Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Iqra]

I am a muslim women, I cover my hair but I dont cover my face. I seen some muslime woman cover their face. I dont know why. please if any one know the reason to cover the face let me know.

[saudi student]

Nice to meet you iqra

I`m a saudi girl & I cover myself from tip to toe.

I `ll write for you some qoutes from the Quran & Hadith on the impotance of hijab & covering the face for women.

1 � Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�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, 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 (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, 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 Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful�

[al-Noor 24:31]


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3 � Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�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 Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful�

[al-Ahzaab 33:59]
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2 � Allaah 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. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allaah is All‑Hearer, All‑Knower�

[al-Noor 24:60]

�Women past childbearing� are those who no longer menstruate, so they can no longer get pregnant or bear children.

We shall see below the words of Hafsah bint Sireen and the way in which she interpreted this verse.

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4 � Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet�s houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allaah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. 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. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allaah�s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allaah that shall be an enormity�

[al-Ahzaab 33:53]
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With regard to the Ahaadeeth:

1 � It was narrated from Safiyyah bint Shaybah that �Aa�ishah (may Allaah 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 Allaah have mercy on the Muhaajir women. When Allaah 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.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

This hadeeth clearly states that what the Sahaabi women mentioned here understood from this verse � �and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)� � was that they were to cover their faces, and that they tore their garments and covered their faces with them, in obedience to the command of Allaah in the verse where He said �and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)� which meant covering their faces. Thus the fair-minded person will understand that woman�s observing hijab and covering her face in front of men is established in the saheeh Sunnah that explains the Book of Allaah. �Aa�ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) praised those women for hastening to follow the command of Allaah given in His Book. It is known that their understanding of the words �and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)� as meaning covering the face came from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because he was there and they asked him about everything that they did not understand about their religion. And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad) the Dhikr [reminder and the advice (i.e. the Qur�aan)], that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought�

[al-Nahl 16:44]

Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari: There is a report of Ibn Abi Haatim via �Abd-Allaah ibn �Uthmaan ibn Khaytham from Safiyyah that explains that. This report says: We mentioned the women of Quraysh and their virtues in the presence of �Aa�ishah and she said: �The women of Quraysh are good, but by Allaah I have never seen any better than the women of the Ansaar, or any who believed the Book of Allaah more strongly or had more faith in the Revelation. When Soorat 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 narrated above, where we see �Aa�ishah (may Allaah 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 Allaah 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 Allaah and their faith in the Revelation. It also indicates that women�s observing hijab in front of men and covering their faces is an act of belief in the Book of Allaah 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 Qur�aan or Sunnah that says that women have to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men, even though the Sahaabi women did that in obedience to the command of Allaah 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 hijab.

Adwa� al-Bayaan, 6/594-595.

2 � It was narrated from �Aa�ishah that the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah 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 Allaah be upon him), �Let your wives be veiled.� But the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do that. Then one night Sawdah bint Zam�ah, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah 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 Allaah revealed the verse of hijab.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 146; Muslim, 2170.

3 � It was narrated from Ibn Shihaab that Anas said: I am the most knowledgeable of people about hijab. Ubayy ibn Ka�b used to ask me about it. When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah 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 Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat down and some men sat around him after the people had left, until the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood up and walked a while, and I walked with him, until he reached the door of �Aa�ishah�s apartment. Then he thought that they had left so he went back and I went back with him, and they were still sitting there. He went back again, and I went with him, until he reached the door of �Aa�ishah�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 revealed.

Al-Bukhaari, 5149; Muslim, 1428.

4 � It was narrated from �Urwah that �Aa�ishah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah 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 them.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 365; Muslim, 645.

5 � It was narrated that �Aa�ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: �The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (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.

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.

6 � It was narrated that Asma� bint Abi Bakr said: We used to cover our faces in front of men.

Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 4/203; al-Haakim, 1/624. He classed it as saheeh and al-Dhahabi agreed with him. It was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Jilbaab al-Mar�ah al-Muslimah.

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 Allaah have mercy on you. Allaah 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 hijab.

Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 7/93.

[saudi student]

Now, can you please ask yourself about the advantages of covering
the hair and avoid covering the face??

The face is the part of the woman which attracts the other, It is the part
which the others know you by??

I cover my face because Allaah has commanded me to do so, and it is not permissible for me to go against what He says and disobey His command. Allaah has only commanded women to do this because there is great wisdom in it. Part of that wisdom is that it protects a woman�s honour from the �human wolves� who are looking for easy prey to attack and devour, and a morsel cannot be eaten unless it is prepared and ready � which is what we see in those woman who make a display of themselves, who by their appearance are calling those wolves to come and take whatever they want!

Confirmation of this is to be found in the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

�� That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed�� [al-Ahzaab 33:59]. If a women cover themselves, then immoral and corrupt men will know that this is not part of their prey, thus Allaah will protect them and take care of them.

Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) have issued a stern warning to women who make a display of themselves. An example of this is:

Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: �There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen: a people with whips like the tails of cattle, with which they beat the people, and women who are clothed but naked, walking with an enticing gait and with their heads looking like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will not enter Paradise and will not even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be detected from such and such a distance.�

(Narrated by Muslim, 2128).

Any woman should know that whatever Allaah has enjoined upon her contains nothing but goodness and happiness for her, her family and society as a whole. It is known that a woman�s uncovering her face makes her more attractive to men, which could lead to them forming hopes about her and committing immoral actions. Islam wants society to be clean, with no provocation of desires, outrage or uncovering of women�s charms � which include their hair � which can lead to others being tempted by her and which opens the door to evil and its people.


We ask Allaah to show us the truth and help us to follow it, and to show us falsehood and help us to avoid it.

And Allaah knows best

[asterix]

They cover their face because men make them do so and they dare not object.

[saudi student]

asterix

who said that ??

Keep what the european media said away!

[Lorikeet]

I try to keep an open mind, but there are some cultural things that are difficult to understand across cultures. I'm afraid blaming women for male lust is one of them. That is, unfortunately, why I, as an American woman, cannot understand the underlying reasons behind the wearing of a veil. Alas, it seems to me to be an attempt by males to totally control females. Try as I might, I cannot get past this. I imagine it is the source of a lot of cross cultural misunderstandings.

[pugachevV]

I think you can say that it is a fact.
In Saudi Arabia a woman is not allowed to drive a car.
American women in the US army were told not to wear t shirts because it offended the men to see their arms.
Are you living in the 20th century or in some mediaeval time warp?

[hector]

[technomaniac_tzp]

To say that men wont sexually abuse women if they over their faces is not at all right.Here in India, even Muslim women wearing burqa get raped now and then.The 'wolf' inside a man does not necessarily need to see vulgarity to get active. We all know that. Secondly, why should a women cover herself when then fault lies actually with men.There are various other ways to look dignified other than covering oneself from head to toe.Also in hot climates of Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia covering onself from head to toe surely isn't a great idea.

I think such restrictions are put on women just to subvert and dominate them. Or else, why can't a women drive car or go out alone?Why, if a women is raped she needs to produce three MALE witnesses to prove the crime?

I think with time the customs and laws need to change.The orthodoxy must be removed.
_________________
The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success

[RedRose]

IMHO, the veil thing is a complete sexism phenomenon. Muslim men worry that other men might get attracted to their wives' pretty faces, so they want women to cover themselves, in that case, their marriage would be safe.

On the other hand, a Muslim guy can marry 4 wives, and that is totally legal!!!

How ridiculous this phenomenon is!!

[technomaniac_tzp]

I fully agree with red rose
_________________
The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success

[hector]

[asterix]

And he is wrong because.....?
You forgot to tell us why he is wrong hector.

[hector]

[Lorikeet]

It seems certain discussions, like those of religion, tend to have people looking at things in black and white, instead of shades of gray. (Note: That idiom means that people look at things from two extremes--it's right or it's wrong. There is little understanding of all the possibilities in the middle of the extremes.)

I think there is something to be said for both of your views, Hector, but neither of you is all right or all wrong. There are instances of Muslim women fighting to be able to wear a head scarf as part of their cultural identity, and there are instances of women being forced to wear a head-to-toe covering and being beaten if they don't. It's simplistic to say everyone believes the same thing or acts the same way.

It is, as far as I have been able to determine, a fact that in some Muslim countries, women are not allowed to walk around without covering themselves, whether they prefer to do so or not. They aren't allowed to drive, and they need the permission of their husband/father to do certain things. Do you believe that is the case? It is stories such as these that cause some of us to see the Muslim world as one, when it is clearly a combination of many different countries, each with its own rules and culture regarding the place of women.