An Analytical View on the Ruling of Face Covering (Part 9)
Covering the Face in the Quran
As the primary source of Sharia rulings, the Holy Qur’an addresses the use of full hijab and face covering, describing them as means of chastity and protection from the harassment and inappropriate glances of lustful and wandering individuals.
Some people claim that there is no mention in the Qur’an concerning the covering of the face, positing that if it were necessary to cover the face, the Lord of the worlds would have made it explicitly clear in the Qur’an. Consequently, they entirely reject the practice of covering the face. However, it should be noted that the Holy Qur’an references “Jilbab” and face covering in several instances.
1. In order to protect women from the harsh and lustful gazes of men, and to hinder the approach of corrupt and lustful individuals, Allah has commanded women to wear the veil (Jilbab): «يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلمُؤمِنِينَ يُدنِينَ عَلَيهِنَّ مِن جَلَٰبِيبِهِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ أَدنَىٰٓ أَن يُعرَفنَ فَلَا يُؤذَينَ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورا رَّحِيمًا» Translation:“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their veils close to themselves; that is more appropriate, so they may be recognized and not harassed. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Some Sahaba and scholars have interpreted “Adna Al-Jilbab” as including face covering, an opinion held by Ibn Masoud, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), Obaida Salmani, Qatada, Hasan Basri, Saeed bin Jubeer, Ibrahim Nakhai, and Ata Khorasani (may Allah have mercy on them).
“Jalabib” is the plural of “Jilbab,” which refers to a long chador. Scholars and Mufasireen have various opinions and interpretations regarding “Jilbab.” The esteemed Mufasir Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “It was narrated from Ibn Masoud that ‘it means a chador that is worn over a smaller chador.’”
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) stated regarding this veil (Jilbab): “Allah Almighty has commanded Muslim women that whenever they go out of their homes for necessity, they should cover their heads with the veil and cover their faces, leaving only their eyes exposed to see the way.”
Imam Ibn Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him) reported: “I asked Ubaydah al-Salmani about the saying of Allah, the Exalted: (يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ). He demonstrated the meaning of this verse and the nature of Jilbab by hanging the veil over his face from the side of his head, covering his face and leaving only his eye exposed.”
Allama Muhammad Shafi’ (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “This verse clearly commands covering the face and affirms the content of the earlier verse on hijab; that is, the face and palms, while they are not strictly part of the ‘Awrah, are also necessary to cover due to the fear of sedition, except in cases of necessity.”
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