The Description of a Woman's Garment
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 11253 )
Q: We received your recorded letter dated 24 Rabi' al-Akhir 1408 AH, and we offer you our sincere thanks for the portion you sent. However, regarding the short jilbab that rises only a shibr above the sole of the foot, and over which a very thick sock is worn through which the leg is not visible, nor its color, and I do not consider this part of the leg to be 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) because it is not visible, in the opinion of Imam al-Shafi'i it is permissible, and this evidence is found in the book *Fiqh al-'Ibadat* (Jurisprudence of Worship) concerning the four Imams, specifically regarding the jilbab. You sent me information about the woman's hijab (the covering prescribed for women) in general, and may Allah reward you with all good. I want the answer specifically in one word (permissible or not permissible). A large number of our nursing sisters wear this jilbab with the niqab (the face veil), which is placed on the head, and praise be to Allah, regarding worship it is performed in the best manner, if Allah wills, in terms of preserving the Qur'an, constant glorification of Allah, and voluntary prayers. So, my brother, by Allah, we have become in doubt regarding the hijab, even though these are considered formalities, and the important thing is the essence. The
external appearance has an impact on us. For example, when we listen to the group of the short jilbab, we find a commitment to religion that is beyond reason, and when we listen to the group of the long, loose jilbab, we see commitment as well. So we become confused: is it the long jilbab that drags on the ground, or the short jilbab that rises a shibr above the foot, where nothing of the leg is seen? May Allah benefit you, please inform us. By the way, you sent us the book *Al-Hijab wa al-Sufur wa Nikah al-Shighar* (The Hijab, Uncovering, and the Marriage of Shighar), and inside it is the hadith that says:, meaning: the face and the hands, and you say that it is a weak hadith. How is this, when we are following this hadith according to what is mentioned in the Book and the Sunnah?
A: First: It is obligatory for the woman to wear the long jilbab that covers her feet; for what was narrated by Abu Dawud , al-Tirmidhi , and al-Nasa'i , from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Riyad as-Salihin 800, and in a narration of Abu Dawud
it was said:Sunan Abi Dawud 4119Sahih (Al-Albani), and in (al-Muwatta) and (Sunan Abu Dawud and al-Nasa'i ), from Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her), she said when the izar (lower garment) was mentioned: Muwatta Malik 48:14. Second: The correct opinion is the obligation of covering the face and hands from non-mahram men. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We received your recorded letter dated 24 Rabi' al-Akhir 1408 AH, and we offer you our sincere thanks for the portion you sent. However, regarding the short jilbab that rises only a shibr above the sole of the foot, and over which a very thick sock is worn through which the leg is not visible, nor its color, and I do not consider this part of the leg to be 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered) because it is not visible, in the opinion of Imam al-Shafi'i it is permissible, and this evidence is found in the book *Fiqh al-'Ibadat* (Jurisprudence of Worship) concerning the four Imams, specifically regarding the jilbab. You sent me information about the woman's hijab (the covering prescribed for women) in general, and may Allah reward you with all good. I want the answer specifically in one word (permissible or not permissible). A large number of our nursing sisters wear this jilbab with the niqab (the face veil), which is placed on the head, and praise be to Allah, regarding worship it is performed in the best manner, if Allah wills, in terms of preserving the Qur'an, constant glorification of Allah, and voluntary prayers. So, my brother, by Allah, we have become in doubt regarding the hijab, even though these are considered formalities, and the important thing is the essence. The
external appearance has an impact on us. For example, when we listen to the group of the short jilbab, we find a commitment to religion that is beyond reason, and when we listen to the group of the long, loose jilbab, we see commitment as well. So we become confused: is it the long jilbab that drags on the ground, or the short jilbab that rises a shibr above the foot, where nothing of the leg is seen? May Allah benefit you, please inform us. By the way, you sent us the book *Al-Hijab wa al-Sufur wa Nikah al-Shighar* (The Hijab, Uncovering, and the Marriage of Shighar), and inside it is the hadith that says:
O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, nothing of her should be seen except this and this
يا أسماء، متى بلغت المرأة المحيض فلا يرى منها إلا هذا وهذاA: First: It is obligatory for the woman to wear the long jilbab that covers her feet; for what was narrated by Abu Dawud , al-Tirmidhi , and al-Nasa'i , from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at the one who trails his lower garment out of arrogance." Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) asked: "What should women do with the hem of their clothes?" He (ﷺ) said, "They might lower them a hand's span." She said: "But their feet would still remain exposed." He said, "Let them lower them equal to arm's length but not more than that."
من جر ثوبه خيلاء لم ينظر الله إليه يوم القيامة، فقالت أم سلمة : فكيف يصنع النساء بذيولهن؟ قال: يرخين شبرًا، فقالت أم سلمة إذًا تنكشف أقدامهن، قال: فيرخين ذراعًا لا يزدنit was said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave licence to the Mothers of the believers (i.e. the wives of the Prophet) to hang down their lower garment a span. Then they asked him to increase it, and he increased one span for them. They would send (the garment) to us and we would measure it one forearm's length for them.
رخص رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لأمهات المؤمنين في الذيل شبرًا، فاستزدنه فزادهن شبرًا، فكن يرسلن إلينا فنذرع لهن ذراعًاto the Messenger of Allah, he said, "She lets it down a handspan." Umm Salama said, "If it leaves her uncovered?" He said, "Then the length of a forearm and let her not increase it."
فالمرأة يا رسول الله، قال: ترخيه شبرًا قالت أم سلمة : إذًا ينكشف عنها، قال: فذراعًا لا تزيد عليه
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.