The Response to Those Who Cite the Hadith of Asma' as Evidence for Uncovering the Face and Hands
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Question:
He says: Some people say that uncovering the face and hands is not an awrah (part of the body that must be covered), and they cite the hadith of Asma' as evidence. Is this hadith authentic, or is it weak? What is your guidance for the people? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The hadith of Asma' is not authentic. It is the hadith of Asma' bint Abi Bakr, in which it is stated that she entered upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wearing thin garments, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned away from her and said: and he pointed to his face and hands. This hadith... was narrated by Abu Dawud, but its chain of narration is weak, due to defects, among which are:
It is from the narration of Khalid ibn Daryak from Aisha, and he did not hear from her, so it is a report with a broken chain. Also, in its chain is Sa'id ibn Bashir, who is weak in narration.
Likewise, in its chain is Qatadah, and he used the method of indeterminate attribution. When one who uses indeterminate attribution is a concealer of defects, his narration is not accepted until he explicitly states that he heard it.
Then there is a fourth defect in it: Asma' bint Abi Bakr is the sister of Aisha, the woman known for her uprightness and goodness, the wife of al-Zubayr. How is it fitting for her to enter upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in thin garments?! This is a denunciation of the text; it is impossible, and it cannot be imagined that Asma', who is known for her religion and uprightness, the wife of al-Zubayr, would enter upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in thin garments!!
Then, even if we assume its authenticity and soundness, this would have been before the abrogation, when hijab (the covering prescribed for women) had not yet been made obligatory. As for after hijab was made obligatory, it is forbidden to uncover the face and hands before a non-mahram (a relative one may not marry). Before that, the woman would uncover herself and sit with men with her face uncovered. Then this matter was abrogated and the verse of hijab was revealed, which is the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Ahzab: 53]. This is the correct view: that this hadith is weak, and even if it were free from defects, it would be understood to refer to the time before the abrogation of uncovering, before the revelation of the verse of hijab. And success is from Allah. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
He says: Some people say that uncovering the face and hands is not an awrah (part of the body that must be covered), and they cite the hadith of Asma' as evidence. Is this hadith authentic, or is it weak? What is your guidance for the people? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The hadith of Asma' is not authentic. It is the hadith of Asma' bint Abi Bakr, in which it is stated that she entered upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wearing thin garments, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned away from her and said:
O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it is not permissible for anyone to see of her except this and this.
يا أسماء! إن المرأة إذا بلغت المحيض لم يحل أن يرى منها إلا هذا وهذاIt is from the narration of Khalid ibn Daryak from Aisha, and he did not hear from her, so it is a report with a broken chain. Also, in its chain is Sa'id ibn Bashir, who is weak in narration.
Likewise, in its chain is Qatadah, and he used the method of indeterminate attribution. When one who uses indeterminate attribution is a concealer of defects, his narration is not accepted until he explicitly states that he heard it.
Then there is a fourth defect in it: Asma' bint Abi Bakr is the sister of Aisha, the woman known for her uprightness and goodness, the wife of al-Zubayr. How is it fitting for her to enter upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in thin garments?! This is a denunciation of the text; it is impossible, and it cannot be imagined that Asma', who is known for her religion and uprightness, the wife of al-Zubayr, would enter upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in thin garments!!
Then, even if we assume its authenticity and soundness, this would have been before the abrogation, when hijab (the covering prescribed for women) had not yet been made obligatory. As for after hijab was made obligatory, it is forbidden to uncover the face and hands before a non-mahram (a relative one may not marry). Before that, the woman would uncover herself and sit with men with her face uncovered. Then this matter was abrogated and the verse of hijab was revealed, which is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّThe presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.