her life. And even in relatively non-violent Canada, one woman is assaulted every six minutes. Women in our society live with the awareness that they must always be cautious of dark alleys and fearful of strangers. This is true oppression, a type that stems directly from the perception of women as sexual objects.

In the few societies that closely adhere to the Quran and in many repressive Islamic regimes this sort of violence towards women is quite low. In 1990 the number of reported rapes in Egypt, a relatively westernized Islamic society with a secular government, was only 17 (Israel reported 369 rapes that same year)

My sister (now a Muslim convert in Lahore) told me that as a Muslim woman, she feels a respect and security on the streets of Pakistan that she had never felt in 30 years of living in America. It does seem hard to ignore the fact that many Islamic women enjoy a level of protection and respect that is unheard of in the West. In some countries this is no doubt in part the result of Islamic law that imposes draconian punishment on offenders. But extreme enforcement of religious law is not practised in moderate Islamic countries such as Egypt or Pakistan; and there it seems Muslim tradition alone protects the dignity of women.
Nevertheless, Islam and its tradition of hijab can seem an extreme solution to the sexual objectification of women. Can’t society simply be changed through more education? Or perhaps through encouraging men to practise some self - restraint? In fact this has been a goal of the women’s movement for years. But although there has been some success at increasing career and educational opportunities for women, the oppression of women continues unabated. One only needs to peruse the horror section of the local video store to see that the most common victims of violence portrayed in popular films are women. And not surprisingly statistics in the United States point to more violence directed at women, not less.

The problem in western society; as some Muslim writers see it, is that predominantly Judeo-Christian cultures have no convention of equality between men and women. Instead, these traditions hold Eve to be ultimately responsible for original sin and the downfall of man.

The story in Genesis is a cornerstone in the foundation of our culture. As such, it has institutionalized an essentially inferior status for women. This is not so in the tradition of Islam. Eve is not blamed for tempting Adam. Together they sinned, together they are guilty, and together they both begged for (and received) forgiveness from God. It is true that Islam holds women and men to be different in the most integral qualities. But unlike Judeo-Christian doctrine, the Quran pass women and men on equal footing before God and thus as equally, and innately valuable to society.

Unfortunately, many of us see Islam as a religion of suicidal bombers or of bearded zealots intent on returning us all to a cultural stone - age. But this image is perhaps unfair. All religions have their own fair proportion of crazies. Islam, however, is the largest and the fastest growing of the world’s monotheistic religions, and has (quite properly) more than most. Still the Muslims have something to offer for women. Pierre Craibites (an American judge) writes: “Muhammad, 1300 years ago, assured to the mothers, wives and daughters of Islam a rank and dignity (still) not generally assured to women by the laws of the West.”

The conversion of my sister to Islam was a shock and then a mystery to me for many years. It did not seem possible for an intelligent feminist woman, to without coercion, suddenly chuck her ideas and embrace the religion of the mysogynist Ayatollah. Within my family the subject is beyond the bounds of rational discussion, and it is only from my; sister’s very recent letters that I may have finally acquired an understanding of her unique brand of feminism: You see, in adopting Islam she has rejected a culture that assigns value to a person based on a masculine ideal of success. In exchange she has adopted a culture where she is value as an equal... for no other reason than that she is a woman.

From THE DAILY NEWS
28th January, 2000.

“PURDAH” Stands for protection, says KAMALA SURAYYA
Mumbai, Thursday (PTI)

“In life or death,” I will not abandon my new religion and if I am killed may my blood inspire people,” Dr> Kamala Surayya, 67-years old celebrated authoress who recently embraced Islam, has said.

I have had too much freedom and now would like to throw it down like a used weapon. Give me a second chance so that I can lead a disciplined and clean life,” she told a seminar on On “Indian Muslims: Agenda for the 21st century” on Sunday here.

Referring to her controversial decision to change her religion, she said +purdah+(veil) had afforded her a previously experienced anonymity+purdah+ she said, stood for protection. In it, women could go anywhere in the world and not be touched or teased, the authoress felt.

Kamala Das, now rechristened as Dr.Kamala Surayya, said in an emotional tone “I have come here as a very happy woman, probably at the end of my life. I want you to love me.”

She observed: “You will hear terrible scandals about my life that the media has created, about all those alleged love affairs I am supposed to be having. Allah knows the truth. He is my new master. My old age has been abandoned on roadside. Now I dream of a future where I can be of use to all Muslims.”

In Kerala, she said, men were experiencing feelings of inferiority due to dowry demanded in arranged marriages. Men felt they were beggars for sale while women were becoming like men in all spheres because of the dowry they were bringing in.

She was later presented two +fez+ caps for her sons and a nose cloth to complement her+burqa+ by Khair-e-ummat trust which organised the seminar.


*****
Some points from a question-and-answer session with Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaani
produced by:JAM'IAT IHYAA' MINHAAJ AL-SUNNAH24 BISHOPS HILL, IPSWICH, SUFFOLK, IP3 8EN
Topics:

What is the ruling for wearing the 'Niqaab' (face-veil) these days, and gloves? And further, if she feelsthere is a chance of 'fitnah' so she wants to wear this,but the parents refuse to let her, then what should shedo?Ans. If their refusal only refers to her not covering her face and hands, then she has to obey her parents in that,but if their refusal includes more than that, then,"There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator." Since covering the body except for the face and hands is obligatory for the Muslim woman, andcovering her face and hands is not obligatory but'mustahabb' (recommended). So if the parents do not wanther to cover her face and hands, then there is no harm inher obeying them and no sin in it, as opposed to whatwould be the case if they wished her to uncover otherthan that, in which case she owes no obedience to them since that is a sin. What is the ruling regarding a woman's wearing a scarfon her head?Ans. That is not enough - she has to wear a 'khimaar'which covers the head and chest. The scarf is not loosefitting and does not cover enough.Should not the shoulders also be covered by it?Yes, that is the 'khimaar'. It is a wide cover coveringthe head and shoulders. When we say that it covers thechest, then it covers the shoulders since it is wide. Butas regards the head-scarf we often see a woman wearing itrevealing a part of the neck due to it, but the 'khimaar'covers the neck and shoulder, and Allaah ta'aala ordersthat saying:WALYADRIBNA BIKHUMURIHINNA 'ALAA JUYOOBIHINNAThe head-scarf is as they say these days a compromise,and there is no such thing in Islaam!Many people hold that the khimaar' is a covering forthe face.Ans. That is ignorance with regard to the language. The'khimaar' is a covering for the head and the man alsowears the khimaar - putting it upon his head - the sameas for the woman. He ta'aala said:WALYADRIBNA BIKHUMURIHINNA 'ALAA JUYOOBIHINNAIf the khimaar covered the face then He ta'aala would notsay WALYADRIBNA meaning pull/draw together, but he wouldhave said "let fall" [ using the verb 'sadala' ]. This isignorance regarding the language.Is it permissible for women to wear high-heeled shoes?Ans. That is not permissible. It involves resembling theDisbelieving Women or the wicked women. It has its originamong the Jewish women before Islaam. When one of themwanted to attend a gathering where her lover was present,then she would wear a pair of high shoes for him to seeher, being taller. Then after a time that became high-heeled shoes! Further, this type of shoe changes awoman's way of walking, causing her to tilt from left toright and therefore the wicked and the unbelievers choosethis type of shoe. Therefore a Muslim woman following theSharee'ah should not wear high-heeled shoes - speciallysince many times it causes her to fall.

*****