Hijab — Page 47
47 is manifest. Everywhere, (head covering) or Niqab (face covering) or something of the like is used, a scarf may be worn or a wide wrap is worn. Thus, Allah has said, َّ جُیُوۡبِہِن و َ لۡیَضۡرِبۡن َ بِخُمُرِہِن َّ عَل ٰی َّ جُیُوۡبِہِن و َ لۡیَضۡرِبۡن َ بِخُمُرِہِن َّ عَل ٰی “. . . draw their head-coverings over their bosom” (Surah Al-Nur, 24:32), which means that the covering should be big enough to cover the head and the body. It is permissible to come in front of fathers, brothers and sons without this covering. Surely, when a woman comes in front of her father, brothers and sons, she is in a decent dress, but the face is uncovered. He added that the face can be uncovered in presence of fathers, brothers, sons and other Mahram relatives, but it should not be so when you go out. These days, wraps or shawls are not used, instead Niqab, Burqa or coats are worn. This restriction is not rigid to the extent of causing suffocation by covering the nose tightly. Besides, the nose can remain uncovered to breathe easily, but lips and chin should be covered. Otherwise, use a big Chador (shawl) and wrap it as Allah has said to cover your head. Purda happens easily on its own – a large Chador (shawl) easily veils a face. If a Burqa is worn for its ease, it should be such that complies with this command. Wearing a tight-fitted coat, which is clinging to the body or keeping the whole face uncovered, is not Purda, it becomes fashion. Therefore, I tell everyone to assess themselves and see if they are observing Purda according to the commandment of the Holy Qurān. (Address to Ladies, Jalsa Salana Sweden, September 17, 2005, Al-Fazl International, May 15, 2015) Lesser Degree of Purda Around Mahram Relatives Allah has given us permission not to observe Purda from certain people and they have been mentioned in the excerpt cited above. In this context, Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīh V atba stated in a Friday Sermon: