Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Hadith # 368
Narrated 'Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ãnha) Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 "Hijab" page # 12 and 13)
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 4, Hadith # 148
Narrated 'Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ãnha): The wives of Rasulullah ( Sallallaahu
Ãlayhi 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 Ãlayhi
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 Ãlayhi 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 Ãlayhi 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 Ãnhu): A woman called Umm Khallad
came to the Prophet (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi 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 Ãlayhi 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 Ãlayhi 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 Ãnha): 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 Ãnha) "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 Ãnha) said, "We used to veil our faces when
we were in Ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi Bakr As-Siddiq (Radhiallaahu
Ãnha). "This again proves that not only the wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 Ãnha) who said,
"The riders would pass us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 Ãlayhi 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
Ãnha) 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 Ãnha) 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 Ãnhu)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 Ãnha) We were ordered (by Rasulullah '(Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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
Ãnhuma) 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 Ãlayhi
Wasallam) ordered them to go to the Place for Eid Salah, they mentioned this
hindrance. As a result Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi Wasallam) said
that someone should lend her a veil, but did not say they could go out without
it. If Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi 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 Ãnho)
rates from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi 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 Ãnha) narrates that on one occasion a female
Muslim wanted to give a letter to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
Wasallam), the letter was delivered to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 Ãlayhi
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 Ãlayhi Wasallam)!
Abu Dawood Book 2, Hadith # 0641
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin (Radhiallaahu Ãnha) "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 Ãnha) 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 Ãlayhi
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 Ãlayhi
Wasallam) said, "The boy is for you, O 'Abd bin Zam'a!" Then
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi Wasallam) further said, "The child is
for the owner of the bed, and the stone is for the adulterer," Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Ãlayhi 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 Ãlayhi Wasallam) did infact order the
veil to be observed.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Hadith # 375
Narrated Anas (Radhiallaahu Ãnhu) 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 Ãlayhi Wasallam) remained sitting
and some people remained sitting with him after the other guests had left.
Then Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi 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 Ãlayhi
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 Ãnha): I was with
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi Wasallam) while Maymunah was with him. Then
Ibn Umm Maktum came. This happened when we were ordered to observe veil (purdah). Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Ãlayhi Wasallam) said: Observe veil from
him. We asked: oh Rasulullah! is he not blind? He can neither see us nor
recognize us. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi 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 Ãnhuma) .......
Ibn Ãbbaas (Radhiallaahu Ãnhu), who was one of the most knowledgeable
companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi Wasallam), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 Ãnhu) 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 Ãnhu) by saying "This statement is
"Marfoo" and in shariah that is the same category as a hadith which
is narrated directly from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi Wasallam). The
quote of Ibn Abbas is quoted by many tabi'een like Ali Ibn Abu Talha and Ibn
Jarir in Ma'riful Qur'an 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 Ãnhu) 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
Ãlayhi Wasallam) and gained the understanding of Quran from him. Umar
Ibn Khattab (Radhiallaahu Ãnhu) 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)
Abu Ubaidah Salmani (Radhiallaahu Ãnhu), 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 Ãlayhi 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 Ãnhu' An' Other well
known and knowledgeable Companion of Rasulullah and the son of Abu Sufiyan Bin
Harith )
Imam Muhammad bin Sirin (Rahimahullah) One of the most knowledgeable tabi'een)
"When I asked Ubaida bin Sufyan bin al-Harith('Radhiallaahu Ãnhu'
An')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.III, 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...
Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullah) Quotes the opinion of Ibn Ãbbaas (Radhiallaahu
Ãnhu)
"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 Ãnhu) 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 Ãnhu) 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 Ãnhu). (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 Ãnhu'
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
Ãnhu) and 'Ubaidah As-Salmaani (Radhiallaahu Ãnhu) 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 Ãnhu).)
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 ‘Ãwrah’ (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
Ãnhu) and Qatadah (Radhiallaahu Ãnhu). 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
Ãlayhi Wasallam) said “All of a woman is ‘awrah.â€
(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 sate 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")
Shaikh Abul A'la Maududi (Who was the founder of "Jamat-ul-Islami"
also a known and respect scholar of the Hanafi madhab)
“It is enjoined on the women to cover their face with a veil in publicâ€
(In the book "Purda" by Shaikh Abul A'la Maududi)
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 Ãnha) 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
Ãnhu) 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 Ãnhuma) 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 Ãlayhi 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)
Shaikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (One of the great scholars of out time.
click here for the full fatwaa on covering the face and who can you uncover
the face infront of-->Fatwaa
on niqaab
"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 Ãlayhi 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
( In the book 'Islamic Fatwas regarding Women' Page # 289)
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.
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
( Taken from the book "Islamic Fatwas regarding Women")
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.
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 Ãnha) when Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ãnha)
the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Ãlayhi
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 Ãnha) 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 Ãnha) the daughter of Abu Bakr, who is
supposed to have narrated this hadith. Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ãnha)covered
herself completely including tha face, this has been narrated in authentic
hadith in Imaam maliks "MUWATTA Book 20 Hadith # 20.5.16."
