Is Niqab (Women covering their faces) allowed in Islam?

By
Rafiullah

Assalam Alaikum

I do know that niqaab is not fard... but it is not an innovation as you
claimed in your site.

Actually, the wives of the Prophet, the Sahabah (r.a.) wives and the people
after them aftually wore niqaab. But, it was not mandatory though.

It is more wajib than it is sunnah, as the Prophet (saw) himself says that
to not slap the face, as it is the most beauitful part of the human body.
Then we have the ayahs from quran, as i think you know, where Allah (swt)
says that the women should cover their BEAUTIES. There have been big
conflicts between peopel saying its fard, and some saying its sunnah and
this and that. But i never heard anyone ever to say its an innovation or a
bidah.

Here is some information that I have collected, and I would be highly happy
if you read it too :)

The Niqaab in light of the Holy Quran and Sahih Hadith and in the Opinions
of the great scholars....



From the Quran.....(This tafseer is Agreed upon by Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtabi
and At-Tabari)

The Noble Qur'an ........

Surah Al-Ahzaab, Verse #59
‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the
believers to draw their cloaks ("Jalabib") veils all over their bodies
(screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way
Tafseer Al-Qurtabi) that is most convenient that they should be known (as
such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful."

Surah An-Nur, Verses #30 and #31
‘And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at
forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual
acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent
(like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one
eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and to draw their veils
all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)



From the Hadith.....

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith # 282
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba (Radhiallaahu 聲ha) "Aisha (Radhiallaahu 聲ha)
used to say: "When (the Verse): "They should draw their veils over their
necks and bosoms," was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the
edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Hadith # 368
Narrated 'Aisha (Radhiallaahu 聲ha) Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 "Hijaab" page # 12 and 13)

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 4, Hadith # 148
Narrated 'Aisha (Radhiallaahu 聲ha): The wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi
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 翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi 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 聲hu): A woman called Umm Khallad
came to the Prophet (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi 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 聲ha): 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 聲ha) "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 聲ha) said, "We used to veil our faces when we were
in Ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi Bakr As-Siddiq (Radhiallaahu 聲ha).
"This again proves that not only the wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi
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 聲ha) who said, "The riders
would pass us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi
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 翼ayhi 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 聲ha)
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 聲ha) 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 聲hu) 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 聲ha) We were ordered (by Rasulullah
'(Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 聲huma) 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 翼ayhi Wasallam)
ordered them to go to the Place for Eid Salah, they mentioned this
hindrance. As a result Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam) said that
someone should lend her a veil, but did not say they could go out without
it. If Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 聲ho) rates
from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 聲ha) narrates that on one occasion a female Muslim
wanted to give a letter to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam),
the letter was delivered to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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
翼ayhi 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 Al耍hz槆 ayah # 53) And this
hadith proves this order is for the whole Ummah not just for the wives of
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam)!

Abu Dawood Book 2, Hadith # 0641
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin (Radhiallaahu 聲ha) "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
翼ayhi 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 聲ha) 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 翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi Wasallam)
said, "The boy is for you, O 'Abd bin Zam'a!" Then Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
翼ayhi Wasallam) further said, "The child is for the owner of the bed, and
the stone is for the adulterer," Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi
Wasallam) did infact order the veil to be observed.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Hadith # 375
Narrated Anas (Radhiallaahu 聲hu) 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 翼ayhi Wasallam)
remained sitting and some people remained sitting with him after the other
guests had left. Then Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 翼ayhi 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 聲ha): I was with
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam) while Maymunah was with him. Then
Ibn Umm Maktum came. This happened when we were ordered to observe veil.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam) said: Observe veil from him. We
asked: oh Rasulullah! is he not blind? He can neither see us nor recognize
us. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 聲huma) .......

Ibn 繅baas (Radhiallaahu 聲hu), who was one of the most knowledgeable
companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam), Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 聲) 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 聲hu) by saying "This statement is
"Marfoo" and in shariah that is the same category as a hadith which is
narrated directly from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam). The quote
of Ibn Abbas is quoted by many tabi'een like Ali Ibn Abu Talha and Ibn Jarir
in Ma'riful Quran 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 聲hu) 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 翼ayhi
Wasallam) and gained the understanding of Quran from him. Umar Ibn Khattab
(Radhiallaahu 聲hu) 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)

Aisha (Radhiallaahu 聲ha)

Stated that in verse 30 and 31 of Surah An Nur "What has been allowed to be
shown is the hands, bangles and rings but the face must be covered.

(Quoted by Shaikh Abdul A'la Maududi in the book Purdah P# 195 and in his
Tafseer of Quran under the tafseer of Surah An Nur)

Abu Ubaidah Salmani (Radhiallaahu 聲hu), 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 翼ayhi 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 聲hu' An' Other well known
and knowledgeable Companion of Rasulullah ) Imam Muhammad bin Sirin
(Rahimahullah) One of the most knowledgeable tabi'een) said "When I asked
Ubaida bin Sufyan bin al-Harith ('Radhiallaahu An') 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 Safur" quoted by Shaikh
AbdulAziz Bin Bazz under the chapter of his fatwaa on hijab on page #54)

From the Tabi 'een..



Hassan Al Basri (Rahimahullah)

States in his tafseer of the Surah An-Nur, "What a woman is allowed to show
in this Ayah implies to those outer garments (not the face or hands) which
the woman puts on to cover her internal decoration (her beauty).

(Quoted in the book "Purdah" P#194 )

Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullah) Quotes the opinion of Ibn 繅baas (Radhiallaahu
聲hu)
"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 聲hu) 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 聲hu) 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 聲hu).
(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 聲hu' 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 聲hu) and 'Ubaidah As-Salmaani (Radhiallaahu 聲hu) 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 聲hu).)

Also from Imaam Qurtubi (Rahimahullah)
in his Al-Jamia li Ahkaamul Qur緋 states: "All women are in effect covered
by the terms of the verse which embraces the Shar嶪 principle that the whole
of a woman is ‘膿rah’ (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
Qur緋")

At-Tabari and Ibn Al-Mundhir
described the method of wearing the jalbaab according to Ibn Abbas
(Radhiallaahu 聲hu) and Qatadah (Radhiallaahu 聲hu). 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 翼ayhi Wasallam) said “All of a woman is ‘awrah.” (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 sated 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")

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 聲ha) 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 聲hu) 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 聲huma) 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 翼ayhi 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 (see also Luke 2:52: GOD forgave Jesus).
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 翼ayhi 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

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.( 'Islamic Fatwas
regarding Women' Page # 289)

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

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. ("Islamic Fatwas regarding Women")

Shaikh Abul A'la Maududi (Who was the founder of "Jamat-ul-Islami" also a
known and respect scholar of the Hanafi madhab) “A person who considers
carefully the wordings of the Quranic verses, their well-known and genreally
accepted meaning and the practice during the time of the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam) cannot dare deny the fact that the islamic
Shari'ah enjoins on the woman to hide her face from the other people and
this has been the practice of the Muslim women ever since the time of the
Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi Wasallam) himself” (In the book "Purda" by
Shaikh Abul A'la Maududi P# 199 )






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 聲ha) when Asmaa (Radhiallaahu 聲ha) the
daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 翼ayhi 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 聲ha) 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 聲ha) the daughter of Abu Bakr, who is supposed to have
narrated this hadith. Asmaa (Radhiallaahu 聲ha)covered herself completly
including tha face, this has been narrated in authentic hadith in Imaam
maliks "MUWATTA Book 20 Hadith # 20.5.16."


Arabic words explained by Sahaba and Ullima....

Shaikh Ibn Al Hazam (Rahimahullah) writes: "In the Arabic language of the
Prophet, Jalbab is the outer sheet which covers the entire body. A piece of
cloth which is too small to cover the entire body could not be called
Jalbab." (Al Muhalla, vol. 3, p.217.)

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.

Jalabib, which is used in the verse is the plural of Jalbab. "Jalbab, is
actually the outer sheet or coverlet which a woman wraps around on top of
her garments to cover herself from head to toe. It hides her body
completely." Lisan ul Arab vol 1 p. 273. (The best explanation is that
it is what we would today call a burqa or an abiya.)

Ibn Masood (Radhiallaahu 聲hu) explained Jilbab to be a cloak covering the
entire body including the face and hands. (fatwaa Ibn Taymiyyah Page #110
Vol. #2)

What is Hijab really mean?

"The root word of hijab is hajaba and that means: (hajb) to veil, cover,
screen, shelter, seclude (from), to hide, obscure (from sight), to make
imperceptible, invisible, to conceal, to make or form a separation (a
woman), to disguise, masked, to conceal, hide, to flee from sight, veil, to
veil, conceal, to cover up, become hidden, to be obscured, to vanish, to
become invisible, disappear from sight, to veil, to conceal, to withdraw, to
elude perception.

Hajb: seclusion, screening off, keeping away, keeping off,

Hijab plural: hujub: cover, wrap, drape, a curtain, a woman's veil, screen,
partition, folding screen, barrier,

Ihtijab: Concealment, hiddenness, seclusion, veildness, veiling, purdah.

Hijab: Concealing, screening, protecting,

Mahjub: concealed hidden, veiled!

These definitions of the hijab were taken from the: Arabic-English
Dictionary, The Hans Wehr dictionary of modern written arabic, edited by JM
Cowan.


NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Just to make it clear the point of this page is NOT to say if a woman
doesn't wear niqaab 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 niqaab
(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 niqaab is not in
islam or is not important" or is "bad for dawa" these people should
understand that the Niqaab is from the Quraan 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 Niqaab 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.

And by the way, Alhamdulillah, May Allah (swt) bless you for your hard work
in your website.

I hope in no way I have sounded rude, or anything like that. Forgive me
dearly brother if I have.

A little info about me bro. I am 16 years of age from san diego, Ca.

My name is Rafiullah.

I hear so many christians giving you a bad name, it really angers me as the
hard work you do, and you do more as one person than they do as there are
more than 5 people working on their so called page. :)

Assalam Alaikum, brother, and take good care of yourself.

-Rafiullah

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