Compulsion of Purdah
Question:-
Is it Fardh for women to observe Purdah in Shariah? Please respond with proofs!
Answer:-
The compulsion of Purdah/Hijaab is proven directly from the Quraan Sharif. Allah Ta’ala states, “And when you ask the wives of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam for anything, then ask them from behind a curtain (without seeing them)– [Surah Ahzaab; verse 53; Surah 33.]
This is the verse of Hijaab which was revealed in the 5th year of Hijri, in the month of Dhul Qa’dah. This verse indicates that all the limbs of the body should be totally covered which include the face and palms. [Re:- Adillatul Hijaab Pg.251]
Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya states that if Purdah was not necessary, then what was the need to command the Sahaaba to ask the wives of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam from behind a veil? There wouldn’t have been any harm in appearing before them and asking directly. Hence the above verse is a clear indication of Purdah being necessary.
In verse 59 of Surah Ahzaab, Allah Ta’ala states, “O Nabi! Tell your wives, your daughters and the women of the Mumineen (that when they leave their home due to necessity) they should draw down their ‘Jilbaab’ over themselves.
Under this verse, Ibn Katheer Rahimahullah has written quoting a number of Sahaaba and Ta’bieen that Allah Ta’ala has commanded the women of the believers that, if they leave their home due to some necessity, then they should cover their faces from above their heads with a Jilbaab in such a manner that they expose only one eye. [Ibn Katheer pg.569 Vol.3]
Imaam Abdur Razzaq Rahimahullah narrated from Umme Salmah Radiallahu Anha that, after the revelation of this verse, they used to lower their Jilbaab over themselves, i.e. the ladies of the Ansaar used to come out of their homes and walk with such dignity as if there were crows sitting on their heads (which would fly away if they walked any faster) and, they used to cover themselves with big black cloaks. (Ruhul Ma’ani Pg.89 Vol.2)
This brings us to the conclusion that Purdah is necessary and, in fact, a direct injunction of the Quraan Sharif. We hope that the above discussion suffices in explaining the compulsion of Purdah.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 23 Jumad-al-Ula 1443 / 28 December 2021