Ulema Need To Re-Interpret Quranic Verses about Hijab

By S. Arshad, New Age Islam 15 October 2022 The Quran Does Not Mention Face As A Part To Be Covered. Main Points: 1. The verses instruct women to draw their veils on their chests. 2. The Quran asks both Muslim men and women to lower their gaze. 3. Elderly unmarried women have been given a choice to put off their outer garments. 4. The wives of the prophet have been specifically told to settle in their homes. ----- (Express photo by Jithendra M) ----- The controversy over hijab refuses to die down. Now the Supreme Court is also divided on the issue. Justice Sushant Dhulia's remark that hijab is a matter of choice has given fillip to pro-hijab lobby among the Muslims. Though Muslim women have the right to wear hijab as a religious obligation, to what extent Muslim women and girls are supposed to cover themselves is a topic of debate among Muslim intellectuals. The hardline Ulema are of the opinion that women should cover their whole body irrespective of their age and marital status out of home. In Iran, women from age 7 must cover their head along with their hair. They can keep their face uncovered. Taliban in Afghanistan say women should come out of home in full covering loose Burqa along with a Mahram even for shopping or for going to visit the guest. In India and in some Islamic countries like Egypt, Turkey etc, women wear hijab with their face uncovered. From the Files ----- The Quran, however, seems to be very liberal in its approach to hijab. It deals with the issue of hijab or purdah for Muslim women including the wives of the prophet pbuh. What is striking in these verses is that it does not mention the face as a part to be covered. What it wants to be covered is the Zeenat (adornments). Therefore, the word Zeenat needs to be defined. It appears that the Quran does not consider the face as 'Satar' contrary to the commentary of some exegetes. What the Quran stresses on while dealing with hijab or veil is inner piety and modesty. The following verses are the most striking. "O Prophet! tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them."(Nur: 30) "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears. Let the draw their veils on their chests, and not reveal their hidden adornments, except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their fellow women, those bondwomen in their possession, male attendants with no desire or children who are still unaware of women's nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to all in repentance all together O believers so that you may be successful."(Nur: 31) Here, the believing men and women are told only to lower their gaze. No veils are being mentioned here for women. If the women were supposed to cover their faces, there would not arise the question of lowering their gaze. It is clear from the verses that face cover is not mandated for women. Secondly, the women are only told to draw their veils on their chests so their 'adornments' are not revealed. Even male attendants have been included among those to whom the women can reveal their adornments. One important point to be noted here is that women who have crossed the age of marriage can put off their outer garments. That is, they have been given a choice to cover their bosom or head with headscarf or Dupatta. They are not mandated to cover their full body under a Burqa or an outer garment like Dupatta. "As for elderly women past the age of marriage, there is no blame if they take off their outer garments without revealing their adornments. But it is better for them if they avoid this altogether."(Nur: 60) When women feel insecure in some hostile atmosphere, they are advised to cover themselves modestly so that they can be distinguished from unchaste women. "O Prophet! ask your wives, daughters and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they will be recognised as virtuous and not harassed."(Ahzab: 59) Only the wives of the Prophet Pbuh are told to follow a more disciplined life and settle at home as they are not like other Muslim women. "O wives of the prophet, you are not like any other women. If you are mindful of Allah, then do not be overly effeminate in speech with men or those with sickness in their hearts may be tempted but speak in a moderate tone. Settle in your homes and do not display as women did in the days of pre-Islamic ignorance. Establish prayer, pay alms tax, and obey Allah and His messenger. Allah only intends to keep the causes of evil away from you and purify you completely O member of the Prophet's family."((Ahzab: 32-33) From the above quoted verses, it becomes clear that Quran does not mandate full covering Burqa covering the whole body. It stresses on lowering the gaze and covering the bosom and head modestly. Unmarried women have been given a choice to wear a hijab. As for the meaning of Zeenat the following verses should be considered. In the verse: 31 of Surah Nur, adornment (Zeenat) may refer to the anklets. Women's bosom may also be taken to mean Zeenat. In surah Al Qisas: 79, Qarun is said to have possessed Zeenat (horses, lavish garments, hat, sword, turban etc.) In surah Yunus verse 88, Pharaoh and his ministers are said to have possessed zeenat. In light of the discussion made above, the hijab needs to be redefined and the word zeenat used in the Quran should also be explained correctly so that the confusion on the extent of hijab or veil is removed. ----- S. Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/ulema-interpret-quranic-verses-hijab/d/128186 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism