The concept of Hijab (Parda) holds significant importance in Islam, representing modesty, dignity, and privacy for Muslim women. The teachings of the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasize the importance of veiling for women to protect their honor and modesty. This article explores several hadiths related to Hijab, providing insight into the guidelines and wisdom behind this Islamic practice. Each hadith is discussed in its complete form and its translation in Arabic, English, and Urdu. Key points of each hadith are analyzed under separate subheadings to highlight the essential lessons and teachings.
The Revelation of Hijab
English Translation
“
It was narrated from Safiyyah bint Shaybah that ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to say:
When these words were revealed: “And to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms),” they took their izars (a kind of garment) and tore them from the edges and covered their faces with them.
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4481)”
Arabic Text
“
عَنْ صَفِيَّةَ بِنْتِ شَيْبَةَ قَالَتْ: كَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا) تَقُولُ: لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ: “وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ”، أَخَذْنَ أُزُرَهُنَّ فَشَقَقْنَهَا مِنْ نَوَاحِيهَا وَغَطَّيْنَ وُجُوهَهُنَّ.”
Urdu Translation
“
صفیہ بنت شیبہ سے روایت ہے کہ حضرت عائشہ (رضی اللہ عنہا) فرمایا کرتی تھیں:
جب یہ آیت نازل ہوئی: “اور اپنے گریبانوں پر اپنی چادریں ڈال لیں” (نور: 31)، تو انہوں نے اپنی چادروں کو پکڑا اور انہیں چاک کیا اور اپنے چہروں کو ڈھانپ لیا۔
(صحیح بخاری، 4481)”
Key Lessons from Hadith
- Importance of Immediate Action: This hadith emphasizes the immediate response of the Muslim women upon the revelation of the command to observe Hijab. Their swift action highlights their obedience to Allah’s commandments without hesitation or delay.
- Modesty in Dress: The specific mention of covering the face, neck, and bosom points to the emphasis on modesty and privacy, which forms the essence of the Hijab. The women of that time took it upon themselves to ensure they adhered to the command by using their existing garments.
The Incident with Sawdah bint Zam’ah
English Translation
“
‘Aishah narrated that the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to go out at night to al-Manasi’ to relieve themselves. Umar used to say to the Prophet, “Let your wives be veiled.” But the Prophet did not do so. One night, Sawdah bint Zam’ah went out at ‘Isha time, and Umar recognized her, saying, “We have recognized you, O Sawdah!” Following this, the verse of Hijab was revealed.
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 146; Muslim, 2170)”
Arabic Text
“
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا): كَانَ نِسَاءُ النَّبِيِّ (ﷺ) يَخْرُجْنَ لَيْلًا إِلَى الْمَنَاصِعِ لِلْحَاجَةِ، فَكَانَ عُمَرُ يَقُولُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، احْجُبْ نِسَاءَكَ! وَلَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (ﷺ) يَفْعَلُ. فَخَرَجَتْ سَوْدَةُ بِنْتُ زَمْعَةَ لَيْلَةً، فَعَرَفَهَا عُمَرُ فَقَالَ: قَدْ عَرَفْنَاكِ يَا سَوْدَةُ! فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ آيَةَ الْحِجَابِ.”
Urdu Translation
“
حضرت عائشہ (رضی اللہ عنہا) سے روایت ہے کہ نبی (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) کی ازواج، رات کے وقت حاجت کے لیے البقیع کی طرف جایا کرتی تھیں۔ حضرت عمر (رضی اللہ عنہ) نے نبی (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) سے کہا: اپنی بیویوں کو پردے میں رکھیں۔ نبی (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) نے یہ عمل نہیں کیا۔ ایک رات حضرت سودہ (رضی اللہ عنہا) نکلی تو حضرت عمر نے پہچان لیا اور کہا: ہم نے آپ کو پہچان لیا، اے سودہ! پھر اللہ نے پردے کی آیت نازل کی۔
(صحیح بخاری، 146؛ مسلم، 2170)”
Key Lessons from Hadith
- The Role of Umar (RA): Umar’s (RA) suggestion to the Prophet (PBUH) was pivotal in the revelation of the verse of Hijab. His concern for modesty was rooted in ensuring that the Prophet’s wives were safeguarded from unwanted attention.
- Divine Revelation in Response to Social Needs: The verse of Hijab was revealed in direct response to a social situation, highlighting how Islamic guidelines are revealed to address the practical needs of the community while maintaining moral values.
The Wedding of Zaynab bint Jahsh
English Translation
“
Ibn Shihab narrated that Anas said: I am the most knowledgeable about Hijab. Ubayy ibn Ka’b used to ask me about it. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) married Zaynab bint Jahsh, he invited people for a meal. After they had eaten, some men stayed behind to chat. The Prophet walked back and forth, waiting for them to leave, but they did not. Eventually, the verse of Hijab was revealed, and the Prophet drew a curtain between him and the men.
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5149; Muslim, 1428)”
Arabic Text
“
عَنْ أَنَسٍ (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ): كُنْتُ أَعْلَمَ النَّاسِ بِالْحِجَابِ. كَانَ أُبَيُّ بْنُ كَعْبٍ يَسْأَلُنِي عَنْهُ، فَلَمَّا تَزَوَّجَ النَّبِيُّ (ﷺ) زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ وَدَعَا النَّاسَ إِلَى الطَّعَامِ، جَلَسَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْدَ الطَّعَامِ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ. فَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ (ﷺ) يَمْشِي ذَهَابًا وَإِيَابًا، حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ آيَةَ الْحِجَابِ وَأَرْخَى سِتْرًا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الرِّجَالِ.”
Urdu Translation
“
حضرت انس (رضی اللہ عنہ) روایت کرتے ہیں: میں پردے کے بارے میں سب سے زیادہ علم رکھنے والا ہوں۔ حضرت ابی بن کعب مجھ سے پوچھتے تھے۔ جب نبی (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) نے حضرت زینب بنت جحش سے نکاح کیا اور لوگوں کو کھانے کی دعوت دی، کچھ لوگ کھانے کے بعد وہاں بیٹھے رہے۔ نبی (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) وہاں چہل قدمی کرتے رہے یہاں تک کہ پردے کی آیت نازل ہوئی اور نبی (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) نے پردہ ڈال دیا۔
(صحیح بخاری، 5149؛ مسلم، 1428)”
Key Lessons from Hadith
- The Need for Privacy: The hadith highlights the Prophet’s (PBUH) need for privacy in his own home, especially after a social event. It teaches the importance of observing boundaries, even in seemingly casual situations, as a means to protect personal and familial sanctity.
- Curtain as a Symbol of Hijab: The Prophet’s act of drawing a curtain between himself and the men who overstayed their visit reflects the physical and symbolic nature of Hijab, which serves as a barrier to protect modesty and privacy.
The Women Praying Fajr with the Prophet (PBUH)
English Translation
“
Narrated ‘Aisha: The believing women covered themselves with their veiling sheets and used to attend the Fajr prayer with Allah’s Messenger, and after finishing the prayer they would return to their homes and no one could recognize them because of the darkness.
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 578)”
Arabic Text
“
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا): كَانَتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يَشْهَدْنَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ (ﷺ) صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ مُتَلَفِّعَاتٍ بِمُرُوطِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يَرْجِعْنَ إِلَى بُيُوتِهِنَّ وَمَا يُعْرَفْنَ مِنَ الْغَلَسِ.”
Urdu Translation
“
حضرت عائشہ (رضی اللہ عنہا) روایت کرتی ہیں: مومن عورتیں پردے کی چادروں میں لپٹ کر فجر کی نماز کے لیے رسول اللہ (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) کے ساتھ آیا کرتی تھیں اور جب نماز کے بعد واپس لوٹتیں، اندھیرے کی وجہ سے انہیں کوئی پہچان نہیں سکتا تھا۔
(صحیح بخاری، 578)”
Key Lessons from Hadith
- Veiling in Public Spaces: The hadith highlights that Muslim women during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) would cover themselves completely, even when attending the mosque for prayers. This reflects the adherence to modesty even in acts of worship outside the home.
- Protection of Modesty: The women’s commitment to observing Hijab, despite the early morning darkness, demonstrates their dedication to preserving their modesty in public.
Conclusion
The practice of Hijab, deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, goes beyond just a physical veil. It protects dignity, modesty, and privacy for Muslim women, fostering an environment of respect and decency. Through these hadiths, we gain insight into how the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) immediately responded to the command of Hijab and how this practice was integrated into their daily lives. The Hijab not only shields from physical harm but also preserves the moral fabric of society by promoting modesty and reducing temptation.