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This article discusses the hadith around the revalation regarding [[hijab]], and offers an original speculative conclusion as to the reason.
{{QualityScore|Lead=4|Structure=4|Content=4|Language=4|References=4}}[[File:Hijabs.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:Hijab-protest.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Most Muslim women who defend the hijab are unaware of the reason speculated on this page why it is a requirement in Islam.]]
All [[Madh'hab|schools]] of [[Shari'ah (Islamic Law)|Islamic law]] require that Muslim [[Islam and Women|women]] over the age of majority observe the ''hijab'' when in the presence of non-mahrams. Conceptually, the hijab is a set of requirements according to which both women and men must cover certain parts of their body (the Arabic word ''hijab'' literally referred to the concept of veiling as with a screen or curtain). While the requirements for men are similar to common expectations of public decency in the modern world, those for women extend to covering the entirety of the body except for the face and hands, with legal schools differing on the requirements for women to cover their feet, face, and hands. Colloquially, the word "hijab" refers to headgear employed by Muslim women to cover their hair and neck. There are many cultural variations on the hijab garment, many of which provide different degrees of coverage, including famously the ''burqa'', ''niqab'', and ''dupata''. Some modern scholars disagree with the traditional interpretations that require head covering and many Muslim women choose not to do so, as discussed below.
==Introduction==


If you ask a Muslim why Muslim females wear the Hijab (veil) the reason given is usually one of two (or a mixture of both):
In a few verses the Quran sets out requirements regarding the ''jilbab'' (overgarment or cloak) and the ''khimar'' (probably a piece of cloth over the head and mentioned in terms of covering the bosom). One verse mentions the word ''hijab'' in terms of a separating curtain or veil behind which visitors may ask things of Muhammad's wives. Later this term acquired the conceptual meaning mentioned above. While the [[Quran]] contains general guidelines on the purpose of these requirements, the [[Hadith|hadith literature]] is more particular in its discussion of what the [[Asbab al-Nuzul (Revelational Circumstances of the Quran)|circumstances behind the revelation]] of these verses were, though hadiths still provide scarce information on what precisely they entail. One account in the hadith suggests that the verse of hijab regarding Muhammad's wives was a result of pressure from [[Umar ibn al-Khattab|Umar]], who objected to them being recognisable in public. The Quran indicates that the dress requirements for believing women in general were to prevent molestation and for purposes of modesty.


* They are obeying a command from [[Allah]] as given in the [[Qur'an]]; it is a matter of piety.
Classically, these accounts have been embraced, though in recent times they have been criticised as problematic. The Quran has been objected to because it suggests that women must bear the burden for their harassment by changing their attire, and the hadith accounts about Umar have been criticised both because it paints this highly-revered religious figure, the second of the [[Rashidun Caliphs|rightly-guided caliphs]] and friend of [[Muhammad]]'s, as an unsavory character and because it suggests that Allah was not alone responsible for the formulation of the Sharia, which is supposed to be divinely-revealed and unchanging.
* They are protecting their modesty by dressing this way instead of showing their body off for everyone to see.  


The crux of the issue is how this mandate made its way into the Qur'an in the first place? We can find this information in the ahadith by examining the [[Revelational Circumstances of the Quran|revelational circumstances]] of these verses.
In her short but detailed book, ''The Islamic Veil'', Professor Elizabeth Bucar has written on the role and interpretations of hijab through history and modernity.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar (2012) ''The Islamic Veil'', Oxford: Oneworld Publications</ref> Her book will be referenced at many points in this article.


== Qur'an Ayahs Regarding the Hijab ==
==In modern times==
In most Muslim majority countries there is no legal enforcement of hijab (in some former soviet states it is not even common for women to wear it). Hijab adherance saw a revival in some Muslim majority countries during the mid-20th century after falling out of favour and in the West it is commonly worn voluntarily. However, alongside such social norms it is also common that women and girls (even in the West) sometimes feel community or family pressure to adhere to hijab against their wishes, especially in the case of adolescents living with their parents. In a small number of Muslim majority countries (such as Iran) hijab in one form or another is legally enforced. The "Women, Life, Freedom" protests of 2023 in Iran highlighted that this enforcement is against the wishes of millions of women there. Saudi Arabia removed its legal requirements for head covering in 2018.


===Surah 24:31===
Elizabeth Bucar explains that for Muslim women in Western countries, hijab is often a way of expressing Muslim identity, and specific styles of hijab can further be a way of maintaining identity with a specific cultural heritage.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar (2012) ''The Islamic Veil'', Oxford: Oneworld Publications, pp. 119-122</ref> In 20th century Algeria, hijab served as a symbol of cultural defence and resistance against colonialism, while in Palestine it became a symbol of national identity, while unveiling was associated with Israeli collaboration.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar (2012) ''The Islamic Veil'', Oxford: Oneworld Publications, pp. 77-83</ref>


{{quote |{{Quran|24|31}}|'''Yusuf Ali:'''And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; '''that they should draw their veils over their bosoms''' and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.  
==In the Quran==
The Quran contains verses which mention the ''jilbab'' (overgarment or cloak), ''khimar'' (piece of cloth that covers the head, and ''hijab'' (screen to shield Muhammad's wives from the gaze of visitors to his home). Bucar summarises that Q. 33:53 was a command concerning Muhammad's wives to separate the public and private space; Q. 33:59 was a command for free believing women to preserve their bodily integrity from harrassment; and Q. 24:30-31 was a command to all Muslim women for modesty purposes.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', p. 45</ref>


'''Pickthal:''' And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, '''and to draw their veils over their bosoms''', and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.  
===Quran 33:53===
{{Quran|33|53}} mentions a ''hijab'', or screen / barrier behind which visitors to Muhammad's home should ask things of his wives without seeing them. Bucar observes that besides this verse, the word hijab is used elsewhere in the Quran for a concealing veil, screen or partition (see {{Quran|42|51}}, {{Quran|7|46}}, {{Quran|41|5}}, and {{Quran|17|45}}). {{Quran|19|17}} where Mary secludes herself is the only other verse where hijab is used in relation to women. In {{Quran|33|53}} it is unclear upon whom the responsibility for adherance of the command rests, the men or Muhammad's wives.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', p. 35</ref>


'''Shakir:''' And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, '''and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms''', and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! so that you may be successful.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|33|53}}|O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition [ḥijābin حِجَابٍ]. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.}}


===Surah 33:59===
Traditions about the occasion of revelation for this verse are mentioned in a number of hadiths, and are covered later in this article. {{Quran-range|33|32|33}} is another command specifically addressed to Muhammad's wives ("O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women [...]").


{{ quote |{{Quran|33|59}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' 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.  
===Quran 33:59===
{{Quran|33|59}} states that the purpose of drawing over the ''jilbab'' (overgarment or cloak) is to distinguish free Muslim women (presumably from non-Muslim or slave women, who do not have to observe it) in order to prevent them from being molested/harassed.  


'''Pickthal:''' O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.  
Bucar explains that Quran commentators agreed that the occasion of revelation for this verse was that the hypocrites (al-munafiqun) in Medina (who are mentioned in the next verse, {{Quran|33|60}}) were physically harrassing slave women in public spaces. This context is mentioned for example in Tafsir al-Jalalayn regarding the verse. The jilbab thus made free believing women visibly distinct. It was a responsibility placed on them by the Quran to mitigate the immoral behaviour of certain men. Bucar says that the meaning of jilbab is unclear, but most scholars believed it to be a type of outer covering.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 38-40</ref>


'''Shakir:''' O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments; this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.}}
{{quote |{{Quran|33|59}}|O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments [jalābībihinna جَلَٰبِيبِهِنَّ]. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.}}


===Quran 24:31===
{{Quran|24|31}} tells believing women to draw the ''khimar'' (piece of cloth that covers the head) over their bosoms and to hide their adornment or [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Beauty and Makeup|beauty]] from men.


The first verse above states that the purpose is to hide women's [[beauty]] from men. The second verse makes it clear that it is to prevent molestation/harassment whilst traveling. We also do not find any such requirement for Muslim men. What are the possible explanations for this?
{{quote |{{Quran|24|31}}|And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment [zīnatahunna إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ] except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers [bikhumurihinna بِخُمُرِهِنَّ] over their chests [juyūbihinna جُيُوبِهِنَّ] and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects [ʿawrāti عَوْرَٰتِ] of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.}}


* Women's beauty is so enticing that men are unable to control themselves if they see an uncovered female - This cannot be right because women do not have to cover themselves in front of those males to whom they are related.
Bucar notes that unlike the above two verses, only late traditions provide an occasion of revelation for Q. 24:30-31. Believing women are told to draw their ''Khumur'' (singular: ''Khimar'') over their bosoms (''juyub''). Bucar comments that the word khimar, which some Quran commentators glossed as a veil, mainly meant a kerchief worn on the head, and that the root of the word juyub meant a space between, so probably meant cleavage. Thus she argues that the purpose of this part of the verse is that the cleavage must be covered.<ref name="Bucar40-45">Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 40-45</ref> In the same year (2012) a PhD thesis by Sheikh Mustapha Mohamed Rashed at al-Azhar University similarly concluded that the verse only commands that the bosom be covered.<ref>[https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/06/45564/hijab-is-not-an-islamic-duty-scholar Hijab is Not an Islamic Duty: Muslim Scholar] - Morocco World News, 24 June 2012</ref>
* Women are not attracted to men - Even the casual observer knows this is untrue - the vast majority of women are not asexual.
* Women have more self control than men - This may very well be the case, but only with the caveat that 'men' refers to Muslim men.


The current perception in Islamic society is that an unveiled woman is asking to be sexually harassed or assaulted. Although not a guarantee, they  believe that the wearing of a veil is added protection against the chance of assault. However as we look at the ahadith, we find that ''none'' of the above reasons are correct as we see when studying the revelational circumstances of these verses. The Hijab verses were sent down in response to a specific situation occurring at the time.
Except in specifically defined company, the verse also says that women must not reveal their adornment (''zina'', which besides illicit sexual activity is a word used in a few verses for stars adorning the heavens). It seems to essentially mean a woman's attractiveness, though Quran commentators have always disagreed on the meaning of hidden zina in this verse. Some suggested it meant ankle bracelets due to the final part of the verse telling women not to stamp their feet. {{Quran|24|60}} later in the same surah exempts older women from the command to wear garments hiding their adornment. Some Quran commentators like al-Tabari thought it allowed a woman's face to show, based on a hadith in which Muhammad defines what a woman can reveal of herself when she reaches the age of menstruation ({{Abu Dawud|33|4092}}, quoted in the next section below). For al-Zamakhshari, adornment in this context meant jewelry and makeup. Ibn Taymiyyah and al Baydawi said that even a woman's face and hands must be covered in public except during prayer.<ref name="Bucar40-45" />


==Ahadith Regarding the Hijab==
Bucar notes that there was similarly no consensus on the meaning of the word 'awra in the verse. For men, hadiths made clear that a man's 'awra was from his navel to his knees. As for a woman's 'awra, there is an isolated hadith collected by al-Tirmidhi quoted in the next section on hadiths below. For some scholars it referred to a woman's bosom, neck and head, for others everything except her face and hands, or for others just the genital region (as with men).<ref name="Bucar40-45" />


===Umar bin Al-Khattab's Involvement===
==Hadiths==
Bucar observes that there are no explicit references in hadiths to women being required to cover the face or hair (a popular translation of {{Bukhari|6|60|282}} mentions the women covering their faces, but this is not clear in the Arabic text and another version of the narration in {{Abu Dawud|32|4089}} refers only to them making Khimars). Bucar observes that hadiths distinguish a time before and after the revelation of the hijab verse concerning Muhammad's wives, particularly narrations about the event of the slander (al-ifk) in which 'Aisha was accused of adultery. By the time of these narrations, ''hijab'' had come to be transformed from a literal screen in the home of Muhammad's wives to a complex ideology of segregation, privacy and social status, perhaps reflecting post-Muhammad cultural practices of specific Muslim communities.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 47-48</ref>


{{ quote |{{Bukhari|1|4|148}}|Narrated 'Aisha:
A few hadiths refer specifically to Muhammad's wives covering their heads and faces with jilbab in public such as {{Bukhari|5|59|462}}, which is the above mentioned event of the slander. It mentions Aisha drawing her jilbab over her face, though it also says this was after the verse of hijab had come down, which was a requirement specifically for Muhammad's wives.
The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes). }}


{{ quote |{{Bukhari|8|74|257}}|Narrated 'Aisha:  
Bucar says that the few relevant hadiths detailing requirements for believing women in general concern the avoidance of thin clothing or short hemlines while an isolated hadith collected by al-Tirmidhi is the exception, describing a woman in her entirety as 'awra.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', p. 34</ref>
(the wife of the Prophet) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab used to say to Allah's Apostle "Let your wives be veiled" But he did not do so. The wives of the Prophet used to go out to answer the call of nature at night only at Al-Manasi.' Once Sauda, the daughter of Zam'a went out and she was a tall woman. 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her while he was in a gathering, and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda!" He ('Umar) said so as he was anxious for some Divine orders regarding the veil (the veiling of women.) So Allah revealed the Verse of veiling. (Al-Hijab; a complete body cover excluding the eyes). (See Hadith No. 148, Vol. 1) }}
 
{{Quote|{{Abu Dawud|32|4092}}|Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
 
Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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 his face and hands. Abu Dawud said: This is a mursal tradition (i.e. the narrator who transmitted it from 'Aishah is missing) Khalid b. Duraik did not see 'Aishah}}
 
{{Quote|{{Al Tirmidhi|3|22|1731|}}|Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
 
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever arrogantly drags his garment, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement." So Umm Salamah said: "What should the women do with their hems?" He said: "Slacken them a handspan." So she said: "Then their feet will be uncovered." He said: "Then slacken them a forearm's length and do not add to that." He said: This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. In the Hadith there is a concession for women to drag their Izar because it covers them better.}}
 
{{Quote|{{Al Tirmidhi||2|10|1173}}|Abdullah narrated that The Prophet said:
 
“The woman is Awrah, so when she goes out, the Shaitan seeks to tempt her.”}}
 
A narration mentioned by some Quran commentators such as Ibn Kathir attributes to Ibn Abbas a view that a woman should be entirely covered by her jilbab except for a single eye.
 
{{Quote|Tafsir of Ibn Kathir for Q. 33:59|Here Allah tells His Messenger to command the believing women -- especially his wives and daughters, because of their position of honor -- to draw their Jilbabs over their bodies, so that they will be distinct in their appearance from the women of the Jahiliyyah and from slave women. The Jilbab is a Rida', worn over the Khimar. This was the view of Ibn Mas`ud, `Ubaydah, Qatadah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, `Ata' Al-Khurasani and others. It is like the Izar used today. Al-Jawhari said: "The Jilbab is the outer wrapper. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said that Allah commanded the believing women, when they went out of their houses for some need, to cover their faces from above their heads with the Jilbab, leaving only one eye showing. Muhammad bin Sirin said, "I asked `Ubaydah As-Salmani about the Ayah:<BR />
 
يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـبِيبِهِنَّ
(to draw their Jalabib over their bodies.) He covered his face and head, with just his left eye showing.''<BR />
ذلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلاَ يُؤْذَيْنَ
(That will be better that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. ) means, if they do that, it will be known that they are free, and that they are not servants or whores.}}


{{ quote| {{Muslim|26|5397}}|'A'isha reported that the wives of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to go out in the cover of night when they went to open fields (in the outskirts of Medina) for easing themselves. 'Umar b Khattab used to say: Allah's Messenger, ask your ladies to observe veil, but Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not do that. So there went out Sauda, daughter of Zarn'a, the wife of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), during one of the nights when it was dark. She was a tall statured lady. 'Umar called her saying: Sauda, we recognise you. (He did this with the hope that the verses pertaining to veil would be revealed.) 'A'isha said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, then revealed the verses pertaining to veil. }}
Some other relevant hadiths were collected by Abu Dawud (all graded Sahih by al-Albani):


{{ quote |{{Muslim|26|5398}}| This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shihab with the same chain of transmitters.}}
{{Quote|{{Abu Dawud|2|641}}|Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:


In short, the sequence of events as laid out in the ahadith are as follows:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a veil [Khimar بِخِمَارٍ]. Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by Sa;id b. Abi 'Arubah from Qatadah on the authority of al-Hasan from the Prophet (ﷺ).}}


#Umar repeatedly asks [[Muhammad]] that Allah should reveal verses for the Qur'an pertaining to the veiling of women.
{{Quote|{{Abu Dawud|32|4094}}|Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
#No such [[Revelations|revelation]] is sent down.
#Umar follows [[Muhammad's Wives|Muhammad's wives]] one night when they go out to relieve themselves (go to the toilet) and calls out to Muhammad's wife Sauda.
#Sauda goes home in a state of embarrassment and relates to Muhammad what has happened.
#Allah then reveals the hijab verse as Umar had wanted all along.


Of course this brings up some obvious questions:
The Prophet (ﷺ) brought Fatimah a slave which he donated to her. Fatimah wore a garment which, when she covered her head, did not reach her feet, and when she covered her feet by it, that garment did not reach her head. When the Prophet (ﷺ) saw her struggle, he said: There is no harm to you: Here is only your father and slave.}}


* If Muhammad is just a messenger, relating Allah's word, why did Umar ask Muhammad for the hijab revelation?  Why did he not just pray to Allah and ask directly?
{{Quote|{{Abu Dawud|32|4090}}|Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin:
* No revelation was sent down until Umar spied on Muhammad's own wives. Why did Umar do this? How did he know (or at least suspect) it would be successful? Why does Allah care about toilet privacy so much that he revealed a verse pertaining to ''all'' Muslim women that will ever live?


A common apologetic for this is that Allah was waiting for Umar to do this so that the situational revelation could come down. However this is not mentioned anywhere, thus there is no evidence for it. Moreover, Umar confirms that he came up with the idea first and then Allah "agreed with him".
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.}}


====Allah Agrees with Umar====
The following hadith account mentions the use of hijab (screen) to conceal Muhammad's wives from a eunuch, or effeminate man in other translations (similarly see {{Abu Dawud|32|4095}}).


{{ quote | {{Bukhari|6|60|10}}|Narrated Anas:  
{{Quote|{{Muslim|26|5416}}|'A'isha reported that a eunuch used to come to the wives of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and they did not And anything objectionable in his visit considering him to be a male without any sexual desire. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) one day came as he was sitting with some of his wives and he was busy in describing the bodily characteristics of a lady and saying:


Umar said, "I agreed with Allah in three things," or said, "My Lord agreed with me in three things. I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Would that you took the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.' I also said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Good and bad persons visit you! Would that you ordered the Mothers of the believers to cover themselves with veils.' So the Divine Verses of Al-Hijab (i.e. veiling of the women) were revealed. I came to know that the Prophet had blamed some of his wives so I entered upon them and said, 'You should either stop (troubling the Prophet ) or else Allah will give His Apostle better wives than you.' When I came to one of his wives, she said to me, 'O 'Umar! Does Allah's Apostle haven't what he could advise his wives with, that you try to advise them?' " Thereupon Allah revealed:--
As she comes in front four folds appear on her front side and as she turns her back eight folds appear on the back side. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: I see that he knows these things; do not, therefore, allow him to cater. She (" A'isha) said: Then they began to observe veil from him.}}
"It may be, if he divorced you (all) his Lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you Muslims (who submit to Allah).." (66.5) }}


{{ quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|313}}| Narrated Umar:
Some observe that a eunuch could not pose any threat to the chastity or safety of Muhammad's wives, which distinguishes the purpose of hijab in Q. 33:53 from that of jilbab or khimar for protection or modesty in the other verses discussed above.


I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Good and bad persons enter upon you, so I suggest that you order the mothers of the Believers (i.e. your wives) to observe veils." Then Allah revealed the Verses of Al-Hijab. }}
==In Islamic Law==
Bucar details how different opinions on the veil existed between and within the schools of Islamic jurisprudence over time, probably influenced by the differing cultural contexts (she uses the term "veil" to mean the relevant Islamic concepts in a general sense).<ref name="Bucar49-58">Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 49-58</ref>


{{ quote | {{Muslim|31|5903}}| Ibn Umar reported Umar as saying: My lord concorded with (my judgments) on three occasions. In case of the Station of Ibrahim, in case of the observance of veil and in case of the prisoners of Badr.}}
She writes that "Early ''fiqh'' discussed veiling in the context of prayer, and in general saw veiling as an issue of social status and physical safety". Later, it was not a central concern of medieval legal scholars, though their reasoning remains relevant to modern discussions about veiling. Regarding the concept of 'awra mentioned in Q. 24:31 and discussed above, the majority view was that it excluded a woman's hands and face (the main Maliki and Hanafi view), though a minority view was that everything should be covered except her eyes despite no mention of this in the Quran, while hadiths indicate this was not common practice for early Muslim communities. Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328 CE) who inspired modern day Salafism said that her face should be covered in public, which became the standard Shafi'i and Hanbali legal position. Legal scholars also commonly linked 'awra with the concept of fitnah mentioned separately in the Quran. Bucar quotes the prominent jurist al-Nawawi (d. 1278) as an exemplar of this view, which is a motivation argued by some emerging Islamic governments in modern times:


How can the Qur'an be the text that was in existence since before the world began, if Allah is taking suggestions for its content from Muhammad's contemporaries?
{{Quote|al-Nawawi quoted by Elizabeth Bucar (transl. El Fadl)<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 56</ref>|Since God made men desire women, and desire looking at them and enjoying them, women are like the devil in that they seduce men towards the commission of evil, while making evil look attractive [to men]. We deduct from this that women should not go out in the midst of men except for a necessity.}}
It appears however, that Umar was a serial toilet-place loiterer, because after the revelation of the verses he had so wanted, he was at it again.


====Umar Spies Again====
Some modern Islamic jurists such as Khaled Abou El Fadl (d. 1963) have criticised this linking of a woman's 'awra with the concept of fitna and preventing illicit intercourse. He argues that modesty is a Quranic ethical command in and of itself and the relevant verses do not link it to fitna. The medieval jurists invocation of fitna in addition thereby shifted the blame for potential sin from men to women (whereas the hypocrites are blamed in Q. 33:59-60 for violating women's modesty). Thirdly, since even medieval jurists allowed exemptions (for example slaves labouring in fields), he argued that the rules must be "contigent and contextual in nature". In the late 19th and early 20th century a renewed juridical interest in veiling led to a wide range of debates and opinions.<ref name="Bucar49-58" />


{{ quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|318}}|Narrated Aisha:
Saudi Arabia (until it revoked its legal head covering requirement in 2018), Afghanistan, and Iran base their laws on veiling on the Hanbali, Hanafi, and Shi'a Jafari schools of jurisprudence, respectively.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 65-66</ref>


Sauda (the wife of the Prophet) went out to answer the call of nature after it was made obligatory (for all the Muslims ladies) to observe the veil. She was a fat huge lady, and everybody who knew her before could recognize her. So 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her and said, "O Sauda! By Allah, you cannot hide yourself from us, so think of a way by which you should not be recognized on going out. Sauda returned while Allah's Apostle was in my house taking his supper and a bone covered with meat was in his hand. She entered and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I went out to answer the call of nature and 'Umar said to me so-and-so." Then Allah inspired him (the Prophet) and when the state of inspiration was over and the bone was still in his hand as he had not put in down, he said (to Sauda), "You (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs."}}
==Proposed benefits of hijab and modern criticisms thereof==
[[File:Hijab propaganda billboard.jpg|thumb|Billboard in Tehran reading "hijab is security"]]
Bucar categorises three types of traditional and modern purposes for hijab that have been articulated. Firstly, it was seen as a means of building moral character (modesty, shyness) and a path to piety because it is not an easy thing to start wearing it. With repetition, over time a woman would feel uncomfortable at the thought of not wearing it. Indeed, one could add that ex-Muslim women commonly describe how leaving home without hijab for the first time takes some courage. Secondly, it has been said to have the benefit of preventing inapproprate desires, which could end in [[zina]] (illicit sexual activity), and strengthens the marital bond since a woman's sensuality was reserved for her husband. Finally, it is seen as having a social purpose, to regulate and prevent sexual urges in society running out of control. Arguments in this last category are of four types: 1) that it prevents constant male arousal, protects social dignity and a tranquil society; 2) that it supports educational and economic productivity due to reduced male distraction; 3) that it allows women to participate more fully in society as every public space is a morally safe zone; and 4) that it serves as a guard against westernizing influence.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', pp. 19-23</ref>


{{ quote | {{Muslim|26|5395}}| A'isha reported that Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) went out (in the fields) in order to answer the call of nature even after the time when veil had been prescribed for women. She had been a bulky lady, significant in height amongst the women, and she could not conceal herself from him who had known her. 'Umar b. Khattab saw her and said: Sauda, by Allah, you cannot conceal from us. Therefore, be careful when you go out. She ('A'isha) said: She turned back. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was at that time in my house having his evening meal and there was a bone in his hand. She (Sauda) cline and said: Allah's Messenger. I went out and 'Umar said to me so and so. She ('A'isha) reported: There came the revelation to him and then it was over; the bone was then in his hand and he had not thrown it and he said:" Permission has been granted to you that you may go out for your needs."}}
Bucar gives examples of Muslim figures who have criticised such arguments for hijab. Some reformists and progressives interpreted hijab metaphorically in terms of a principle of modest behaviour and controlling one's desires. Other Muslim critics have noted that veiling is not sufficient to suppress desire, and in a modern context can even stimulate desire for that which is "forbidden". Others criticise mandatory veiling for removing moral choice.<ref>Elizabeth Bucar, ''The Islamic Veil'', p. 24</ref> Secular observers might add that most of the arguments for hijab pre-suppose a conservative moral order in which sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage (or in the past, slavery) must be forbidden, and the risk of such, mitigated.


Apparently, Umar was not satisfied once he had gotten the Hijab verses he eagerly bothered Muhammad about. He wanted women to be completely unrecognizable.
Some critics argue that if the hijab is intended to protect women from sexual assault, it wholly fails to serve this purpose. Islamic countries where the overwhelming majorities of women observe the hijab have been found to have some of the highest rates of women experiencing all manner of sexual harassment, notably in the case of Egypt.<ref>See [https://timep.org/commentary/analysis/sexual-harassment-laws-in-egypt-does-stricter-mean-more-effective/ Sexual Harassment Laws in Egypt: Does Stricter Mean More Effective?] by Habiba Abdelaal, The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy - December 2021</ref><ref>Manar Ammar - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.bikyamasr.com/77158/sexual-harassment-and-pedophilia-await-egyptian-girls-outside-schools/|2=2012-09-14}} Sexual harassment awaits Egyptian girls outside schools] - Bikya Masr, September 10, 2012</ref> In Saudi Arabia, where the observance of hijab is strictly enforced throughout the country, women experience one of the highest rates of [[Rape in Islamic Law|rape]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://womanstats.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-high-rape-scale-in-saudi-arabia/|title= The High Rape-Scale in Saudi Arabia|publisher= WomanStats Project (blog)|author= |date= January 16, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomanstats.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F01%2F16%2Fthe-high-rape-scale-in-saudi-arabia%2F&date=2013-07-13|deadurl=no}}</ref>


===Reasoning on the Hijab===
=='Umar and the revelation of the hijab verse (Quran 33:53)==
A hadith narrated from Anas bin Malik describes how he witnessed the revelation of the hijab verse. See also {{Muslim|8|3328}}.


A common claim by [[apologists]] is that the Hijab protects women against unwanted sexual attention from men. Well known apologist [[Dr.]] [[Zakir Naik]] takes this line of reasoning in his [[Zakir_Naik:_His_Background,_Views_and_Debates#Hijab|defense of the hijab]] mandate. Before evaluating this claim we must examine a few more ahadith:
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|6|60|315}}|Narrated Anas bin Malik:


{{ quote |{{Muslim|26|5416}}|'A'isha reported that a eunuch used to come to the wives of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and they did not And anything objectionable in his visit considering him to be a male without any sexual desire. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) one day came as he was sitting with some of his wives and he was busy in describing the bodily characteristics of a lady and saying: As the comes in front four folds appear on her front side and as she turns her back eight folds appear on the back side. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: I me that he knows these things; do not, therefore. allow him to cater. She (" A'isha) said: Then they began to observe veil from him.}}
I of all the people know best this verse of Al-Hijab. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married Zainab bint Jahsh she was with him in the house and he prepared a meal and invited the people (to it). They sat down (after finishing their meal) and started chatting. So the Prophet (ﷺ) went out and then returned several times while they were still sitting and talking. So Allah revealed the Verse: 'O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses until leave is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation.....ask them from behind a screen.' (33.53) So the screen was set up and the people went away.}}


{{ quote |{{Abudawud|32|4095}}|Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
A somewhat different account, or background leading up to the revelation of the verse is reported regarding pressure exerted on Muhammad regarding his wives by 'Umar, as detailed below.
A mukhannath (eunuch) used to enter upon the wives of Prophet (peace be upon him). They (the people) counted him among those who were free of physical needs. One day the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered upon us when he was with one of his wives, and was describing the qualities of a woman, saying: When she comes forward, she comes forward with four (folds in her stomach), and when she goes backward, she goes backward with eight (folds in her stomach). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do I not see that this (man) knows what here lies. Then they (the wives) observed veil from him. }}


====Evaluating the "Protection" Claim====
===Umar bin Al-Khattab's spies on Sauda===
According to hadiths found in [[Sahih Bukhari|Sahih al-Bukhari]], the most authoritative hadith collection, the series of events leading up to the [[revelation]] of the verse of the hijab ({{Quran|33|53}}) was as follows. First, Umar repeatedly asked Muhammad that Allah should reveal verses of the Qur'an pertaining to the veiling of women. Next, when no such revelation was forthcoming from Muhammad, Umar went out one night and stalked one of [[Muhammad's Marriages|Muhammad's wives]] when she went out to relieve herself. Identifying the wife as Sauda bint Zam'a, he called out to her by name, noting that he had succeeded in recognizing her in her compromised circumstance. After this, Sauda presumably returned home embarrassed by the incident and reported what occurred to Muhammad, finally resulting in the revelation of the verses pertaining to the hijab.


Given the fact that the verses were first revealed after Umar verbally harassed Muhammad's wives while they were going to the toilet, and that Muhammad told women to wear the veil even in the presence of a eunuch, we must conclude that the veil is only intended to prevent men from evaluating the physical attributes of females. Since eunuchs have no sexual desire, the claim that it is to prevent sexual molestation and not just gossip/verbal harassment is scripturally invalid.
Note that the Sahih al-Bukhari translator's comment attempting to define hijab as "a complete body covering excluding the eyes" at the end of the hadiths is not present in the Arabic. Moreover, in the Arabic these hadiths do not mention "verses" of the hijab plural, but at most mention the "verse" singular. This is in reference to Q. 33:53 which concerns concealing Muhammad's wives from public view (this is even clearer with the related hadiths in the section after this below).


Another interesting thing to note is that all of the verses and ahadith examined so far are to do with ''Muslim men'' harassing ''Muslim females''. Thus Allah has revealed this verse to protect the believing women from the believing men.  
{{quote |{{Bukhari|1|4|148}}|Narrated 'Aisha:
The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).}}


In non-Islamic societies, women are generally free to walk around unveiled and not be harassed/assaulted every few blocks by men, but in an Islamic society (e.g. in [[Egypt]] where women and young girls are harassed 7 times every 200 meters<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ghanamedianews.com/us/sports/item/1072-egypt’s-ncw-chief-says-women-harassed-7-times-every-200-meters.html|2=2012-12-31}} Egypt’s NCW chief says women harassed 7 times every 200 meters] - GhanaMed, September 6, 2012</ref><ref>Manar Ammar - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.bikyamasr.com/77158/sexual-harassment-and-pedophilia-await-egyptian-girls-outside-schools/|2=2012-09-14}} Sexual harassment awaits Egyptian girls outside schools] - Bikya Masr, September 10, 2012</ref> or in [[Saudi Arabia]] where the observance of hijab is strictly enforced but the country still has one of the highest [[rape]] scales in the world<ref>{{cite web|url= http://womanstats.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-high-rape-scale-in-saudi-arabia/|title= The High Rape-Scale in Saudi Arabia|publisher= WomanStats Project (blog)|author= |date= January 16, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomanstats.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F01%2F16%2Fthe-high-rape-scale-in-saudi-arabia%2F&date=2013-07-13|deadurl=no}}</ref>) this would not be the case. If not arrested under indecency laws, women would be constantly harassed and/or assaulted by Muslim men.
{{quote |{{Bukhari|8|74|257}}|Narrated 'Aisha:
(the wife of the Prophet) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab used to say to Allah's Apostle "Let your wives be veiled" But he did not do so. The wives of the Prophet used to go out to answer the call of nature at night only at Al-Manasi.' Once Sauda, the daughter of Zam'a went out and she was a tall woman. 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her while he was in a gathering, and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda!" He ('Umar) said so as he was anxious for some Divine orders regarding the veil (the veiling of women.) So Allah revealed the Verse of veiling. (Al-Hijab; a complete body cover excluding the eyes). (See Hadith No. 148, Vol. 1) }}


Furthermore, certain studies carried out in the Muslim world have proven that the widely-held belief that a veil is added protection against the chance of assault is actually false (i.e.  the majority of victims wear the hijab).<ref>Magdi Abdelhadi - [{{Reference archive|1=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7514567.stm|2=2012-12-31}} Egypt's sexual harassment 'cancer'] - BBC News, July 18, 2008</ref> Thus we can conclude that the hypothetical situations like that presented by Naik and other apologist, in favor of the Hijab, are not only scripturally invalid, but also technically invalid, even in Islamic societies.
{{quote| {{Muslim|26|5397}}|'A'isha reported that the wives of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to go out in the cover of night when they went to open fields (in the outskirts of Medina) for easing themselves. 'Umar b Khattab used to say: Allah's Messenger, ask your ladies to observe veil, but Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not do that. So there went out Sauda, daughter of Zarn'a, the wife of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), during one of the nights when it was dark. She was a tall statured lady. 'Umar called her saying: Sauda, we recognise you. (He did this with the hope that the verses pertaining to veil would be revealed.) 'A'isha said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, then revealed the verses pertaining to veil. }}


===Different Types of Veiling===
====Allah agrees with Umar====
{{Main|Convenient Revelations}}
Following the incident with Sauda and a number of other incidents where Umar had directly preceded revelation in his recommendations to Muhammad, Muhammad proclaimed that Allah had come, on multiple occasions, to agree with Umar.


There are other ahadith that talk of the 'verses of al-hijab' but these are concerning a [[Sex Segregation in Islam|different type of hijab]] (veil) with, of course, a different set of revelational circumstances.  
Note that the translation of the hadiths below are incorrect. The Arabic text of these hadiths refers to "the veil" (hijab) singular, and "verse" singular, not plural i.e. the various versions of this hadith refer to the revelation of {{Quran|33|53}} concerning the screen (al hijab) between visitors and Muhammad's wives.
 
{{ quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|314}}|Narrated Anas bin Malik:  
{{quote | {{Bukhari|6|60|10}}|Narrated Anas:  


When Allah's Apostle married Zainab bint Jahsh, he invited the people to a meal. They took the meal and remained sitting and talking. Then the Prophet (showed them) as if he is ready to get up, yet they did not get up. When he noticed that (there was no response to his movement), he got up, and the others too, got up except three persons who kept on sitting. The Prophet came back in order to enter his house, but he went away again. Then they left, whereupon I set out and went to the Prophet to tell him that they had departed, so he came and entered his house. '''I wanted to enter along with him, but he put a screen between me and him. Then Allah revealed: '''
Umar said, "I agreed with Allah in three things," or said, "My Lord agreed with me in three things. I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Would that you took the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.' I also said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Good and bad persons visit you! Would that you ordered the Mothers of the believers to cover themselves with veils.' So the Divine Verses of Al-Hijab (i.e. veiling of the women) were revealed. I came to know that the Prophet had blamed some of his wives so I entered upon them and said, 'You should either stop (troubling the Prophet ) or else Allah will give His Apostle better wives than you.' When I came to one of his wives, she said to me, 'O 'Umar! Does Allah's Apostle haven't what he could advise his wives with, that you try to advise them?' " Thereupon Allah revealed:--
''''O you who believe! Do not enter the houses of the Prophet...' (33.53)''' }}
"It may be, if he divorced you (all) his Lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you Muslims (who submit to Allah).." (66.5) }}


{{ quote | {{Bukhari|6|60|315}}| Narrated Anas bin Malik:  
{{quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|313}}| Narrated Umar:


I of all the people know best this verse of Al-Hijab. When Allah's Apostle married Zainab bint Jahsh she was with him in the house and he prepared a meal and invited the people (to it). They sat down (after finishing their meal) and started chatting. So the Prophet went out and then returned several times while they were still sitting and talking. So Allah revealed the Verse:
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Good and bad persons enter upon you, so I suggest that you order the mothers of the Believers (i.e. your wives) to observe veils." Then Allah revealed the Verses of Al-Hijab. }}


'O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses until leave is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation .....ask them from behind a screen.' (33.53) '''So the screen was set up and the people went away.'''}}
{{quote | {{Muslim|31|5903}}| Ibn Umar reported Umar as saying: My lord concorded with (my judgments) on three occasions. In case of the Station of Ibrahim, in case of the observance of veil and in case of the prisoners of Badr.}}


{{ quote | {{Bukhari|6|60|316}}|Narrated Anas:  
====Umar ups the ante====
After Umar's wish of having Muhammad's wives veiled was fulfilled, he set his sights on having the clothing requirements increased to the point of making the women completely unrecognizable. To this end, he again spied on Sauda as she had gone out to relieve herself, this time notifying her that because she was a distinctively "fat huge lady", the newly-obligated veil did not suffice in obscuring her identity. Embarrassed yet again, Sauda returned home to inform Muhammad. Then feasting on a piece of meat and apparently disturbed by the interruption, Muhammad immediately received revelation from God alerting Sauda that Umar's demands would not this time be met. Accordingly, Sauda was informed that she would be allowed to relieve herself outdoors in spite of Umar's harassment.{{quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|318}}|Narrated Aisha:  


A banquet of bread and meat was held on the occasion of the marriage of the Prophet to Zainab bint Jahsh. I was sent to invite the people (to the banquet), and so the people started coming (in groups); They would eat and then leave. Another batch would come, eat and leave. So I kept on inviting the people till I found nobody to invite. Then I said, "O Allah's Prophet! I do not find anybody to invite." He said, "Carry away the remaining food." Then a batch of three persons stayed in the house chatting. The Prophet left and went towards the dwelling place of Aisha and said, "Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you, O the people of the house!" She replied, "Peace and the mercy of Allah be on you too. How did you find your wife? May Allah bless you. Then he went to the dwelling places of all his other wives and said to them the same as he said to Aisha and they said to him the same as Aisha had said to him. Then the Prophet returned and found a group of three persons still in the house chatting. The Prophet was a very shy person, '''so he went out (for the second time) and went towards the dwelling place of 'Aisha. I do not remember whether I informed him that the people have gone away. So he returned and as soon as he entered the gate, he drew the curtain between me and him, and then the Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed.''' }}
Sauda (the wife of the Prophet) went out to answer the call of nature after it was made obligatory (for all the Muslims ladies) to observe the veil. She was a fat huge lady, and everybody who knew her before could recognize her. So 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her and said, "O Sauda! By Allah, you cannot hide yourself from us, so think of a way by which you should not be recognized on going out. Sauda returned while Allah's Apostle was in my house taking his supper and a bone covered with meat was in his hand. She entered and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I went out to answer the call of nature and 'Umar said to me so-and-so." Then Allah inspired him (the Prophet) and when the state of inspiration was over and the bone was still in his hand as he had not put in down, he said (to Sauda), "You (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs."}}


{{ quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|317}}|Narrated Anas:  
{{quote | {{Muslim|26|5395}}| A'isha reported that Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) went out (in the fields) in order to answer the call of nature even after the time when veil had been prescribed for women. She had been a bulky lady, significant in height amongst the women, and she could not conceal herself from him who had known her. 'Umar b. Khattab saw her and said: Sauda, by Allah, you cannot conceal from us. Therefore, be careful when you go out. She ('A'isha) said: She turned back. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was at that time in my house having his evening meal and there was a bone in his hand. She (Sauda) cline and said: Allah's Messenger. I went out and 'Umar said to me so and so. She ('A'isha) reported: There came the revelation to him and then it was over; the bone was then in his hand and he had not thrown it and he said: "Permission has been granted to you that you may go out for your needs."}}


When Allah's Apostle married Zainab bint Jahsh, he made the people eat meat and bread to their fill (by giving a Walima banquet). Then he went out to the dwelling places of the mothers of the believers (his wives), as he used to do in the morning of his marriage. He would greet them and invoke good on them, and they (too) would return his greeting and invoke good on him. When he returned to his house, he found two men talking to each other; and when he saw them, he went out of his house again. When those two men saw Allah's Apostle: going out of his house, they quickly got up (and departed). I do not remember whether I informed him of their departure, or he was informed (by somebody else). So he returned, '''and when he entered the house, he lowered the curtain between me and him. Then the Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed.''' }}
Another hadith records how Umar attempted to apply the ruling of hijab (curtain) to other women in Muhammad's house besides his wives (the same account is in {{Bukhari|8|73|108}}).
{{ quote | {{Bukhari|7|62|95}}|Narrated Anas bin Malik:  
{{Quote|{{Muslim|31|5899}}|Sa'd b. Waqqas reported that Umar sought permission from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to visit him when some women of the Quraish were busy in talking with him and raising their voices above his voice. When 'Umar sought permission they stood up and went hurriedly behind the curtain. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gave him permission smilingly. Thereupon 'Umar said:


I was ten years old when Allah's Apostle arrived at Medina. My mother and aunts used to urge me to serve the Prophet regularly, and I served him for ten years. When the Prophet died I was twenty years old, and I knew about the order of Al-Hijab (veiling of ladies) more than any other person when it was revealed. It was revealed for the first time when Allah's Apostle had consummated his marriage with Zainab bint Jahsh. When the day dawned, the Prophet was a bridegroom and he invited the people to a banquet, so they came, ate, and then all left except a few who remained with the Prophet for a long time. The Prophet got up and went out, and I too went out with him so that those people might leave too. The Prophet proceeded and so did I, till he came to the threshold of 'Aisha's dwelling place. Then thinking that these people have left by then, he returned and so did I along with him till he entered upon Zainab and behold, they were still sitting and had not gone. So the Prophet again went away and I went away along with him. When we reached the threshold of 'Aisha's dwelling place, he thought that they had left, and so he returned and I too, returned along with him and found those people had left. '''Then the Prophet drew a curtain between me and him, and the Verses of Al-Hijab were revealed.''' }}
Allah's Messenger, may Allah keep you happy all your life. Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: I wonder at these women who were with me and no sooner did they hear your voice, they immediately went behind the curtain. Thereupon 'Umar said: Allah's Messenger, you have more right that they should fear you. Then Umar (addressing the women) said: O ye enemies of yourselves, do you fear me and fear not the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? They said: Yes, you are harsh and strict as compared to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Thereupon, Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if satan would encounter you in the way he would certainly take a different way from that of yours.}}


{{ quote | {{Bukhari|8|74|255}}|Narrated Anas bin Malik:  
===Umar struck a slave girl for wearing jilbab like free women===
One tradition relates Umar's strident views also to the theme of {{Quran|3|59}}, the verse in which believing women in general are instructed to wear the jilbab to distinguish themselves and to avoid harrasment.
{{Quote|1=[https://archive.org/details/FP152371/04_152374/page/n353/mode/1up?view=theater Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 6382 and 6383] (both graded sahih [https://archive.org/details/WAQ25781WAQ/erwaa6/page/n201/mode/2up?view=theater by al-Albani] and [https://archive.org/details/FP152371/04_152374/page/n353/mode/1up?view=theater by Sa'd al Shathri])|2=Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
Umar saw a slave-girl wearing a veil, so he struck her. He said, "Do not emulate free women."<BR /><BR />
Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
A female slave came to Umar ibn al Khattab. He knew her through some of the emigrants, or the Ansar. She was wearing a jilbab (cloak) which veiled her. He asked her: "Have you been freed?" She said: "No." He said: "What about the jilbab? Pull it down off your head. The jilbab is only for free women from among the believing women." She hesitated. So he came at her with a whip and struck her on the head, until she cast it off her head.}}


that he was a boy of ten at the time when the Prophet emigrated to Medina. He added: I served Allah's Apostle for ten years (the last part of his life time) and I know more than the people about the occasion whereupon the order of Al-Hijab was revealed (to the Prophet). Ubai b n Ka'b used to ask me about it. It was revealed (for the first time) during the marriage of Allah's Apostle with Zainab bint Jahsh. In the morning, the Prophet was a bride-groom of her and he Invited the people, who took their meals and went away, but a group of them remained with Allah's Apostle and they prolonged their stay. Allah's Apostle got up and went out, and I too, went out along with him till he came to the lintel of 'Aisha's dwelling place. Allah's Apostle thought that those people had left by then, so he returned, and I too, returned with him till he entered upon Zainab and found that they were still sitting there and had not yet gone. The Prophet went out again, and so did I with him till he reached the lintel of 'Aisha's dwelling place, and then he thought that those people must have left by then, so he returned, and so did I with him, and found those people had gone.''' At that time the Divine Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed, and the Prophet set a screen between me and him (his family).''' }}
==Hijab as a screen or physical barrier==
Another type of veiling, also referred to in Arabic as ''hijab'', is that effected through physical barriers. This was the original meaning of the term as discussed above regarding {{Quran|33|53}}. While Islamic legal schools disagree about the requirement and use of physical barriers in addition to hijab as matter of personal clothing, the use of physical barriers is the rule rather than the exception in much of the Islamic world and even make frequent appearance in Western diasporic settings.  


We see that in addition to the personal hijab, a 'house hijab' is also required to separate the women of the house from visitors; in the form of a separating, opaque screen. Again as we see above this was a situational revelation. Muhammad was annoyed that people stayed and chatted with his wives after having dinner at the house, so Allah revealed a verse requiring a separation to put a damper on communication, thereby meaning guests do not stay as long before and after dinner. The above verses are not pertinent to the type of hijab being covered in this article, but have been presented to further highlight the silly circumstances of many of these situational revelations; also to acknowledge that 'hijab' as mentioned in the Qur'an and ahadith do not always refer to the same thing.
In addition to the generic employment of physical barriers wherever both men and women are present, there is the more specific practice of the "household hijab". The idea of separating male and female visitors at one's home is inspired by hadith accounts which describe this practice in Muhammad's household as well as a Quranic allusion thereto in {{Quran|33|53}}. According to the hadiths, the separate revelation regarding the household hijab was also situationally inspired. Here, the story is that Muhammad had visitors and was bothered to find them lingering to chat with his wives after they had dinner.  
{{quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|314}}; see also {{Bukhari|6|60|315}}|Narrated Anas bin Malik:


== Conclusion ==
When Allah's Apostle married Zainab bint Jahsh, he invited the people to a meal. They took the meal and remained sitting and talking. Then the Prophet (showed them) as if he is ready to get up, yet they did not get up. When he noticed that (there was no response to his movement), he got up, and the others too, got up except three persons who kept on sitting. The Prophet came back in order to enter his house, but he went away again. Then they left, whereupon I set out and went to the Prophet to tell him that they had departed, so he came and entered his house. '''I wanted to enter along with him, but he put a screen between me and him. Then Allah revealed: '''
''''O you who believe! Do not enter the houses of the Prophet...' (33.53)''' }}


The reason that Muslim women wear the hijab today is not a spiritual one, nor is it a matter of piety. Covering the hair/face cannot be considered an act of modesty because Muslim men are not required to cover theirs. The sole reason they do it is because Umar bin Al-Khattab, a [[Sahabah|companion]] of Prophet Muhammad, wished that he would reveal verses from Allah requiring women to wear it. When Muhammad did not oblige, Umar did not consider praying to Allah for assistance. Umar knew he had to make it personal for Muhammad himself in order to bring the revelation down. He followed Muhammad's wives out when they went to go to the toilet and made his presence known.  When Muhammad heard of this, the revelation that Umar had so wanted was sent down from Allah. Umar knew where these revelations were really coming from, which is why he went to Muhammad and harassed his wives instead of asking Allah.
{{quote |{{Bukhari|6|60|316}}; see also {{Bukhari|6|60|317}} & {{Bukhari|7|62|95}}|Narrated Anas:


Although the revelational circumstances for the hijab may seem comical, the consequences that we can see to this day, are not. The requirement for the hijab has had the effect of placing full responsibility for Muslim-male self control onto the females - freeing the men of responsibility for their actions if they see an unveiled woman. Lack of self control is not an inherent attribute to men, because men in non-Islamic societies generally do not have such self control issues; when it is rare to see a woman covered so in these societies. The hijab's purpose, as revealed and to this day, is designed to protect Muslim females from the now acceptable behavior of Muslim males; behavior which has been deemed socially acceptable precisely because of the requirement of Muslim females to wear the hijab.
A banquet of bread and meat was held on the occasion of the marriage of the Prophet to Zainab bint Jahsh. I was sent to invite the people (to the banquet), and so the people started coming (in groups); They would eat and then leave. Another batch would come, eat and leave. So I kept on inviting the people till I found nobody to invite. Then I said, "O Allah's Prophet! I do not find anybody to invite." He said, "Carry away the remaining food." Then a batch of three persons stayed in the house chatting. The Prophet left and went towards the dwelling place of Aisha and said, "Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you, O the people of the house!" She replied, "Peace and the mercy of Allah be on you too. How did you find your wife? May Allah bless you. Then he went to the dwelling places of all his other wives and said to them the same as he said to Aisha and they said to him the same as Aisha had said to him. Then the Prophet returned and found a group of three persons still in the house chatting. The Prophet was a very shy person, '''so he went out (for the second time) and went towards the dwelling place of 'Aisha. I do not remember whether I informed him that the people have gone away. So he returned and as soon as he entered the gate, he drew the curtain between me and him, and then the Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed.''' }}


{{Core Women}}
{{quote | {{Bukhari|8|74|255}}|Narrated Anas bin Malik:


==See Also==
that he was a boy of ten at the time when the Prophet emigrated to Medina. He added: I served Allah's Apostle for ten years (the last part of his life time) and I know more than the people about the occasion whereupon the order of Al-Hijab was revealed (to the Prophet). Ubai b n Ka'b used to ask me about it. It was revealed (for the first time) during the marriage of Allah's Apostle with Zainab bint Jahsh. In the morning, the Prophet was a bride-groom of her and he Invited the people, who took their meals and went away, but a group of them remained with Allah's Apostle and they prolonged their stay. Allah's Apostle got up and went out, and I too, went out along with him till he came to the lintel of 'Aisha's dwelling place. Allah's Apostle thought that those people had left by then, so he returned, and I too, returned with him till he entered upon Zainab and found that they were still sitting there and had not yet gone. The Prophet went out again, and so did I with him till he reached the lintel of 'Aisha's dwelling place, and then he thought that those people must have left by then, so he returned, and so did I with him, and found those people had gone.''' At that time the Divine Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed, and the Prophet set a screen between me and him (his family).''' }}


{{Hub4|Hijab|Hijab}}
==See also==


{{Translation-links-english|[[La_Revelation_sur_le_Hijab|French]], [[La Revelación de la Hijab|Spanish]], [[Ortunmenin Vahyolunması|Turkish]]}}
*[[Convenient Revelations]]


==External Links==
==External links==


*{{external link| url = http://www.nigeriaintel.com/2013/05/23/does-a-womans-clothing-seduce-rapists/| title = Does a woman’s clothing seduce rapists?| publisher = Nigeria Intel| author = Bayo Olupohunda| date = May 23, 2013| archiveurl = http://archive.is/ac97A| deadurl = no}}
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/04/13/why-dress-codes-cant-stop-sexual-assault/ Why dress codes can’t stop sexual assault] - Washington Post


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Islam and Women]]
[[Category:Women]]
[[Category:Islamic Law]]
[[Category:Shariah (Islamic Law)]]
[[Category:Sani]]
[[Category:Hijab]]
[[Category:Honor violence]]
[[Category:Criticism of Islam]]
[[Category:Human rights]]
[[ar:حجاب]]

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All schools of Islamic law require that Muslim women over the age of majority observe the hijab when in the presence of non-mahrams. Conceptually, the hijab is a set of requirements according to which both women and men must cover certain parts of their body (the Arabic word hijab literally referred to the concept of veiling as with a screen or curtain). While the requirements for men are similar to common expectations of public decency in the modern world, those for women extend to covering the entirety of the body except for the face and hands, with legal schools differing on the requirements for women to cover their feet, face, and hands. Colloquially, the word "hijab" refers to headgear employed by Muslim women to cover their hair and neck. There are many cultural variations on the hijab garment, many of which provide different degrees of coverage, including famously the burqa, niqab, and dupata. Some modern scholars disagree with the traditional interpretations that require head covering and many Muslim women choose not to do so, as discussed below.

In a few verses the Quran sets out requirements regarding the jilbab (overgarment or cloak) and the khimar (probably a piece of cloth over the head and mentioned in terms of covering the bosom). One verse mentions the word hijab in terms of a separating curtain or veil behind which visitors may ask things of Muhammad's wives. Later this term acquired the conceptual meaning mentioned above. While the Quran contains general guidelines on the purpose of these requirements, the hadith literature is more particular in its discussion of what the circumstances behind the revelation of these verses were, though hadiths still provide scarce information on what precisely they entail. One account in the hadith suggests that the verse of hijab regarding Muhammad's wives was a result of pressure from Umar, who objected to them being recognisable in public. The Quran indicates that the dress requirements for believing women in general were to prevent molestation and for purposes of modesty.

Classically, these accounts have been embraced, though in recent times they have been criticised as problematic. The Quran has been objected to because it suggests that women must bear the burden for their harassment by changing their attire, and the hadith accounts about Umar have been criticised both because it paints this highly-revered religious figure, the second of the rightly-guided caliphs and friend of Muhammad's, as an unsavory character and because it suggests that Allah was not alone responsible for the formulation of the Sharia, which is supposed to be divinely-revealed and unchanging.

In her short but detailed book, The Islamic Veil, Professor Elizabeth Bucar has written on the role and interpretations of hijab through history and modernity.[1] Her book will be referenced at many points in this article.

In modern times

In most Muslim majority countries there is no legal enforcement of hijab (in some former soviet states it is not even common for women to wear it). Hijab adherance saw a revival in some Muslim majority countries during the mid-20th century after falling out of favour and in the West it is commonly worn voluntarily. However, alongside such social norms it is also common that women and girls (even in the West) sometimes feel community or family pressure to adhere to hijab against their wishes, especially in the case of adolescents living with their parents. In a small number of Muslim majority countries (such as Iran) hijab in one form or another is legally enforced. The "Women, Life, Freedom" protests of 2023 in Iran highlighted that this enforcement is against the wishes of millions of women there. Saudi Arabia removed its legal requirements for head covering in 2018.

Elizabeth Bucar explains that for Muslim women in Western countries, hijab is often a way of expressing Muslim identity, and specific styles of hijab can further be a way of maintaining identity with a specific cultural heritage.[2] In 20th century Algeria, hijab served as a symbol of cultural defence and resistance against colonialism, while in Palestine it became a symbol of national identity, while unveiling was associated with Israeli collaboration.[3]

In the Quran

The Quran contains verses which mention the jilbab (overgarment or cloak), khimar (piece of cloth that covers the head, and hijab (screen to shield Muhammad's wives from the gaze of visitors to his home). Bucar summarises that Q. 33:53 was a command concerning Muhammad's wives to separate the public and private space; Q. 33:59 was a command for free believing women to preserve their bodily integrity from harrassment; and Q. 24:30-31 was a command to all Muslim women for modesty purposes.[4]

Quran 33:53

Quran 33:53 mentions a hijab, or screen / barrier behind which visitors to Muhammad's home should ask things of his wives without seeing them. Bucar observes that besides this verse, the word hijab is used elsewhere in the Quran for a concealing veil, screen or partition (see Quran 42:51, Quran 7:46, Quran 41:5, and Quran 17:45). Quran 19:17 where Mary secludes herself is the only other verse where hijab is used in relation to women. In Quran 33:53 it is unclear upon whom the responsibility for adherance of the command rests, the men or Muhammad's wives.[5]

O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition [ḥijābin حِجَابٍ]. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.
Quran 33:53

Traditions about the occasion of revelation for this verse are mentioned in a number of hadiths, and are covered later in this article. Quran 33:32-33 is another command specifically addressed to Muhammad's wives ("O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women [...]").

Quran 33:59

Quran 33:59 states that the purpose of drawing over the jilbab (overgarment or cloak) is to distinguish free Muslim women (presumably from non-Muslim or slave women, who do not have to observe it) in order to prevent them from being molested/harassed.

Bucar explains that Quran commentators agreed that the occasion of revelation for this verse was that the hypocrites (al-munafiqun) in Medina (who are mentioned in the next verse, Quran 33:60) were physically harrassing slave women in public spaces. This context is mentioned for example in Tafsir al-Jalalayn regarding the verse. The jilbab thus made free believing women visibly distinct. It was a responsibility placed on them by the Quran to mitigate the immoral behaviour of certain men. Bucar says that the meaning of jilbab is unclear, but most scholars believed it to be a type of outer covering.[6]

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments [jalābībihinna جَلَٰبِيبِهِنَّ]. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
Quran 33:59

Quran 24:31

Quran 24:31 tells believing women to draw the khimar (piece of cloth that covers the head) over their bosoms and to hide their adornment or beauty from men.

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment [zīnatahunna إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ] except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers [bikhumurihinna بِخُمُرِهِنَّ] over their chests [juyūbihinna جُيُوبِهِنَّ] and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects [ʿawrāti عَوْرَٰتِ] of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.
Quran 24:31

Bucar notes that unlike the above two verses, only late traditions provide an occasion of revelation for Q. 24:30-31. Believing women are told to draw their Khumur (singular: Khimar) over their bosoms (juyub). Bucar comments that the word khimar, which some Quran commentators glossed as a veil, mainly meant a kerchief worn on the head, and that the root of the word juyub meant a space between, so probably meant cleavage. Thus she argues that the purpose of this part of the verse is that the cleavage must be covered.[7] In the same year (2012) a PhD thesis by Sheikh Mustapha Mohamed Rashed at al-Azhar University similarly concluded that the verse only commands that the bosom be covered.[8]

Except in specifically defined company, the verse also says that women must not reveal their adornment (zina, which besides illicit sexual activity is a word used in a few verses for stars adorning the heavens). It seems to essentially mean a woman's attractiveness, though Quran commentators have always disagreed on the meaning of hidden zina in this verse. Some suggested it meant ankle bracelets due to the final part of the verse telling women not to stamp their feet. Quran 24:60 later in the same surah exempts older women from the command to wear garments hiding their adornment. Some Quran commentators like al-Tabari thought it allowed a woman's face to show, based on a hadith in which Muhammad defines what a woman can reveal of herself when she reaches the age of menstruation (Sunan Abu Dawud 33:4092, quoted in the next section below). For al-Zamakhshari, adornment in this context meant jewelry and makeup. Ibn Taymiyyah and al Baydawi said that even a woman's face and hands must be covered in public except during prayer.[7]

Bucar notes that there was similarly no consensus on the meaning of the word 'awra in the verse. For men, hadiths made clear that a man's 'awra was from his navel to his knees. As for a woman's 'awra, there is an isolated hadith collected by al-Tirmidhi quoted in the next section on hadiths below. For some scholars it referred to a woman's bosom, neck and head, for others everything except her face and hands, or for others just the genital region (as with men).[7]

Hadiths

Bucar observes that there are no explicit references in hadiths to women being required to cover the face or hair (a popular translation of Sahih Bukhari 6:60:282 mentions the women covering their faces, but this is not clear in the Arabic text and another version of the narration in Sunan Abu Dawud 32:4089 refers only to them making Khimars). Bucar observes that hadiths distinguish a time before and after the revelation of the hijab verse concerning Muhammad's wives, particularly narrations about the event of the slander (al-ifk) in which 'Aisha was accused of adultery. By the time of these narrations, hijab had come to be transformed from a literal screen in the home of Muhammad's wives to a complex ideology of segregation, privacy and social status, perhaps reflecting post-Muhammad cultural practices of specific Muslim communities.[9]

A few hadiths refer specifically to Muhammad's wives covering their heads and faces with jilbab in public such as Sahih Bukhari 5:59:462, which is the above mentioned event of the slander. It mentions Aisha drawing her jilbab over her face, though it also says this was after the verse of hijab had come down, which was a requirement specifically for Muhammad's wives.

Bucar says that the few relevant hadiths detailing requirements for believing women in general concern the avoidance of thin clothing or short hemlines while an isolated hadith collected by al-Tirmidhi is the exception, describing a woman in her entirety as 'awra.[10]

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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 his face and hands. Abu Dawud said: This is a mursal tradition (i.e. the narrator who transmitted it from 'Aishah is missing) Khalid b. Duraik did not see 'Aishah
Sunan Abu Dawud 32:4092
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever arrogantly drags his garment, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement." So Umm Salamah said: "What should the women do with their hems?" He said: "Slacken them a handspan." So she said: "Then their feet will be uncovered." He said: "Then slacken them a forearm's length and do not add to that." He said: This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. In the Hadith there is a concession for women to drag their Izar because it covers them better.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 22:1731:
Abdullah narrated that The Prophet said: “The woman is Awrah, so when she goes out, the Shaitan seeks to tempt her.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2:10:1173

A narration mentioned by some Quran commentators such as Ibn Kathir attributes to Ibn Abbas a view that a woman should be entirely covered by her jilbab except for a single eye.

Here Allah tells His Messenger to command the believing women -- especially his wives and daughters, because of their position of honor -- to draw their Jilbabs over their bodies, so that they will be distinct in their appearance from the women of the Jahiliyyah and from slave women. The Jilbab is a Rida', worn over the Khimar. This was the view of Ibn Mas`ud, `Ubaydah, Qatadah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, `Ata' Al-Khurasani and others. It is like the Izar used today. Al-Jawhari said: "The Jilbab is the outer wrapper. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said that Allah commanded the believing women, when they went out of their houses for some need, to cover their faces from above their heads with the Jilbab, leaving only one eye showing. Muhammad bin Sirin said, "I asked `Ubaydah As-Salmani about the Ayah:

يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـبِيبِهِنَّ (to draw their Jalabib over their bodies.) He covered his face and head, with just his left eye showing.
 ذلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلاَ يُؤْذَيْنَ

(That will be better that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. ) means, if they do that, it will be known that they are free, and that they are not servants or whores.
Tafsir of Ibn Kathir for Q. 33:59

Some other relevant hadiths were collected by Abu Dawud (all graded Sahih by al-Albani):

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a veil [Khimar بِخِمَارٍ]. Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by Sa;id b. Abi 'Arubah from Qatadah on the authority of al-Hasan from the Prophet (ﷺ).
Sunan Abu Dawud 2:641
Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) brought Fatimah a slave which he donated to her. Fatimah wore a garment which, when she covered her head, did not reach her feet, and when she covered her feet by it, that garment did not reach her head. When the Prophet (ﷺ) saw her struggle, he said: There is no harm to you: Here is only your father and slave.
Sunan Abu Dawud 32:4094
Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin: 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.
Sunan Abu Dawud 32:4090

The following hadith account mentions the use of hijab (screen) to conceal Muhammad's wives from a eunuch, or effeminate man in other translations (similarly see Sunan Abu Dawud 32:4095).

'A'isha reported that a eunuch used to come to the wives of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and they did not And anything objectionable in his visit considering him to be a male without any sexual desire. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) one day came as he was sitting with some of his wives and he was busy in describing the bodily characteristics of a lady and saying: As she comes in front four folds appear on her front side and as she turns her back eight folds appear on the back side. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: I see that he knows these things; do not, therefore, allow him to cater. She (" A'isha) said: Then they began to observe veil from him.
Sahih Muslim 26:5416

Some observe that a eunuch could not pose any threat to the chastity or safety of Muhammad's wives, which distinguishes the purpose of hijab in Q. 33:53 from that of jilbab or khimar for protection or modesty in the other verses discussed above.

In Islamic Law

Bucar details how different opinions on the veil existed between and within the schools of Islamic jurisprudence over time, probably influenced by the differing cultural contexts (she uses the term "veil" to mean the relevant Islamic concepts in a general sense).[11]

She writes that "Early fiqh discussed veiling in the context of prayer, and in general saw veiling as an issue of social status and physical safety". Later, it was not a central concern of medieval legal scholars, though their reasoning remains relevant to modern discussions about veiling. Regarding the concept of 'awra mentioned in Q. 24:31 and discussed above, the majority view was that it excluded a woman's hands and face (the main Maliki and Hanafi view), though a minority view was that everything should be covered except her eyes despite no mention of this in the Quran, while hadiths indicate this was not common practice for early Muslim communities. Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328 CE) who inspired modern day Salafism said that her face should be covered in public, which became the standard Shafi'i and Hanbali legal position. Legal scholars also commonly linked 'awra with the concept of fitnah mentioned separately in the Quran. Bucar quotes the prominent jurist al-Nawawi (d. 1278) as an exemplar of this view, which is a motivation argued by some emerging Islamic governments in modern times:

Since God made men desire women, and desire looking at them and enjoying them, women are like the devil in that they seduce men towards the commission of evil, while making evil look attractive [to men]. We deduct from this that women should not go out in the midst of men except for a necessity.
al-Nawawi quoted by Elizabeth Bucar (transl. El Fadl)[12]

Some modern Islamic jurists such as Khaled Abou El Fadl (d. 1963) have criticised this linking of a woman's 'awra with the concept of fitna and preventing illicit intercourse. He argues that modesty is a Quranic ethical command in and of itself and the relevant verses do not link it to fitna. The medieval jurists invocation of fitna in addition thereby shifted the blame for potential sin from men to women (whereas the hypocrites are blamed in Q. 33:59-60 for violating women's modesty). Thirdly, since even medieval jurists allowed exemptions (for example slaves labouring in fields), he argued that the rules must be "contigent and contextual in nature". In the late 19th and early 20th century a renewed juridical interest in veiling led to a wide range of debates and opinions.[11]

Saudi Arabia (until it revoked its legal head covering requirement in 2018), Afghanistan, and Iran base their laws on veiling on the Hanbali, Hanafi, and Shi'a Jafari schools of jurisprudence, respectively.[13]

Proposed benefits of hijab and modern criticisms thereof

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Billboard in Tehran reading "hijab is security"

Bucar categorises three types of traditional and modern purposes for hijab that have been articulated. Firstly, it was seen as a means of building moral character (modesty, shyness) and a path to piety because it is not an easy thing to start wearing it. With repetition, over time a woman would feel uncomfortable at the thought of not wearing it. Indeed, one could add that ex-Muslim women commonly describe how leaving home without hijab for the first time takes some courage. Secondly, it has been said to have the benefit of preventing inapproprate desires, which could end in zina (illicit sexual activity), and strengthens the marital bond since a woman's sensuality was reserved for her husband. Finally, it is seen as having a social purpose, to regulate and prevent sexual urges in society running out of control. Arguments in this last category are of four types: 1) that it prevents constant male arousal, protects social dignity and a tranquil society; 2) that it supports educational and economic productivity due to reduced male distraction; 3) that it allows women to participate more fully in society as every public space is a morally safe zone; and 4) that it serves as a guard against westernizing influence.[14]

Bucar gives examples of Muslim figures who have criticised such arguments for hijab. Some reformists and progressives interpreted hijab metaphorically in terms of a principle of modest behaviour and controlling one's desires. Other Muslim critics have noted that veiling is not sufficient to suppress desire, and in a modern context can even stimulate desire for that which is "forbidden". Others criticise mandatory veiling for removing moral choice.[15] Secular observers might add that most of the arguments for hijab pre-suppose a conservative moral order in which sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage (or in the past, slavery) must be forbidden, and the risk of such, mitigated.

Some critics argue that if the hijab is intended to protect women from sexual assault, it wholly fails to serve this purpose. Islamic countries where the overwhelming majorities of women observe the hijab have been found to have some of the highest rates of women experiencing all manner of sexual harassment, notably in the case of Egypt.[16][17] In Saudi Arabia, where the observance of hijab is strictly enforced throughout the country, women experience one of the highest rates of rape in the world.[18]

'Umar and the revelation of the hijab verse (Quran 33:53)

A hadith narrated from Anas bin Malik describes how he witnessed the revelation of the hijab verse. See also Sahih Muslim 8:3328.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: I of all the people know best this verse of Al-Hijab. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married Zainab bint Jahsh she was with him in the house and he prepared a meal and invited the people (to it). They sat down (after finishing their meal) and started chatting. So the Prophet (ﷺ) went out and then returned several times while they were still sitting and talking. So Allah revealed the Verse: 'O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses until leave is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation.....ask them from behind a screen.' (33.53) So the screen was set up and the people went away.
Sahih Bukhari 6:60:315

A somewhat different account, or background leading up to the revelation of the verse is reported regarding pressure exerted on Muhammad regarding his wives by 'Umar, as detailed below.

Umar bin Al-Khattab's spies on Sauda

According to hadiths found in Sahih al-Bukhari, the most authoritative hadith collection, the series of events leading up to the revelation of the verse of the hijab (Quran 33:53) was as follows. First, Umar repeatedly asked Muhammad that Allah should reveal verses of the Qur'an pertaining to the veiling of women. Next, when no such revelation was forthcoming from Muhammad, Umar went out one night and stalked one of Muhammad's wives when she went out to relieve herself. Identifying the wife as Sauda bint Zam'a, he called out to her by name, noting that he had succeeded in recognizing her in her compromised circumstance. After this, Sauda presumably returned home embarrassed by the incident and reported what occurred to Muhammad, finally resulting in the revelation of the verses pertaining to the hijab.

Note that the Sahih al-Bukhari translator's comment attempting to define hijab as "a complete body covering excluding the eyes" at the end of the hadiths is not present in the Arabic. Moreover, in the Arabic these hadiths do not mention "verses" of the hijab plural, but at most mention the "verse" singular. This is in reference to Q. 33:53 which concerns concealing Muhammad's wives from public view (this is even clearer with the related hadiths in the section after this below).

Narrated 'Aisha: The wives of the Prophet used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).
Sahih Bukhari 1:4:148
Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab used to say to Allah's Apostle "Let your wives be veiled" But he did not do so. The wives of the Prophet used to go out to answer the call of nature at night only at Al-Manasi.' Once Sauda, the daughter of Zam'a went out and she was a tall woman. 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her while he was in a gathering, and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda!" He ('Umar) said so as he was anxious for some Divine orders regarding the veil (the veiling of women.) So Allah revealed the Verse of veiling. (Al-Hijab; a complete body cover excluding the eyes). (See Hadith No. 148, Vol. 1)
Sahih Bukhari 8:74:257
'A'isha reported that the wives of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to go out in the cover of night when they went to open fields (in the outskirts of Medina) for easing themselves. 'Umar b Khattab used to say: Allah's Messenger, ask your ladies to observe veil, but Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not do that. So there went out Sauda, daughter of Zarn'a, the wife of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), during one of the nights when it was dark. She was a tall statured lady. 'Umar called her saying: Sauda, we recognise you. (He did this with the hope that the verses pertaining to veil would be revealed.) 'A'isha said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, then revealed the verses pertaining to veil.
Sahih Muslim 26:5397

Allah agrees with Umar

Main Article: Convenient Revelations

Following the incident with Sauda and a number of other incidents where Umar had directly preceded revelation in his recommendations to Muhammad, Muhammad proclaimed that Allah had come, on multiple occasions, to agree with Umar.

Note that the translation of the hadiths below are incorrect. The Arabic text of these hadiths refers to "the veil" (hijab) singular, and "verse" singular, not plural i.e. the various versions of this hadith refer to the revelation of Quran 33:53 concerning the screen (al hijab) between visitors and Muhammad's wives.

Narrated Anas:

Umar said, "I agreed with Allah in three things," or said, "My Lord agreed with me in three things. I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Would that you took the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.' I also said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Good and bad persons visit you! Would that you ordered the Mothers of the believers to cover themselves with veils.' So the Divine Verses of Al-Hijab (i.e. veiling of the women) were revealed. I came to know that the Prophet had blamed some of his wives so I entered upon them and said, 'You should either stop (troubling the Prophet ) or else Allah will give His Apostle better wives than you.' When I came to one of his wives, she said to me, 'O 'Umar! Does Allah's Apostle haven't what he could advise his wives with, that you try to advise them?' " Thereupon Allah revealed:--

"It may be, if he divorced you (all) his Lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you Muslims (who submit to Allah).." (66.5)
Sahih Bukhari 6:60:10
Narrated Umar: I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Good and bad persons enter upon you, so I suggest that you order the mothers of the Believers (i.e. your wives) to observe veils." Then Allah revealed the Verses of Al-Hijab.
Sahih Bukhari 6:60:313
Ibn Umar reported Umar as saying: My lord concorded with (my judgments) on three occasions. In case of the Station of Ibrahim, in case of the observance of veil and in case of the prisoners of Badr.
Sahih Muslim 31:5903

Umar ups the ante

After Umar's wish of having Muhammad's wives veiled was fulfilled, he set his sights on having the clothing requirements increased to the point of making the women completely unrecognizable. To this end, he again spied on Sauda as she had gone out to relieve herself, this time notifying her that because she was a distinctively "fat huge lady", the newly-obligated veil did not suffice in obscuring her identity. Embarrassed yet again, Sauda returned home to inform Muhammad. Then feasting on a piece of meat and apparently disturbed by the interruption, Muhammad immediately received revelation from God alerting Sauda that Umar's demands would not this time be met. Accordingly, Sauda was informed that she would be allowed to relieve herself outdoors in spite of Umar's harassment.

Narrated Aisha: Sauda (the wife of the Prophet) went out to answer the call of nature after it was made obligatory (for all the Muslims ladies) to observe the veil. She was a fat huge lady, and everybody who knew her before could recognize her. So 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her and said, "O Sauda! By Allah, you cannot hide yourself from us, so think of a way by which you should not be recognized on going out. Sauda returned while Allah's Apostle was in my house taking his supper and a bone covered with meat was in his hand. She entered and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I went out to answer the call of nature and 'Umar said to me so-and-so." Then Allah inspired him (the Prophet) and when the state of inspiration was over and the bone was still in his hand as he had not put in down, he said (to Sauda), "You (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs."
Sahih Bukhari 6:60:318
A'isha reported that Sauda (Allah be pleased with her) went out (in the fields) in order to answer the call of nature even after the time when veil had been prescribed for women. She had been a bulky lady, significant in height amongst the women, and she could not conceal herself from him who had known her. 'Umar b. Khattab saw her and said: Sauda, by Allah, you cannot conceal from us. Therefore, be careful when you go out. She ('A'isha) said: She turned back. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was at that time in my house having his evening meal and there was a bone in his hand. She (Sauda) cline and said: Allah's Messenger. I went out and 'Umar said to me so and so. She ('A'isha) reported: There came the revelation to him and then it was over; the bone was then in his hand and he had not thrown it and he said: "Permission has been granted to you that you may go out for your needs."
Sahih Muslim 26:5395

Another hadith records how Umar attempted to apply the ruling of hijab (curtain) to other women in Muhammad's house besides his wives (the same account is in Sahih Bukhari 8:73:108).

Sa'd b. Waqqas reported that Umar sought permission from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to visit him when some women of the Quraish were busy in talking with him and raising their voices above his voice. When 'Umar sought permission they stood up and went hurriedly behind the curtain. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gave him permission smilingly. Thereupon 'Umar said: Allah's Messenger, may Allah keep you happy all your life. Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: I wonder at these women who were with me and no sooner did they hear your voice, they immediately went behind the curtain. Thereupon 'Umar said: Allah's Messenger, you have more right that they should fear you. Then Umar (addressing the women) said: O ye enemies of yourselves, do you fear me and fear not the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? They said: Yes, you are harsh and strict as compared to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Thereupon, Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if satan would encounter you in the way he would certainly take a different way from that of yours.
Sahih Muslim 31:5899

Umar struck a slave girl for wearing jilbab like free women

One tradition relates Umar's strident views also to the theme of Quran 3:59, the verse in which believing women in general are instructed to wear the jilbab to distinguish themselves and to avoid harrasment.

Narrated Anas ibn Malik:

Umar saw a slave-girl wearing a veil, so he struck her. He said, "Do not emulate free women."

Narrated Anas ibn Malik:

A female slave came to Umar ibn al Khattab. He knew her through some of the emigrants, or the Ansar. She was wearing a jilbab (cloak) which veiled her. He asked her: "Have you been freed?" She said: "No." He said: "What about the jilbab? Pull it down off your head. The jilbab is only for free women from among the believing women." She hesitated. So he came at her with a whip and struck her on the head, until she cast it off her head.
Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 6382 and 6383 (both graded sahih by al-Albani and by Sa'd al Shathri)

Hijab as a screen or physical barrier

Another type of veiling, also referred to in Arabic as hijab, is that effected through physical barriers. This was the original meaning of the term as discussed above regarding Quran 33:53. While Islamic legal schools disagree about the requirement and use of physical barriers in addition to hijab as matter of personal clothing, the use of physical barriers is the rule rather than the exception in much of the Islamic world and even make frequent appearance in Western diasporic settings.

In addition to the generic employment of physical barriers wherever both men and women are present, there is the more specific practice of the "household hijab". The idea of separating male and female visitors at one's home is inspired by hadith accounts which describe this practice in Muhammad's household as well as a Quranic allusion thereto in Quran 33:53. According to the hadiths, the separate revelation regarding the household hijab was also situationally inspired. Here, the story is that Muhammad had visitors and was bothered to find them lingering to chat with his wives after they had dinner.

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

When Allah's Apostle married Zainab bint Jahsh, he invited the people to a meal. They took the meal and remained sitting and talking. Then the Prophet (showed them) as if he is ready to get up, yet they did not get up. When he noticed that (there was no response to his movement), he got up, and the others too, got up except three persons who kept on sitting. The Prophet came back in order to enter his house, but he went away again. Then they left, whereupon I set out and went to the Prophet to tell him that they had departed, so he came and entered his house. I wanted to enter along with him, but he put a screen between me and him. Then Allah revealed:

'O you who believe! Do not enter the houses of the Prophet...' (33.53)
Sahih Bukhari 6:60:314; see also Sahih Bukhari 6:60:315
Narrated Anas: A banquet of bread and meat was held on the occasion of the marriage of the Prophet to Zainab bint Jahsh. I was sent to invite the people (to the banquet), and so the people started coming (in groups); They would eat and then leave. Another batch would come, eat and leave. So I kept on inviting the people till I found nobody to invite. Then I said, "O Allah's Prophet! I do not find anybody to invite." He said, "Carry away the remaining food." Then a batch of three persons stayed in the house chatting. The Prophet left and went towards the dwelling place of Aisha and said, "Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you, O the people of the house!" She replied, "Peace and the mercy of Allah be on you too. How did you find your wife? May Allah bless you. Then he went to the dwelling places of all his other wives and said to them the same as he said to Aisha and they said to him the same as Aisha had said to him. Then the Prophet returned and found a group of three persons still in the house chatting. The Prophet was a very shy person, so he went out (for the second time) and went towards the dwelling place of 'Aisha. I do not remember whether I informed him that the people have gone away. So he returned and as soon as he entered the gate, he drew the curtain between me and him, and then the Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed.
Sahih Bukhari 6:60:316; see also Sahih Bukhari 6:60:317 & Sahih Bukhari 7:62:95
Narrated Anas bin Malik: that he was a boy of ten at the time when the Prophet emigrated to Medina. He added: I served Allah's Apostle for ten years (the last part of his life time) and I know more than the people about the occasion whereupon the order of Al-Hijab was revealed (to the Prophet). Ubai b n Ka'b used to ask me about it. It was revealed (for the first time) during the marriage of Allah's Apostle with Zainab bint Jahsh. In the morning, the Prophet was a bride-groom of her and he Invited the people, who took their meals and went away, but a group of them remained with Allah's Apostle and they prolonged their stay. Allah's Apostle got up and went out, and I too, went out along with him till he came to the lintel of 'Aisha's dwelling place. Allah's Apostle thought that those people had left by then, so he returned, and I too, returned with him till he entered upon Zainab and found that they were still sitting there and had not yet gone. The Prophet went out again, and so did I with him till he reached the lintel of 'Aisha's dwelling place, and then he thought that those people must have left by then, so he returned, and so did I with him, and found those people had gone. At that time the Divine Verse of Al-Hijab was revealed, and the Prophet set a screen between me and him (his family).
Sahih Bukhari 8:74:255

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar (2012) The Islamic Veil, Oxford: Oneworld Publications
  2. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar (2012) The Islamic Veil, Oxford: Oneworld Publications, pp. 119-122
  3. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar (2012) The Islamic Veil, Oxford: Oneworld Publications, pp. 77-83
  4. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, p. 45
  5. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, p. 35
  6. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 38-40
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 40-45
  8. ↑ Hijab is Not an Islamic Duty: Muslim Scholar - Morocco World News, 24 June 2012
  9. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 47-48
  10. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, p. 34
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 49-58
  12. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 56
  13. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 65-66
  14. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, pp. 19-23
  15. ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, p. 24
  16. ↑ See Sexual Harassment Laws in Egypt: Does Stricter Mean More Effective? by Habiba Abdelaal, The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy - December 2021
  17. ↑ Manar Ammar - Sexual harassment awaits Egyptian girls outside schools - Bikya Masr, September 10, 2012
  18. ↑ "The High Rape-Scale in Saudi Arabia", WomanStats Project (blog), January 16, 2013 (archived), http://womanstats.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-high-rape-scale-in-saudi-arabia/. 
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