Are you seriously asking a question or just “wondering”?

Also, I don’t think sister Shirien intends this to be a Q&A place…but i could be wrong so please ask her to be sure…

Anyways, this issue of Niqaab has had two different opinions since the time of Tabi’een. And this is a Fiqh issue. For every Fiqh issue you will find difference of opinions. However, there is a stronger/more correct opinion almost all the time.

This is ikhtilaaf (difference of opinion) not to be confused with iftiraaq (splitting/separating).

Unfortunately, we have sisters these days who wear Niqaab and look down on the sister who are wearing proper Hijaab (does not mean ‘the head scarf’ it means khimaar/jilbaab). And also we have sisters who wear Hijaab (i.e. khimaar/jilbaab) calling the Niqaabis ‘extremists’.

Such behavior from either party is totally unacceptable in Islam and this is the result of ignorance and too much free time…the 2 reasons why Shaytaan enters the hearts of people and bring doubts/desires.

Having said that, the 2 opinions are – Fard (obligatory) & Mustahabb (recommended).

Whenever you ask a Fiqh question, you must remember that Sheikh/Taalib/Da’ee will answer according to the Fiqh he follows…

Niqaab is not Fard. Jamhoor (majority) of the Scholars of this Ummah (past to present) do not say it is Fard.

When you say something is Fard (obligation), that means failing to do so is punishable by Allah. So where is the proof that a woman who wears let’s say a black (best color) Hijaab (i.e. khimaar/jilbaab) will still be held accountable on the Day of Judgment by Allah?

But there are verses and many hadeeth saying that not wearing Hijaab (i.e. khimaar/jilbaab)is a Major Sin.

Allah says:
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent and to draw khumurihinna (their khimaars) all over juyoobihinna (head, neck, bosom) [Noor 24:31]

**in case some feminist who has no religion comes and reads this and argues “why do women need to lower their gaze”…the verse before it 24:30 states – Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.**

And Allah says:

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw jalaabeebihinna (their cloaks) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever OftForgiving, Most Merciful. [Ahzaab 33:59]

The difference occurrs among the Scholars in understanding “covering their juyoob with khimaar [24:31]” and “draw their jilbaab all over their bodies [33:59]”

Majority of Scholars said face is not included in the meaning of juyoob and it refers to the head, neck & bosom.

‘Aa’isha, Ummul Mu’minin narrated: Asma’ bint Abu Bakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (saws) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (saws) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma’, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands. [Abu Dawood # 4092]

And also,

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas narrated: Al-Fadl (his brother) was riding behind Allah’s Apostle and a woman from the tribe of Khath’am came and Al-Fadl started looking at her and she started looking at him. The Prophet turned Al-Fadl’s face to the other side. The woman said, “O Allah’s Messenger! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His devotees has become due on my father and he is old and weak, and he cannot sit firm on the Mount; may I perform Hajj on his behalf?” The Prophet replied, “Yes, you may.” That happened during the Hajj-al-Wida (of the Prophet). [Bukhari #589, Muslim and others]

This Hadeeth is reported in both Bukhari & Muslim. If the woman was wearing Niqaab then how did Al-Fadl see her face and kept looking at her? Also the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam didn’t command her to cover her face but rather turned Al-Fadl’s face!
Some people will argue this Hadeeth has been abrogated. How is that possible when Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas clearly mentioned this happened during Hajj-il-Wida, where as the verses of Hijaab were revealed in the 5 AH.

I tried to keep it as short as possible. And again I’m saying the opinion of Jamhoor ul ‘Ulemah is that Niqaab is not Fard. Many people think Majority say it’s Fard because our great Scholars like Sh.’Uthaymeen & Bin Baaz (may Allah have mercy on them) follow the opinion it is Fard.

But remember Imam Abu Haneefah did not attack Sufyaan ath-Thawri nor did Sh.Bin Baaz go on a rampage against Sh.Albani!

It is very unfortunate that a country has banned Sh.Albani’s book jilbaab alal mar’ah wal muslimah simply because he proved Niqaab not to be Fard.
Such behavior is nothing but ghuloo’ (extremism)

So, sisters please take it easy on eachother regardless of which opinion you follow and spend time researching to see what the Majority of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah Scholars said…

Jazak Allah Khair,
Assalamualaikum

Nice article. I would be very interested if you had anything to say about this you think might fit well with the theme of Islam on My Side. Please check it out, and if you’d like to submit anything for the blog or the anthology, please contact me at submissions@islamonmyside.com. Please also tell your friends and halaqa group about this writing opportunity insha’Allah.

wow, i’m really glad you gave your feedback. to be honest even MUSLIM women are a little taken aback by niqaabis when they first interact with them. I completely understand it’s like talking to someone you have no idea what they are like. It’s nice that you are in egypt and you have such an open view of the world. we need more people that like.

I feel that americans are so common in egypt though. Especially because you have the girls always copying american style now trust me if they are looking at you, it’s not because they dont like you.. most egyptians are actually quite found of Americans.

I’d love to keep in touch with you. I hope you come back and read the comments, where in egypt do you stay? I’ll be there (God-Willing) in another month or so.

Alima, lol thanks for the info, wikipedia is useful for something, eh? I’ll look more into the story.

Abo Al Noom, Barak Allahu feek for your dua, ameen.

‘In October 2006 Straw attracted controversy by suggesting to a local newspaper, The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, that Muslim women who wear veils that cover their faces (the niqab) can inhibit inter-community relations’

I’m an American, non-Muslim, expat woman in Cairo. I ride the metro daily, often on the women’s car. People often stare at me there, which is fine, because I’m usually one of the few non-Egyptians there. So they’re looking at me because I look different, even when I’m covered up from ankle to wrist (though of course my neck and hair are uncovered).

Anyway, when I catch other women’s eyes, I usually smile. And most of the time, they smile back. So of course I smile also when I find a woman in niqab looking at me. And she might be smiling back, but of course I can’t see if she is. And this was a bit jarring to get used to. I’m so used to reading people’s faces that it took some time getting used to, basically, no reaction from someone–because no matter if she smiles or not, there is no reaction for me to see.

Since we (probably) don’t share a language, there are only non-verbal cues… and those are limited.

I’m not at all meaning to suggest women shouldn’t wear niqab. But I do understand why it makes some people squirm. Of course, the hostility you are talking about is terribly no matter who you are or what you are wearing.

Thanks for this post.