Wearing the Veil.

[safia]

Asslamo alaikum.
As more and more women are wearing the veil I would like to know is it fard (a must) to cover your face. I know the difference between covering the head and hair, but what about the face, hands and feet. Also what about the colour black, as women tend to wear black, where does this originate from and is this an essential part of Islam or just a trend, as my mother always advised me and my sisters not to wear black.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

'wa qarna fi buyuti kunna wa laa tabarrajna tabarrujal jahilliyyati'



This verse of the Glorious Qur'an al karim states that women should cover up and have 'hijaab', and that it is obligatory (fard) upon them to do so. They should not even leave their houses, without a valid reason, or without the permission of the household.


As strict as it may seem, it is common sense that a womans beauty should not be shown around, and this is what the case was in the days of the 'jahiliyyah'. To prevent this from happening, the women is free to wear what she wants (preferrably an Islamic dress), so long as parts of the body are not revealed to the men, who may later be attracted to them. This is the beauty of Islam.


There are however differences of opinion in whether the face, hands, and the feet should be covered. The most common one is that, the feet and hands need not be covered, but they should not be shown either, so that the opposite sex can see. The same is said about the face, as one needs to be seen to be identified. It would be absurd, that on the one hand you have your identification cards, passports and driving license which carry a photo of you, yet at the same time you prevent yourself from being seen! If the law is to be applied, then it must be applied equally, in every circumstance. If it is to be relaxed, then it can in certain situations. The above is a classical example.


As far as the face is concerned, then this should be hidden from people (men) who are unknown to the woman. If however, the woman does know the man, whether he being her husband, brother, nephew, father, uncle etc. Then the obligation of doing the 'hijaab', is relaxed.


In todays society, where women have their gatherings, they meet each other, or go out together in groups, then so long as they are with one another, they should be able to see each other. But in cases of where women go amongst other sexes, for example, the supermarket, another town or city, then it is best for them to use the 'hijaab'.


Finally, the 'hijaab' is an Islamic sign, or one of the signs of Allah, and if the Muslim women are not going to preserve this sign, then who will? It is irrelevant what colour hijaab is worn. There is no hard and fast rule that states this. However, women may wear 'salwar kameez', and still be in a state of 'Hijaab'. It does not mean that it must be black, worn at all times, and never be taken off, as this will/may create difficulty, and Islam does not wish that any difficulty is placed on anybody.


Have you not heard of the saying 'ad-Dinu yusrann', religion is easy, and 'bashiru wa laa tunaffiru', give good news, and do not create hatred. Similarly the Qur'an al karim says 'laa yukallifullahu nafsann illa wus'a lahaa', Islam does not wish to be a burden upon people, so you must create the middle, and easy way for yourself, a way in which you are happy, and Allah the Almighty is happy, and that way is Islam.



May Allah help us all to lead an Islamic lifestyle, and then make it a blessing for us both in this world, and in the hereafter.


Wa maa tawfiqi illa Billah...



M. Waseem Ashrafi