Question: Why must a woman wear hijab? I am a new Muslim and in the Quran I cannot find any mentionings of a woman covering her hair specifically, I only find that it says lengthen her skirt and cover her chest.

Answer: A Muslim woman is one who has accepted to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and that of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In understanding the teachings of the Holy Quran, one must look at the teachings and explanations, practice and guidelines given by the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in order to understand what is required from an individual in his/her practice of Islam.

In this regard, it is important for one to look at the teachings of the Quran in conjunction with that which has been explained by the Messenger of Allah on the topic of Hijaab in order to understand what is required for women.

In the Holy Quran Chapter 24 verse 31, Allah says: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty except what appears thereof."

While commenting on this verse, all the scholars of the Holy Quran from among the companions of the Prophet (s.a.s.), as well as those after them have stated that, 'In this verse, a woman is ordered to cover her entire body and to reveal only that which appears on its own'. In the explanation of 'what appears thereof', the Messenger of Allah (s.a.s.) has stated that it is the hands up to the wrists and the face.

In another passage of the Holy Quran, the following is mentioned in Chapter 33 verse 59: 'O Prophet! Tell Thy wives and daughters and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over themselves. That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested."

Based on these verses, the Prophet (s.a.s.) implemented the law of hijaab for the women and he instructed them to cover themselves entirely, with an allowance to reveal the face and hands up to the wrists (as allowed in the Holy Quran). The entire nation of the Muslims is unanimous on this matter and no one from among the sound and authentic scholars of Islam throughout the ages have given an opinion that is opposing to this law.


And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan