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)

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