Here’s the Truth Behind the Veil

words: ‘Jilbab’ (33:59) and ‘Khimar’ (24:31). But again, these words are not used in their present connotation. It is a fact that both words have a similar meaning, that is, chaadar or dupatta, which covers the body of a woman and not her face. So it is evident that the present ‘Burqa’ or ‘Hijab’ are not Quranic terms; both are part of Muslim culture and not part of Quranic commandments. According to the Hanafi and Maaliki school of fiqh, three parts of a woman are exempted from satr (body covering). These three are ‘wajh’ (face), ‘kaffain’ (hands), and ‘qadmain’ (feet). According to the Shariah, women are required to cover their bodies with clothing that is not tight fitting and not meant to attract others. (Tafsir Usmani) It is noteworthy that the well-known Arab scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Naasiruddin al-Albani, clearly endorses the position mentioned above of the Shariah in his book on this subject, ‘Hijab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah fil Kitab was-Sunnah’ (The Veil of a Muslim Woman in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah). He goes on to say that it is clear from the Quran, the Hadith and the practice