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.
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(Express photo by Jithendra M)
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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
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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.
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S. Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/ulema-interpret-quranic-verses-hijab/d/128186
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