VFAST Transactions on Islamic Research

http://vfast.org/journals/index.php/VTIR@ 2020 ISSN(e): 2309-6519;ISSN(p): 2411-6327

Volume 8, Number 1, January-December, 2020 pp. 56–62

CONCEPT OF VEIL FOR WOMEN IN ISLAM

DR. KHADIJA AZIZ
Department of Islamiyat, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar.

Abstract. Oppressed, inferior, and unequal – for many people, these are the first words that come
to mind when thinking about women in Islam. These stereotypes confuse Islam with cultural
practices and fail to recognize that Islam has empowered women with the most progressive rights
since the 7th century. Qur’anic and hadith literature was used for the collection of authentic
information about the proposed study. As it is stated in Quran “O Prophet! Tell your wives and
your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies
(i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better,
that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.Similarly, wearing and bearing of veil in also encouraged in the
teachings of the messenger of Allah. And say to the believing women that they cast down their gaze
and guard their private parts and not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let
them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments. Based on the
present study, it is evident that Allah (SWAT) commanded Muslim women to look differently from
that of others, to keep their body covered, modest and to be recognized as pious, pure, and chaste.
Keywords: Veils, adornment, bosoms,

Introduction: Islam teaches that both men and women are equal in the sight of God.In the Quran, God declares, that all
humans are equal: “To whoever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, we shall give a good life and reward
them according to the best of their actions.” (16:97). Women has been given the privileged a mother, a sister, wife and
a daughter. Such as the paradise resides in the feet of a mother whereas a sincere wife is the best companion 1. One of
the most common questions today, asked by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, is: “Why do Muslim women cover their
heads?” The answer is very simple – Muslim women observe hijab because Allah has told them to do so:
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around
them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims)
and not annoyed…” (Qur’an 33:59).
Status of Women before the Advent of Islam. Islam is the religion which emerged in the Arabic Peninsula more than
1400 years ago. In the pre-Islamic era, the position of women was very bad. They were not given their due rights like
right to property, profession, marriage education etc. There is always exception in the societies, and we see Khadija, the
first Muslim women and the first wife of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) as the business women but it was very rare and most of
the Arab people did not like to have daughters and they buried them alive.
In reforming the pagan Arab society, he particularly transformed their mindset regarding the treatment of
women. Islam abolished the practice of killing female children and raised the stature of women in society to one of
dignity, esteem, and privilege.It was not the condition of women in Arab only but in other parts of the world women
were facing the same problem of inequality and injustice.

High position given by Islam to the Women. After the advent of Islam the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) paid emphasis on
the rights of all mankind especially female. He was the first who talked about the female rights and assured their rights
as well and safeguard them as well. He gave female all the rights like right to property, political rights, social rights,
right to education and at last all the human rights. About education he said: “The pursuit of knowledge is a duty of every
Muslim, man and woman”, said the Prophet (P.B.U.H)and with this guiding principle it became a religious obligation
of Muslims to educate themselves, their families, and their societies.
This declaration was very clear and was largely implemented by Muslims throughout history. One of the most
influential scholars of Islam was Muhammad’s wife, Aisha. After his death, men and women would travel to learn from
her because she was considered a great scholar of Islam. The recognition of female scholarship and women’s

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY
participation in academia has been encouraged and practiced throughout the majority of Islamic history. Now education
become religious responsibility of Muslims and no one can prevent any one either male or female from getting
education.Under the light of this saying of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) equality is ensured in the society but also it ensure
better understanding in the society.

Social and Political Rights

“Paradise lies under the feet of mothers”, said by the Prophet (P.B.U.H). With this instruction, in Islam, a
man become bound to respect woman and it’s an admirable act, to respect and honor women. “Men are
support for women,” “Among the praiseworthy acts to Allah is to treat your mother with honor and
respect,” “Be just among your children, daughters and sons, provide them good education and proper
upbringing”.

Narrated from the Prophet (P.B.U.H). With these sayings of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) it become the responsibility of all to
respect and honor female and give special attention and love to their daughters to help and support women, do not create
any hurdle in their ways and let them achieve their goals. Fatima was the daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H). She was
well educated and highly respected. It is said that Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to leave his place for her whenever she
entered in his room.

Right to Marriage. According to Sharia man and woman has the right to choose their life partner and no one should be
forced to marry someone without his or her consent. When Ali (R.A) proposed the daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H).
He did not accept the proposal and did not said yes to Ali (R.A) but first he talked to Fatima, took her consensus and
then accepted the proposal. It is evident that according to Islam female has the same equal right to marry but it does not
mean to have relation with male and then marry him. Similarly, there are order of “Pardah” in Islamwith the concept of
“Mehram” and “Na-mehram” in Islam, there are guiding principles for Muslim women how to go out? How to travel?
Whom to meet with and whom not to meet with? And how to talk with the strangers? Islam not only provide rights to
the women but it also provide protection to female and Islam has provided the concept of “ Pardah” compulsory for
women i.e. when she steps out she must cover her beauty and physique and this is an act of Islam for the protection of
women .
This concept is taken as burden in the Western World. West depict the image of Muslim women a typical way
who is imprisoned behind the veil, who has no voice, who is not supposed to say something, who has no rights and even
she cannot claim any right. This image of Muslim women is famous all over the world because Western media present
this image to the whole world. In such situation a confusion accrues in the mind of the people and a hot debate took
place among the women that being in veil or without veil is equal, there is no difference between being inside home or
outside home for women and there is no issue to confront with the “Na-Mahram”2.

Quran about Hijab/Veil. Islam gave great importance to the concept of decency and modesty in the interaction between
man and woman. The rule is for both gender male and female but the mode are different Allah has ordered women that
they should cover their body parts which includes their hair, so that they remain safe and secure. On the other hand men
are also made bound to cover their body parts but their way of covering their body is different from that of women .
Allah has commanded both male and female to maintain their. Modesty but the way of maintaining their modesty is
different from each other. (Farhat Hashmi, Quran for All- aim Every Hand, In Every Heart, Hijab is not a piece of cloth
on your head, by Asma Bint Shameem)

Dress code is part of that overall teaching. The verses of Quran are there in which Allah talks about the issue
of veil, decency and hijab. The word “Hijab” literally means a cover, curtain or screen. This term Hijab is used in Muslim
Jurisprudence to show the conduct of muslim woman with “Na-Mehram”3.

Hijab of Eyes . Islam has given great importance to modesty and decency to be maintain while interacting with opposit gender and for
that purpose Islam also laid down some guiding principles for the dress . Allah has guided Muslim in two different verses of the Holy
Quran about Hijab and dress code.( Arsalan Rizvi , The Hijab of Men, Islamic Insight). In Chapter 24 known as an-Nur (the Light), in
verse 30, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad as follows:

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 “Say to the believing men that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being
chaste). This is better for them.”

Hijab is not only confined to the veil or dress. There is also hijab of eyes, ears, and tongue as well. In this verse
of the Holy Quran Allah has ordered the Muslim to keep their eyes down and do not look female, other than their wives,
with lustful eyes. Muslims are abandoned to not cast bad glance on other females. This type of hijab is called the Hijab
of eyes.

Then in the next verse, Allah commands the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to ask the women:

“O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers that: they should let down upon
themselves their jalabib.”

In the above mention verse the same directions were given to the women as in the previous verse Allah has ordered the
Muslim men regarding the “hijab of the eyes”.

The same ordered regarding thehijab of eyes is there in the teaching of Jesus where he says, “You have heard
that it was said by them of old time, you shall not commit adultery. But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on
a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart1”4.

Neither its lack of confidence norits rude behavior or ignorance if you find a Muslim man or women casting his/her eyes
downwards when he/she talks to any other man or women it’s just the obedience of Allah’s orders.

Dress Code. After discussing the Hijab of eyes, Islam emphasis on the Dress Code. How a Muslim should bedress to
maintain her/his modesty:

1 –Allah says:
“And tell 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 Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and
not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their
sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim)
women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants
who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as
to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you
may be successful”5.

There are two important terms used in this sentence.

(1) What is meant by “khumur” used in this verse?

The plural of Khumur is khimar, which means a veil that covers head. It is defined as “something with which a
woman conceals her head”6.

According to the interpreters of the Quran, in the pre Islamic era the Arab females used to wear a piece of cloth on their
head and tie two end of the cloth at the back of their neck which used to cover their head but their ears and neck remain
uncovered.“place the khumur over the bosoms” In this part of the verse Allah has ordered the Muslim females to extend
the two ends of the cloth to the front to cover their ears, neck and front upper part of their body 7.
This is confirmed by the way the Muslim women of the Prophet’s era assumed this instruction of Almighty
Allah. The Sunni sources quote Ummu ’l-mu’minin ‘A’isha, the Prophet’s wife, as follows: “I have not seen women
better than those of al-Ansar (the inhabitants of Medina): when this verse was revealed, all of them got hold of their
aprons, tore them apart, and used them to cover their heads...” 8.

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 The implication of “khimar” and the perspective in which the verse was revealed clearly shows about covering
the head and then using the loose ends of the scarf to cover the neck and the bosom 9.

Woman’s “Awrah” “Awrah” means that parts of women body which she has to cover from her her father, brother,
uncle and nephew.

Allah says: “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, headcover, apron), and to draw
their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment
except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or
their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women” 10.

Mehram. At last the verse explains the concept of “mehram”– that are the male family members in whose presence the
hijab is not obligatory, such as the husband, the father, the father-in-law, the son(s), and others. The list of relations
which is considered as Mehram for women come in two Surah one is in Surah Al-Noor and the other one is Surah Al-
Ahzab some narrators tells that firs Surah Al-Ahzab and then Surah Al-Noor revealed. Surah Al-Ahzab revealed during
or after the war of Ahzab.
List of Mehram for Muslim Woman
Mehram for a women is that person with whom she cannot get married the reason can be blood relation,
breastfeeding or marriage ties. The concept of Mehram has nothing to do with custom, tradion or other social values but
it is based on Shariah.
Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, has identified which women are mahrams for men, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):

“Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father’s sisters, your
mother’s sisters, your brother’s daughters, your sister’s daughters, your foster mothers who gave you suck,
your foster milk suckling sisters, your wives’ mothers, your stepdaughters under your guardianship, born of
your wives to whom you have gone in — but there is no sin on you if you have not gone in them (to marry their
daughters), — the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins, and two sisters in wedlock at the same
time, except for what has already passed; verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”11.

According to the above mention verse of the Holy Quran the list of Mehram for women is comprised of
1. Father
2. Brother
3. Son
4. Sister’s son
5. Brother’s son
6. Paternal uncle
7. Maternal uncle

Na-Mehram: Na-mehrams are the opposite of Mehram and it includes all those person with whom a women can get
married.

Code of Conducts when talking to Na-mehram. The way to talk to a Na-mehram for a Muslim women is clearly
mention in the following verse of Quran:

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 “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” 12.
“Then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an
honourable manner."13
Ibn Katheersaid in his Tafseer: " that they should not speak softly. Allah commanded them to speak in a concise and
decisive manner (i.e., they should be serious and brief in their speech, and not be vague or talk aimlessly). There should
be no possible indication on the face that could be taken to indicate any softness in the heart, as the Arab women (before
Islam) used to do when speaking to men, by making their voices soft like women who are taking care of small children,
or like prostitutes.14
2 – Allahsays:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over
their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they
should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful”15.
In the above mention verse Allah had guided the Muslim women how should they be dressedwhen they go out
of their homes so that they could be recognized as Muslim and noble women.16
Hadiths about Veil:
1 – It was narrated from Safiyyah bint-e-Shaybah that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to say: When
these words were revealed – “and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)”
– they took their izaars (a kind of garment) and tore them from the edges and covered their faces with them.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4481. The following version was narrated by Abu Dawood (4102):
May Allah have mercy on the Muhajir women. When Allah revealed the words “and to draw their veils all over
Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)”, they tore the thickest of their aprons (a kind of garment) and
covered their faces with them.
Shaikh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeetisaid: the Hadith clearly showed that the Sahabbi women understood from
this verse that muslim female had to cover their faces, neck, body and bosoms and that was the reason that they tore off
a piece of clothes from their garment and covered their body completely to show obedience to the order of Allah. So
according to this verse and Hadith mention above, covering face is also part of Hijab or veil for the Muslim
women.Ayesha the wife of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said that “and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their
bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” was a command to the Muslim women to cover their faces because whenever their
used to be any ambiguity in any field of life they use to request the holy Prophet to explain it for the muslim so that they
can obey the order of Allah in the proper way.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And we have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad) the Dhikr [reminder and the advice (i.e. the Quran)], that you
may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought” 17.
Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari: There is a report of Ibn Abi Haatim via ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Uthmaan ibn Khaytham from
Safiyyah that explains the “Women of Quraysh and their virtues in the presence of ‘Aaishah and she said: “The women
of Quraysh are good, but by Allah I have never seen any better than the women of the Ansaar, or any who believed the
Book of Allah more strongly or had more faith in the Revelation. When Surat al-Noor was revealed – “and to draw their
veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” – their menfolk came to them and recited to
them what had been revealed, and there was not one woman among them who did not go to her apron, and the following
morning they prayed wrapped up as if there were crows on their heads. It was also narrated clearly in the report of al-
Bukhaari above, where we see ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who was so knowledgeable and pious, praising
them in this manner and stating that she had never seen any women who believed the Book of Allah more strongly or
had more faith in the Revelation. This clearly indicates that they understood from this verse – “and to draw their veils
all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” – that it was obligatory to cover their faces and that
this stemmed from their belief in the Book of Allah and their faith in the Revelation. It also indicates that women’s

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observing hijab in front of men and covering their faces is an act of belief in the Book of Allah and faith in the Revelation.
It is very strange indeed that some of those who claim to have knowledge say that there is nothing in the Quran or Sunnah
that says that women have to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men, even though the Sahabi women did that in
obedience to the command of Allah in His Book, out of faith in the Revelation, and that this meaning is also firmly
entrenched in the Sunnah, as in the report from al-Bukhaari quoted above. This is among the strongest evidence that all
muslim women are obliged to observe hijab18.
2 – It was narrated from ‘Aaishah that the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to go
out at night to al-Manaasi’ (well-known places in the direction of al-Baqee’) to relieve themselves and ‘Umar used to
say to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “Let your wives be veiled.” But the Messenger of Allah
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not do that. Then one night Sawdah bint Zamah, the wife of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), went out at ‘Isha’ time and she was a tall woman. ‘Umar called out to her:
“We have recognized you, O Sawdah!” hoping that hijab would be revealed, then Allah revealed the verse of hijab19.
3 – It was narrated from Ibn Shihaab that Anas said: I am the most knowledgeable of people about hijab. Ubayy ibn Kab
used to ask me about it. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) married Zaynab bint
Jahsh, whom he married in Madeenah, he invited the people to a meal after the sun had risen. The Messenger of Allah
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sat down and some men sat around him after the people had left, until the
Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood up and walked a while, and I followed him, until
he reached the door of ‘Aisha’s apartment. Then he thought that they had left so he went back and so as I, and they were
still sitting there. He went back again, and I went with him, until he reached the door of ‘Aisha’s apartment, then he
came back and I came back with him, and they had left. Then he drew a curtain between me and him, and the verse of
hijab was revealed20.
4 – It was narrated from ‘Urwah that ‘Aisha said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
used to pray Fajr and the believing women would attend (the prayer) with him, wrapped in their aprons, then they would
go back to their houses and no one would recognize them21.
5 – It was narrated that ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The riders used to pass by us when we were with
the Messenger of Allah (S) in ihraam, and when they drew near to us we would lower our jilbabs from our heads over
our faces, then when they had passed we would uncover them again 22.
6 – It was narrated that Asma’ bint Abi Bakr said: We used to cover our faces in front of men 23.
7 – It was narrated that ‘Aasim al-Ahwaal said: We used to enter upon Hafsah bint Sireen who had put her jilbab thus
and covered her face with it, and we would say to her: May Allah have mercy on you. Allah says (interpretation of the
meaning): “And as for women past childbearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their
(outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment” [al-Noor 24:60]. And she would say to us: What comes
after that? We would say: “But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them”. And she would
say: That is confirming the idea of hijab24.
Now a days there is confusion among the Muslims women they are to cover their faces or not the great scholar and Mufti
Molana Modudi mentioned in his book “Pardah” that covering face is mandatory for Muslim women while on the other
hand an Iranian Scholar Ustad Murtaza Motaheri Shaheed in his book “Hijab” mentioned that there is no obligation on
Muslim women to cover their faces but both are agreed on the point Muslim women should wear Scarf so that they can
be recognized as Muslim women25.
Conclusion: In the pre–Islamic Arab society women of bad character use to walk in bazaar without taking care of
modesty. They used to be dressed in such a way as to attract opposite gender. They used to show their body and make
their body purchasable commodity. They wore such dresses that make people obvious that these females are of bad
character and they can have bad relations with them. Allah doesn’t like this behavior so Allah commanded Muslim
women to be different from them, Allah ordered them to keep their body covered and be modest so that when they go
outside of their homes they could not be misunderstand as bad women, but people could easily recognize them as pious,
pure, chaste and Muslim women, in this way they will not be harassed or hunted.

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Zulfiqar Abid,Lattif, Fatin Noor Sufia Zainol Alam, The Role of Media in influencing Women Wearing Hijab: An
Analysis, Gernal of Image and Graphic, vol.1, No. 1, 2013, Malaysia.
2
Edited by Yorghos Apostolopoulos, Sevil Sonmez, and Dallen J. Timothy, Forwarded by. Linda K. Richter, Women as
Producers and Consumers of Tourism in Developing Regions, P.122, Greenwood Publishing group, USA,2001
3
Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, Hijab, the Muslim Women’s Dress, Islamic or Cultural?, Ja’afriIslamic Center, Canada,
4
The Gospel of Matthew, chap. 5, verses 27-28.
5
Al-Noor 24:31
6
Ar-Razi, at-Tafsiru ‘l-kabir. Vpl.23, p. 179
7
Ar-Razi, at-Tafsiru ’l-Kabir, vol.23, p. 179, and other famous commentaries and collections of hadith such as at-
Tabataba’i, al-Mizan, vol. 15 (Tehran: Daru ’l-Kutub, 1397AH) p. 121; al-Kulayni, al-Furu‘ mina ’l-Kafi, vol. 5 (Tehran:
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8
Al-Bukhari, Sahih (Arabic & English) vol. 6 (Beirut: Daru ’l-‘Arabiyya) p. 267; Abu ’l-A‘la Mawdudi, Tafhimu ’l-
Qur’an, vol. 3 (Lahore: Idara-e Tarjuman-e Qur’an, 1994) p. 316.
9
Al-Munjid, p. 96; at-Turayhi, Majma‘u ’l-Bahrayn, vol. 1, p.384.
10
Al-Noor 24:31
11
Al-Nisa’ 4:23
12
Aal-Ahzaab 33:53
13
Al-Ahzaab 33:32
14
Youtube Video, Dr. Adel Elsaie, Concept of Mehram and Na Mehram in Islam,
See also. www.Usislam.org/Islam/Concept of Mehram na Mehram
15
Al-Ahzaab 33:59
16
Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, Hijab, the Muslim women’s Dress, Islamic or cultural , Toronto, Canada : Jafari Islamic
Centre, 1997
17
Al-Nahl 16:44
18
Adwa’ al-Bayaan, 6/594-595.
19
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 146; Muslim, 2170
20
Al-Bukhaari, 5149; Muslim, 1428.
21
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 365; Muslim, 645.
22
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1833; Ibn Maajah, 2935; classed as saheeh by Ibn Khuzaymah (4,203) and by al-Albaani
in Kitaab Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah
23
Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 4/203; al-Haakim, 1/624.
24
Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 7/93. The Islamic Concept of Veil By: Prof. Maqsood Jafri
25
The Islamic Concept of veil, Prof. Maqsood Jafri, 2012, Islamic Research Foundation, inc.

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