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                                                                         Assalamu-`alaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu     

 

 

Women covered face[wore niqab] so prophet pbuh instructed them not to cover in the state of Ihram.

 

 Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 3.64    Narrated byAbdullah bin Umar

A person stood up and asked, "O Allah's: Apostle! What clothes may be worn in the state of Ihram?" The Prophet replied, "Do not wear a shirt or trousers, or any headgear (e.g. a turban), or a hooded cloak; but if somebody has no shoes he can wear leather stockings provided they are cut short off the ankles, and also, do not wear anything perfumed with wars or saffron, and the Muhrima (a woman in the state of Ihram) should not cover her face, or wear gloves."

 

 Bukhari Book 74 #247. Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas: Al-Fadl bin Abbas rode behind the Prophet as his companion rider on the back portion of his she-camel on the Day of Nahr [on the Farewell Hajj], and Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet stopped to give people verdicts. In the meantime, a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khath'am came, asking the verdict of Allah's Apostle. Al-Fadl started looking at her as her beauty attracted him. The Prophet looked back while Al-Fadl was looking at her; so the Prophet held out his hand backwards and caught the chin of Al-Fadl and turned his face to the other side in order that he should not gaze at her. She said, "O Allah's Apostle! The obligation of performing hajj enjoined by Allah on His worshipers has become due (compulsory) on my father, who is an old man and who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient that I perform hajj on his behalf?". He said, "Yes".*Note:During the state of Ihram a woman is not expected to cover her face,that is what prophet commanded.

 

 Al-Muwatta Hadith

Hadith 20.15

 Veiling the Face while in Ihram

Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar used to say that a woman in ihram should wear neither a veil nor gloves.*Note:This proves women used to wear gloves as well.

 

Niqab (Veil)-Affixed veil.

 

 Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith 1829     Narrated byAisha, Ummul Mu'minin

Riders would pass us when we accompanied the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) while we were in the sacred state (wearing ihram). When they came by us, one of us would let down her outer garment[Jilbab] from her head over her face, and when they had passed on, we would uncover our faces.

*Note:in ihram niqab is not commanded,but it is recommended when men pass by.

 

Important point:While one cannot deny the support of Hadith that indicate that the Prophet's wives wore khimar, one must realize that they also covered their faces at all times in the presence of non-mahram men. Here in the state of Ihram they cover temporarily with Jilbab,in normal circumstanes they used khimaar to cover facesneck,bosom as taught in suran nur 24 verse 31.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Hadith  282

Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba (Radhiallaahu Ánha) "Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) used to say: "When (the Verse): "They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms," was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.

 

The Arabic text that the translator has rendered "covered their faces with the cut pieces" is "ikhtamarna bi ha" or "made khimars from it". The hadith therefore means that the women tore their sheets and made khimars from the cut pieces. The word "faces" does not even appear in the Arabic. So far all we know is that when Surah an-Nur ayah 31 commanded women to wear the khimar, they did so. This hadith does not indicate by itself what that khimar is.

 

Sunan Abu Dawud Book 32 - 4091. Narrated Aisha: May Allah have mercy on the early emigrant women. When the verse "That they should extend their headcoverings (khumur) to cover their bosoms" was revealed, they tore their murut and used this as khimar.

 

Niqab Is Modesty

 

Abu Dawood Book 14, Hadith # 2482

Narrated Thabit ibn Qays (Radhiallaahu Ánhu): A woman called Umm Khallad came to the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) while she was veiled. She was searching for her son who had been killed (in the battle) Some of the Companions of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said to her: You have come here asking for your son while veiling your face? She said: If I am afflicted with the loss of my son, I shall not suffer the loss of my modesty.  Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: You will get the reward of two martyrs for your son. She asked: Why is that so, oh Prophet of Allah? He replied: Because the people of the Book have killed him.

 

*Note:companions asked as to why she is wearing niqab because atleast recognising her would help them to look for her son,for its easy to seach after seeing the relative that asking for the name only.

 

Veling[Niqab] of Slave woman.

 

 Sahih Al-Bukhari HadithHadith 5.524  Narrated byAnas

The Prophet stayed for three rights between Khaibar and Medina and was married to Safiya. I invited the Muslims to his marriage banquet and there was neither meat nor bread in that banquet but the Prophet ordered Bilal to spread the leather mats on which dates, dried yogurt and butter were put. The Muslims said amongst themselves, "Will she (i.e. Safiya) be one of the mothers of the believers, (i.e. one of the wives of the Prophet ) or just (a lady captive) of what his right-hand possesses?" Some of them said, "If the Prophet makes her observe the veil, then she will be one of the mothers of the believers (i.e. one of the Prophet's wives), and if he does not make her observe the veil, then she will be his lady slave." So when he departed, he made a place for her behind him (on his camel) and made her observe the veil.[4:25 If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: and Allah hath full knowledge about your faith.  Ye are one from another: wed them with the leave of their owners and give them their dowers according to what is reasonable: they should be chaste not lustful nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock if they fall into shame their punishment is half that for free women.  This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practice self-restraint: and Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful. ]

 

*note:[For slave girls there are concessions ,because a slave girl works for the master and covering face would  become hardship for her,as she is supposed to be in constant service,the capital punishments for salve girls is half of the free women,4:25]

 

For Example: Sunan of Abu-DawoodHadith 4094        Narrated byAnas ibn Malik

The Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 (peace be upon him) saw her struggle, he said: There is no harm to you: Here is only your father and slave.

*Though the slave was a male,she was allowed to relax.But for free men she was supposed to veil completely[excluding eyes,bracelets etc.]

 

 

Women quickly screened themselves.

 

Bukhari Book 54 #515. Narrated Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas: Once Umar asked leave to see Allah's Apostle, in whose company there were some Qurayshi women, who were talking to him and asking him for more financial support, raising their voices. When Umar asked permission to enter, the women quickly screened themselves (fa badirna al-hijab). When Allah's Apostle admitted Umar, Allah's Apostle was smiling. Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! May Allah keep you happy always!". Allah's Apostle said, "I am astonished at these women here with me. As soon as they heard your voice, they quickly screened themselves". Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! You have more right to be feared by them". Then he addressed (the women) saying, "O enemies of yourselves! Do you fear me and not Allah's Apostle?" They replied, "Yes, for you are a fearful and fierce man as compared to Allah's Apostle". On that Allah's Apostle said (to Umar), "By Him in Whose hands my life is, when satan sees you taking a path, he takes a path other than yours".

 

*Note:Allah subhanawatala commands to lower gaze,so both Prophet pbuh and  Qurayshi revert women were obeying the command of Allah subhanawatala,and while doing so they may have removed niqab temporarily .But When Omer r.a came due to his strictness they wore Niqab and prophet did'nt forbade them.So Omer r.a  said they should have feared[in terms of  religion] Prophet pbuh more.

 

 

 

                                                                                    Allah knows best.

 

 

 

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