ALL PRAISE BE TO ALLAH, WE PRAISE HIM AND WE ASK HIM FOR HELP AND FORGIVENESS,

WE SEEK REFUGE IN ALLAH FROM ALL OUR WRONG DEEDS AND THE EVIL WITHIN US.

WHOMEVER ALLAH GUIDES SHALL NEVER BE LED ASTRAY AND WHOMEVER ALLAH MISGUIDES SHALL NEVER COME ARIGHT.

THEREFORE I BEAR WITNESS THERE IS NO DEITY WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH ALONE AND THAT MUHAMMAD (SAW) IS HIS SERVANT AND HIS LAST MESSENGER.

BEWARE OF NOVEL MATTERS, FOR ANY NOVEL MATTER INTO THE DEEN IS AN ACCURSED INNOVATION AND EVERY ACCURSED INNOVATION LEADS YOU ASTRAY AND INTO THE HELL FIRE.

TO PROCEED:

Asalaamu Alai'kum Warahmatallahi Wabaraktuhu………

Dear brothers and sisters, one of the biggest issues concerning living in this Society of the Kuffar is the pressure that our fellow Muslimahs go through in terms of islamically veiling themselves compared to the lewd kuffar women in this western world.

The one thing that all brothers and sisters must remember is that the "Hijaab" is obligatory upon all Muslim women. As for those who disagree, may Allah (swt) guide you to the right path and keep you on it AMEEN!!! For no body has any right to STOP any of our sisters from practicing this beautiful aspect of veiling which is from Allah's (azw) HIKMAH.

After researching this ISSUE of the Niqaab being an obligatory part of the Muslim "Hijaab" for women, INTENSLY (well at least I feel it was intense research) I have decided to gather all of my sources in one article and present it to anyone who is interested to learn.

** There is another VIEW of some other scholars including our Sheikh al-Albaani, who says Niqaab is Mustahhab (highly-recommended) This view indicates the verses of Hijaab have a different meaning. Its based ib ijtehad of the arabic linguistics in the ayat. Either way this view STILL encourages the wearing of Niqaab as Sheikh Albaani himself has his wife practising the niqab. Therefore we should not try and side with one view or the other stating that one is right and the other is wrong. If the scholars have not yet sorted it out and come to an ijmaa' then who are we "un-knowledged" people to try and sort it out? Both views are correct in our eyes, Wallaahu Alam.

The following research is about the scholars who have declared it to be fardh/waajib.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE PROOF I PRESENT AND MAKE SURE YOU DIFFERENTIATE THEM FROM MY ****PERSONAL NOTES****

"Oh Allah! Loosen the knot in my tongue, so that I may be understood by them" ameen

The whole "ikhtilaaf" (na'udhoobillah ) on this issue starts from the following verses in the Qu'ran…..

"O you who Believe! enter not the Prophet's houses until leave is given 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 seeking familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys the Prophet: He is ashamed to dismiss you but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when you ask (his ladies) for anything you want ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that you should annoy Allah's Apostle or that you should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight an enormity." (33:53)

Surely this verse from Surah al-Ahzab is intended for the Ummul Muslimeen, and this is what most people take as there excuse AWAY from the issue of all Muslim women veiling. Now read the NEXT verses………

Whether you reveal anything or conceal it verily Allah has full knowledge of all things. (33:54)

There is no blame (on these ladies if they appear) before their fathers or their sons their brothers or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons or their women or the (slaves) whom their right hands possess. And (ladies) fear Allah: for Allah is Witness to all things. (33:55)

*** PERSONAL NOTE:

Keep in mind that, Imam Ibn Kathir, (Tafseer Ibn Kathir) Imam Al-Arabi (Ahkum al-Quran), Imam Qurtubi (Tafseer-e-Qurtubi), Imam Muhammed Shafi' (Ahkum al-Quran) have all interpreted this above verse to be indicating HIJAB for the whole Ummah not just the Ummul Muslimeen.

Read on as further proof will be presented INSHALLAH regarding the most misunderstood verse regarding the VEIL…………….

"O prophet! tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. (33:59)

Clearly this verse is referring to the Ummul Muslimeen AND all the other Muslim women.

Now to see how various fuqaaha, muhaditheen, and mufassirreen have explained this verse.

"Ya_ ay yuhan nabiy yu qul li azwa_jika wa bana_tika wa nisa_ il muminina yudnina alaihin na min jala_bibihin za_lika adna_ ay yurafna fala_ yuzain wa ka_nal la_hu gafu_rar rahima_"

Ibn Al-Mandhur:

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 Al-Hazam:

In arabic language, the language of the Prophet (saw), the word jilbaab 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)

In Describing this, Ibn Masud (ra) said, "Jilbaab is that sheet of cloth which is worn on top of the scarf."

 

 

Ibn Abbas (ra) who was the greatest mufassir that ever lived (after the Prophet 'saw')describes it as follows:

"Allah commanded the MUSLIM WOMEN to cover this sheet on top of them to cover their bodies EXCEPT on eye, when it is necessary for them to come out of their homes." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

In another version……

"Allah has enjoyned 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." ( Ibn Jarir, VOL XXII, pg.29)

Imam Muhammad bin Sirin said: "When I asked Ubaida bin Sufyan bin al-Harith (ra) the meaning of this verse and how the jalbaab was to 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.III, p.457)

This verse clearly requires the covering of the FACE which supports the commandments in this verse of Hijab.

The second phrase in the verse which requires interpretation is Yudnina 'Alaihinna. Alu'si

writes in his commentary:

" (The root word) ADNA literally means to bring something closer. Here it means to hang something close to you, or over you, since it is followed by 'ALA in the phrase. In my opinion ANDA followed by ALA' points towards covering themselves with the sheet hanging on top of them in a way so that they can see the road as they walk. (Ruh-ul-Ma'ani, VOL 22, pp.88-89)

After quoting and discussing many interpretations Alu'si writes in conclusion:

"All the above discussions deal with the gist (of the term). The apparent meaning of the word ALAIHINNA is clearly to cover one's body completely, although some have interpreted it to mean covering the head and face, because in the olden days of jahilliyah, women usually left their faces uncovered."

Not only did the scholars of the HOLY QUR'AN clarify for us that this verse clearly indicates it is mandatory for women to cover themselves with Hijab including their faces, but they also explained EXACTLY how the jalbaab should be worn. The greatest interpreter of the Holy Qur'an Ibn Abbas (ra), once again mentioned two ways of wearing jalbaab. The first one, where the sheet of cloth should be pulled over on top to cover the bosy with the exception of one eye, has been already mentioned above. The second method, which allows for keeping both eyes uncovered, has been reported by Alu'si as follows:

"Ibn Jarir Tabari and Ibn Al-Mundhir described the method of wearing the jalbaab according to Ibn Abbas (ra) and Qatadah (ra). 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)

Abu Bakr Al-Jassas says"

"This verse of Surah Ahzab shows that the young women when going out of their homes should hide their face from other people, 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)

Qazi Al-Baidavi says:

"……to let down over them a prt of their outer garments" means that they should draw a part of their outer garment in front of their face and cover themselves up with the rest of it…………" (Tafsir-I-Baidavi, VOL IV, p.168)

All these scholars including, Mohammad bin Sirin, (Ahkam -ul-Quran)

Ibn Jarir Tabari, (Tafseer Ibn Jarir)

Imam Suddi,

Imam Abu Bakr Jassas, (Ahkam-ul-Quran)

Imam Wahidi

Imam Neishapuri, (Gharaib -ul-Quran and Ahkam-ul-Quran)

Imam Razi, (Tafsir-i-Kabir)

Imam Baidavi, (Tafsir-i-Baidavi)

Abu Hayyan, (Al-Bahr-ul-Muhit)

Ibn Sa'd Muhammad bin Ka'b Kuradhi, have descirbed the use of jalbaab more or less in the SAME way as the two described by Ibn Abbas (ra).

All these interpretations are taken from amongst the most well known mafassireen.

As for our four GREAT IMAMS, who also fit into this catagory. It should be understood that there is a misunderstanding about the Imams, and that the correct views of the so-called schools of thought all agree with the interpretations above. So regardless of who follows what school of thought (if any at all), regardless if they call themselves Hanafi, Shafi', Maliki, Hanbali, they all include hiding the face in the commandments of Hijab without any disagreement. All four have agreed that it is not permissible for a women to uncover her face in front a Ghair Mahram for no legitimate reason. Three out of the four consider this to be totally forbidden, while one Abu Hanifa and his followers have called it forbidden due to the possibility of Fitnah. ("Hijab", by: Dr,Muhammad Ismail Memon Madani)

*** PERSONAL NOTE:

ALWAYS NOTE, it is better to read books that do not hold a particular school of thought because that limits our knowledge to a particular teaching that is not necessarily correct. But instead we should read books which show proof from the Quran, Sunnah, and the views of our Sahabah (ra), and the consensus of the Ijmaah (including, the tabi'oon, and the tab'a tabioon). We should always take all of the the Salaf-us-Saleh (rightly guided pious predessors) as our examples in everything that we learn and embed into our lives insha'allah.

More proof lies with ahadeeth which indicate that as soon as the following verse was revealed, the women of the Ansaar and the women of the emigrants came out with their bodies and faces veiled the next DAY. Some of them even cut their house hold sheets to make these veils for themselves.

Narrated Aisha (ra): 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 Dawud)

**PERSONAL NOTE: The bedoiun women in Saudi Arabia can be found today STILL dressed like this. The have their khimars coming down the front with NIQABS that look like a crows BEEK. It is there way of covering themselves up including their faces. May Allah (swt) be pleased with their efforts.

Some more proof from scholars of today:

Fatawas for Women By:

Sh. Abdul Azeez Bin Baz, Sh. Ibn Jibreen, Sh. Ibn Uthaimin & Standing Committee

A burqa' is a type of face veil that opens for the eyes to look out from. This is allowed and there is nothing wrong with it except when one is in the state of ihram [for the Hajj or Umra]. The Prophet peace be upon him) said,

"Women are not to wear the face veil (niqaab)."1

This refers to the one performing the pilgrimage. She is not to wear a face veil (niqaab) which is the same as a burqa'. This indicates that such is permissible for the woman who is not making the Hajj. However, it is not allowed to widen the open space for the eyes, such that the nose and eyebrows become visible, for example. In this way, she becomes a temptation for those who see her. In addition, one must wear above the burqa', a light head covering that does not prevent one from seeing and which will cover the rest of the face that is left uncovered by the face veil.

Shaikh ibn Jibreen

Footnote

1. Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.--JZ

**PERSONAL NOTE:. The above hadeeth proves that ALL women veiled their faces during that time which is WHY the Prophet (saw) stopped them. Many hadeeth related by the Umul Mumineen indicate that at certain times during hajj women may cover their faces as given below.

Narrated Aisha (ra): "Riders would pass us when we accompanied the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) while we were in the sacred state (wearing ihram). When they came by us, one of us would let down her outer garment from her head over her face, and when they had passed on, we would uncover our faces." (Abu Dawud)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that Fatima bint al-Mundhir said, "We used to veil our faces when we were in ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi Bakr as-Siddiq." (Muwatta)

Aisha (ra) tradition's in the Fath-al-Bari, Kitab-ul-Hajj state that she said: " A women dressed in ihram should draw her outer garment over her head and face".

(this is to avoid strange men's looks)

To CONTINUE…………..with the Fatawa of Shiekh Ibn Uthaimeen

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. Yet everyone knows that the temptation from uncovering the face is much greater than the temptation that results from the uncovering of the feet. Everyone also knows that the most sought after aspect of the woman for men is the face. If you told a prospective groom that a woman's face is ugly but her feet are beautiful, he would not propose to such a woman. However, if you told him that her face was beautiful but her hands, palms, or shins were less than beautiful, he would still propose to her. From this one can conclude that the face is the first thing that must be covered. There are also evidences from the Book of Allah and the sunnah of our Prophet (peace be upon him). There are also statements from the Companions, the leading Imams and the great scholars of Islam that indicate that it is obligatory for the woman to cover all of her body in the presence of non-mahram men. This obviously indicates that it is obligatory upon the woman to cover her face in front of such men. However, this is not the place to quote all those authorities. And Allah knows best.

Shaikh ibn Uthaimin

The woman should cover all of herself in front of non-mahram men, even if it be a

husband's brother, sister's husband, cousin or others, and regardless if it be in the presence of

mahram men or not. That is to cover her beauty and the cause of temptation, be it her face, arms, shin, chest and so forth. As for the hand or foot, apparently, it is allowed to show them for some need, such as when giving something to someone or receiving something and so forth. However, if one fears some kind of temptation, then they must remain covered. For example, that would be the case if a woman notices a non-related man gazing at a woman and not moving his eyes from her.This also means that mixing or sitting with non-mahram men is also forbidden if one fears any harmful consequences. Allah knows best.

Shaikh ibn Jibreen

 

So in conclusion I would like to leave the words of our wonderful da'ee from the past Abul A'la Maududi (may ALLAh be pleased with him and reward him for all he has done for us..ameeen)

"One may ask: Why had Islam allowed uncovering of the face under genuine need? The reply is that the law of Islam is not a one-sided, irrational law. On the one hand it safeguards the morals of man; on the other, it takes into account his genuine needs also, and thus strikes the balance between the two sides of life. It intends to eradicate immorality, but at the same time it does not restrain a person from satisfying his genuine needs. That is why it has not given the women an absolute command in respect of covering the face as in respect of covering the satar and hiding the decoration, because this does not restrain her from attending to the needs of life. But on the other hand, if the hand and the face are kept permanently covered, she may find it extremely difficult to attend to her daily needs. Therefore it was enjoined on the women to cover their face with a veil, and this command had been relaxed by the exception "except what is unavoidable", so that she may uncover the face if required under necessity, provided that she does not mean to display her charms……"

***Personal Note: This is most likely what the Prophet (saw) meant in the following hadeeth. Keep in mind Asma (ra) was wearing clothes that are not even permissible to wear infront of ones mother, because the "aurah" infront of women was not even covered with "see-through" clothes.

Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands. (Abu Dawud)

Even though this hadeeth CANNOT be used for daleel since it is stated as being weak by our Sheik Nasirudden Al-Albaani (hafidhallah)…..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".

PERSONAL CONCLUSION:

**** In another version of the hadeeth stated above:

Narrated AbuUmmamah: A person asked Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him): What is faith? He said: When a good deed becomes a source of pleasure for you and an evil deed becomes a source of disgust for you, then you are a believer. He again said Allah's Messenger: What is a sin? Whereupon he said: When something pricks your conscience, give it up. (at-Tirmidhi) Transmitted by Ahmad

Bearing this hadeeth in mind, brothers and sisters in ISLAM, I will give you my personal opinion.

Before I too like the majority of people felt annoyed at the concept of NIQAB, I say during the days of my jahileeyah period!! But as I continue to study my DEEN, alhumdulillah things are becoming much more CLEAR to me and the DEEN is so much easier to implement into my life.

My Turning point was leaving secular education to study deen at home. Then I noticed on going out While I am dressed in a JILBAAB and a large Khimar (scarf), every glance from a non-mahram man would STILL make me uncomfortable. When I started noticing myself turning my face away from the men and avoiding any area where a group of men were standing, I realized, if this jilbaab (cloak) and my scarf (khimar) are enough for me to be covered, then WHY am I soooooooooo UNCOMFORTABLE???

This, my brothers and sisters is what triggered me to start veiling my FACE. I can still leave my home (under necessity) and walk with pride out on the streets of IGNORENCE and still be COMFORTABLE. And for those who believe that veiling the face is NOT for this country well than they should FEAR ALLAH. It is recommended that Muslims with such weak eeman should move somewhere where they can practice their DEEN with no embarrassment. For the Prophet (saw) forbade us to live in the land where the KUFAAR are in the upper hand, UNLESS we are there to implement our Deen and spread Islam making the Kufaar from unbelievers to believers. I have paraphrased that hadeeth but it is actually from Sahih Bukhari.

As for the sisters, SISTERS please wake up!!! Even for those of you who believe the VEIL is a "mere sunnah" then SO BE IT!!! The Ummul Mumineen were our BEST EXAMPLES if we do not follow them, then who WILL we follow, if we do not love them then who do we love? Like the Rasool (saw) said : "None of you is a believer until Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to you than your own blood".

And these were practices of the beloved's (saw) daughters, wives, and companions (ra). Sisters its really not that HARD once you decide on it, my first experience in the grocery store ALONE in NIQAB was that a white kaffir woman who appeared to me like a RACIST (stereotype of course caused by pre-judgment), said to me with a smile "Assalam u Alaikum"!!!!!!!!!! Boy was I shocked, but I believe it was a way for Allah (swt) to show me that I was going in the right direction and that He would help me the whole way and would not let me DOWN.

I also want to add, that alhumdulillah I have brought two sisters to Islam ever since I got married and moved here to TEXAS which is known as the "bible belt". By the will of Allah they accepted Islam by taking the shahdah with me and this is WHILE I was wearing niqaab. Before my niqab days I never had such an oppurtunity Alhumdulillah for that. When one strives in Allah's path and works to please the Ilah' then only do they have success in this life and the hereafter insha'allah (ameen).

So brothers and sisters before you decide on what you feel is halaal and what you feel is haraam, please resort to the Quran and the Sunnah, and the right sources of the scholars before you pass judgments on issues as important as this one. Get the FACTS straight, follow the obligations of your DEEN before you start up unnecessary arguments on FIQH issues.

ANYTHING IN TRUTH WAS BY THE WILL OF ALLAH AND ANYTHING STATED THAT WAS WRONG WAS FROM MYSELF AND SHAITAAN. MAY ALLAH FORGIVE ME FOR ANY ERRORS I MIGHT HAVE MADE.

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT ALLAH (SWT) LEADS US ALL TO THE RIGHT PATH AND THAT OUR ULTIMATE GOAL WILL ALWAYS BE "JANAT-UL-FIRDOUS". ameen

SUBHANA KALLAHUMMA WA BIHAMDIKA WA NASHADU'ALLAH ILLAHA ILLA ANTA WASTAGHFIRUKA WA'ATOOBOO ILAIK.

Wassalam u Alaikum Warahmatallahi Wabarakatuhu