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[quote]Response quoted from Al-Mawrid web site First of all, I should explain that the concept regarding covering face is not valid. The Holy Qur’an in evident words maintains that a believing lady is not obligated to cover her face, hands and feet. So much so that she may display the ornaments that she wears on these parts of her body. It is indeed from the exemption of these ornaments that we deduce the exemption of face, hands and feet. The Holy Qur’an says that Muslim ladies should cover their ornaments but not those worn on limbs which are kept uncovered. I quote from the Holy Qur’an: وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا Ask the believing ladies to lower their gaze and cover their private parts and do not reveal their Zeenat (ornaments) save that which are [worn on body parts that] are normally revealed. (24:31) Thus, the keywords in these verses are إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا (save that which are [worn on body parts that] are normally revealed). Obviously, the body parts which are normally revealed are face, hands and feet. Imam Zamakshari, while expounding this verse, has penned the following comments: Those body parts which are naturally and normally revealed and ordinarily kept uncovered. (Tafseer Kashaf, Vol. 3 page. 231) On the basis of this argument, I very humbly assert that Muslim ladies have not been obligated to veil their face under normal circumstances. If however she senses any danger, she can – and she should – take whatever measures she deems fit for protecting her life, honor and modesty. Hence, Islam does not bind a lady to cover her face in the presence of common Muslims nor does it ask her to do so in the presence of her Khaloo, Phoopa, Behnoi etc. However, there are certain guidelines that all Muslims should observe when they interact with the opposite sex. These have been clearly spelled out in the Surah Noor (24). These guidelines may be summarized as: 1. Muslim men and women both should restrain their gaze. 2. They should cover their private parts. 3. As ladies adorn themselves, Allah has bidden them that they should not display their ornaments save those, which are worn on body parts that are ordinarily uncovered. 4. Muslim ladies should especially cover their chest, that is to say, they should conceal the swelling. They should also not jingle their hidden ornaments lest it may attract attention. The Holy Qur’an reads: Ask the believing men to restrain their gaze and cover their private parts. That is purer for them. And Allah knows what they undertake. Ask the believing ladies to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and do not reveal their Zeenat (ornaments) save that which are [worn on body parts that] are normally revealed. And not to reveal their ornaments save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters’ sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who are not attracted to women, or children who know nothing of hidden aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their ornaments. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that you may succeed. (24:31) In this verse, the Almighty has also described a list of relations about whom the Muslim ladies have further been given some allowance as regards their ornaments. In summary, they are forbidden to reveal, in the presence of the opposite sex, their ornaments which are worn on body parts other than hands, face and feet, they can however reveal these in the presence of their husbands, fathers, brothers — the list goes on as is given in the verse above. Now coming to the question about the Hadith, I should say that this is a very purposeful warning of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to the Muslim men and women. This Hadith cautions the Muslims that they should exercise vigilance as regards relations which are closer due to social set up yet there are chances of things going wrong. I quote the Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: Uqba b. Amir reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying: Beware of barging in on women (in seclusion). A person from the Ansar said: Allah's Messenger, what about husband’s brother, whereupon he said: Husband's brother is like death. (Bukhari: No. 4831) The question posed by the person from among the Ansar is natural. Since there is a potential possibility that a husband’s brother would frequent his visits to his brother’s house due to many reasons, he wanted to listen to the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) standpoint on a husband’s brother’s relationship with his sister in law. Similarly, the Holy Prophet’s reply was a precautious warning that the Muslims should exercise double care in this matter due to a sort of affiliation between brother in law and sister in law without the existence of any real relationship. It is to be noted that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has also warned the Muslims in general not be in seclusion with women because the three of them would be Satan. Hence, the stress is on avoiding seclusion with a sister in law; this Hadith does not forbid us to talk to in-laws and have a good relationship with them. If the norms described in Surah Noor are observed, there is no harm in interacting with in laws. The scholars have also described the same understanding of the Hadith in question. For instance, after reporting the above Hadith, Imam Tirmidhi writes: This means that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has disliked for a brother to get alone with her sister in law. (Tirmidhi, No. 1191) Hence, the point is that both brother in law and sister in law should develop a relationship of respect in which they are neither too frank nor rude. They should avoid circumstances where base emotions may be stimulated. In my humble opinion, people have an inner voice, which guides them whether things are going in the right direction or wrong. As and when they feel that they should change the topic of discussion or in any case, they should change their place, they ought to do the same. Barring such untoward situations, believers should continue to have a relationship with others charged with affection, sincerity and devotion. The directive mentioned in Surah Ahzaab regarding wearing Jilbaab was meant to counter a false excuse put up by the scandalmongers of Medina. This directive, as it is evident from the context where it lies, was only given to tackle one extraordinary perilous situation that arose in the time of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). I have also expounded upon this in another similar query. You may please refer to it for details and arguments[2]. Notwithstanding that Islam has forbidden Muslim men and women to feast their eyes on the attributes of each other, Islam has allowed women to appear before men and other unacquainted women without covering their faces. Both men and women are ordained to guard their gaze, however, though they are not supposed to close their eyes[3]. You ask me about some traditions. I tell you that we do find traditions where women would appear in front of men without veils etc during the times of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). In one tradition it is reported that Fadal Bin Abbas was with the Holy Prophet (pbuh) during the time of the Last Hajj; a woman from among the tribe, Khath’am, came to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to ask about Hajj. Fadal Bin Abbas began staring at her and she began looking at him. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) turned Abbas’ face to the other side many times[4]. Similarly, it is reported that the Muslim ladies would offer the Fajr prayer with the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He would offer this prayer so early in the morning that even after offering the prayer there would be much darkness. The reporters tell us that because of this darkness these women on their way back could not be recognized[5]. Obviously, the question of recognition only arises if their faces were uncovered, and they could otherwise be recognized if only there be some more daylight. I however would like to assert that the viewpoint described above is not based on these reports. The dissident people may try to explain away these reports. We in fact need to consider what the Holy Qur’an says and the debate should be confined to the determination of the meaning of the Qur’anic verses since it is safe and preserved. And according to it, the Muslim ladies are perfectly allowed to keep their faces uncovered[/quote]
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