Niqaab or Hijaab?

Ask ten people the following question: “What does hijaab mean?” The most likely answers will vary from that of a woman wearing a head scarf, a veil or a loose outer garment. Hijaab, however, in the sense that it has been used in the Qur’an and Hadith, has a far wider meaning as discussed later in this article. Alhamdulillah, many women have come several steps closer to adopting hijaab (or purdah - the commonly used Urdu equivalent) by wearing the scarf, outer loose garment (cloak) and donning the niqaab. The destination of hijaab is however very much further away.
Hijaab (purdah) is not a garment nor just one specific action. Actually, hijaab is a set of laws governing the interaction between males and females. It is thus evident that the laws of hijaab are not restricted to women alone. Rather, even men must abide by the laws of hijaab. The detailed laws of hijaab include the levels of interaction that are permissible or forbidden between the different categories of males and females, the type of attire that one must adopt, the degrees of permissibility for a woman to leave the precincts of her home, etc.
In order to understand the concept of hijaab in Islam, and its importance, the most important aspect is to first and foremost rid the mind of Western influences, indoctrination and propaganda. One should also not be affected by the personal whims and opinions of apologetic Muslims who talk out of Western influence rather than on the basis of correct knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Men in Hijaab

Some of the laws of hijaab pertaining to males are the following:

1. A man may not even look at a female who is not his mahram. Allah Ta’ala declares in the Qur’an: “And say to the Believing men to lower their gazes (from strange women) and protect their chastity” (Surah An-Noor:30).
2. If genuine necessity requires that a man should communicate with a non-mahram woman, it should be from behind a curtain. Allah Ta’ala declares: “And if you should ask them for something, ask them from behind a curtain” (S33:V53).
3. A man may not be in a secluded place with a non-mahram woman (even though he is not communicating with her) except if her mahram is present. This will include places like the office, car, etc. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: “A man must not be in a secluded place with any woman except that her mahram is present with her” (Mishkaat).

The above three points broadly cover most of the rules of hijaab that apply to men.

Women in Hijab

All these aspects mentioned under the hijaab of men apply to women as well. However, the most fundamental law of hijaab for women is declared in the following declaration of Allah Ta’ala: “And you women remain firmly within your homes” (Surah Ahzaab:33). Thus a woman must remain within her home and only emerge for that which the Shariah has allowed.
The West will term this aayah as an oppression of women (Allah forbid) and will insist upon women having their “freedom” to be shoulder to shoulder with men in every walk of life. A Muslim will not be affected by such slogans. Allah Ta’ala has ordained clear roles for men and women. The Western concept of “freedom” is alien to Islam. According to Western “values,” a woman is free to walk almost naked in public, she is free to hug another man who is regarded as a “family friend” and kiss him — all in the presence of her husband and she is free to do other acts that the Shariah has denounced. Thus a Muslim should simply ignore the West and their slogans as the “values” they cherish are those mentioned above. Following the West will bring upon us the consequences which they are suffering: Every year more than 132 000 women report being raped in the USA alone — and more than half know their attackers.
Apologetic Muslims or Muslims weak in Imaan will look for a dozen ways to re-interpret or distort the meaning of this aayah. However, the practical tafseer of this aayah, as was demonstrated in the golden era of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the Khulafa-e-Raashideen (the rightly guided caliphs) , bears ample testimony to the fact that a woman’s place is indeed the home and she may only leave the precincts of the home for aspects allowed by the Shariah. When women realised this and upheld their responsibility at home, the Imaam Bukharis, Imaam Ghazalis and Imaam Raazis of the time were reared. But when women demanded “equality” with men, the children of the nanny and the T.V. were reared.

Some Reasons for Women leaving Home

There are several reasons for which a woman can leave the home, attired in the manner prescribed by Shariah. Among them are:

• There is no one to support her and her children and she has no option but to leave the home to earn a basic living. She will however have to uphold all the laws of hijaab that have been mentioned under the hijaab of men. If she has any other option, such as working from home, or the assistance of any relative or other person, and this enables her to make ends meet, she may not leave the home to work.
• She may also leave the home to visit her parents, relatives, the sick and for other similar purposes.
• In general, she may leave the home for any need which the Shariah has recognised as a valid need. This includes spiritual needs, such as Haj or material needs, as explained above.
• There are however, various aspects that certainly do not qualify as needs and a woman who truly observes hijaab or purdah will certainly refrain from. Some of these aspects are:
• Roaming the market place just for “shopping.” “Shopping” in the context that it is often used is to roam around and “see what is for sale.” If there is no male at home who can provide the household requirements, a woman may leave the home to do so, observing the laws of hijaab.
• Joining the gym or “health club.” This is the latest craze, where niqaab clad women also have found it fashionable to go to such places which are dens of great fitna. If exercise is indeed the intention, avoid using the electrical appliances and physically do the work of the machines. Also reduce the workload of the maid and do that yourself! Laughable? Ridiculous? For those who do not mind getting entangled in all types of terrible marriage-breaking fitnas, it is ridiculous. For those who value their Imaan, treasure their hayaa and are truly in purdah, it is a practical solution. Certainly, some form of physical exercise within the confines of the home can also be undertaken.
• Attending social events, competitions, fairs and the like, whether organised by a cigarette company or a Muslim organisation. In the case of the latter, using the name of Islam does not make the gross intermingling and various other violations of Shariah tolerable. Rather it makes it much worse.

Indeed, women who are not in hijaab or purdah, even though they are in niqaab (the veil), will be found at all the above places. One should make dua for them. Women in “purdah” will certainly not venture to such places.