The conditions of veiling

The conditions of veiling

For proper veiling it is not enough to wear a scarf  face veil  head cover or an outer garment. There are certain conditions to be met. They are as follows

1. The outer garment should be long. loose and opaque.

2. It should hide the entire body of the woman starting from her head  hair. Face. hands and bosom down to the toe of her feet.

3. Her anklets and bracelets should not tinkle to allure men towards her.

4. It must be plane and close in texture not to draw attention to the woman. Also. it should not be decorated with ostentatious colors and designs.

5. It must not be transparent that reveals the womans shape or her inner clothes.

6. It should not be designed in to resemblance to the clothing of the disbelieving women.

7. It should not be similar to the mens outfits in colors and or designs as the Prophet ( is reported as having said

«لعن الله المتشبهين من الرجال بالنساء والمتشبهات من النساء بالرجال»

(Allah condemns those men who behave or act in a womanlike manner. and those women who behave or act in manlike manner).

8. It should not be perfumed at all as it is not permissible for the Muslim woman to wear perfume while leaving home for an outing. The Prophet ( has said:

«كل عين زانية، والمرأة إذا استعطرت فمرت بالمجلس فهي كذا»

(Every eye is adulterous and when a woman perfumes herself and passes by a company (of men). she is such and such (meaning adulterous)). (At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)

The first Verse regarding veil was revealed in Al-Madinah when  Umar bin Khattab admonished the Prophets wife. Sawdah bint Zam ah. while going outside without veil. Allah says.

{يَـٰۤأَيـُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لازْوَٰجِكَ وبناتك إِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيْنَ أُمَتِّعْكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحْكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلا}

(O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (except eyes to see the way).

That will be better. that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed). (V. 33:59)

Generally. the veiling covers the whole body including head, face. Hair. Bosom. hands and feet. But in the absence of men it is permissible for woman to uncover her face as narrated by ishah

«كان الركبان يمرون بنا ونحن مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم محرمات، فإذا حاذوا بنا سدلت إحدانا جلبابها من رأسها على وجهها فإذا جاوزونا كشفناه.»[أبو داود]

(Some riders passed by us while we were with Allahs Messenger ( in the state of ritual consecration. When they came face to face. one of us let down her cloak (veil) from her head on her face and when they preceded us. we uncovered it). (Abu Dawud)