Where in the Quoran is a woman required to cover her face when outside in public?

Question

Why is it that you only see a few Muslim women wearing a Birka etc? so you can only see their eyes? I have even seen the eyes covered as well. I have been told the Quoran does not require this, if this is a fact why do Mulla's and other Muslims allow this practice to continue??

Answer 1

salaam and peace,

(**I am NOT basis my answer totally on OPINION, like many repliers did, but i am including *daleel* proofs...read on...)

first off, the face cover is called a "niqab" and normally entails covering all the body except for the face (and possibly the hands)

there are many ways to look at the wearing of Niqab...

1stly. Some groups of Muslims believe that wearing Niqab is "fard" or required Islamically, they base this belief on the sunnah *traditions* of the Prophet PBUH's wives who covered their faces, and on certain interpretations of the Quraan and again, Sunnah and Hadeeths.

So yes there are some Muslims who do believe the Quraan states that everything is to be covered except the eyes.

I suggest you look at the sources I listed below, they are REALLY excellent.

One source site is from a Muslim women who DOES wear Niqab but does NOT believe it is *fard*...
the second site is coming from the belief that Niqab IS *fard*.

now...
Some women who Niqab do so because of cultural expectations and this is not correct, much like how some Muslim women wear hijab because of cultural expectations...this is equally not correct...Islamically.

Its wrong to judge a Muslim women who wears Niqab as either being *wrong* or as being *right* because those who do wear Niqab for religious reasons often base their decision, again on the sunnah or the interpretations they follow from the Quraan

and lastly...some Muslim women wear Niqab because they view it as a better form of covering which protects them better, but not because they view it as *fard*.

in closing, do check out the sources I listed below.
they are VERY informative.
and Just realise that islam is NOT monolithic, there are MANY different opinions regarding things like covering and all opinions ought to be respected.

Answer 2

because if a woman decides to cover her face its her business not the mullahs.why do you lose sleep over what someone else does with their life? do you not have enough concern of your own to make you indifferent to others?trust me,you will live even if you cant see the eyes of Muslim women.the sun will still shine even though Muslim women covers her face.and is there no concern for you that the woman of the west reveal all that God made private ?unto children and married men alike they show their charms .and with no shame at that! and who is it that no longer feels shame or embarrassment when their privates are uncovered? if you took an average teenage girl in the "fashion" they wear today and put her on the corner for one hour she will be arrested.but your in schools this is acceptable!and your concerned about someones eyes?get your life back.move on.lifes short.and oh...you spelled Quran wrong.

Answer 3

well no where in Qu'ran does it say that a woman should wear Hijab anf cover her eyes. it only says that they should cover their bodies -- BOTH men and women -- COVER their PRIVATES AND BODY, not face. covering the face is optional. there was no Hijab during the times of Muhammed-pbuh. his wives would wear something that covered their bodies & hair -- and would give sermons and Adhan. Hijab came around many years later as a part of culture.

moreover the extent to cover oneself also depends on societies, cultures and traditions. in conservative societies, people will never display themselves. try going to India and Africa, esp rural areas and u will see -- that inspite of not being muslims, people will cover their women. and try to cover their face with a veil. its cultural rather than religious.

also it is a false propaganda that says that muslimah cover themselves for the fear of men. WRONG. they do it for God. just like Maryam-a.s practised it. the key word -- MODESTY AND GRACE OF WOMANHOOD.

Answer 4

Because rarely are such strict religious laws issues by our "religious leaders" even about religion. In fact, it has nothing to do with it. Its completely and totally about power.

Force an entire HALF of the population into submitting to the other half, so you keep the men happy with their little island of control without being restless about bigger and better things.

In fact, in the Qur'an, it only tells the Prophet's wives to hide themselves and dress modestly, but as an example to other women.

Answer 5

No. covering the face except for the eyes is more tradition and culture than Islam. Islam allows the female face and hands to be visible in public.

Answer 6

Look!, why don't you read the English version the chapter No3 (The women) so that you will be able to study this controversial subject and gain more actual facts on this very subject.

Answer 7

It comes from Nomadic Arabians to protect the women from dust storms, thus it is only a tradition.

Answer 8

There is a fine line between culture and religion.


The burka is culture while modesty is religion. The burka IS modesty so there's nothing wrong with it, although it's not required.

Answer 9

Right next to the place where it says that women don't have souls and that they are created to be nothing more than servants and sex slaves for muslim men.

Answer 10

quran doesnt say that, infact face and hands are the only uncoverd parts