Hijab (Follow Up: Verse 33:59)
Question:
Assalam o Alikum
Altough in the above verse only 4 things are essential and covering head is not mandatory, but what about verse no. 59 of Surah 33?
I know that according to some scholars, the verse is only relevant in the specific circumstances of Prophet PBUH when there were some accusations on his wives and this verse of Surah Ahzab is only for relatives (wives and daughters) of Prophet. But its is clearly mentioned in the verse about Prophet's wives and daughters AND OTHER MUSLIM LADIES. So covering head for muslim ladies become essential?
Answer:
Assalamu Alaykum,
The specific circumstances that you referred to were not excluded to the wives of the Prophet (pbuh). Verses 33:59, 60 clearly indicate that the hypocrites of Medina were targeting the wives of the believers as well.
The verse is not giving a general directive. It is about a specific situation that emerged in Medina at the time of the Prophet (pbuh). Therefore the verse is not giving a Shari'ah ruling. It is simply instructing a specific group of people (wives of the believers) to take an action to avoid the ill behavior of the hypocrites.
The action that they were advised to take was inline with the requirements of their society at the time. To give you an example, imagine a society in which there is a perception that women who wear red are bad women while women who wear white are good ones. In such society, if the problem like the one that happened in Medina emerges, then the best advice for good women would be to wear white.
So to conclude and summarise:
A. The verse 33:59 is not a part of the Shari'ah as we know it, it is a specific instruction for a specific situation at the time.
B. The concern of the verse is not for wives of the believers to cover themselves more. The concern is to tackle the hypocrites, who would disturb the wives of believers, by removing any excuses they may have.
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Related Topics:
- Implication of the Word Khimar for HIjab
- Hijab (Follow Up: While Praying)
------
April 2013
Assalam o Alikum
Altough in the above verse only 4 things are essential and covering head is not mandatory, but what about verse no. 59 of Surah 33?
I know that according to some scholars, the verse is only relevant in the specific circumstances of Prophet PBUH when there were some accusations on his wives and this verse of Surah Ahzab is only for relatives (wives and daughters) of Prophet. But its is clearly mentioned in the verse about Prophet's wives and daughters AND OTHER MUSLIM LADIES. So covering head for muslim ladies become essential?
Answer:
Assalamu Alaykum,
The specific circumstances that you referred to were not excluded to the wives of the Prophet (pbuh). Verses 33:59, 60 clearly indicate that the hypocrites of Medina were targeting the wives of the believers as well.
The verse is not giving a general directive. It is about a specific situation that emerged in Medina at the time of the Prophet (pbuh). Therefore the verse is not giving a Shari'ah ruling. It is simply instructing a specific group of people (wives of the believers) to take an action to avoid the ill behavior of the hypocrites.
The action that they were advised to take was inline with the requirements of their society at the time. To give you an example, imagine a society in which there is a perception that women who wear red are bad women while women who wear white are good ones. In such society, if the problem like the one that happened in Medina emerges, then the best advice for good women would be to wear white.
So to conclude and summarise:
A. The verse 33:59 is not a part of the Shari'ah as we know it, it is a specific instruction for a specific situation at the time.
B. The concern of the verse is not for wives of the believers to cover themselves more. The concern is to tackle the hypocrites, who would disturb the wives of believers, by removing any excuses they may have.
----------------------
Related Topics:
- Implication of the Word Khimar for HIjab
- Hijab (Follow Up: While Praying)
------
April 2013
