Question:
Answer:
Women should wear headscarves because of the ayah in the Qur’an:
“O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way.) that will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. And Allah Ta’ala is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah 33 verse 59
In another verse it is mentioned, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes to see the way, outer palms, or dress with veil gloves, head cover etc) and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers ..
Surah 24 verse 31
The Mufassireen have explained “Khumur” in the ayah above, is that it is such a cloth that a woman wears on her head which also covers the neck and chest.
Ma’aariful Qur’an Vol. 6 pg 40
It is reported that Hazrat Ummi Salamah (RA) said, when the ayah (verse) “and draw their veils .. Was revealed, the Ansaar women came out and the headgear they wore resembled crows.
Abu Dawood Vol. 2 pg 211
Hazrat Aisha (RA) reports that once Hazrat Asmaa Binte Abi Bakr (RA) entered Nabi (S.A.W.)’s house and she was wearing thin cloths. Nabi (SAW) turned away from her and said, “When a woman becomes of age it is not permissible for her to show herself besides this and this.” and pointed towards the face and palms.
Abu Dawood Vol. 2 pg 211
Hazrat Aisha (RA) is reported to have said: “at the time of Hajjatul Widaa, the people use to pass by us when we were with Nabi (SAW), when they would come towards us we would cover our faces with our veils and when they would pass us we use to remove it.”
Abu Dawood Vol. 1 pg 254
From these Aayaat and Hadith we come to know that a woman must cover her head. (i.e.) wear headscarves
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mahmood Bin Mohammed Anwar Pandor
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
15 March 2007
24 Safar 1428