What must a woman cover, and when?

Question

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim · Accepted Answer

Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the woman's entire body is ʿawrah before non-mahram men, and that the believing women of the Sahaba covered themselves with their jalabib so that nothing of them was seen — including the face — when they went out. He noted this is the apparent meaning of "yudnina ʿalayhinna min jalabibihinna" and the position of the major Companions and their Followers.

Shaykh Ibn Baz · Answer

According to Shaykh Ibn Baz, it is obligatory (wajib) for a Muslim woman to cover her entire body in the presence of men who are not her mahrams (i.e., men she can legally marry). The correct and sound scholarly view is that this obligation includes covering her face and hands. This ruling is based on explicit evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah and is aimed at protecting the woman, preserving her modesty, and preventing fitnah (temptation and societal corruption).

The primary evidence is Allah's command in Surah Al-Ahzab: "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments (jalabib). That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused." The interpretation of 'bringing down the outer garment' by many of the Salaf (early Muslims) was to cover the face, either by pulling the jilbab down from the head or using a separate veil (niqab). This was understood to be a clear directive to distinguish believing women by their modesty.

Further evidence is in Surah An-Nur, where women are commanded to "not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests." Shaykh Ibn Baz argues that the face is the foremost locus of beauty and adornment, and thus it cannot be what is meant by 'that which necessarily appears.' Rather, what appears unintentionally, like the outer cloak itself, is excused.

The practice of the female Companions, such as Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) in the famous hadith of the slander (al-Ifk), confirms this understanding. When she heard the voice of a non-mahram man, she immediately covered her face. This demonstrates the established practice in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

This obligation is conditional on the presence of non-mahram men. A woman is not required to cover her face and hands in front of her mahrams (like her father, husband, sons, brothers) or in the company of other women.

Clothing & Adornment

What must a woman cover, and when?

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