Question:-
Is the wearing of gloves for Muslim women who are already in Niqaab necessary, or is it something extra which one has a choice of adopting or leaving it out?
Answer:-
There are different levels of Purdah. The first level is where a woman is required to remain within the confines of her home at all times. However, Islam is a complete and perfect way of life hence, Islam has considered the fact that there will be times when a woman will be required to leave the precincts of her home due to necessity. The second level of Purdah, in light of the Quraan and Hadith, is that she completely conceals her entire body from head to toe (with a covering such as a Jilbaab) and then leaves the home. All the jurists of all four Madhaahib are unanimous of these two levels of Purdah.
Now coming to the third level of Purdah, when a woman leaves her home due to necessity, can she expose her face and palms when the rest of her body is totally concealed? Imaam Maalik, Imaam Shafi and Imaam Ahmad Rahimahumullah have not permitted exposing the face and palms irrespective of whether there is a fear of Fitnah or not. In other words, the moment a female leaves her home (due to necessity), she will be required to conceal her face and palms.
Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah has attached the condition of fear of Fitnah to it meaning that, if the element of Fitnah is found, then it will be necessary to cover the face and hands. We are living in an era of Fitnah where one is neither safe inside one’s own home, nor outside of the home, from the Fitnahs. It is on this basis that the Hanafi jurists consider it necessary to conceal one’s face and hands before Na-Mahram men. [Re:- Kifaayatul Mufti Pg.254 Vol.12] In conclusion, it is necessary to cover the palms by wearing gloves.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 05 Dhul Hijjah 1443 / 05 July 2022
