What the Dupatta should really cover ….

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113 responses to “What the Dupatta should really cover ….”

1. 

   Momina

   September 16, 2009

   By ‘it’ (She does not consider it as part of ‘awrah) I meant the face.

   Reply
2. 

   Mohamed

   September 16, 2009

   @James: “force does not convince the other side of the rightness of your convictions”?, What force to convince are you talking about? And who cared “convincing the other side”? “before you started shooting”?, Come-on! We know who the aggressor is. The event that triggered the conflict was an orchestrated job from the inside and this is common universal knowledge among the discerning. What the motivations were? Well again, we all know what they were and you too agree by your admission in the ‘Congressional Bloopers’ post while responding to LTG Khan.

   Do you think that by “start shooting” people like Adnan who want to engage in a dialogue would do any good? The threat you suggest of those engaging in summary-killing, extra-judicial assassinations and abductions are only a bunch of criminal gangs. Institutionalised by ‘freedom practicing’ people to implement freedom of speech? (especially in the convenience of foreign lands where legalities may not be a hindrance?). What is your take on these gangs? Won’t they go down the annals of history as perpetrators of crime & excesses, like the Spanish inquisition was? In any case, you are suggesting the fear of death to a people who care less about it.

   Your idea of Islam blaming women for being raped actually stems from misunderstanding our non-Islamic cultural challenges and the population’s lack of knowledge on Islam. Thanks to the British, who during the process of colonisation systematically and ingeniously accomplished this, they detached Islamic education, which used to be a part of regular career academics and relegated it to the religious seminaries.

   Rape can have myriads of different scenarios leading to it. “District” Judge Marilyn Mornington must know. She has been UK’s ambassador to “third-world” countries on women’s issues, an international lecturer, and writer on family law including domestic violence. She has judged many more cases especially with Asian women than we possibly can address in this forum. She stumbled on Sharia law while dealing with cases of Asian women and this led her to investigate it, appreciate its wisdom and finally convert to Islam.

   Islam teaches us that God is the source of all wisdom and hence the concept of “Shura” or consultation with even those younger and in less senior positions. This is because God blesses individuals with wisdom, sometimes in specific situations. For e.g. Solomon advised his father David on a complex legal matter and his advice was better than David’s original judgment (Solomon was only eleven according to traditional sources). In the Qur’an (Q 21:78-79) Allah tells us specifically that it was he who was the source of Solomon inspired “correct understanding”. Solomon was not haughty because of this wisdom nor did David consider himself any less in taking advice from his young son. Similarly Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) took advice from those of much lower status than himself.

   We derive lessons from this and it helps us keep false pride in check while achieving higher purposes. Hence, we do not discount or have prejudiced stance toward those younger. I resist myself and request you not insist on age, as it does not serve any relevance in this discussion.

   Reply
3. 

   Momina

   September 16, 2009

   Al Andalusia has the same belief about khimaar and jilbaab but not about niqaab. She does not consider it as part of ‘awrah.

   This is the view of a very few of the scholars as well. They say the woman is allowed to reveal her face but if she is bestowed with looks that will attract the eye then it is better if she covers it. Also, if the places she moves about in have men who are loose in character (stare and tease etc) it is better if she covers her face.

   Anyway, as it has been proven from many ahadith and that was the interpretation of Ibn ‘Abbaas r.a. that the face should be covered majority…over 90 or maybe 95% of the scholars believe the face should be covered. Allaho ‘Aalam.

   Reply
4. 

   Momina

   September 16, 2009

   HE

   I think I already answered your questions. When I said that it is clearly mentioned in the Qur’aan and Sunnah that means it is prescribed. We (Muslims) follow only that which is prescribed by the Qur’an and Sunnah (All matters decided by Ijtihad and/or Qiyaas have found ground in Qur’an and Sunnah).

   Burqa’ evolved…? it has not evolved to a great extent for those who properly follow their Deen. Of course, there are some who play with the abaya and make it more attractive than normal clothes. That is haraam and not Islamic one bit as well.

   When I mentioned ‘now’ I even mentioned that earlier the chaadar (as it is called in Urdu)/Saadar (in Pukhtu) was extensively used and it was very large in size, covering from top to bottom and the women used to cover their complete faces leaving just a tiny slit to see.

   Shaykh Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid answered a similar question, I believe it will be helpful.

   Is wearing niqaab one of the conditions of Islamic dress for women?

   Praise be to Allaah.

   Hijaab in Arabic means covering or concealing. Hijaab is the name of something that is used to cover. Everything that comes between two things is hijaab.

   Hijaab means everything that is used to cover something and prevent anyone from reaching it, such as curtains, door keepers and garments, etc.

   Khimaar comes from the word khamr, the root meaning of which is to cover. For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Khammiru aaniyatakum (cover your vessels).” Everything that covers something else is called its khimaar.

   But in common usage khimaar has come to be used as a name for the garment with which a woman covers her head; in some cases this does not go against the linguistic meaning of khimaar.

   Some of the fuqahaa’ have defined it as that which covers the head, the temples and the neck.

   The difference between the hijaab and the khimaar is that the hijaab is something which covers all of a woman’s body, whilst the khimaar in general is something with which a woman covers her head.

   Niqaab is that with which a woman veils her face (tantaqib)…

   The difference between hijaab and niqaab is that the hijaab is that which covers all the body, whilst niqaab is that which covers a woman’s face only.

   The woman’s dress as prescribed in sharee’ah (“Islamic dress”) is that which covers her head, face and all of her body.

   But the niqaab or burqa’ – which shows the eyes of the woman – has become widespread among women, and some of them do not wear it properly. Some scholars have forbidden wearing it on the grounds that it is not Islamic in origin, and because it is used improperly and people treat it as something insignificant, demonstrating negligent attitudes towards it and using new forms of niqaab which are not prescribed in Islam, widening the opening for the eyes so that the cheeks, nose and part of the forehead are also visible.

   Therefore, if the woman’s niqaab or burqa’ does not show anything but the eyes, and the opening is only as big as the left eye, as was narrated from some of the salaf, then that is permissible, otherwise she should wear something which covers her face entirely.

   Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

   The hijaab prescribed in sharee’ah means that a woman should cover everything that it is haraam for her to show, i.e., she should cover that which it is obligatory for her to cover, first and foremost of which is the face, because it is the focus of temptation and desire.

   A woman is obliged to cover her face in front of anyone who is not her mahram (blood relative to whom marriage is forbidden). From this we learn that the face is the most essential thing to be covered. There is evidence from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the views of the Sahaabah and the imams and scholars of Islam, which indicates that women are obliged to cover all of their bodies in front of those who are not their mahrams.

   Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/ 391, 392)

   Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:

   The correct view as indicated by the evidence is that the woman’s face is ‘awrah which must be covered. It is the most tempting part of her body, because what people look at most is the face, so the face is the greatest ‘awrah of a woman. This is in addition to the shar’i evidence which states that it is obligatory to cover the face.

   For example, 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)…”

   [al-Noor 24:31]

   Drawing the veil all over the juyoob implies covering the face.

   When Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked about the aayah (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”

   [al-Ahzaab 33:59] –

   he covered his face, leaving only one eye showing. This indicates that what was meant by the aayah was covering the face. This was the interpretation of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) of this aayah, as narrated from him by ‘Ubaydah al-Salmaani when he asked him about it.

   In the Sunnah there are many ahaadeeth, such as: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The woman in ihraam is forbidden to veil her face (wear niqaab) or to wear the burqa’.” This indicates that when women were not in ihraam, women used to cover their faces.

   This does not mean that if a woman takes off her niqaab or burqa’ in the state of ihraam that she should leave her face uncovered in the presence of non-mahram men. Rather she is obliged to cover it with something other than the niqaab or burqa’, on the evidence of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: “We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in ihraam, and when men passed by us, we would lower the khimaar on our heads over our faces, and when they moved on we would lift it again.”

   Women in ihraam and otherwise are obliged to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men, because the face is the center of beauty and it is the place that men look at… and Allaah knows best.

   Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/396, 397

   He also said:

   It is OK to cover the face with the niqaab or burqa’ which has two openings for the eyes only, because this was known at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and because of necessity. If nothing but the eyes show, this is fine, especially if this is customarily worn by women in her society.

   Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/399

   And Allaah knows best

   One other thing, the interpretation presented by Ibn ‘Abbaas r.a. is given priority because the Messenger of Allah s.a.w.w. did a special prayer for him that he may be bestowed with the best powers of interpretation. And it is well-known and a fact that the Rasool’s s.a.w.w. dua’as were always accepted by Allah SWT, immediately. Allaho ‘Aalam.

   @SL: If a man stoops so low as to having illicit relations he wouldn’t worry much about making his mistress wear abaya/burqa, especially, in the current society where such things are considered normal and none of any one’s business. Nor would the mistress feel comfortable in the burqa.

   If it still happens, it is matter between them and Allah SWT, He is the Most Just. Don’t fret too much about it.

   HE

   Here is an article by Sharrifa Carlos Al Andalusia that may throw further light on the matter.

   http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110

   Reply
5. 

   Hend

   September 15, 2009

   MO
   From your reply it appears that burqa was indeed mentioned in Qur’an, this could probably because it was the dress of the women in the Arab lands at the time but I am still not clear if Qur’an actually prescribed it.

   So going back to my original question which I am splitting this time for more detail.

   1. Has burqa been actually prescribed in Islam?
   2. If not then what guidelines have been prescribed, which parts of female body, specially the face should be exposed? only eyes?
   3. Has burqa evolved from the Qur’an times? I mean has it increased/ decreased in coverage of the face?
   4. You mentioned ‘now’, it has becomes widespread in Pakhtunkhwa, so what was the dress earlier?

   Reply
6. 

   Shakir Lakhani

   September 15, 2009

   A man is seen in a restaurant with a woman completely covered, so she can’t be recognized. How can one know if the woman is his wife or girl friend?

   Reply
7. 

   Momina

   September 15, 2009

   Even though I did not want to be part of this topic considering the weird language used in it but the recent question raised (and the wrong answer provided) has forced me to comment.

   The jilbaab and the khimaar have been explicitly mentioned in the Qur’aan. That is the parts of the burqa/abaya.

   The niqaab has not been explicitly mentioned but any material that has the same purpose has been proven from Qur’an and Sunnah.

   The clothes that we wear at home and underneath the abaya/burqa should neither be revealing (i.e. lack of clothes) nor should it be fitting. No specific clothes design have been mentioned. Anything that fits the bill.

   The Prophet Muhammad’s s.a.w.w. wives r.a. used to cover themselves completely (not revealing their faces) if we go by the incident when the Prophet s.a.w.w. was walking towards home at night and his wife r.a. was accompanying him. A Sahabi r.a. passed by them and the Rasool Allah s.a.w.w. told him that it was his wife so and so r.a. with him (as she was covering her face the Sahabi r.a. could not be sure who it was). The Sahabi r.a. replied that he would never have doubt about such a matter (someone else accompanying the Prophet s.a.w.w.). Th Prophet s.a.w.w. said that (meaning) satan is always active to create troubles and put doubts in the hearts. One should be careful.

   Alhumdulillah, now the burqa is widespread in Pukhtunkhwa…earlier the chaadar/saadar was used by majority of women and it used to be a very big chaadar. Now, the latest ‘trends’ have considerably reduced the width and length of it. Modest and dignified women have opted for the abaya/burqa. In Afghanistan and the tribal regions of Pukhtunkhwa the burqa is and was mostly used.

   Alhumdulillah, gradually and surely, this aspect of Islam is being endeared and welcomed through out Pakistan. Masha’allah.

   Lastly, a Muslim who has greater taqwa is a better Muslim and not because of his/her ethnicity. Those who have not been practising Islam because of this fear…relax, that is not how it is. You have got it all wrong.

   “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujuraat :13]

   Reply
8. 

   Shakir Lakhani

   September 15, 2009

   James: I read about the American woman who had sex with a 14-year old boy, and I couldn’t help wondering how such a thing could happen in a free society like America, where there are thousands of pregnant 13-year old girls (according to Yusha, who apparently spent some time in the U.S. counting pregnant women).

   Reply
9. 

   Shakir Lakhani

   September 15, 2009

   Hend: you’re right, the burqa belongs to the culture of the Arabs, but it is widespread in the northern areas of Pakistan and also in those areas where people from those areas have settled. Recently it has been adopted by wealthy city women who have suddenly turned into fundamentalists and wish to prove that they’re better Muslims than Arabs.

   Reply
10. 

    Shakir Lakhani

    September 15, 2009

    Hend: the all-enveloping burqa (which even covers the face and leaves slits for the eyes to peer through) is not prescribed, in fact (especially during Haj), the face is supposed to be completely uncovered. What is required is to dress modestly, both for men and women. This means a woman should dress in such a way that it doesn’t make a normal man want to rape her. Even the dress worn by women in the subcontinent (the shalwar-kameez and dopatta, if worn properly), is allowed, by this criterion. However, some men do go into a frenzy even when they see a woman wearing the all-enveloping burqa.

    Reply