24:31 An-Noor (The Light)

لما أمر المؤمنين بغض الأبصار وحفظ الفروج، أمر المؤمنات بذلك، فقال: { وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ } عن النظر إلى العورات والرجال، بشهوة ونحو ذلك من النظر الممنوع، { وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ } من التمكين من جماعها، أو مسها، أو النظر المحرم إليها. { وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ } كالثياب الجميلة والحلي، وجميع البدن كله من الزينة، ولما كانت الثياب الظاهرة، لا بد لها منها، قال: { إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا } أي: الثياب الظاهرة، التي جرت العادة بلبسها إذا لم يكن في ذلك ما يدعو إلى الفتنة بها، { وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ } وهذا لكمال الاستتار، ويدل ذلك على أن الزينة التي يحرم إبداؤها، يدخل فيها جميع البدن، كما ذكرنا. ثم كرر النهي عن إبداء زينتهن، ليستثني منه قوله: { إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ } أي: أزواجهن { أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ } يشمل الأب بنفسه، والجد وإن علا، { أو أبنائهن أو أبناء بعولتهن } ويدخل فيه الأبناء وأبناء البعولة مهما نزلوا { أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ } أشقاء، أو لأب، أو لأم. { أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ } أي: يجوز للنساء أن ينظر بعضهن إلى بعض مطلقا، ويحتمل أن الإضافة تقتضي الجنسية، أي: النساء المسلمات، اللاتي من جنسكم، ففيه دليل لمن قال: إن المسلمة لا يجوز أن تنظر إليها الذمية. { أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ } فيجوز للمملوك إذا كان كله للأنثى، أن ينظر لسيدته، ما دامت مالكة له كله، فإن زال الملك أو بعضه، لم يجز النظر. { أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ } أي: أو الذين يتبعونكم، ويتعلقون بكم، من الرجال الذين لا إربة لهم في هذه الشهوة، كالمعتوه الذي لا يدري ما هنالك، وكالعنين الذي لم يبق له شهوة، لا في فرجه، ولا في قلبه، فإن هذا لا محذور من نظره. { أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ } أي: الأطفال الذين دون التمييز، فإنه يجوز نظرهم للنساء الأجانب، وعلل تعالى ذلك، بأنهم لم يظهروا على عورات النساء، أي: ليس لهم علم بذلك، ولا وجدت فيهم الشهوة بعد ودل هذا، أن المميز تستتر منه المرأة، لأنه يظهر على عورات النساء. { وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ } أي: لا يضربن الأرض بأرجلهن، ليصوت ما عليهن من حلي، كخلاخل وغيرها، فتعلم زينتها بسببه، فيكون وسيلة إلى الفتنة. ويؤخذ من هذا ونحوه، قاعدة سد الوسائل، وأن الأمر إذا كان مباحا، ولكنه يفضي إلى محرم، أو يخاف من وقوعه، فإنه يمنع منه، فالضرب بالرجل في الأرض، الأصل أنه مباح، ولكن لما كان وسيلة لعلم الزينة، منع منه. ولما أمر تعالى بهذه الأوامر الحسنة، ووصى بالوصايا المستحسنة، وكان لا بد من وقوع تقصير من المؤمن بذلك، أمر الله تعالى بالتوبة، فقال: { وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ } لأن المؤمن يدعوه إيمانه إلى التوبة ثم علق على ذلك الفلاح، فقال: { لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ } فلا سبيل إلى الفلاح إلا بالتوبة، وهي الرجوع مما يكرهه الله، ظاهرا وباطنا، إلى: ما يحبه ظاهرا وباطنا، ودل هذا، أن كل مؤمن محتاج إلى التوبة، لأن الله خاطب المؤمنين جميعا، وفيه الحث على الإخلاص بالتوبة في قوله: { وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ } أي: لا لمقصد غير وجهه، من سلامة من آفات الدنيا، أو رياء وسمعة، أو نحو ذلك من المقاصد الفاسدة.

هذا أمر من الله تعالى للنساء المؤمنات وغيرة منه لأزواجهن عباده المؤمنين وتمييز لهن عن صفة نساء الجاهلية وفعال المشركات. وكان سبب نزول هذه الآية ما ذكره مقاتل بن حيان قال: بلغنا والله أعلم أن جابر بن عبدالله الأنصاري حدث أن أسماء بنت مرثد كان في محل لها في بنى حارثه فجعل النساء يدخلن عليها غير متزرات فيبدو ما في أرجلهن من الخلاخل وتبدو صدورهن وذوائبهن فقالت أسماء: ما أقبح هذا فأنزل الله تعالى "وقل للمؤمنات يغضضن من أبصارهن" الآية فقوله تعالى "وقل للمؤمنات يغضضن من أبصارهن" أي عما حرم الله عليهن من النظر إلى غير أزواجهن ولهذا ذهب كثير من العلماء إلى أنه لا يجوز للمرأة النظر إلى الرجال الأجانب بشهوة ولا بغير شهوة أصلا واحتج كثير منهم بما رواه أبو داود والترمذي من حديث الزهري عن نبهان مولى أم سلمة أنه حدثه أن أم سلمة حدثته أنها كانت عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وميمونه قالت: فبينما نحن عنده أقبل ابن أم مكتوم فدخل عليه وذلك بعدما أمرنا بالحجاب فقال رسول الله "احتجبا منه" فقلت يا رسول الله أليس هو أعمى لا يبصرنا ولا يعرفنا؟ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "أوعمياوان أنتما؟ أو ألستما تبصرانه؟ " ثم قال الترمذي هذا حديث حسن صحيح وذهب آخرون من العلماء إلي جواز نظرهن إلى الأجانب بغير شهوة كما ثبت في الصحيح أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جعل ينظر إلى الحبشة وهم يلعبون بحرابهم يوم العيد في المسجد وعائشة أم المؤمنين تنظر إليهم من ورائه وهو يسترها منهم حتى ملت ورجعت وقوله "ويحفظن فروجهن" قال سعيد بن جبير: عن الفواحش وقال قتادة وسفيان: عما لا يحل لهن وقال مقاتل: عن الزنا وقال أبو العالية: كل آية نزلت في القرآن يذكر فيها حفظ الفروج فهو من الزنا إلا هذه الآية "ويحفظن فروجهن" أن لا يراها أحد وقوله تعالى "ولا يبدين زينتهن إلا ما ظهر منها" أي لا يظهرن شيئا من الزينة للأجانب إلا ما لا يمكن إخفاؤه قال ابن مسعود: كالرداء والثياب يعني على ما كان يتعاطاه نساء العرب من المقنعة التي تجلل ثيابها وما يبدو من أسافل الثياب فلا حرج عليها فيه لأن هذا لا يمكنها إخفاؤه ونظيره في زي النساء ما يظهر من إزارها وما لا يمكن إخفاؤه وقال بقول ابن مسعود الحسن وابن سيرين وأبو الجوزاء وإبراهيم النخعي وغيرهم وقال الأعمش عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس: "ولا يبدين زينتهن إلا ما ظهر منها" قال: وجهها وكفيها والخاتم. وروى عن ابن عمر وعطاء وعكرمة وسعيد بن جبير وأبي الشعثاء والضحاك وإبراهيم النخعي وغيره نحو ذلك وهذا يحتمل أن يكون تفسيرا للزينة التي نهين عن إبدائها كما قال أبو إسحاق السبيعي عن أبي الأحوص عن عبدالله قال في قوله "ولا يبدين زينتهن" الزينة القرط والدملوج والخلخال والقلادة وفي رواية عنه بهذا الإسناد قال: الزينة زينتان فزينة لا يراها إلا الزوج: الخاتم والسوار وزينة يراها الأجانب وهي الظاهر من الثياب وقال الزهري: لا يبدين لهؤلاء الذين سمى الله ممن لا يحل له إلا الأسورة والأخمرة والأقرطة من غير حسر وأما عامة الناس فلا يبدو منها إلا الخواتم وقال مالك عن الزهري "إلا ما ظهر منها": الخاتم والخلخال ويحتمل أن ابن عباس ومن تابعه أرادوا تفسير ما ظهر منها بالوجه والكفين وهذا هو المشهور عند الجمهور ويستأنس له بالحديث الذي رواه أبو داود في سننه حدثنا يعقوب بن كعب الأنطاكي ومؤمل بن الفضل الحراني قالا: حدثنا الوليد عن سعيد بن بشير عن قتادة عن خالد بن دريك عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن أسماء بنت أبي بكر دخلت على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وعليها ثياب رقاق فأعرض عنها وقال: "يا أسماء إن المرأة إذا بلغت المحيض لم يصلح أن يرى منها إلا هذا" وأشار إلى وجهه وكفيه لكن قال أبو داود وأبو حاتم الرازي هو مرسل. خالد بن دريك لم يسمع من عائشة رضي الله عنها والله أعلم. وقوله تعالى "وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن" يعني المقانع يعمل لها صفات ضاربات على صدورهن لتواري ما تحتها من صدرها وترائبها ليخالفن شعار نساء أهل الجاهلية فإنهن لم يكن يفعلن ذلك بل كانت المرأة منهن تمر بين الرجال مسفحة بصدرها لا يواريه شيء وربما أظهرت عنقها وذوائب شعرها وأقرطة آذانها فأمر الله المؤمنات أن يستترن في هيئاتهن وأحوالهن كما قال تعالى "يا أيها النبي قل لأزواجك وبناتك ونساء المؤمنين يدنين عليهن من جلابيبهن ذلك أدنى أن يعرفن فلا يؤذين" وقال في هذه الآية الكريمة "وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن" والخمر جمع خمار وهو ما يخمر به أي يغطي به الرأس وهي التي تسميها الناس المقانع. قال سعيد بن جبير "وليضربن" وليشددن "بخمرهن على جيوبهن" يعني على النحر والصدر فلا يرى منه شيء وقال البخاري حدثنا أحمد بن شبيب حدثنا أبى عن يونس عن ابن شهاب عن عروة عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: يرحم الله نساء المهاجرات الأول لما أنزل الله "وليضربن بخمرهن علي جيوبهن" شققن مروطهن فاختمرن بها. وقال أيضا حدثنا أبو نعيم حدثنا إبراهيم بن نافع عن الحسن بن مسلم عن صفية بنت شيبة أن عائشة رضي الله عنها كانت تقول: لما نزلت هذه الآية "وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن" أخذن أزرهن فشققنها من قبل الحواشي فاختمرن بها وقال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا أبي حدثنا أحمد بن عبدالله بن يونس حدثني الزنجي بن خالد حدثنا عبدالله بن عثمان بن خثيم عن صفية بنت شيبة قالت: بينا نحن عند عائشة قالت فذكرن نساء قريش وفضلهن فقالت عائشة رضي الله عنها إن لنساء قريش لفضلا وإني والله ما رأيت أفضل من نساء الأنصار أشد تصديقا لكتاب الله ولا إيمانا بالتنزيل لقد أنزلت سورة النور "وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن" انقلب رجالهن إليهن يتلون عليهن ما أنزل الله إليهم فيها ويتلو الرجل على امرأته وابنته وأخته وعلى كل ذي قرابته فما منهن امرأة إلا قامت إلى مرطها المرحل فاعتجرت به تصديقا وإيمانا بما أنزل الله من كتابه فأصبحن وراء رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم معتجرات كأن على رءوسهن الغربان. ورواه أبو داود من غير وجه عن صفية بن شيبة به قال ابن جرير حدثنا يونس أخبرنا ابن وهب أن قرة بن عبدالرحمن أخبره عن ابن شهاب عن عروة عن عائشة قالت: يرحم الله النساء المهاجرات الأول لما أنزل الله "وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن "شققن أكتف مروطهن فاختمرن بها. ورواه أبو داود من حديث ابن وهب به وقوله تعالى "ولا يبدين زينتهن إلا لبعولتهن" أي أزواجهن "أو آبائهن أو آباء بعولتهن أو أبنائهن أو أبناء بعولتهن أو إخوانهن أو بني إخوانهن أو بني أخواتهن" كل هؤلاء محارم للمرأة يجوز لها أن تظهر عليهم بزينتها ولكن من غير تبرج وقد روى ابن المنذر حدثنا موسي يعني ابن هارون حدثنا أبو بكر يعني ابن أبي شيبة حدثنا عفان حدثنا حماد بن سلمة أخبرنا داود عن الشعبي وعكرمة في هذه الآية "ولا يبدين زينتهن إلا لبعولتهن أو آبائهن أو آباء بعولتهن" حتى فرغ منها وقال لم يذكر العم ولا الخال لأنهما ينعتان لأبنائهما ولا تضع خمارها عند العم والخال فأما الزوج فإنما ذلك كله من أجله فتتصنع له بما لا يكون بحضرة غيره. وقوله "أو نسائهن" يعني تظهر بزينتها أيضا للنساء المسلمات دون نساء أهل الذمة لئلا تصفهن لرجالهن وذلك وإن كان محذورا في جميع النساء إلا أنه في نساء أهل الذمة أشد فإنهن لا يمنعهن من ذلك مانع فأما المسلمة فإنها تعلم أن ذلك حرام فتنزجر عنه وقد قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "لا تباشر المرأة المرأة تنعتها لزوجها كأنه ينظر إليها" أخرجاه فى الصحيحين عن ابن مسعود وروي سعيد بن منصور في سننه حدثنا إسماعيل بن عياش عن هشام بن الغازي عن عبادة بن نسي عن أبيه عن الحارث بن قيس أن عمر بن الخطاب كتب إلى أبي عبيدة: أما بعد فإنه بلغني أن نساء من نساء المسلمين يدخلن الحمامات مع نساء أهل الشرك فإنه من قبلك فلا يحل لامرأة تؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر أن ينظر إلي عورتها إلا أهل ملتها. وقال مجاهد في قوله "أو نسائهن" قال: نساؤهن المسلمات ليس المشركات من نسائهن وليس للمرأة المسلمة أن تنكشف بين يدي مشركة وروى عبدالله في تفسيره عن الكلبي عن أبي صالح عن ابن عباس "أو نسائهن" قال: هن المسلمات لا تبديه ليهودية ولا نصرانية وهو النحر والقرط والوشاح وما لا يحل أن يراه إلا محرم وروى سعيد حدثنا جرير عن ليث عن مجاهد قال: لا تضع المسلمة خمارها عند مشركة لأن الله تعالى يقول "أو نسائهن" فليست من نسائهن وعن مكحول وعبادة بن نسي أنهما كرها أن تقبل النصرانية واليهودية والمجوسية المسلمة فأما ما رواه ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا علي بن الحسين حدثنا أبو عمير حدثنا ضمرة قال: قال ابن عطاء عن أبيه قال: لما قدم أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بيت المقدس كان قوابل نسائهن اليهوديات والنصرانيات فهذا إن صح فمحمول على حال الضرورة أو أن ذلك من باب الامتهان ثم إنه ليس فيه كشف عورة ولا بد والله أعلم. وقوله تعالى: "أو ما ملكت أيمانهن" قال ابن جرير: يعني من نساء المشركين فيجوز لها أن تظهر زينتها لها وإن كانت مشركة لأنها أمتها وإليه ذهب سعيد بن المسيب وقال الأكثرون: بل يجوز لها أن تظهر على رقيقها من الرجال والنساء واستدلوا بالحديث الذي رواه أبو داود ثنا محمد بن عيسي حدثنا أبو جميع سالم بن دينار عن ثابت عن أنس أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتي فاطمة بعبد قد وهبه لها قال وعلى فاطمة ثوب إذا قنعت به رأسها لم يبلغ رجليها وإذا غطت به رجليها لم يبلغ رأسها فلما رأى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ما تلقى قال: "إنه ليس عليك بأس إنما هو أبوك وغلامك". وقد ذكر الحافظ ابن عساكر في تاريخه في ترجمة خديج الحمصي مولى معاوية أن عبدالله بن مسعدة الفزاري كان أسود شديد الأدمة وأنه قد كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهبه لابنته فاطمة فربته ثم أعتقته ثم قد كان بعد ذلك كله برز مع معاوية أيام صفين وكان من أشد الناس على علي بن أبي طالب رضي الله عنه وروى الإمام أحمد حدثنا سفيان بن عيينة عن الزهري عن نبهان عن أم سلمة ذكرت أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذا كان لإحداكن مكاتب وكان له ما يؤدي فلتحتجب منه" ورواه أبو داود عن مسدد عن سفيان به وقوله تعالى "أو التابعين غير أولي الإربة من الرجال" يعني كالأجراء والأتباع الذين ليسوا بأكفاء وهم مع ذلك فى عقولهم وله وحَوْب ولا همة لهم إلى النساء ولا يشتهونهن. قال ابن عباس: هو المغفل الذي لا شهوة له. وقال مجاهد: هو الأبله وقال عكرمة: هو المخنث الذي لا يقوم ذكره وكذلك قال غير واحد من السلف وفي الصحيح من حديث الزهري عن عروة عن عائشة أن مخنثا كان يدخل على أهل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وكانوا يعدونه من غير أولي الإربة فدخل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو ينعت امرأة يقول إنها إذا أقبلت أقبلت بأربع وإذا أدبرت أدبرت بثمان فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "ألا أرى هذا يعلم ما ههنا لا يدخلن عليكم" فأخرجه فكان بالبيداء يدخل يوم كل جمعة ليستطعم. وروى الإمام أحمد حدثنا أبو معاوية حدثنا هشام بن عروة عن أبيه عن زينب بنت أبي سلمه عن أم سلمة أنها قالت: دخل عليها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وعندها مخنث وعندها عبدالله بن أبي أمية يعني أخاها والمخنث يقول: يا عبدالله إن فتح الله عليكم الطائف غدا فعليك بابنة غيلان فإنها تقبل بأربع وتدبر بثمان قال فسمعه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال لأم سلمة: "لا يدخلن هذا عليك" أخرجاه في الصحيحين من حديث هشام ابن عروة. وقال الإمام أحمد حدثنا عبد الرزاق حدثنا معمر عن الزهري عن عروة بن الزبير عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان رجل يدخل على أزواج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مخنث وكانوا يعدونه من غير أولي الإربة فدخل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو عند بعض نسائه وهو ينعت امرأة فقال إنها إذا أقبلت أقبلت بأربع وإذا أدبرت أدبرت بثمان فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم "ألا أرى هذا يعلم ما ههنا لا يدخلن عليكم هذا" فحجبوه ورواه مسلم وأبو داود والنسائي من طريق عبد الرزاق به عن أم سلمة وقوله تعالى " أو الطفل الذين لم يظهروا على عورات النساء " يعني لصغرهم لا يفهمون أحوال النساء وعوراتهن من كلامهم الرحيم وتعطفهن في المشية وحركاتهن وسكناتهن فإذا كان الطفل صغيرا لا يفهم ذلك فلا بأس بدخوله على النساء فأما إن كان مراهقا أو قريبا منه بحيث يعرف ذلك ويدريه ويفرق بين الشوهاء والحسناء فلا يمكن من الدخول على النساء وقد ثبت في الصحيحين عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "إياكم والدخول على النساء" قيل يا رسول الله أفرأيت الحمو؟ قال: "الحمو الموت" وقوله تعالى "ولا يضربن بأرجلهن" الآية كانت المرأة في الجاهلية إذا كانت تمشي في الطريق وفي رجلها خلخال صامت لا يعلم صوته ضربت برجلها الأرض فيسمع الرجال طنينه فنهى الله المؤمنات عن مثل ذلك وكذلك إذا كان شيء من زينتها مستورا فتحركت بحركة لتظهر ما هو خفي دخل في هذا النهى لقوله تعالى "ولا يضربن بأرجلهن" إلى آخره. ومن ذلك أنها تنتهي عن التعطر والتطيب عند خروجها من بيتها فيشم الرجال طيبها فقد قال أبو عيسي الترمذي حدثنا محمد بن بشار حدثنا يحيي بن سعيد القطان عن ثابت بن عمارة الحنفي عن غنيم بن قيس عن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "كل عين زانية والمرأة إذا استعطرت فمرت بالمجلس فهي كذا وكذا" يعني زانية وفي الباب عن أبي هريرة وهذا حسن صحيح ورواه أبو داود والنسائي من حديث ثابت بن عمارة به. وقال أبو داود حدثنا محمد بن كثير أخبرنا سفيان عن عاصم بن عبيد الله عن عبيد مولى أبي رهم عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: لقيته امرأة شم منها ريح الطيب ولذيلها إعصار فقال يا أمية الجبار جئت من المسجد؟ قالت نعم قال لها: تطيبت؟ قالت نعم قال: إني سمعت حبي أبا القاسم صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول "لا يقبل الله صلاة امرأة طيبت لهذا المسجد حتى ترجع فتغسل غسلها من الجنابة" ورواه ابن ماجه عن أبى بكر بن أبي شيبة عن سفيان هو ابن عيينة به. وروى الترمذي أيضا من حديث موسى بن عبيدة عن أيوب بن خالد عن ميمونه بنت سعد أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "الرافلة في الزينة في غير أهلها كمثل ظلمة يوم القيامة لا نور لها" ومن ذلك أيضا أنهن ينهين عن المشي في وسط الطريق لما فيه من التبرج. قال أبو داود حدثنا التغلبي حدثنا عبد العزيز يعني ابن محمد عن ابن أبي اليمان عن شداد بن أبي عمرو بن حماس عن أبيه عن حمزة بن أبي أسيد الأنصاري عن أبيه أنه سمع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو خارج من المسجد وقد اختلط الرجل مع النساء في الطريق فقال رسول الله للنساء "استأخرن فإنه ليس لكن أن تحتضن الطريق عليكن بحافات الطريق" فكانت المرأة تلصق بالجدار حتى إن ثوبها ليتعلق بالجدار من لصوقها به. وقوله تعالى "وتوبوا إلى الله جميعا أيها المؤمنون لعلكم تفلحون" أي افعلوا ما آمركم به من هذه الصفات الجميلة والأخلاق الجليلة واتركوا ما كان عليه أهل الجاهلية من الأخلاق والصفات الرذيلة فإن الفلاح كل الفلاح في فعل ما أمر الله به ورسوله وترك ما نهيا عنه والله تعالى هو المستعان.

The Rulings of Hijab

This is a command from Allah to the believing women, and jealousy on His part over the wives of His believing servants. It is also to distinguish the believing women from the women of the Jahiliyyah and the deeds of the pagan women. The reason for the revelation of this Ayah was mentioned by Muqatil bin Hayyan, when he said: "We heard -- and Allah knows best -- that Jabir bin `Abdullah Al-Ansari narrated that Asma' bint Murshidah was in a house of hers in Bani Harithah, and the women started coming in to her without lower garments so that the anklets on their feet could be seen, along with their chests and forelocks. Asma' said: `How ugly this is!' Then Allah revealed:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـرِهِنَّ

(And tell the believing women to lower their gaze...)" And Allah says:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـرِهِنَّ

(And tell the believing women to lower their gaze) meaning, from that which Allah has forbidden them to look at, apart from their husbands. Some scholars said that it is permissible for women to look at non-Mahram men without desire, as it was recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was watching the Ethiopians playing with spears in the Masjid on the day of `Id, and `A'ishah the Mother of the believers was watching them from behind him and he was concealing her from them, until she got bored and went away.

وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ

(and protect their private parts). Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "From immoral actions." Abu Al-`Aliyah said: "Every Ayah of the Qur'an in which protecting the private parts is mentioned means protecting them from Zina, except for this Ayah --

وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ

(and protect their private parts), which means protecting them from being seen by anybody."

وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا

(and not to show off their adornment except that which is apparent,) means, they should not show anything of their adornment to non-Mahram men except for whatever it is impossible to hide. Ibn Mas`ud said: "Such as clothes and outer garments," Meaning what the Arab women used to wear of the veil which covered their clothes and whatever showed from underneath the outer garment. There is no blame on her for this, because this is something that she cannot conceal. Similar to that is what appears of her lower garment and what she cannot conceal. Al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, Abu Al-Jawza', Ibrahim An-Nakha`i and others also had the same view as Ibn Mas`ud.

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ

(and to draw their veils all over their Juyub) means that they should wear the outer garment in such a way as to cover their chests and ribs, so that they will be different from the women of the Jahiliyyah, who did not do that but would pass in front of men with their chests completely uncovered, and with their necks, forelocks, hair and earrings uncovered. So Allah commanded the believing women to cover themselves, as He says:

يأَيُّهَا النَّبِىُّ قُل لاًّزْوَجِكَ وَبَنَـتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـبِيبِهِنَّ ذلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلاَ يُؤْذَيْنَ

(O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known, so as not to be annoyed) 33:59 And in this noble Ayah He said:

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ

(and to draw their (Khumur) veils all over their Juyub) Khumur (veils) is the plural of Khimar, which means something that covers, and is what is used to cover the head. This is what is known among the people as a veil. Sa`id bin Jubayr said:

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ

(and to draw) means to pull it around and tie it securely.

بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ

(their veils all over their Juyub) means, over their necks and chests so that nothing can be seen of them. Al-Bukhari recorded that `A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "May Allah have mercy on the women of the early emigrants. When Allah revealed the Ayah:

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ

(and to draw their veils all over their Juyub), they tore their aprons and Akhtamar themselves with them." He also narrated from Safiyyah bint Shaybah that `A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, used to say: "When this Ayah:

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ

(and to draw their veils all over their Juyub) was revealed, they took their Izars (waistsheets) and tore them at the edges, and Akhtamar themselves with them."

وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِى إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِى أَخَوَتِهِنَّ

(and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons,) All of these are a woman's close relatives whom she can never marry (Mahram) and it is permissible for her to show her adornments to them, but without making a wanton display of herself. Ibn Al-Mundhir recorded that `Ikrimah commented on this Ayah,

وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ

(and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers...), "The paternal uncle and maternal uncle are not mentioned here, because they may describe a woman to their sons, so a woman should not remove her Khimar in front of her paternal or maternal uncle."With regard to the husband, all of this is for his sake, so she should try her best when adorning herself for him, unlike the way she should appear in front of others.

أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ

(or their women,) this means that she may also wear her adornment in front of other Muslim women, but not in front of the women of Ahl Adh-Dhimmah (Jewish and Christian women), lest they describe her to their husbands. This is prohibited for all women, but more so in the case of the women of Ahl Adh-Dhimmah, because there is nothing to prevent them from doing that, but Muslim women know that it is unlawful and so, would be deterred from doing it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

«لَا تُبَاشِرِ الْمَرْأَةُ الْمَرْأَةَ فَتَنْعَتَهَا لِزَوْجِهَا كَأَنَّهُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا»

(No woman should describe another woman to her husband so that it is as if he is looking at her.) It was recorded in the Two Sahihs from Ibn Mas`ud.

أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـنُهُنَّ

(or their right hand possessions. ) Ibn Jarir said, "This means from among the women of the idolators. It is permissible for a Muslim woman to reveal her adornment before such a woman, even if she is an idolatress, because she is her slave-girl." This was also the view of Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib. Allah says;

أَوِ التَّـبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِى الإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ

(Tabi`in among men who do not have desire,) such as hired servants and followers who are not at the same level as the woman and are feeble-minded and have no interest in or desire for women. Ibn `Abbas said, "This is the kind of person who has no desire." `Ikrimah said, "This is the hermaphrodite, who does not experience erections." This was also the view of others among the Salaf. It was narrated in the Sahih from `A'ishah that a hermaphrodite, used to enter upon the family of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and they used to consider him as one of those who do not have desire, but then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came in when he was describing a woman with four rolls of fat in front and eight behind. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«أَلَا أَرَى هَذَا يَعْلَمُ مَا هَهُنَا لَا يَدْخُلَنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ»

(Lo! I think this person knows what is they are; he should never enter upon you.) He expelled him, and he stayed in Al-Bayda' and only came on Fridays to get food.

أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُواْ عَلَى عَوْرَتِ النِّسَآءِ

(or children who are not aware of the nakedness of women. ) Because they are so young they do not understand anything about women or their `Awrah or their soft speech or their enticing ways of walking and moving. If a child is small and does not understand that, there is nothing wrong with him entering upon women, but if he is an adolescent or approaching adolescence, so that he knows and understands these things, and can make a distinction between who is beautiful and who is not, then he should not enter upon women. It was recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

«إِيَّاكُمْ وَالدُّخُولَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ»

(Avoid entering upon women.) It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, what do you think about the male in-laws" He said:

«الْحَمْوُ: الْمَوْتُ»

(The male in-law is death.)

The Etiquette of Women walking in the Street

Allah's saying:

وَلاَ يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ

(And let them not stamp their feet...) During Jahiliyyah, when women walked in the street wearing anklets and no one could hear them, they would stamp their feet so that men could hear their anklets ringing. Allah forbade the believing women to do this. By the same token, if there is any other kind of adornment that is hidden, women are forbidden to make any movements that would reveal what is hidden, because Allah says:

وَلاَ يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ

(And let them not stamp their feet...) to the end of it. From that, women are also prohibited from wearing scent and perfume when they are going outside the home, lest men should smell their perfume. Abu `Isa At-Tirmidhi recorded that Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet said:

«كُلُّ عَيْنٍ زَانِيَةٌ، وَالْمَرْأَةُ إِذَا اسْتَعْطَرَتْ فَمَرَّتْ بِالْمَجْلِسِ فَهِيَ كَذَا وَكَذَا»

(Every eye commits fornication and adultery, and when a woman puts on perfume and passes through a gathering, she is such and such) -- meaning an adulteress. He said, "And there is a similar report from Abu Hurayrah, and this is Hasan Sahih." It was also recorded by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i. By the same token, women are also forbidden to walk in the middle of the street, because of what this involves of wanton display. Abu Dawud recorded that Abu Usayd Al-Ansari said that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, as he was coming out of the Masjid and men and women were mixing in the street, telling the women:

«اسْتَأْخِرْنَ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَكُنَّ أَنْ تَحْقُقْنَ الطَّرِيقَ، عَلَيْكُنَّ بِحَافَّاتِ الطَّرِيقِ»

(Keep back, for you have no right to walk in the middle of the street. You should keep to the sides of the road.) The women used to cling to the walls so much that their clothes would catch on the walls.

وَتُوبُواْ إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

(And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.) means, practice what you are commanded in these beautiful manners and praiseworthy characteristics, and give up the evil ways of the people of Jahiliyyah, for the greatest success is to be found in doing what Allah and His Messenger command and avoiding what He forbids. And Allah is the source of strength.

And tell believing women to lower their gaze away from what is not lawful for them to look at and to guard their private parts from what is not lawful for them to do with them and not to display their adornment except for what is apparent namely the face and the hands which may be seen by a stranger when there is no danger of either or both falling into temptation — this being one of two opinions. The second of these is that even this is forbidden because there is a presumption that these parts will cause temptation — and this is the preferred opinion if one must settle this topic with a definitive opinion; and let them draw their veils over their bosoms that is let them cover up their heads necks and chests with veils and not reveal their hidden adornment namely all that is other than the face and the hands except to their husbands bu‘ūl is the plural form of ba‘l ‘male spouse’ or their fathers or their husbands’ fathers or their sons or their husbands’ sons or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women or what their right hands own all of whom are permitted to look thereat except for the part from the navel down to the knees which is unlawful for any other than their husbands to see; ‘their women’ however excludes disbelieving women for it is not permitted for Muslim women to reveal themselves to these; ‘what their right hands own’ comprises slaves; or such men who are dependant on what food may be left over not ghayri read as an adjective or read ghayra as an exceptive possessing any sexual desire not those men who are in sexual need of women so for example those whose male member cannot become erect; or children who are not yet aware of women’s private parts in the context of sexual intercourse and so to these they may reveal themselves except for that part from the navel to the knees. And do not let them thump with their feet to make known their hidden ornaments as in a rattling anklet and the like. And rally to God in repentance O believers repenting of the occasions on which you may have looked at what is forbidden to look at of such parts and otherwise so that you might be prosperous so that you might be saved from such sinful acts when your repentance thereof is accepted — in this verse the prevalent address is to males over females.

Looking at non-Mahram is forbidden

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِ‌هِنَّ

And say to the believing women that they must lower their gazes - 24:31.

In the initial part of this long verse the injunction is the same which has been enjoined on men-folk in the preceding verse, that is, keep the eyes down or turn away the eyes. Women-folk are also included in the injunction along with men, but in the next verse there is a separate injunction for them for laying more emphasis. Hence, it is clear that for women it is forbidden to look at any man except their mahrams. Many scholars have declared that it is absolutely forbidden for women to see non-Mahram men, irrespective of looking with bad intent and passion or without any intent and passion; in either case it is forbidden. For this ruling the argument, put forward in support is the hadith of Sayyidah 'Umm Salamah ؓ which relates that once 'Umm Salamah and Maimunah ؓ both were with the Holy Prophet ﷺ when suddenly 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umm Maktum ؓ ، the companion of the Holy Prophet ﷺ who was blind, came in, and the Holy Prophet ﷺ asked them to go inside. This incident had happened after the injunction of hijab for women was revealed. On this 'Umm Salamah ؓ pleaded ` O Holy Prophet ﷺ ! But he is only blind, he can't see us'. Then the Holy Prophet ﷺ replied ` Is it that you are blind too?' (Abu Dawtid and Tirmidhi - Tirmidhi declared this hadith as hasan Sahih). Other jurists have ruled that there is no harm if women look at strange males without any passion. They base their argument on the hadith of Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ in which it is related that on an Eid day some African youths were showing their military exercises in the courtyard of the Mosque of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the Holy Prophet ﷺ was watching this game, and so was Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ ، under the cover of the back of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . She kept on watching the game until she herself got tired of it, but the Holy Prophet ﷺ did not object to her watching. Scholars are all unanimous on the point that looking with lust is prohibited, but looking without lust is also not a preferred act.

To look at a woman's satr (concealable) parts by another woman without any lawful reason is also prohibited in line with the wordings of this verse. It is for the reason that concealing of satr (concealable) from all, both by men and women, is obligatory by Shariah. Man's satr (concealable) comprises all parts of the body from navel to knees, and that of women, the whole body, except face and palms. Neither can a man see another man's satr nor can a woman see another woman's satr. Looking by a man at a woman's satr or of a woman at a man's satr is highly prohibited, and amounts to contradiction of the injunction of the Qur'anic verse which enjoins for ` turning away the eyes'. As has been explained above in detail, it is enjoined in the verse to lower the eyes or to turn the eyes away from everything which is prohibited to be seen under Islamic injunctions. To look at a woman's satr by another woman is included in that.

وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ‌ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِ‌بْنَ بِخُمُرِ‌هِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ

And must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment except to their husbands - 24:31.

The literal meaning of zinah (زینۃ) is that with which a woman adorns herself to appear attractive. It may be nice clothes or ornaments. There is an agreement of the scholars on the point that when the clothes and ornaments are not worn by women, and are only displayed in the market place, then they are allowed to be seen by men-folk. For this reason majority of scholars have taken the meaning of zinah as those parts of the body where the objects of zinah are worn. Hence, the meaning of the verse is that it is obligatory for women not to show the parts of the body where the objects of adornments are worn. (Ruh u1-Ma’ ani). Whereas it is prohibited for women in this verse to show their zinah, two exceptions have, however, been made. One is for that to be seen and the other for those who see.

Exception from the injunction of hijab

First exception is that of مَا ظَهَرَ‌ مِنْهَا (except that which appears thereof). It means that ` Women are not permitted to show their zinah زینۃ to men, except that which is revealed on its own'. The indication is that while women are working, some parts of the body get uncovered automatically, and their covering is difficult, hence, exception of such parts is permitted. There is no sin in their uncovering. (Ibn Kathir). Which parts do really fall under this exception? On this subject Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn Masud and 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas ؓ have given different explanations. Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ has explained that what has been excepted in مَا ظَهَرَ‌ مِنْهَا is the outer covering, such as veil or the sheet used for hijab. These over-clothings are used to cover up the normal garments of zinah زینۃ . Hence, the meaning of the verse would be that it is not permitted to show anything from the zinah زینۃ (garments), except the over-clothings like veil, whose hiding is not possible when going out for some work. On the other hand Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas ؓ has interpreted that it is purported for face and palms, because when a woman is forced to go out because of necessity, it is difficult to hide face and palms while engaged in her work. Therefore, according to the explanation of Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud ؓ it is not permitted for women even to uncover - their faces and palms before non-Mahram men. Only the over-clothings, like veil etc. are excepted under necessity. But in accordance with the explanation of Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas ؓ it is permitted to uncover the face and palms before the non-Mahrams. Thus, there is a difference of opinion among the religious scholars on the issue whether it is permissible to uncover the face and palms before non-Mahrams or not. But all agree on that if there is a risk of fitnah (i.e. stimulation of illicit desires) by looking at feminine face and palms, then its uncovering is not allowed, and women are not permitted to uncover their faces and palms in that situation. All scholars also agree on that in prayers women can uncover their faces and palms and in the uncovered position their prayers will be considered valid.

Qadi Baidawi and Khazin have said in the explanation of this verse that the object of the verse appears to be that women should not let anything of their zinah زینۃ be seen, except that which gets uncovered during the process of working. In this definition the veil and sheet, as well as face and palms are all included, because when a woman goes out for some necessary work, veil and sheet are open to be seen in any case, but sometimes face and palms also get uncovered during the movements of work. Hence, their uncovering is allowed and is not regarded a sin. But it does not mean that men are allowed to see faces and palms of women unnecessarily. Instead, it is enjoined upon men to keep their eyes lower, and if a woman is constrained to uncover her face or palms, the men should turn their eyes away, unless required to see in the performance of some lawful act. In this explanation both the traditions and interpretations are reconciled. Imam Malik (رح) has also ruled that it is not allowed to see the face and palms of a non-Maliram woman without a lawful need. Ibn Hajar Makki Shafi` i (رح) has quoted in his zawajir that Imam Shafi` i's view is also the same that although women's face and palms are not part of their satr, and they are allowed to pray while these parts are uncovered, yet non-Mahrams are not allowed to see them without a lawful need. However, this has already been stated above that even those scholars who have ruled it permissible to see women's face and palms, also agree that if there is a risk of mischief, then looking at their faces is not permissible. It is well known that the center of beauty and .attraction is the face of a person, and the present age is full of temptation, mischief and lasciviousness, and people are lost in remissness. Therefore, in the present circumstances it is impermissible to uncover the face before the non-Mahram men, except for medical treatment or in emergency. Similarly, it is not allowed for the men-folk as well to look at women intentionally, unless it is required by a genuine need.

After granting exception to the opened Zinah, it is enjoined in the verse under reference وَلْيَضْرِ‌بْنَ بِخُمُرِ‌هِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ (24:31) that is, ` must wrap their bosoms with their shawls'. خُمُرِ‌) Khomor is the plural of (خِمار) Khimar. It is the piece of cloth which women use to cover their head, and it also covers up the neck and bosom. جیوب (juyub) is the plural of جَیب (jayb) which means upper part of the shirt just below the neck. Since the time immemorial this part of the garment is placed over the chest of a person, hence the covering of juyub means covering of the chest or bosom. In the beginning of the verse showing of zinah زینۃ was prohibited, while in this sentence hiding of zinah زینۃ is emphasized and a specific situation is also described, the purpose of which is to eliminate an old custom of pre-Islamic days. In the pre-Islamic time women used to place the sheet on their head and let its two sides hang on their back, with the result that their neck, ears and bosom were left uncovered. Therefore, Muslim women were enjoined not to follow this, and instead were advised to place the two sides of the sheet one over the other, so that all these parts are covered. (Ibn Abi Haim from Ibn Jubair - Ruh)

The second exception in the verse relates to the men before whom no hijab is to be observed by women. There are two reasons for this exception. First, those men who are exempt from this injunction are the mahrams, hence, no risk of any trouble is expected from them. Allah Ta’ ala has put in their hearts deep respect and honour of their close female relatives, hence, there is no possibility of any mischief from them. Secondly, since the close relatives normally live all together, for the sake of convenience it is required that they do not hide from each other. But this should also be kept in mind that this exception from hiding from mahrams is exclusive to hijab, and not from the satr of women, where the exception is allowed only to husbands. Those parts o: the body of women which are included in satr, and which are not allowed to be uncovered in the prayers, are not permitted to be seen by any mahram.

Eight types of mahram men and four other types with whom no hijab is necessary are listed in this verse. In another verse of Surah Ahzab, which was revealed before this verse, only seven types of mahram are mentioned. Hence, five more types were added in the above referred verse of Surah an-Nur, which is a later revelation.

Warning

It should be noted that the word mahram is used here in its general sense, which includes husband also. In the connotation used by the scholars for this word it means the person with whom marriage is not allowed. That meaning of the word is not intended here. Let us now take up the details of the twelve exceptions mentioned in the verse under consideration: The first exception is that of husband with whom hiding of any part of the wife's body is not required. But, looking at the private parts of wife without need is not a preferable act. Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ has said مَا رأی منّی ولا رأیت منہ ` Neither he saw my private parts nor did I see his'.

Second, exception is of fathers, in which category apart from father, grandfather, great grandfather are all included. Third, is the father-in-law, and husband's grandfather and great grandfather. Fourth, are the sons. Fifth, are the husband's sons, who may be from his other wives. Sixth, are the brothers, in which category all step-brothers whether from real-mother or from real-father are included. But cousin brothers are not part of this category. They are all non-Mahrams. Seventh, are the sons of brothers. Here also sons of step-brothers are included, but sons of cousins are not included. Eighth, are the sons of sisters, and here again sons of step-sisters are included but not those of the cousins. These are the eight categories of mahrams.

Ninth category

أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ (31) (or to their women). These words are used for Muslim women, before whom all such parts can be uncovered which are allowed to be uncovered before father or sons. It has already been clarified earlier that this exception relates to hijab alone and not the satr. It is for the simple reason that, what is not allowed to be uncovered before mahram men is also not permitted to be uncovered before any Muslim woman, except for medical treatment or under dire need.

By the exception made only for Muslim women it becomes obvious that it is necessary for Muslim women to cover themselves before non-Muslim women as well. Non-Muslim women are thus in the same category as that of non-Mahram men. Ibn Kathir has quoted the. explanation given by Mujchid (رح) for this verse that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover herself before non-Muslim women. But there are Sahih ahadith available which prove that non-Muslim women used to visit wives of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، hence, there is a difference of opinion among the jurists on the subject. Some have declared non-Muslim women like men for the application of this injunction, while others have placed both Muslim and non-Muslim women under one category - that is covering before them is not necessary. Imam Razi (رح) has opined that the word نِسَائِهِنَّ (their women) encompasses both Muslim and non-Muslim women, and the practice of virtuous elders of making Muslim women covered before non-Muslim women was because it was desirable (but not obligatory). Mufti of Baghdad, ` Allamah ` Alusi (رح) has adopted this explanation in the Ruh ul-Ma` ani, and has remarked ھٰذا القول اوفق بالنّاس الیوم فانّہ لا یکاد یمکن احتجاب المسلمات عن الذمیات (روح المعانی) This explanation is more suited to present time because it has become almost impossible for Muslim women to cover themselves before non-Muslim women. (Ruh ul-Ma` ani)

Tenth category

أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ (24:31). (or to those owned by their right hands). The general sense of the wording includes both male and female slaves and servants, but many a scholars and jurists consider that it applies only to female slaves, and not to the male slaves. Therefore, it is obligatory to be in cover before them, like other non-Mahrams. Said Ibn al-Mussayab (رح) has said expressing his final view ` Do not be under the misconception that the wordings أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ are general, and include male slaves as well. It is not so. This verse refers to only female slaves, male slaves are not included in it'. Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Mas` ud ؓ ، Hasan al-Basri and Ibn Sirin رحمۃ اللہ علیہما have said that it is not permissible for a male slave to see his female owner's hair (Ruh ul-Ma ani).

Now the question is that if by the wordings أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ only female slaves were meant, then they were already included in the word نِسَائِهِنَّ (or to their women). What was the point in describing them separately? Jassas (رح) has answered this question by explaining that the word in its apparent sense is meant for Muslim women only, and in case there are non-Muslims also among the female slaves, they need to be separated from the rest, hence the use of this word.

Eleventh category

أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ‌ أُولِي الْإِرْ‌بَةِ مِنَ الرِّ‌جَالِ (or male attendants having no { sexual} urge). Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has explained that, here those confused and deranged type of persons are meant who have no liking and inclination toward women (Ibn Kathir). The same explanation has been put forward by Ibn Jarir quoting Abu ` Abdullah Ibn Jubair, Ibn ` Atiyyah رحمۃ اللہ علیہم etc. Therefore, those men are referred to here who do not have any lust or inclination towards women, nor are they interested in the beauty and charm of women, which they could describe before others. As against this, eunuchs do take interest in women's special attributes; hence women should keep covered before them. There is a hadith of Sayyidah A` ishah ؓ on the subject, that an eunuch used to visit the wives of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، and they regarded him to be included in the category of غَيْرِ‌ أُولِي الْإِرْ‌بَةِ مِنَ الرِّ‌جَالِ (31) hence they allowed him to come in their homes. When the Holy Prophet ﷺ saw him and listened his conversation, he stopped him from coming inside the homes. (Ruh uI-Ma ani).

For this very reason Ibn Hajar Makki (رح) has commented in Sharah al-Minhaj that no matter a man be impotent or devoid of genital organs or be very old, he is not included in the expression غَيْرِ‌ أُولِي الْإِرْ‌بَةِ and women are required to cover themselves before all of them. However, addition of the word التَّابِعِينَ with the expression غَيْرِ‌ أُولِي الْإِرْ‌بَةِ is meant to indicate those who are confused and deranged, and enter the houses with the purpose of eating and drinking as an attendant of some guests. Such men are excluded and it is not necessary to observe hijab before them. They have been mentioned here because in fact there were some such men at that time, and they used to go inside the homes, only with the intention of eating and drinking, but the real cause of their being excepted from the rules of hijab is their being of unsound mind and having no sexual urge and not being attendants of someone.

Twelfth category

أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ (or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women - 31). This refers to those young children who have not yet attained puberty, and are totally ignorant of ladies special attributes, gestures and postures. Any boy who takes interest in ladies company for their special attributes is nearing his puberty, and covering before him becomes obligatory. (Ibn Kathir). Imam Jassas (رح) has explained that the word طِّفْلِ Tifl (children) refers here to those children who do not differentiate between men and women in special attributes. (Jassas has narrated this from Mujahid).

وَلَا يَضْرِ‌بْنَ بِأَرْ‌جُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ

And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known - 24:31.

It is incumbent upon women to step so gently that no sound is made of their ornaments and none of their zinah is exposed to men.

To cause hearing of jewellery's sound to non-Mahrams is prohibited

In the beginning of the verse it was prohibited for women to show their zinah (ornaments or garments) to non-Mahram men. At the end of it, it is reemphasized that covering of head and bosom etc. was in any way obligatory as part of hiding of zinah زینۃ ، rather any exposure of hidden zinah زینۃ by any means is also prohibited. Putting in something in the ornaments so that they produce sound, or making of sound by the touch of ornaments with each other, or putting the feet on the ground in such a manner that ornaments make sound, and the non-Mahrams listen to these sounds; they are all prohibited under the provision of this verse. In the light of this explanation many jurists have drawn the conclusion that when causing to hear the ornament's sound is prohibited, then to cause hearing of women's own voice would be prohibited even more strongly. Therefore, they have ruled that the voice of women is also included in their satr. For this reason it is declared in Nawazil that women should learn Qur'an from women only, as far as possible. Learning of Qur'an from men should be as a last resort only.

Sahihs of Bukhari and Muslim have quoted a hadith which says that while offering prayers if someone passes in front, he should be warned with a loud voice by saying Subhan Allah by men, but the women should not make any sound, and instead hit the back of the palm with the other for warning.

The issue of women's voice

Is women's voice included in their satr per se, and it's causing to hear by non-Mahrams is prohibited? The jurists differ on this issue. In the books of Imam Shafi` i (رح) the voice of women is not included in their satr. In the case of Hanafi there are different views. Ibn Humam (رح) has included the voice in satr on the basis of statements in Nawazil. Because of this the call for prayer اذان by women is regarded makruh by Hanafi School. However, it is established by hadtth that the wives of the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to talk to non-Mahrams from behind the curtain even after the revelation of injunction of hijab. Keeping in view all the material on this point, what seems to be the correct position is that hearing the voice of a woman is impermissible only when and where it may create a fitnah, but where there is no such apprehension, it is allowed. (Jassas). However, the prudent way for women is to take care and avoid talking to non-Mahrams, even from behind the curtains, unless necessary. (Only Allah knows best)

To go out wearing perfume

It is also included in this injunction that when women go out of the house for some need, they should not wear any perfume, because that is also their hidden zinah, and it is impermissible to cause it to reach non-Mahrams. In a Oath reported by Tirmidhi from Abu Musa al-Ash` ari ؓ those women are declared bad who go out wearing perfume.

Going out wearing decorated veil is also prohibited

Imam Jassas (رح) has commented that when Qur'an has included even the sound of ornaments as the exposure of zinah زینۃ and declared it unlawful, then going out wearing decorated veil would be unlawful more strongly. By inference it is also clear that although the face of women is not included in her satr, but it is the pivotal point of zinah زینۃ ، hence, its hiding from the non-Mahrams is essential, except in cases of need. (Jassas)

. وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

And repent to Allah 0 believers, all of you - 24:31.

In this verse first the men have been enjoined to keep their eyes low, then the women are enjoined the same. After that women are directed to cover themselves before non-Mahrams. After enjoining these injunctions separately to men and women, now a combined instruction is given that the sexual desire is a delicate thing, and it remains concealed from others. But everything, concealed or open, is completely known to Allah. Therefore, if someone has erred in following the foregoing injunctions, he should beg Allah's pardon, feel repentant on his past deeds and make a firm resolve not to indulge in them again.

And say to the faithful women that they cast down their eyes, guard their private parts, and not show their adornment, save what is outward thereof.... And repent all together to God, O you who have faith! The allusion is that the servant has an adornment that it is not permissible to make manifest, just as women have private parts and that it is not permissible for them to show their adornment. In the same way, if someone makes manifest to the people the adornment of his secret core, such as the limpidness of his states and the purity of his acts, the adornment turns into a stain, unless he makes manifest something to someone that he did not do on his own or undertake. That is an exception, because he will not be taken to task for something that he did not himself determine or undertake. And repent all together to God, O you who have faith! He commands the faithful generally to repent. The repentance of the common people is from slips, the repentance of the elect from heed- lessness, and the repentance of the elect of the elect from observing the attributes of mortal nature. The repentance of the common people is to turn from disobedience to obedience. The repentance of the elect is to come from seeing obedience to seeing success-giving; instead of seeing their own obedience, they see the Real's success-giving. The repentance of the elect of the elect is to turn from the contemplation of success-giving to the contemplation of the Success-Giver. The limit of the gaze of the common people is their own acts. The field of the gaze of the elect is the attributes. The locus of the gaze of the elect of the elect is the majesty of the Essence. “I seek refuge in Thy pardon from Thy punishment” is an allusion to the gaze of the common people. “I seek refuge in Thy approval from Thy anger” is an allusion to the gaze of the elect. “I seek refuge in Thee from Thee” is an allusion to the gaze of the elect of the elect. It has also been said that He commanded all to repent so that the disobedient would not be shamed by turning back to Him alone. In the same way, at the Resurrection both the obedient and the disobedi- ent will enter the Fire, according to His words, “And none of you there is but will enter it” [19:71]. Thus He will conceal the disobedient with the obedient, and their defects will not be unveiled.