In this post let's talk about al-Hijab in Islam.
We can see multiple verses in Quran to veil women.
First let's look at the Quranic verse Al Ahzab 33:53 which is the first ayah regarding Al-Hijab (veiling of ladies)
This ayah is really not for all belivers, it is for Muhammad's wives and Allah is telling wives of Muhammad to talk or ask behind a partition (min warai hijabin)
Now let's look at why is Muhammad was shy to tell this problem but needed Allah to reveal this through Quran.
When Muhammad married Zaynab he prepared a meal and invited the people (to it). Even after they finished their meal they started chatting with wife of Muhammad in their house. And this was disliked by Muhammad as he doesn't want the invited people (mostly companions) to talk with his wives.
Muhammad was shy about this to tell this to his Sahabis (companions) but Allah has no shy and revealed this ayah in Quran 33:53
Oke, now we will look where is Muhammad leaving while people where in the house for party of his marriage with Zaynab.
Read: Sahih ~ Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3219
Lets read Sahih Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3217
I hope you read the hadith mentioned above, the hadith is considered regarding the Surah Al-Ahzab 33, check the chapter title for that hadith. This hadith can either be related to ayah 33:53 or ayah 33:59 (which we will discuss later here)
Did you notice that Muhammad was really concerned about this situation (i.e his Sahabis talking to his wife), and Abu Talhah was telling that something shall surely be revealed concerning this.
Quran 33:53 is the first ayah regarding Al-Hijab Sahih al-Bukhari 5166 and Sahih Muslim 1428a.
There are some more hadith you can refer: Sahih al-Bukhari 5163 (Book 67, Hadith 98 OR Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 92) , the feast was for 300 people according to Sunan an-Nasa'i 3387 ( Book 26, Hadith 192 OR Vol. 4, Book 26, Hadith 3389)
First look at the Bukhari hadith
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| Sahih al-Bukhari 5166 |
Check the another version of the same situation in Muslim hadith
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| Sahih Muslim 1428a |
From these Hadiths we can see that Muhammad actually put a curtain between his wives in house and Sahabis. And only after that the Ayah got revealed.
Zainab, wife of Muhammad used to boast about this to other wives of Muhammad regarding this ayah.
Now check the tafsir of this ayah: Tafsir al-Jalalayn 33:53 (altafsir.com)
When you read about the situation how Muhammad marries Zainab, you could understand that why he doesn't want his Sahabis around his wives. he even doesn't want them to remarry if Muhammad dies.
Remember the Quranic verse of Al-Hijab in Quran 33:53 is only for Muhammad's wives and doesn't directed towards the Muslim women. And they can not veil only in the presence of some relatives mentioned in Quran 33:55
Now let's look at the Second Quranic verse Al Ahzab 33:59
In this ayah we can find that veiling is intending to Muhammad's wives and daughters and to Muslim Women.
What is this outer garments mentioning here in this ayah?
Let's check the Tasfir of this. Tafsir al-Jalalayn 33:59
So Al-Hijab mentioning in Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59 is a full body cover leaving only ONE EYE VISIBLE. And that should be used when Muslim women need to leave the house for something.
Also, why should one cover herself totally? The answer can be found in the ayah itself, i.e not be abused.
So let's find who abused the wives/daughters of Muhammad or muslim-women.
Look at Sahih al-Bukhari 146
Umar used to say to Muhammad to veil his wives, but he did not do so. One day Umar peeked at Sauda defecating and told her that he understood her identity while she was defecating.
After this situation the verses of Al-Hijab (A complete body cover excluding the eyes) revealed to Muhammad by Allah.
After Surah Al-ahzab (33) there comes the Surah An-Nur (24) according to revelation order.
Read: Qur'an Surah 24:31
Muslim women are only allowed to remove the full body cover Al-Hijab to these people mentioned in the ayah 24:31
From this we understand is that Al-Hijab is a dress that COVERS ENTIRE BODY leaving only ONE EYE visible; because they are not required to wear it for these close relatives.
See in Sahih al-Bukhari 4759, what the wives of Muhammad used to do after the verse 24:31; they covered their heads and faces with those cut pieces of cloth.
If al-hijab is just a good dress that just covers the private parts of the women, won't they need to cover it from their fathers, sons (this includes grown-up since children are added in the list last) , sisters, brothers, slaves (right hand posses), male attendants (even if they don't have sexual desire to women), or to children.
Women shouldn't also see men. This is also mentioned in Ibn Sa'd: The women of Madina Volume 8, page 128, translated by Aisha Bewley.
