The Symbol of Devotion and Modesty
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 4758
Narrated `Aishah: May Allah bestow His Mercy on the early emigrant women. When Allah revealed: “… and to draw their veils all over their Juyubihinna (i.e., their bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms)…” (V.24:31), they tore their Murat (woolen dresses or waist-binding clothes or aprons, etc.) and covered their heads and faces with those torn Muruts.
📖Quran 24:31
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their adornment except that which [ordinarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not to display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, those whom their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the nakedness of women; and let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.
Explanation:
When the Qur’anic verse (24:31) was revealed, it instructed the women to dress modestly by covering their bodies, including their heads and bosoms, to avoid displaying their adornment. The women, including `Aishah (RA), took this command very seriously and followed it by tearing their Murat (a type of woolen clothing) to cover their heads and faces. This demonstrates how they were directly responding to Allah’s revelation by taking swift action to implement the modesty prescribed, However, it is essential to understand that the verse does not explicitly state that the face and hands should be covered. Instead, it mentions covering the body and chest. As such, various scholars have interpreted this verse differently, with some allowing the face and hands to remain uncovered, while others have emphasized full coverage.
Face and Hands:
From the following hadiths, we see that showing the face and hands is permissible:
📖Sunan Abi Dawud 4104
Narrated `Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his attention from her. He said: “O Asma’, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this,” and he pointed to his face and hands.
This hadith demonstrates that when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it is permissible for her to show her face and hands. The Prophet ﷺ clearly pointed to his face and hands, implying that these parts are not considered part of the adornment that should be concealed under the concept of modesty, However, the context of the hadith also implies a greater emphasis on the modesty of the entire body. Asma’s thin clothing was a cause for concern, but the Prophet ﷺ clarified that the body can be covered with the exception of the face and hands, which are not to be concealed.
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6228
Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas: Al-Fadl bin `Abbas rode behind the Prophet (ﷺ) as his companion rider on the back portion of his she-camel on the Day of Nahr (the slaughtering of sacrifice, 10th Dhul-Hijja). Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet (ﷺ) stopped to give verdicts. In the meantime, a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khath’am came, asking the verdict of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). Al-Fadl started looking at her as her beauty attracted him. The Prophet (ﷺ) looked behind while Al-Fadl was looking at her; so the Prophet (ﷺ) held out his hand backwards and caught the chin of Al-Fadl and turned his face (to the other side in order that he should not gaze at her). She said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! The obligation of Performing Hajj enjoined by Allah on His worshipers has become due (compulsory) on my father, who is an old man and who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient that I perform Hajj on his behalf?” He said, “Yes.”
Context of Looking at Women:
The context of this hadith is crucial. Although women are allowed to show their face and hands, men are prohibited from looking at them inappropriately. In the hadith with Al-Fadl bin `Abbas, the Prophet ﷺ noticed that Al-Fadl was looking at the woman and immediately turned his face to prevent him from gazing at her. This illustrates that while it is permissible for women to show their face and hands, men are still commanded to lower their gaze and avoid looking at women with desire.
📖Quran 24:30
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.
This Qur’anic command applies to both men and women, urging them to lower their gaze and avoid lustful looks. It is essential to maintain modesty on both sides—women by covering their adornment, and men by respecting the boundaries and lowering their gaze, If a man looks at a woman’s face, it is important to differentiate between an accidental glance and intentional gazing. The general rule is that men are instructed to lower their gaze in the presence of women who are not their mahrams (those whom they are not permitted to marry). This applies to any part of the woman’s body, including the face.
📖Quran 24:30
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.
This command addresses men directly, instructing them to lower their gaze, which includes looking at women’s faces. Even if the face is permissible to be shown, men are still encouraged to avoid gazing at it, as it may lead to temptation or desires.
Context of Looking at the Face:
Looking at the face itself is not inherently sinful, but it becomes problematic when it leads to lustful thoughts or actions. Islam encourages modesty and the lowering of the gaze to protect both individuals from temptation. If the look is purely accidental, it is not sinful, but if a man deliberately stares or looks with ill intentions, it becomes problematic.
📖Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2777
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not follow one glance at a woman with another. Verily, you are excused for the first one but not for the second.”
This hadith emphasizes that a person should not follow an initial glance with further staring. The first glance is excused, but the second or prolonged gaze is discouraged, as it may lead to sinful thoughts or actions.
What to Do if the Face Is Looked At:
- Lower the Gaze Immediately: If a man happens to look at a woman’s face, especially if she is not a mahram, he should immediately lower his gaze and avoid staring.
- Seek Protection from Allah: If the gaze causes unwanted feelings, it is advised to seek refuge in Allah from the whispers of the Shaytan (Satan) and ask for help in maintaining modesty.
- Avoid Situations that Could Lead to Temptation: Men and women alike are encouraged to avoid situations where temptation may arise, and this includes limiting unnecessary interaction or exposure.
Is Looking at Women Permissible?
Yes, as face and hands are allowed to be shown for women, but based on hadith looking at them without reason is not allowed. But it was followed by the Prophet. We can’t be perfect as the Prophet. If everyone follows the same custom, then men can follow it also in better ways. But in today’s world it’s not possible for a person to follow properly as it should be. But still, if a person looks at women, it should be based on a good reason, not for any bad thoughts. If someone looks in bad ways, they’re committing sin. But women are allowed to show face and hands.
📖Sahih Muslim 131a
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, Verily, Allah has recorded good and evil deeds and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, Allah will record it as a complete good deed. If he intends to do it and does so, Allah Almighty will record it as ten good deeds, up to seven hundred times as much or even more. If he intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, Allah will record for him one complete good deed. If he does it, Allah will record for him a single evil deed.”
This highlights that when a person intends to do something that is in line with Allah’s commands, even if external circumstances make it difficult, the intention itself is rewarded, provided they remain within ethical boundaries.
Conclusion:
Although the face is permissible to be shown, men are still commanded to lower their gaze and avoid looking with desire. An accidental glance is excused, but continuous staring or looking with bad intentions is prohibited in Islam. The emphasis is always on protecting one’s heart and maintaining modesty, for both men and women.