Br. Wasif Assalamo Alaikum
Thank you for your enquiry. May Allah increase your knowledge, Amen!
Here is your question:
Dear Sir Assalam-o-Alaikum
I have a few questions regarding Hijab in Islam and its interpretation from Qur’an.
1. In 24:31 (Surah Noor) God asks the women to draw the veils over their bodies. The verse does not specify that the head should be covered. In pre-Islam Arabia, all women used to wear a head dress called Khimar. Therefore, in my opinion, it does not necessarily mean that the women in Islam HAVE to cover the heads as long as they are modestly dressed and do not attract attention. Even surah Ahzab mentions that cover yourselves with your outer garments. Even here the head is not mentioned. I will be grateful if you could clarify this for me. Thank you and regards,
Kh. Wasif Mustafa
ANSWER:
Please see the following answer given to sister Maryam for complete response to your query. Moreover, I would like to draw to your attention the fallacy of your logic. You have admitted that the women used to cover their head with a veil called khimar. This means the word khimar implies a veil which covers the head. What Allah says that the chest should also be covered with the same veil He is not ordering to change the use of the veil. What you are suggesting is that Allah has ordered to stop using veil to cover the head, and has ordered instead to use it to cover the chest. It is not so, Br. Wasif. What it implies is that continue using the head dress along with covering the chest as well. If Allah wanted only the covering of chest, He naturally would have used a different word for this covering. He did not change the meaning and use of Khimar. If someone says use your shirt to cover your knees, he means to lengthen the shirt so as to cover the knees as well. He certainly does not mean that you take of the shirt, make your body naked, and cover your knees only. Moreover, the ayah of surah Al-Ahzab (33: 59), which you have referred to, advises Muslim women to put on a robe or cloak on their bodies when they go outside their homes, such as to visit others or shopping etc. This order was given first as Surah Al-Ahzab was revealed first. Surah An-Noor was revealed much after Surah Al-Ahzab. Thus, order of covering head is in addition to order of Al-Ahzab. Order of covering head applies to all situations whether inside or outside, where as order of putting on a cloak applies only when women go outside their homes. I hope this will satisfy you, and clear your confusion.
Dear sister in Islam Assalamo Alaikum
Thank you for enquiring about the covering of head in Qur'an. May Allah bless you and reward you for practicing Islam in life, Amen!
Here is your question:
Salaam
I am Maryam and I have a question about cover hair .please guide me. I fear of God. Is scarf and cover hair obligation in Qur’an. If I do not it, god will punish me. I would be grateful, if you answered me.
Maryam Mohebi
ANSWER:
The Qur'an, in chapter An-Noor No. 24, ayat 31, says: "Let (the believing women) cast their head covering over their pockets and bosoms (as well)." The women in the society (including Christians and Jews) at that time used to cover their heads with scarves and throw the ends of their scarves on their backs. This scarf was known as KHIMAR. Allah says that this scarf now should cover the
pockets and bosoms as well. Thus a woman should have a scarf long enough not only to cover her head but her chest as well. A hadith of the Prophet (S) also explains that the head of an adult woman should not be uncovered in front of
men. Lady Aisha (R) has narrated, “Once my sister Asma came to visit us wearing a transparent dress. The Prophet (S) was present. He turned his face away from Lady Asma, and said to her, 'O Asma! When a woman attains puberty,
she should not wear dress exposing her body except this and this and he pointed out to the face and the two hands" (Abu Dawood). Hope this will satisfy your query. Wassalam