Essence Of Hijaab
Q1) A “camel hump” is identified in the following way where it is bigger than the head, it is higher than the head and it has a dip between the head and bun. Is this correct?
A1) The following Hadith is recorded in Sahih Muslim:
عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما قوم معهم سياط كأذناب البقر يضربون بها الناس ونساء كاسيات عاريات مميلات مائلات رءوسهن كأسنمة البخت المائلة لا يدخلن الجنة ولا يجدن ريحها وإن ريحها ليوجد من مسيرة كذا وكذ
صحيح مسلم, ج2 ص205
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has mentioned, “There are two groups of people who are from amongst the inmates of the fire. I have not seen them. a) Such a nation who possess whips like the tails of cattle; they beat the people with it. b) Women who are dressed, yet they are naked; they incline towards others and others incline towards them; their heads are like the leaning humps of female camels. They will not enter Jannah nor will they get its fragrance. Verily, its fragrance can be smelled from such and such distance.”
Some commentators of Hadith have given the following comments on the underlined section of the Hadith:
a) They enlarge the head by tying a cloth, turban or something generally worn on the head in such a way that it resembles the hump of a she-camel.
b) To plait the tresses of hair and then to gather it in the centre, at the top of the head.
Generally nowadays, a woman ties her hair in a bun behind her head because of it being more convenient and easier to conceal all her hair. If it is done in this manner, it will be permissible. Irrespective of the hair being in a bun, plait or pony tail, the hair of a female forms part of her Awrah and should be concealed at all times.
بدن الحرة عورة إلا وجهها وكفيها وقدميها كذا في المتون وشعر المرأة ما على رأسها عورة وأما المسترسل ففيه روايتان الأصح أنه عورة كذا في الخلاصة وهو الصحيح وبه أخذ الفقيه أبو الليث وعليه الفتوى كذا في معراج الدراية
الفتاوى الهندية -ج 1 ص 58
Q2) Is it permissible to wear a black scarf out of the home, provided it covers the chest?
A2) Hijaab essentially requires that women not appear in front of strange males without a proper covering. This has been an established practice amongst all the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam, the Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum and all the righteous people.
The essence of Hijaab is that the body is concealed with such a covering that does not expose the figure or shape of the body and it should not be done with such clothing that clings to the body. If the black scarf fulfils these criteria, then it will be perfectly normal to wear it considering one’s self to be in a state of Hijaab.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Ahmed Saeed
Date: 09 Dhul Hijjah 1447 / 27 May 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb