Bismillah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem
Assalamu-`alaykum wa rahamatullahi
wa barakatuhu
The Revelation of the Hijab verses in
Quran:In the beginning it was only for
wives [ummul mumineen-mother of believers].
Hadith -
Bukhari 1:148
The
wives of the Prophet used to go to
Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of
nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be
veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the
wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha'
time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized
you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of
Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah
revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover
excluding the eyes).
Sahih
Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Hadith # 375
Narrated
Anas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) I know (about) the Hijab (the order of veiling of
women) more than anybody else. Ubai bin Ka'b used to ask me about it. Allaah's
Apostle became the bridegroom of Zainab bint Jahsh whom he married at Medina.
After the sun had risen high in the sky, the Prophet invited the people to a
meal. Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) remained sitting and some
people remained sitting with him after the other guests had left. Then
Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) got up and went away, and I too,
followed him till he reached the door of 'Aa'ishah's room. Then he thought that
the people must have left the place by then, so he returned and I also returned
with him. Behold, the people were still sitting at their places. So he went
back again for the second time, and I went along with him too. When we reached
the door of 'Aa'ishah's room, he returned and I also returned with him to see
that the people had left. Thereupon Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
hung a curtain between me and him and the Verse regarding the order for (veiling
of women) Hijab was revealed.
33:53 O
ye who Believe! enter not the Prophet's houses until leave is given you for a
meal (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are
invited enter; and when ye have taken your meal disperse without seeking
familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys
the Prophet: He is ashamed to dismiss you but Allah is not ashamed (to tell
you) the truth. And when ye ask (his
ladies) for anything ye want ask them from before a* screen*: that makes
for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Apostle or
that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight an
enormity.
Transliteration
Ya_ ay yuhal lazina a_manu_ la_ tadhulu_ buyu_tan nabiy yi il la_ ay yuzana
lakum ila_ taa_min gaira na_zirina ina_hu wa la_kin iza_ duitum fadhulu_ fa
iza_ taimtum fantasiru_ wa la_ mustanisina lihadis in na za_likum ka_na yuzin
nabiy ya fayastahyi minkum wal la_hu la_ yastahyi minal haq wa iza_ sa al
tumu_hun na mata_ an fas alu_hun na miw wara_ I* hija_b* za_likum atharu
liqulu_bikum wa qulu_bihin wa ma_ ka_na lakum an tuzu_ rasu_lal la_hi wala_ an
tankihu_ azwa_jahu_ min badihi abadan in na za_likum ka_na indal la_hi azima_
Hijab[complete body covering with the
exclsuion of eyes ] was revealed:For all Women].
33:59 O
prophet! tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should
cast their outer garments [Jalabeeb]over their persons (when abroad): that is
most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah
is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
*
Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab), a loose outer garment that covers all a woman's
body. Covers head, face,one or both eyes,
to be known that she is a free woman and so not to exposed to any harm.
What is
the defintion of the word "jilbab" in Arabic?
The
definitive dictionary of classical Arabic, Lisan al-Arab by ibn al-Mandhur,
provides the following definition, "The jilbab is the outergarment,
mantle, or cloak. It is derived from the word tajalbaba, which means to clothe.
Jilbab is the outer sheet or covering which a woman wraps around her ON TOP OF
HER GARMENTS to cover herself from head to toe. It hides her body
completely" (Lisan al-Arab, volume 7, page 273)
Further
another verse was revealed about veiling
which explained wearing of
khimar in the right way.
Surah
24:An-Nur, Verse 30 Say to the
believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that
will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all
that they do.
And
Surah 24:An-Nur, Verse31 And say to the believing women that they should lower
their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty
and ornaments except what (must ordinarily-Eye,bangles,bracelets etc) appear
thereof; that they should draw their *veils *over their *bosoms*
and not display their beauty except to their husbands their fathers their
husbands' fathers their sons their husbands' sons their brothers or their
brothers' sons or their sisters' sons or their women or the slaves whom their
right hands possess or male servants free of physical needs or small children
who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their
feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together
towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss.
Now
taking selective part of the verse which is needed for explanation:
And Say
to 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 (Eyes,bangles,bracelets
etc), and to draw their *veils* all over Juyubihinna (bosoms)
.....................
The Arabic text is, "Wa qul li
al-muminat yaghdudna min absarihinna wa yahfazna furujahunna wa laa yubdina
zenatahunna illa maa zahara min haa wal-yadribna bi *khumurihinna* alaa "*juyub
hinna*".
This is
translated as, "And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to
guard their private parts, and not to display their adornment except what is
apparent of it, and to extend[draw] their khumur to cover their juyub".
First, the word "khumur"plural of khimar[It is a piece of cloth which
is used by a woman to cover her head].
In this
verse Allah subhanawatala mentions
khimaar for the first time,before this verse when surah Ahzab's verse
was revealed with hijab commandment,Jalabeeb[jilbab] is the word
mentioned.Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab), a loose outer garment that covers all a
woman's body.
Though
Jalabeeb fulfills the criteria of veiling yet in surah Nur [24] further clarification
is explained.
Because
women wore long outer garment[jalabeeb] along with khimaar[head scarf].Even
though khimar was'nt mentioned in surah Ahzab's verse.Their khimar didnt
covered bosom so Allah commanded them to extend khimar to bosom,while doing so
it has to be pulled from the head ,which will fall of face,then neck then
bosom.And jalabeb falls on rest of the
body from sholders to feet.
Hence a
complete covering including face[excluding eyes].Prophets wives were commanded
first to cover completely,they always used khimar till the end of their
lives,and it always covered their faces along with bodies.
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: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
faces,neck,bosom as taught in suran nur 24 verse 31.This is a proof that
believeing women also followed suit.
Another
clarification:The word "juyub". This is the plural of the word
"jayb", which means "bosom". The word is used in Arabic to
refer to the breastpocket of a shirt.
For
cross reference see Surah al-Qasas ayah 32 describes Moses as putting his hand
in his "jayb", and this means his breast, not his "body, face,
neck and bosom" so "juyub" cannot be translated as such
as such but bosom only.
Allah knows best.