If we say that it is not obligatory for a woman to cover her face, have we not opened the doors for many women to uncover their faces and for fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) to spread?
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The questioner : It is not hidden from you, O honorable Shaykh, that a woman's adornment and beauty lie in her face.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : And as you know, the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) occurring today in the streets and in the countries.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : So naturally, your fatwa (a scholarly legal ruling) has probably opened the doors for many women now to uncover their faces.
The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah!
The questioner : And as you know, the face!!
The Shaykh : Did I open this door, or the scholars who came before me?!
The questioner : Complete the question, O Shaykh!
The Shaykh : Ah, but the question is understood.
The questioner : So if, as you mentioned, O Shaykh, the woman's face and her hands are 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered).
The Shaykh : It is not 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered)!
The questioner : It means we are veiled, O Shaykh, because now my hand is out and my face is uncovered, which means I am veiled now.
The Shaykh : Yes, I do.
The questioner : Do you see how it is.
The Shaykh : And your chest?
The questioner : Ah?
The Shaykh : Your chest?
The questioner : Absolutely not, no, I am veiled, right or not, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : You said, no, it is not correct.
The questioner : Huh?
The Shaykh : It is not correct.
The questioner : Now my face and, I mean, they are uncovered, and you say it is not 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), which means I am veiled now.
The Shaykh : I just ask you one thing, which is not to take scholarly matters with emotion, but to take them with calmness and deliberation.
How should the verse you cite as evidence for the obligation of a woman covering her face be understood? Can you, in light of what I described to you earlier, according to my opinion that you are now veiled, how should the veiling be?
The questioner : The veiling, naturally, when I return.
The Shaykh : No, no, apply, apply.
The questioner : That there is a hijab (the covering prescribed for women).
The Shaykh : My brother, no more talk, apply, what is the conclusion? Go and see!
The questioner : Go and open a small opening for me so that I can see.
The Shaykh : Where did you get the opening from?
The questioner : Or it is transparent.
The Shaykh : Transparent?!
The questioner : Or transparent!
The Shaykh : I advised you not to rush! Be deliberate, where did you get this opening from?
The questioner : The opening, if it is small.
The Shaykh : My brother, may Allah be pleased with you! I am not asking you how it is?
Where did you get the opening from?
The questioner : So that I can see the road.
The Shaykh : But the verse does not say that.
The questioner : Which verse?
The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah!![Al-Ahzab 33:59] So you have now brought close to your face, according to your understanding and that of others: the jilbab (the outer garment) over your face, so you no longer see the road, and therefore you were compelled to say: an opening, where did you get this opening from, is it in the verse?
The questioner : No, it is not in the verse.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : No, it is not in the verse.
The Shaykh : So why did you contradict what you say?
The questioner : Transparent.
The Shaykh : Allow me a moment, that has a different treatment.
The questioner : The opening.
The Shaykh : Be patient, this is enthusiasm, please now rest, I intended to show you the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) jilbab (the outer garment):[Al-Ahzab 33:59] meaning she covers her face from the hairline to the bottom of her chin, you felt that this is not practical, and therefore you found yourself compelled to say: open an opening, where did you get this opening from, since you interpret the verse "they cover their faces"?
Earlier you and those like you, and I do not know how you justify and permit yourselves to enter this issue in your research through the path of opinion and reflection, which is against the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community, and is the methodology of the people of opinion, why do you not proceed with evidence from the verse or the hadith (a report of the Prophet's words or deeds)?!
But what do you say?!
The most beautiful thing in a woman is her face! Here! "It is said in our tradition: on whiteness" This is correct, but should we take the rulings of the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) from this path?!
I will tell you now and you answer me honestly as I answered you honestly, the most beautiful thing in a woman is her face, so what is the most beautiful thing in a woman other than her face?
The questioner : Her eye.
The Shaykh : Okay, how did you permit the woman to uncover the most beautiful thing in her face?
The questioner : If I open a small hole, I cannot see her eye.
The Shaykh : My brother, that is not how it is said, may Allah bless you, I am not asking you how you do it, how did you permit her?! How did you permit her?!
You prevented me from saying that the face in a woman is the most beautiful thing in her, so this statement, may Allah bless you, means how do you, O Shaykh, say that it is the most beautiful thing in a woman, you say it is permissible, even though I said this by opinion as you are doing now, I said it with authentic texts and athar (a report from a Companion or successor) that no one can refute them at all, no matter how much they strain in ta'wil (interpretation) and diverting the texts, etc., but now we are facing this picture:
The most beautiful thing in a woman is her face, yes, so what? So it must be covered, is that not so?! Okay.
The questioner : Is it possible?
The Shaykh : No, it is not possible now, when it is your turn to speak, so may Allah bless you, we asked you and we ask everyone, and I do not think there is disagreement on this issue:
What is the most beautiful thing in a woman? You said: the eye, and the correct thing is to say clearly: her eyes, so where did you permit, by the path you denied for me and you slipped through, to let her show the most beautiful thing in her face, where is this text?!
So "It is said: whoever knocks on the door hears the answer", you entered from the door of logic and philosophy:
The most beautiful thing in a woman is her face, is there anyone who says no?
We all say yes.
And the most beautiful thing in the face?
The eyes, so is it permissible for her to uncover the eyes, which are the most beautiful thing in the face?
The answer: it must be with complete honesty: no, so what does the woman do?
The questioner : She can see the road without uncovering her eye.
The Shaykh : You could not!
The questioner : Now.
The Shaykh : You could not!
The questioner : Now there are fabrics, praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh : My brother, I am telling you, the point is not that I speak and you speak, and every time we speak, what happens to us?!
We move away, we must speak to get closer, you, may Allah bless you, and other honorable Shaykhs interpret:[Al-Ahzab 33:59] that they cover their faces, meaning with their jilbabs (the outer garment), is that not so?
The questioner :[Al-Ahzab 33:53] .
The Shaykh : Allah is the helper!
You, may Allah bless you, the research should not jump east and west, we have not finished with the first verse!
The questioner : Around this point, O Shaykh!
The Shaykh : Which point, my brother? Did you finish with the first point?
The questioner : No, the same first point.
The Shaykh : I see that you mean you are more heated than this companion of yours.
The questioner : No, no, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : So no problem, no problem.
The questioner : I will answer!
The Shaykh : I am telling you: I will open the field for you, what do you say?
Is the most beautiful thing in a woman her face or not?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Okay, and is the most beautiful thing in the face the eyes or not?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The questioner : But before this, long life to you! You mentioned that if we say that the criterion or the goal of covering a woman's face or of a woman's hijab (the covering prescribed for women) is that she is safe from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), she does not become infatuated!
The Shaykh : I did not say that.
The questioner : No, I say what is the wisdom behind all this?
The Shaykh : That is premature, I am asking you a question: when I asked the Shaykh there, he answered, do you agree with his answer or not, and the jumping method does not lead to a result even if we stay until dawn.
So I am asking you: what is the most beautiful thing in a woman? Her face, and what is the most beautiful thing in her face? Her eyes, so your logic compels you to say: it is not permissible for a woman to show any part of her face, not even one eye, do you say that? Say: yes, say: no, it is your choice?
The questioner : If we say yes.
The Shaykh : No, there is no "if"!
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : And as you know, the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) occurring today in the streets and in the countries.
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : So naturally, your fatwa (a scholarly legal ruling) has probably opened the doors for many women now to uncover their faces.
The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah!
The questioner : And as you know, the face!!
The Shaykh : Did I open this door, or the scholars who came before me?!
The questioner : Complete the question, O Shaykh!
The Shaykh : Ah, but the question is understood.
The questioner : So if, as you mentioned, O Shaykh, the woman's face and her hands are 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered).
The Shaykh : It is not 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered)!
The questioner : It means we are veiled, O Shaykh, because now my hand is out and my face is uncovered, which means I am veiled now.
The Shaykh : Yes, I do.
The questioner : Do you see how it is.
The Shaykh : And your chest?
The questioner : Ah?
The Shaykh : Your chest?
The questioner : Absolutely not, no, I am veiled, right or not, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : You said, no, it is not correct.
The questioner : Huh?
The Shaykh : It is not correct.
The questioner : Now my face and, I mean, they are uncovered, and you say it is not 'awrah (the part of the body that must be covered), which means I am veiled now.
The Shaykh : I just ask you one thing, which is not to take scholarly matters with emotion, but to take them with calmness and deliberation.
How should the verse you cite as evidence for the obligation of a woman covering her face be understood? Can you, in light of what I described to you earlier, according to my opinion that you are now veiled, how should the veiling be?
The questioner : The veiling, naturally, when I return.
The Shaykh : No, no, apply, apply.
The questioner : That there is a hijab (the covering prescribed for women).
The Shaykh : My brother, no more talk, apply, what is the conclusion? Go and see!
The questioner : Go and open a small opening for me so that I can see.
The Shaykh : Where did you get the opening from?
The questioner : Or it is transparent.
The Shaykh : Transparent?!
The questioner : Or transparent!
The Shaykh : I advised you not to rush! Be deliberate, where did you get this opening from?
The questioner : The opening, if it is small.
The Shaykh : My brother, may Allah be pleased with you! I am not asking you how it is?
Where did you get the opening from?
The questioner : So that I can see the road.
The Shaykh : But the verse does not say that.
The questioner : Which verse?
The Shaykh : Glory be to Allah!!
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments
يا أيها النبي قل لأزواجك وبناتك ونساء المؤمنين يُدنين عليهن من جلابيبهنThe questioner : No, it is not in the verse.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : No, it is not in the verse.
The Shaykh : So why did you contradict what you say?
The questioner : Transparent.
The Shaykh : Allow me a moment, that has a different treatment.
The questioner : The opening.
The Shaykh : Be patient, this is enthusiasm, please now rest, I intended to show you the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) jilbab (the outer garment):
to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments
يدنين عليهنَّ من جلابيبهنEarlier you and those like you, and I do not know how you justify and permit yourselves to enter this issue in your research through the path of opinion and reflection, which is against the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community, and is the methodology of the people of opinion, why do you not proceed with evidence from the verse or the hadith (a report of the Prophet's words or deeds)?!
But what do you say?!
The most beautiful thing in a woman is her face! Here! "It is said in our tradition: on whiteness" This is correct, but should we take the rulings of the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) from this path?!
I will tell you now and you answer me honestly as I answered you honestly, the most beautiful thing in a woman is her face, so what is the most beautiful thing in a woman other than her face?
The questioner : Her eye.
The Shaykh : Okay, how did you permit the woman to uncover the most beautiful thing in her face?
The questioner : If I open a small hole, I cannot see her eye.
The Shaykh : My brother, that is not how it is said, may Allah bless you, I am not asking you how you do it, how did you permit her?! How did you permit her?!
You prevented me from saying that the face in a woman is the most beautiful thing in her, so this statement, may Allah bless you, means how do you, O Shaykh, say that it is the most beautiful thing in a woman, you say it is permissible, even though I said this by opinion as you are doing now, I said it with authentic texts and athar (a report from a Companion or successor) that no one can refute them at all, no matter how much they strain in ta'wil (interpretation) and diverting the texts, etc., but now we are facing this picture:
The most beautiful thing in a woman is her face, yes, so what? So it must be covered, is that not so?! Okay.
The questioner : Is it possible?
The Shaykh : No, it is not possible now, when it is your turn to speak, so may Allah bless you, we asked you and we ask everyone, and I do not think there is disagreement on this issue:
What is the most beautiful thing in a woman? You said: the eye, and the correct thing is to say clearly: her eyes, so where did you permit, by the path you denied for me and you slipped through, to let her show the most beautiful thing in her face, where is this text?!
So "It is said: whoever knocks on the door hears the answer", you entered from the door of logic and philosophy:
The most beautiful thing in a woman is her face, is there anyone who says no?
We all say yes.
And the most beautiful thing in the face?
The eyes, so is it permissible for her to uncover the eyes, which are the most beautiful thing in the face?
The answer: it must be with complete honesty: no, so what does the woman do?
The questioner : She can see the road without uncovering her eye.
The Shaykh : You could not!
The questioner : Now.
The Shaykh : You could not!
The questioner : Now there are fabrics, praise be to Allah.
The Shaykh : My brother, I am telling you, the point is not that I speak and you speak, and every time we speak, what happens to us?!
We move away, we must speak to get closer, you, may Allah bless you, and other honorable Shaykhs interpret:
to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments
يدنين عليهن من جلابيبهنThe questioner :
And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition
إذا سألتموهن متاعاً فاسألوهن من وراء حجابThe Shaykh : Allah is the helper!
You, may Allah bless you, the research should not jump east and west, we have not finished with the first verse!
The questioner : Around this point, O Shaykh!
The Shaykh : Which point, my brother? Did you finish with the first point?
The questioner : No, the same first point.
The Shaykh : I see that you mean you are more heated than this companion of yours.
The questioner : No, no, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : So no problem, no problem.
The questioner : I will answer!
The Shaykh : I am telling you: I will open the field for you, what do you say?
Is the most beautiful thing in a woman her face or not?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Okay, and is the most beautiful thing in the face the eyes or not?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Fine.
The questioner : But before this, long life to you! You mentioned that if we say that the criterion or the goal of covering a woman's face or of a woman's hijab (the covering prescribed for women) is that she is safe from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), she does not become infatuated!
The Shaykh : I did not say that.
The questioner : No, I say what is the wisdom behind all this?
The Shaykh : That is premature, I am asking you a question: when I asked the Shaykh there, he answered, do you agree with his answer or not, and the jumping method does not lead to a result even if we stay until dawn.
So I am asking you: what is the most beautiful thing in a woman? Her face, and what is the most beautiful thing in her face? Her eyes, so your logic compels you to say: it is not permissible for a woman to show any part of her face, not even one eye, do you say that? Say: yes, say: no, it is your choice?
The questioner : If we say yes.
The Shaykh : No, there is no "if"!