Is the Niqab Waajib? 1. **At-Tamheed (6/364)** - Ibn Abdil-Barr: Stating that the face and hands are not from the ‘awrah of a woman. 2. **Al-Mughni (1/637)** - Ibn Qudāmah Al-Maqdisi: Regarding the prohibition of women in ihrām wearing the niqāb and gloves. 3. **Bukhāri nos. 1513, 1855; Muslim no. 1334** - Hadith of Ibn ‘Abbās: Al-Fadl looking at a woman during the Farewell Hajj, showing her face was uncovered. 4. **Abu Dawood no. 4104** - Hadith of Asmā bint Abī Bakr: The Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) pointing to the face and hands as what can be seen. 5. **Surah An-Nūr: 31** - Verse about women lowering their gaze and not showing off their adornment except what is apparent (face and hands). 6. **Jilbāb Al-Mar’ah (p. 59)** - Shaikh Al-Albāni: Statements from the companions about the face and hands not being part of the ‘awrah, citing Ā’ishah, Ibn ‘Abbās, Ibn ‘Umar, Anas ibn Mālik, and Al-Miswar ibn Makhramah. 7. **Al-Bukhāri 4/42** - Hadith about women in ihrām not wearing the niqāb or gloves. 8. **Al-Fatāwā (15/447)** - Ibn Taymiyyah: Differentiating between jilbāb and hijāb verses. 9. **Surah Al-Ahzāb 33:53** and **33:59** - Verses about speaking to the Prophet’s wives from behind a hijāb and drawing the jilbāb over themselves. 10. **Abu Dawūd 641** - Hadith: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman unless she wears a khimār. 11. **Radd Al-Mufhim, p. 19** - Scholars’ statements (Ibn Katheer, At-Tabari, Al-Baghawi, Ibn Atheer, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Hajr) on the khimār excluding the face. ### Evidence and References for Face Veiling in Islam: 1. **Qur'an - Surah An-Nur (24:31)**: - Allah says: > “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent… and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms)…” - This verse is interpreted by some scholars to imply that women should cover their face, as the phrase "draw their veils all over their juyoob" suggests covering both the face and the body. 2. **Ibn Katheer's Tafsir**: - Ibn Katheer explains in his tafsir that ‘Ubaydah As-Salmaanee, when asked about this verse, demonstrated by covering his face and exposing only one eye, which shows the interpretation that the face should be covered. 3. **Ibn Al-Jawzee's Tafsir**: - Ibn Al-Jawzee (rahimahullaah) states that this verse implies women must cover their heads and faces to be recognized as free women. He explains that the jilbaab refers to a loose outer garment, a view supported by other classical scholars such as Ibn Qutaybah. 4. **Abu Hayyan Al-Andalusee's Interpretation**: - In his Tafsir *Al-Bahr-ul-Muheet*, Abu Hayyan mentions that the verse could refer to the face, as women during pre-Islamic times used to expose their faces. 5. **Abu Su'ood's Commentary**: - Abu Su’ood explains that the jilbaab is a garment that covers the head and falls to the breast, indicating that the ayah commands women to cover their faces and bodies. 6. **As-Suddee's Explanation**: - Imam As-Suddee reports that women should cover their face except for one eye, further supporting the interpretation that the face should be veiled. 7. **Ibn Abbas' Explanation of Surah Al-Ahzaab (33:59)**: - Ibn Abbas, one of the foremost authorities in interpreting the Qur'an, when asked about the verse: > “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies” - He demonstrated by covering his face, leaving only one eye visible. This indicates that the face covering was understood to be part of the command for women to wear the jilbaab. - @_umm.salamah