If you become an Alimah (woman scholar), is it compulsory to wear Niqab?

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalaam alaikum wa rahmatullah

Niqab is necessary irrespective of whether one is an Alimah or not. Please study the following answer given to a previous question on the same topic.

Allah SWT says in Surah Ahzaab, verse 59 "O Prophet! tell your wives and daughters and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments (Jalaabeeb) over them, that is likelier that they be known and not harmed/annoyed......"

In order to understand a word in any language, we have to ask the experts of that language. The root word of "jalaabeeb" is "jalbab", which is used for things which cover completely.

Example: the darkness of night. When the darkness of night comes, there is no corner left which is bright, everything becomes covered in darkness. In the same way, jalbab is the garment that covers a woman from head to toe, with nothing left open. (Lisanul Arab,V 1 - Al muhalla V 3).


We will now quote the sahaaba (R.A) who have explained the jalbab to us so clearly, that there is no room for confusion anymore. Ibne Abaas (R.A.) says under the explanation of the above verse "Allah SWT commanded Muslim women to pull this sheet on top of them, to cover their bodies, except one eye, when it is necessary for them to come out of their homes."

Imam Mohammed ibn Seereen says," I asked Ubaidullah Salmani RA the meaning of this verse and how the jalbab was used, he demonstrated it to me, by pulling a sheet of cloth over his head to cover his body, leaving only one eye uncovered."

It should be remembered that the sahaaba/ companions of the prophet Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam were the ones who witnessed the Qur'an being revealed, they witnessed how the prophet Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam practiced on the verses revealed, who can give us better insight into following the Qur'an than the prophet Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam and his sahaaba?

And what about the wives of the prophet Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam who are our role-models, how did they follow the verses of Quran? Aisha (R.A.) was the wife of Nabi Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam. Once, she was left behind by the caravan while returning from a journey. When she realized this, she thought it best to remain exactly where she was, the prophet SAW will soon realize she is not with them and come back for her. A few miles behind this caravan was a sahaabi, Safwan bin Mu'atal (R.A.), his job was to travel behind the caravan and pick up anything left behind. As he came closer, he noticed someone sleeping, when he realized it was Aisha (R.A.) he said loudly, innaa lilaahi wa innaa ilayhi raajioon, upon hearing his voice, Aisha (R.A.) says I got up from my sleep and immediately covered my face with my shawl. Safwan RA recognized her because he had seen her before the verses of hijaab were revealed. But since the verses had been revealed, she now covered her face.

Alhamdolilaah, all praise is due to Allah, who has made Islam so perfect and just, that there is no difference between how we practice on it and how the wives of a prophet practiced on it. There are no different rulings for different people. Every Muslim/ Muslimah is the same, the only difference is in taq'wa.

There are so many Aayaat and Ahaadith on this subject that books have been written in great detail on it. We would like to end by saying that if covering the face was not necessary, just an option for women to choose from, then the other aayaat of hijaab wouldn't make sense. For example:

1. If women were free to uncover the face, why does Allah SWT ask the men and women not to look at each other and lower their gazes. (Surah Noor)? How will we follow this command of Allah? If covering the face is not necessary, then neither should lowering the gaze be necessary.

2. If it was permissible to uncover the face, then why do we need permission before entering someone's home?

"Oh you who believe! enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission...." (Surah Noor)

This aayah is guarding the females of the home so that they are not looked upon by strange men.

3. Allah SWT commands the women "... and make not a dazzling display (of yourselves), like the former times of ignorance...." (Surah Ahzaab) and also "...And tell the believing women that they lower their gaze and guard their modesty and not display their beauty....." (Surah Noor).

Is the face not part of the beauty of a woman? In fact, it is a focal point of her beauty. I came across a survey last year which was conducted amongst the men. They were asked as to which parts of a female would first get their attention? 80% of them replied her face, eyes and lips would attract them first, followed by her body.

4. Why would Allah SWT command the men to ask for any need from behind a curtain (Surah Ahzaab)?
If a woman can uncover her face then why not just ask her face to face?

5. If a woman's face is showing then a man would not be captured by her voice on first impulse. But when a woman's face and body are concealed, Allah SWT has further commanded her not to be complacent/sweet in her speech with the males. (Surah Ahzaab)

Allah SWT has made all these rules for the betterment of mankind, not to make us upset or miserable. Parents make rules and regulations in their homes because of the love they have for their children. If someone says that a mother disciplines her child because of hatred or misery, we would say that it is absurd. Similarly, Allah SWT knows what is best for us while our knowledge is limited. Our success lies in following the Quran and the Sunnah of our Rasool Sallallahu `alaihi wasallam.

We hope that this answers your question. For further detailed reading we would recommend the book "HIJAB"
(http://www.islameasy.org/hijab.php) by Dr. Mohammed Ismail Memon Madani. There isn't any aspect of hijab that is left out in this book.

May Allah SWT grant us the true understanding of His deen and grant us the taufeeq to follow His commands. Aamin!


And Allah knows best.

Ask Alimah Department