Important guidelines & fatwa for Muslim women

Since 2012-11-29

Collection of Important guidelines and Fatawa by Sheikh Muhammad ibn 'Uthaimîn and Sheikh Abdullah ibn Abdul Rahmân Al-Jibrîn concerning the Muslim women.


Qur’anic guidance for women

 
Ibn Kathir in his interpretation of this verse: {And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment.} [Surat An-Nûr 24:31]
 
 {وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ} النور: 31
 
Transliteration: wala yadribna biarjulihinna liyuAAlama ma yukhfeena min zeenatihinna
 
has said that in the days of ignorance, if a woman was walking along the road, and that she was wearing a soundless anklet, she used to stamp the ground with her feet so that men would hear its sound; therefore, Allah has forbidden the believing women from doing such a thing. On the same line, if she was putting on a sort of hidden adornment and she made an action to show what is hidden; it is among that which is prohibited, because of the words of Allah Almighty: {And let them not stamp their feet.} [Surat An-Nûr 24:31]
 
{وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ} النور: 31
 
Transliteration:wala yadribna biarjulihinna
 
A woman is also forbidden to put on perfume when she goes out of her house so as for men to smell her fragrance. It was reported by Abu Mûsa, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “every eye is adulterous; and if a woman puts on perfume and passes by a gathering (of men) (so that they would smell her fragrance), then she is so and so.” [Reported by Al-Tirmithi], meaning an adulteress.
 
«كل عين زانية والمرأة إذا استعطرت فمرت بالمجلس فهي كذا وكذا» رواه الترمذي وحسنه الألباني
 
Women are also forbidden from walking in the middle of the road because it is a kind of showing off their adornment. Abu Usaid Al-Ansâri narrated that he heard the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, when he got out of the Masjid and that men and women intermingled on the road; the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said to the women: “linger behind; you should not embrace the road, you should stick by the side of the road.” [Reported by Abu Dawood and declared good by Al-Albani]
 
«استأخرن؛ فإنه ليس لكن أن تحققن الطريق عليكن بحافات الطريق» رواه ابو داود وحسنه الألباني
 
So the women used to cling to the wall that their dresses would stick to the wall because of it.
 
Allah Almighty has said: {and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance,} [Surat Al-Ahzâb 33:33]
 
{وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى} الأحزاب: 33
 
 

 

Transliteration: walatabarrajna tabarruja aljahiliyyati aloola

 

 
Imam Mujâhid said: the women used to walk amongst men, and that is displaying themselves like that of the times of ignorance.
 
O Muslim woman, O noble chaste Muslim woman! When you go out of your home, remember these verses and this divine guidance, and beware of the wanton display of yourself and of unveiling, and of intermingling with men, these are the habits of the people of ignorance, which Islam warns against them.
 
 
This is the ordained veil
 
A so-called Islamic hijab has surfaced abundantly among some girls: colorful, black scarves that are decorated by the hem; which they put on their heads covering their faces, but alas, the eyes are apparent and the face is reflected. What is alarming about this new veil is that those girls are gradually widening the openings of the eyes on the pretext of seeing the way.
 
Because this veil is widespread, those who do not wear it are considered outcasts among their friend; they are described as being strict, extremist and old fashioned on the grounds that the Companion women used to wear it in the times of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.
 
 
Question: Is it permissible to wear such a veil? And please tell us the description of the hijab ordained by Islam.
 
His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaimîn replied by saying: I say: that intellectual colonialism spares no effort in turning people away from their religion, ideology, ethics, worship, and behavior as far as it can. However, the believer has immunity through his faith that stands between him and the intent of those mischief doers. The believer refers to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, as it is the duty of every believer in the time of difference to refer to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, Allah Almighty has said: {O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger, if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.} [Surat An-Nisâ’ 4:59].
 
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا}النساء: 59
 
 

 

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ateeAAoo Allaha waateeAAoo alrrasoola waolee alamri minkum fain tanazaAAtum fee shayin faruddoohu ila Allahi waalrrasooli in kuntum tuminoona biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri thalika khayrun waahsanu taweelan

 

 
If we refer to the Qur’an and the Sunnah in this matter we will find that the Islamic hijab obligates the covering of the face in front of foreign men. And evidences on this matter are listed in the many books which are written about it, but this is not the place to mention them, however, rational thinking and logic require the covering of the face because the face is where the beauty of women is displayed and it is the focus of the desire which is sought for by men who want the outer beauty of women. Therefore, the face is more deserving to be covered than other parts of the body and the feet and hands as it includes the greater sedition.
 
The description of the veil as mentioned by the enquirer is opposite to the requirement of the veil according to the religious evidence, the veil which the enquirer has mentioned includes showing adornment as it is decorated with embroideries and brocades, Allah Almighty has said about elderly women: {And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wed-lock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment.} [Surat An-Nûr 24:60]
 
{وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَاء اللَّاتِي لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحاً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍ} النور: 60
 
Transliteration: WaalqawaAAidu mina alnnisai allatee layarjoona nikahan falaysa AAalayhinna junahun an yadaAAna thiyabahunna ghayra mutabarrijatin bizeenatin
 
This is the ruling about women past child-bearing who do not expect wed-lock, then how about young women who hope to get married and whom men’s desires are clinging to, how could they display their adornment by using the veils. Moreover, when women widen the opening in the niqab (face cover) until their eyebrows and cheeks are apparent, that is contrary to what the women of the Companions used to do in the era of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. We know through tracking and extrapolating that in such matters, state of things change quickly, and that women may use the niqab closer to how the women of the Companions had used it; then gradually they will become lenient when it comes to wearing it.
 
One of the established principles of the scholars is blocking pretexts; meaning blocking any excuse that leads to committing forbidden things. There is no doubt that the veil as described by the inquirer is forbidden in itself and it is a pretext for that which is greater in sin. My advice to women of the believers is that they should fear Allah when it comes to themselves and not to be one of those who start a bad custom in Islam and take the burden of its blame and that of every one who follows it till the Day of Resurrection. They should ask older women who are wearing the proper hijab which covers the whole face: did this veil cause them any harm? Was it a reason that they neglected their duties? Was it a motive to their religious, intellectual, moral or social set back?? None of the above has occurred. So they should have the ability as their mothers had and the women of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
 
His Eminence Sheikh: Muhammad ibn Sâlih Al-’Uthaimîn
 
 
Clothing
 
Question: Your Eminence: some women wear clothes which are cut open from the bottom up or open on the chest or show a bit of the arms?? What is the ruling about wearing such clothes which are cut open from the knee or slightly above it, the dress may be cut open in the back showing it and showing what is between the shoulders; the woman who does this says that she is amongst women, and that there is nothing wrong by doing so!
 
Answer: the dress as such described is not permissible because it is an imitation of and imported from the West; it shows the woman’s body such as the legs, chest and arms though all the women’s body is treated as the private parts, it is not permitted to be uncovered in front of men. If women get used to such clothing, even with women or with men whom she is forbidden to get married to, she will become an example of evil to her mates, she might get familiar with this kind of clothing; she would go out to the roads and markets, a thing which arouses attention towards her and causes sedition; which is impermissible. The clothes which are cut open from the bottom to the knee or above or below, as well as if it is cut open from the back because it shows what is between the shoulders, even if the woman is amongst fellow women or with men whom she is forbidden to get married to, because this propagates for the cut open dresses; it becomes a habit and a tradition that she cannot violate, so women should wear their usual code of clothing and that of her peers, in such permissible cloths there is beauty and gracefulness and full cover; it is far from imitating the west ... And Allah knows best.
 
Member of the Advisory: Abdullah ibn Abdul Rahmân Al-Jibrîn
 
 
The state of some women in the Hereafter
 
My Muslim sister
 
It was told by the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, about the state of some unveiled women on the Day of Resurrection that they are being delayed and excluded from entering Paradise. Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih through Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “Two are the types of the denizens of hell whom I did not see: and he has mentioned of them: and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht (a kind of camels) inclined to one side. They will not enter paradise and they would not smell its odor whereas its odor would be smelt from such and such distance.” [Reported by Muslim]
 
«صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما : وذكر منهما : ونساء كاسيات عاريات مميلات مائلات، رؤوسهن كأسنمة البخت المائلة. لا يدخلن الجنة ولا يجدن ريحها. وإن ريحها لتوجد من مسيرة كذا وكذا» رواه مسلم
 
There is no doubt that the unveiling of Muslim women is a major sin as there has been stated stern warning and definite threat against it. It is feared that unveiled women might be of the people of Hell as a result of their unveiling.
 
In the authentic Hadith from the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, he has said: “Perhaps a well-dressed in this world may be naked in the hereafter.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
 
«رب كاسية في الدنيا عارية في الآخرة» رواه البخاري
 
This Hadith of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has been looked into through many aspects such as:
 
1. That a woman is well-dressed in this world because of her richness and the many clothes she has, but she is naked in the Hereafter that she would not be rewarded for not performing good deeds in this world.
 
2. That a woman is well-dressed with clothes, but they are transparent or tight or short so that they do not cover her body, so these women are punished in the Hereafter because of that.
 
3. That a woman is well-dressed with clothes all over her body, but she pulls the veil from behind, so that her bosom and the folds of her body are apparent, and thus she becomes naked and is being punished in the Hereafter.
 
4. That a woman is well-dressed by getting married to a righteous man in this world, but she does not benefit from the righteousness of her husband, as Allah Almighty has said: {there will be no kinship among them that Day.} [Surat Al-Mu’minûn 23:101]
 
{فَلَا أَنسَابَ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ} المؤمنون101
 
Transliteration: fala ansaba baynahum yawmaithin
 
* Similar to this is when a woman is well-dressed in this world by glory and high position, but naked in the Hereafter with Hellfire.
 
* Or that she might be one of those women who wear the yashmak (face cover similar to the niqab) or niqab and that she has made them in the form of adornment, sedition and charm as she exposes of her face what should be covered.
 
* So the wise Muslim woman should contemplate this great danger and the terrible fate which she is drawn to by her exposed adornment.
 
* And let those women who have transformed the cloak from means of veil into the cause of temptation and sedition, let them contemplate their condition.
 
* and let her consider carefully who has made herself a reason of affliction for the believing men and women and that she seduced them and made their feet slip from the path of paradise.
 
* And she should remember that the Angel of Death may have missed her to someone else and that he will miss others to her; and the happy woman is she who has been prepared to meet her Lord.
 
 
The Niqab of women
 
The Honorable, his Eminence; the knowledgeable Sheikh Abdullah ibn Jibrîn
 
Peace and mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you,
 
Question: It has spread in recent times a phenomenon among some women to wear veils that widely show their eyes, their foreheads, and a large part of the nose and cheek, so we ask your Eminence to clarify the ruling on this matter which may cause discord and your advice for the women and others and may Allah reward you.
 
Answer: and peace and mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you,
 
There is no doubt that women are a temptation, and every person is intrigued. It has been said by the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him: “beware of women, the first affliction of the children of Israel was in Women.” [Reported by Muslim]
 
«اتقوا النساء فإن أول فتنة بني إسرائيل كانت في النساء» رواه مسلم
 
He has also said: “After me I have not left any affliction more harmful to men than women.” [Agreed upon]
 
«ما تركت بعدي فتنة أضر على الرجال من النساء» متفق عليه
 
Therefore Allah Almighty has commanded the wives of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, saying: {And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance,} [Surat Al-Ahzâb 33:33],
 
{وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى} الأحزاب: 33
 
 

 

Transliteration: Waqarna fee buyootikunna walatabarrajna tabarruja aljahiliyyati aloola

 

 
Though they are virtuous and far from the wanton display of themselves; and His command to the believing women, as the words of Allah Almighty: {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their (jilbab) cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way).} [Surat Al-Ahzâb 33:59]
 
{قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ} الأحزاب: 59
 
Transliteration: qul liazwajika wabanatika wanisai almumineena yudneena AAalayhinna min jalabeebihinna
 
The jilbab is the cloak that covers all her body. And there is no doubt that she is commanded to cover her body so that she will not be the object of the eyes and gaze of people, it is well known that when she wears such a veil and that part of her face would show as the nose, the cheek, the forehead and the eyebrow; that is a reason to draw attention towards her, which leads to stalking and thinking badly of her. A woman should fear Allah and keep herself away from the perceptions of evil and sins and forbidden things; she should preserve herself and protect her chastity, and beware of the punishment because of this act. As for men in charge as parents, guardians or husbands; jealousy over their women should drive them to protect them against suspicions, so that they would not become pimps or panders or be among those who accept obscenity in their families. And Allah knows best and peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad.
 
Member of the Advisory Committee: Abdullah ibn Abdul Rahmân Al-Jibrîn
 
 
This is what happens in wedding parties
 
Question: It has been recently seen in weddings that some women wear clothes that are out of the norm of our societies; they justify themselves that they only wear such clothes amongst women only; some of these clothes are tight that they define the places of charm in the body, some are cut open from the top that they show part of the bosom or the naked back of the woman, some are cut open from the bottom up to the knee or close to it. Kindly tell us about the religious ruling about wearing such clothes and what is the duty of the guardian towards this?
 
Answer: It is established in Sahih Muslim that Abu Hurairah - may Allah be pleased with him - said: The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace be upon him, has said: “Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps bukht of the camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odor whereas its odor would be smelt from such and such distance.”
 
«صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما. قوم معهم سياط كأذناب البقر يضربون بها الناس. ونساء كاسيات عاريات مميلات مائلات، رؤوسهن كأسنمة البخت المائلة. لا يدخلن الجنة ولا يجدن ريحها. وإن ريحها لتوجد من مسيرة كذا وكذا» رواه مسلم
 
The words of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him: “the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked,” mean that they are wearing cloths which do not cover them properly due to their being short or transparent or tight; and it was narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad (book of Hadith), in the chain of transmission through Usama ibn Zaid - may Allah be pleased with him – that he has said: “the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has clothed me. He asked me: “why did you not wear the Coptic (a kind of dress from Egypt)” I said: “O Messenger of Allah I clothed my wife with it” The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “Tell her to wear a light dress underneath it, I fear that it would describe the size of her bones.” [Al-Albani, good chain of transmission]
 
«كساني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قبطية كثيفة مما أهداها له دحية الكلبي، فكسوتها امرأتي، فقال: مالك لم تلبس القبطية؟ قلت: كسوتها امرأتي، فقال: مرها فلتجعل تحتها غلالة، فإني أخاف أن تصف حجم عظامها» رواه الإمام أحمد و الألباني قال إسناده حسن
 
Similar to that is cutting open the dress from the upper bosom, it is contrary to the command of Allah Almighty, where He has said: {and to draw their veils all over Juyûbihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms).} [Surat An-Nûr 24:31]
 
{وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ} النور: 31
 
Transliteration: walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna
 
Al-Qurtubi said in his Tafsîr (interpretation of the Holy Qur’an): it is like that the woman should draw her veil over her upper part of the body to cover her bosom, and then he mentioned a tale from ‘Aishah that Hafsah, the daughter of her brother Abdul Rahmân ibn Abi Bakr -may Allah be pleased with them- entered unto her wearing something transparent from her neck, so she tore it from her and said: the opaque cloths that cover the body are the cloths that should be drawn.
 
Similar to that is the cloths which are cut open from the bottom up where there is nothing covering from beneath, but if there is something covering the body from underneath there is nothing wrong with it, except if it is similar to what men wear then it is forbidden; because it is in the similitude (assuming the manners) of men.
 
The guardian of a woman should prevent her from wearing any clothing that is forbidden, and from going out unveiled, or putting on perfume; he is her guardian so he is responsible for her on the Day of Resurrection; a Day when a person shall not avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor will they be helped. May Allah help us all to perform what He loves and what pleases Him.
 
It was said by Sheikh: Muhammad ibn Sâlih Al-‘Uthaimîn
 
 
Dar Ibn Khuzaymah

en.wathakker.info

 

  • 4
  • 0
  • 18,092