Dowry

covered, the question of their being recognized would not arise. The phrase “because of the darkness they could not be recognized” makes sense only if the faces, by which individuals are recognized, were uncovered. Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani takes a similar stand as regards the covering of a woman’s hands, quoting a famous tradition narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas. It says that once the Messenger of God addressed the women to urge them to give alms (sadaqah). Afterwards Bilal ibn Rabah, a Companion of the Prophet, spread a sheet, on which the women began throwing their rings. After quoting this tradition the author quotes Ibn Hazm: Ibn ‘Abbas saw the hands of women in the presence of the Prophet. This proves that the face as well as the hands are not included in the parts of the body to be covered. Indeed all other parts except these have to be veiled.2 He further writes: My heart bleeds to see the way many women of today adorn themselves, crossing all limits of decency. But the remedy does not lie in declaring forbidden what Allah has permitted. He goes on to say that it is clear from the Qur’an, the Hadith and the practice of the Companions and tabi’un (companions of the Prophet’s Companions) that, whenever a woman steps out of her home, it is incumbent upon her to cover herself completely so as not to show any part of her body except the face and the hands.3 According to Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani’s findings the following rules of hijab are applicable: 1. The whole body, except for the exempted parts should be covered. 2. But any veil which in itself becomes an attraction is to be avoided. 3. Garments should not be semi-transparent. 4. Dress should not be tight fitting. 5. Garments should not be perfumed. 6. The form of dress should not in any way resemble that of men. 7. It should not resemble that of non-believers. 8. Garments should not reflect worldly honor.4 The first rule of hijab has been derived from the following passages of the Qur’an: Say to the believing women to turn their eyes away (from temptation) and to preserve their chastity; to cover their adornments except such as are normally displayed; to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to reveal their finery except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their step-sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women-servants, their slave girls, male attendants lacking in natural vigor, and children who have no knowledge of sex. And let them not stamp their feet when