Islam and the veil: Does the Qu'ran require women to cover their faces and only show their eyes?

Question

If so, can someone tell me exactly where inthe Qu'ran it is stipulated.


If it is NOT in the Qu'ran why do some women choose to do it?

PS - this question is not meant to cause offence, I am genuinely curious.

Answer 1

The Qur'an says:

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, or children that are as yet unaware of women’s nakedness; and let them not swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms, And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state!" (24:31)

"And [know that] women advanced in years, who no longer feel any sexual desire, incur no sin if they discard their [outer] garments, provided they do not aim at a showy display of [their] charms. But [even so,] it is better for them to abstain [from this]: and God is all-hearing, all-knowing." (24:60)

"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters, as well as all [other] believing women, that they should draw over themselves some of their outer garments [when in public]: this will be more con­ducive to their being recognized [as decent women] and not annoyed. But [withall,] God is indeed much- forgiving, a dispenser of grace!" (33:59)

I also know that the Qur'an says that the whole body should be covered except the hands and face, but I am not sure where I found this. Covering the face is not obligatory. It is often done though. There is nothing wrong with it and there is nothing mandatory about it, it is only extra.

Answer 2

The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.


"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.


It is an agreed position by many respected scholars that the face and hands of the woman must be covered. Some scholars say it is permissible to uncover the face and the hands of the woman as long as there is no fitna (infatuation) caused by this action. Two things must be taken into consideration

a) if she is beautiful and beautifies her face and hands with external substances, or

b) the society around her is corrupt where men do not lower their gaze, then it is prohibited for her to uncover her face and hands.


The wives of the Prophet (S) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.


Best Wishes ,,,
safwan

Answer 3

Well! Some women do attract more attention when they are covered if you know it is woman under the cover.

Some men will love to have their womn covered, and silent.

You wont find justification for that in the Quran but recently I viewed a TV documentary about a tribe in Africa in which the women are made to cut their lips for extension in order to be less attractive to other tribesmen who sometimes raided and took away women.

This total covering may have come from early tribal habits which some men use as control over their women and which may be why Muslims have turned away from the Quran to avoid giving the family and the women and children of Islam their Scriptural rights and a stress-free life.

It is weird how men will hijack any system and convert it to their own advantage, but Muslim women should demand their rights as given in the Quran and cease trying to play the holyrole of married nun.

Answer 4

As you can tell from the answers there is a difference of opinion. Amongst the scholars there is debate even among the most respected ulama (scholars) in Islamic history, the best thing for a Muslimah is to study the arguments and evidences given by both sides for herself to see where she stands.

Answer 5

Pick me, Pick me! :)
I am a Muslim and I veil my face. I have done so over the last two years, alhamdulillaah. You are right, it doesn't specially say it completely in the qur'aan, however it was mentioned by the prophet Muhammad who went into detail about a part of the qur'aan that talks about covering of women.

The reason why only some women do it is because there is a difference of opinion. Some say we should, some say we can. That it's voluntary. But i wear it because I feel I should, and I absolutely enjoy it.

In the time that I'm writing this, there are probably going to be a lot of strange responses (lol -- I'd be shocked if there aren't), but take the answer from me as being the truth, as I am a Muslim who wears it and no one ever forced me to. It was a spiritual decision. Even my parents didn't want me to wear it, but God blessed me with the courage to do something right for myself.

Women choose to do it because it was highly advised -- to help protect yourself from danger, as well as help protecting your modesty. I feel it's helped my modestly endlessly. thanks for asking. :)

Also, I'd like to point out that people say it's man made -- no it's not. And if it was man made then I wouldn't have chosen to do it. Also, people say that women are forced to wear it, which is complete lies. Go out there and approach a woman and ask her. She'll tell you it was from her heart.

And also, people should feel "sorry" for us for wearing it. We love it. :) Good bless.

PS -- I would get a thumbs down because that's what ignorant people do. :)

Answer 6

Respected sister Vita,
Qura'n is the Final testament after real Torah( Real Old testament), and real Injeel(Real new testament).
Torah and Injeel revealed on Moses, and Jesus(Peace and blessings upon them).
Qura'n is an ultimate guidance to Humanity.
Regarding woman safety Qura'n guides to women for their safety, not expose their beauty or feminine ornaments. Because not all eyes out side are pure and if you expose yourself to un pure and dirty eyes with sick mentality you may be hurt by those people.
This is common sense if there are two girls of same age passing through on street in front of some dirty mind people, one of the girl is properly dressed head to toe, and other is exposing her breast and other attractions. The guys will notice first the exposed one and will start gazing and may start wrong doing as well. AND most probably they will ignore the other one.
If Qura'n suggest to ladies hide your feminine attractions so you will be protected.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

Now it depend on ladies, how they feel comfortable it is their choice. Ladies has liberty they can leave open their faces or if lady feels she must have her face also hidden from sick eyes she can do that as well.
Qura'n suggest few parts more then that is free choice.
I am not a very good communicator sister Vita but If you think you need more explanation may be I will try to give more explanation deferentially and with some sites in support so you can get more information.

See in Christian Scripture:

1 Corinthians 11:3-12
3..Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4..Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5..And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. 6..If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7..A man ought not to cover his head,[a] since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8..For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9..neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10..For this reason, and because of the angels the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

Conclusion

So the Quran tells women to wear the veil for purposes of recognition, safety and honor.
http://www.islamfortoday.com/women.htm
http://www.islam101.com/women/hijabfaq.html

God knows best.

Comments:--
For Aissa:- There is clear instructions in Qura'n and further explations comes from Ahadees and Sunnah of the Umahatul Momineen ( Traditions and Observations of Respected Wives of Prophet).

Answer 7

no all that is required is to veil all her body except her hands and face but some choose to cover ther face because the prophets wives were required to cover there face

Answer 8

the requirement is for a man to cover what's between his belly button to his knees. and for a woman to cover all her body except her face and her hand.

for covering the face, it's not required. it was more for protection reason to protect women. for example which one will you willing to go after a woman who is wearing attractive clothes, or a woman who covers her body? .. however now, in some Islamic countries covering the face become part of tradition than religion. it's part of culture clothes such as how Indian dress their custom clothes, or chines and so on..

Answer 9

Actually show only one eye, I saw this many times.

Answer 10

No!!according to muslim religion,what is allowed to appear from womens' body is their face and their hands.If she wants to please god more she may cover her whole face but that is not a must.