Question: Is covering the head mentioned in Quran for women? Is it a compulsory act? Is it a ritual or worldy act? Also, I would like to know if the head scarf worn by women is fard out of prayer time, for example when going out to the grocery, etc?

Answer: Covering the head for women is compulsory in Islam for all females who have reached the age of puberty. This law is established from the Holy Quran and the authentic teachings of the Prophet (s.a.s).

Covering the head outside salaah is also compulsory and is not only required for salaah. As such, whenever a woman leaves her home to go to the grocery or any other place, she must cover herself properly, including her head.

In this regard, the Holy Quran states, 'And say to the believing women that they must lower their gaze and guard their private parts, and must not expose their beauty (adornment) except that which appears thereof, and must place their Khimar (veil, head cover) over their bosoms'. (Sura An Nur Verse 31). This verse of the Holy Quran explains the law regarding the dress code for women and is not specific for salaah. According to the reliable commentators of the Holy Quran, the words, 'except that which appears thereof' refers to the face and the hands up to the wrist (as evident from the statement of the great companion Abdullah Ibn Abbas (r.a)). The verse therefore means that a woman is commanded to cover her entire body with the allowance to leave her face and hands up to the wrists exposed. This is also evident from the sound traditions of the Prophet (s.a.s) as recorded in many books of Ahadith. In this respect, the great commentator of the Holy Quran, Hafiz Ibn Jareer At Tabari has narrated that Ibn Juraij has narrated from Aishah (r.a.) that she said, 'My niece visited me and then the Prophet (s.a.s) came to my room. When he entered, he turned his face. Upon this, I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, she is my niece and only a girl'. The Prophet (s.a.s) said, 'When a girl reaches the age of puberty, it is not permissible for her that she exposes (herself) except her face and this, and then he pointed to the hands until a little beneath the wrists'. (Tafser At Tabari vol.18 pg 142).

The above tradition shows that Aishah's niece was not in salaah, nor was she going for salaah. Instead, it was a matter of the proper way of dressing for a woman which was connected to her at all times except when she is at home in her private chambers. The Tradition also shows that covering the head is essential.


And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan