Is covering face necessary as a part of hijab in Islam? [face covering in islam; face covering islamic veils; face covering muslim; is covering face obligatory; is face covering compulsory; kya muh dhakna zaruri hai; hijab in islam]
Allah says in the Qur'an chapter 24 verse 31:
(O Prophet) enjoin the believing woman to restrain their gaze and guard their modesty, and not to display their adornment except that which is displayed of itself, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to display their adornments except before their husbands, their fathers, .and also forbid them to stamp their feet on the ground lest their hidden ornaments should be displayed.
There are two opinions amongst the scholars in Islam as to what does the phrase "except that which is displayed of itself" mean and include. One opinion is that it means the face and the hands may be left uncovered, and the other opinion is that the face also has to be covered, and only the hands may be left uncovered.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4092 Narrated by Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon) turned his attention from her and 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 (peace be upon him) pointed to her face and hands.
The most accepted opinion is that if the women covers everything except her face and her hands, she would be following the command of Allah; and if she chooses to cover her face too, then it would be considered purest and closest to the command of Allah.
The difference between the covering and leaving uncovered the face of a believing woman in hijab is not one between right and wrong, but rather between what is best and what is good. If the believing woman covers her whole body and chooses to leave her face uncovered, it is good, acceptable and in accordance with the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah; but if she covers her whole body including her face with a covering, it would be best and closest to the Command of her Lord.
And Allah knows best!
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