Questions and Answers about Islamic Veil

6. Tearing a transparent scarf

Once mother of the believers, Sayyidatunā ‘Āishaĥ iddīqaĥ          رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا was visited by Sayyidatunā afرَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا who was the daughter of her brother Sayyidunā ‘Abdur Ramān. Sayyidatunā afرَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا was wearing a thin scarf at the time, so Sayyidatunā ‘Āishaĥ iddīqaĥ رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا tore the scarf and made her wear a thick scarf. (Muwaṭṭā Imām Mālik, vol. 2, pp. 410, Ḥadīš 1739)

The famous commentator, akīm-ul-Ummat, Muftī Amad Yār Khān عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الْـمَنَّان commented on this adīš: Meaning, she tore the scarf and turned it into two handkerchiefs so that it was no longer suitable to wear as a scarf but could be used as a handkerchief. Therefore, no one can object about why she رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا wasted this cloth. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه also stated, ‘This is a practical example and proper education for girls. That scarf was transparent and revealed her niece’s hair, it did not properly cover the necessary parts of her body, which is why Sayyidatunā ‘Āishaĥ iddīqaĥ رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا did this.’ (Mirāt, vol. 6, pp. 124)

7. Veil was symbol of free women in era of Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم

Sayyidunā Anas Bin Mālik رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ said: The Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم resided in a place between Khaybar and Madīnaĥ Munawwaraĥ زَادَھَـا الـلّٰـهُ شَـرَفًـا وَّ تَـعۡـظِیۡـمًا for three days. During this stay, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم married Sayyidatunā afiyaĥ رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا and held a wedding-feast (Valīmaĥ) for his honourable companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم in which there was no bread or meat. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم instructed for the dining-mat to be spread and the foods served on it were dates, cheese and ghee. This was the entire feast. However, it was not yet clear to the honourable companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم whether Sayyidatunā afiyaĥ رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْهَا had become the Holy Prophet’s wife or maid (because she was a prisoner of the battle of Khaybar).

 

Index