Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Brother Burhan,

Assalamu - Alaikum,

Subject: Veil - Pardah / Hijab

I feel with regards to "Veil" - Hijab, Muslim Ummah go to either of the extremes. One group believes that women should cover themselves completely in presence of everybody other then those relative mentioned in Quran.

Other group does not believe in Hijab at all and they think it is not ordered by Allah hence not necessary.

I have read Sure Nur as well as Sure  Ahzab and their translations by Muolana Modudi and also Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Moulana Modudi has given a Lot of ahaheeth also in support of his explanation in Tafheem-ul- Quran.

My doubts are regarding following few points which I have not been able To

understand:

Sure Nur verse No.31, the word used is 'Zina or Zinat' which means
'make-up' and women are prohibited from showing their 'Zina". And if the
woman is not using any "Zina'- make-up then what? Then on what basis
women are instructed to cover their face. Also there ahadeeth which say women can keep their face and fore arms open.

2. Sure Ahzab verse 53 is the verse ordering Hijab. But it is explicitly for the wives of Prophet (SAS). Some muslim ulema say that best people were from Prophet's  (SAS) household and if they are ordered to observe 'Hijab", we have all the more reasons to observe "Hijab". Other ulema say that we should follow his (SAS) sunnah.

3. Sure Ahzab verse 59 is for women to wear burqa while going out doors.

Allah (SOT) whenever gives an order, he also advises us What are the benefits of it. In the same way Allah (SOT) tells us that muslim women should wear burqa so that they are recognized and not teased or molested.

In view of above I have the following question to ask:

I am form Mumbai. Muslim population of Mumbai is well in excess of two millions. In Mumbai a man spends all his life just to have a roof over his

head, because as you are well aware that accommodation in Mumbai is scares and  very expensive. In such a place if a father has more then one grown up sons then how the Hijab is going to be observes in the family living in the same flat? In particular in light of following hadeeth where Prophet (SAS) says "brothers in law are like death

Best Regards,

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Answer:

Clarification on hijaab

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Al Ahzaab verse 59:O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the women of the believers, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons. It is expected that they will be recognized and that they will not be molested. And Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 24 Surah An-Noor verse 31:And O Prophet, enjoin the believing women to restrain their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their ‘zeenata hunna’ (beauty, adornment, etc.) except that which is displayed of itself (their face and hands), and to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to display their ‘zeenata hunna’ (beauty, adornment, etc.) except before their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons and the sons of their husbands, their brothers, their brothers sons, their sisters’ sons, their female associates, and those in their possession and male attendants incapable of sexual desire, and those boys who have not yet attained knowledge of sexual matters. Also forbid them to stamp their feet on the ground lest their hidden ornaments should be displayed.

Q-1: Sure Nur verse No.31, the word used is 'Zina or Zinat' which means 'make-up' and women are prohibited from showing their 'Zina". And if the woman is not using any "Zina'- make-up then what? Then on what basis women are instructed to cover their face. Also there ahadeeth which say women can keep their face and fore arms open.

The Quranic term ‘zeenat’ is very vast in its meaning and implications, and means a lot more than just simple ‘make-up’. The ‘zeenah’ of the woman would mean anything that would relate to the beauty or attraction of the woman. And Allah has commanded the believing woman not to display any of her ‘zeenah’ or beauty to anyone except those specifically mentioned in the Aayah.

Thus translating ‘zeenah’ to mean only make-up is an incorrect and a very narrow view of the Quranic term.

The best way to understand any command of Allah Subhanah in the Quran, is to study how did the Messenger of Allah (saws) understand and implement the particular command. And there is absolutely no doubt that after the Revelation of the Quranic Aayah, the Messenger of Allah (saws) commanded his wives and his daughters to veil themselves completely from non-mehram men.

Q-2: Sure Ahzab verse 53 is the verse ordering Hijab. But it is explicitly for the wives of Prophet (SAS). Some muslim ulema say that best people were from Prophet's  (SAS) household and if they are ordered to observe 'Hijab", we have all the more reasons to observe "Hijab". Other ulema say that we should follow his (SAS) sunnah.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Al Ahzaab verse 59:O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the women of the believers, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons. It is expected that they will be recognized and that they will not be molested. And Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Allah Subhanah explicitly commands the Prophet (saws) to tell his wives, his daughters, AND the women of the believers, that they should observe hijaab! Thus it is incorrect to believe that the command was specific to the noble and chaste wives of the Prophet (saws) alone! The command of hijaab is for all believing women.

Q-3: I am form Mumbai. Muslim population of Mumbai is well in excess of two millions. In Mumbai a man spends all his life just to have a roof over
his head, because as you are well aware that accommodation in Mumbai is
scares and  very expensive. In such a place if a father has more then one grown up sons then how the Hijab is going to be observes in the family living in the same flat? In particular in light of following hadeeth where Prophet (SAS) says "brothers in law are like death”.

Whether one lives with the extended family in the same flat, or the same room; the believers, who sincerely fear Allah and the Last Day, must strive to obey and follow the commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws).

The wisdom behind the statement of the Messenger of Allah (saws) in his warning that the ‘brothers in law are like death’, is because this relationship between the wife and the husband’s brother is so close, that it might often become extremely difficult to suspect any wrong doing. And because this relationship is not a ‘mehram’ relationship in Islam, the Messenger of Allah (saws) warned the believers to beware of the proximity and implications of the brother-in-law building an immoral relationship with one’s wife, or vice-versa. If Allah forbid, an immoral relationship between the brother-in-law and the wife of a brother is allowed to develop, the whole family structure which is the core of Islamic values and principles, is threatened and shattered. It is precisely to protect and honor the family and its structure, that the Messenger of Allah (saws) made the believers beware of this delicate relationship.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan