Proof of Niqab
The purpose of our post is not to force anyone to wear niqab.
Our aim is to provide evidences that covering the face is from our religion.
What is a Niqab ?
A Niqab is a garment of clothing that covers the face. It can be separate or attached to a Jilbaab which is a large outer garment, composed one piece or two pieces covering the entire body except the face and hands.
Why is the Niqab prescribed in Islam ?
Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The hijaab prescribed in sharee’ah means that a woman should cover everything that it is haraam for her to show, i.e., she should cover that which it is obligatory for her to cover, first and foremost of which is the face, because it is the focus of temptation and desire.
Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/ 391, 392)
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:
The correct view as indicated by the evidence is that the woman’s face is ‘awrah which must be covered. It is the most tempting part of her body, because what people look at most is the face, so the face is the greatest ‘awrah of a woman. This is in addition to the shar’i evidence which states that it is obligatory to cover the face.
Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/396, 397
Evidences from the Qur'an an Sunnah
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:
A woman is obliged to cover her face in front of anyone who is not her mahram (blood relative to whom marriage is forbidden). From this we learn that the face is the most essential thing to be covered. There is evidence from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the views of the Sahaabah and the imams and scholars of Islam, which indicates that women are obliged to cover all of their bodies in front of those who are not their mahrams.
For example, Allaah says ( English Translation ):
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)…”
[al-Noor 24:31]
Drawing the veil all over the juyoob implies covering the face.
Ibn Katheer said: “Muhammad bin Sireen said: ‘I asked ‘Ubaydah As-Salmaanee about Allaah’s statement: ‘to cast their jalaabeeb over themselves’ so he covered his face and (only) exposed his left eye.’”
Ibn Al-Jawzee (rahimahullaah) said concerning this ayah: “It means that they must cover their heads and faces so that they may be known as free women. The definition of a jilbaab is a loose outer garment, as has been stated by Ibn Qutaybah.”
And Abu Hayaan Al-Andalusee (rahimahullaah) said in Al-Bahr-ul-Muheet: “It consists of their entire bodies. Or the word 'alayhinna (over themselves) could mean: (just) their faces, since in the Days of Ignorance, the thing that the women used to expose from themselves was the face.”
Abu Su’ood said: “The jilbaab is a garment that is wider than a khimaar but less than a ridaa (outer-cloak). A woman wraps it upon her head and leaves hanging what falls to her breast. What is meant by the ayah is that they should cover their faces and bodies with it, if they become uncovered due to some reason.”
It is reported that Imaam As-Suddee said: “She should cover one of her eyes, her forehead and the other (lower) portion of her face, except one eye.”
When Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies”
[al-Ahzaab 33:59] –
He covered his face, leaving only one eye showing. This indicates that what was meant by the aayah was covering the face. This was the interpretation of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) of this aayah, as narrated from him by ‘Ubaydah al-Salmaani when he asked him about it. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, put his hand on my shoulder and he said, “O Allah, give him understanding in religion and teach him the interpretation of the Quran.”
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 2874
Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that Fatima bint al-Mundhir said, "We used to veil our faces when we were in ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi Bakr as-Siddiq." Al-Muwatta' by Imam Malik
In the Sunnah there are many ahaadeeth, such as: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The woman in ihraam is forbidden to veil her face (wear niqab) or to wear the burqa’.”
The Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade woman in ihram for Hajj or ‘umrah to wear the niqab and gloves. Narrated by al-Bukhaari 1838
This indicates that when women were not in ihraam, women used to cover their faces.
This does not mean that if a woman takes off her niqab or burqa’ in the state of ihraam that she should leave her face uncovered in the presence of non-mahram men. Rather she is obliged to cover it with something other than the niqab or burqa, on the evidence of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: “We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in ihraam, and when men passed by us, we would lower the khimaar on our heads over our faces, and when they moved on we would lift it again.”
Women in ihraam and otherwise are obliged to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men, because the face is the center of beauty and it is the place that men look at… and Allaah knows best.
Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/396, 397
He also said:
It is OK to cover the face with the niqab or burqa which has two openings for the eyes only, because this was known at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and because of necessity. If nothing but the eyes show, this is fine, especially if this is customarily worn by women in her society.
Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/399