Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri

Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director


Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center

Mufti Maulana Syed Zia Uddin Naqshbandi Quadri

Shaik-ul-Fiqh - Jamia Nizamia


Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center

Scholarly Articles

Why to cover the face with Burqa


<div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Logic Behind covering The Face</span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">&nbsp;</span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">In the total body of human being the most beautiful and excellent part is the face.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>All the powers of hearing, seeing, speaking and all other powers, which create turmoil in the emotions and may lead men to sin are concentrated in the face.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>That's the reason the Shariah has ordered women to cover the face with a nose-piece and should not allow any non-Mahram men to have a glimpse of her face in particular.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">The Hadith describe severe warnings for a man who sees any non-Mahram woman with lust and desire.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Translation of Hadith: Whoever looks at a non-Mahram woman with lust, on the Day of Judgment, molten lead would be poured in his eyes.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>(Hidayah, Kitab Ul Karahiyya, Vol. 4, Pg. No. 458)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">If there is any possibility of desire, then everyone agrees that it is prohibited to reveal the face before non-Mahram people.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>If there is no possibility of desire, then as per the Hanafi school of Fiqh, there is an allowance to keep the face uncovered.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Hence, in light of the clear corruption in this age, the later Fuqaha (Islamic Law experts) have stressed that the face should be covered.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Hence, while wearing the Burqa, it is more advisable and better to cover the hands up till the wrists, the ankles and including the face, the whole body should be covered.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">As given in Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 261.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For whom is it allowed to see face</span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">It is permissible for the Qazi (judge) and the witness to see the face of the woman.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>In the same way, it is permissible to see the face of the woman whom one desires to marry.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>There is a Hadith in Jame' Tirmidhi:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Translation of Hadith: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: See the face of the woman whom you want to marry as this is a means of maintaining love.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>(Jame' Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1007)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">At the time of proposing marriage, it is allowed only to see the face and the hand to the extent of the palms.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Seeing the face it is to get to know the facial features and the beauty and seeing the hands is to judge the condition of the body parts.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>If more detail is desired, any reliable lady might be sent to know the other details about the girl.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>In the same way, if the girl wants to see the boy for the purpose of marriage, the Shariah allows it. <span style="">&nbsp;</span>As given in Radd Ul Muhtaar, Kitab Ul Hazr.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; line-height: 115%; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">It is permissible for the doctor and/or the nurse to see the spot of illness/ailment of the patient.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>Those parts of the woman's body, which are prohibited to be seen, they remain prohibited by the Shariah even if they are separated.<span style="">&nbsp; </span>This is also the ruling for women's hair and nails of her legs.</p> </div>