The Obligation of Hijab and Avoiding Fitnah for the Sake of Need and Other Matters

The first message in this episode is from a brother from the Arab Republic of Egypt, identified as (M. A. N. Z.), who requests a discussion of many matters related to Hajj. He describes the situation as follows: We see many women, especially those coming from outside the country, being lax about hijab. Your Eminence knows what fitnah arises as a result. What is your advice to these women? May Allah reward you.
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows: There is no doubt that women are a fitnah for men, and the danger of their tabarruj (display of adornment) and showing their beauty is great, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said in His clear Book: in His clear Book: [Al-Ahzab: 33]. It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Therefore, it is obligatory for men to guard themselves against this by lowering their gaze and guarding their private parts, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [An-Nur: 30]. It is also obligatory for women in this regard, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [An-Nur: 31]. In addition to this, they must pay extra attention to covering themselves and wearing hijab, and not displaying their adornment to anyone other than their mahrams, based on His statement in the same verse in Surat An-Nur: [An-Nur: 31], the verse. And He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said in Surat Al-Ahzab: [Al-Ahzab: 53].
Therefore, it is obligatory for women to avoid everything that causes fitnah for men, such as displaying their beauty and charms, whether from the head, face, chest, leg, foot, or otherwise. It is obligatory for her—meaning the woman—to pay attention to hijab during Hajj and at other times. Hajj is a gathering of people of all kinds, so covering oneself is among the most important matters, and hijab is among the most obligatory duties, out of fear of fitnah. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , it does not mean that they are permitted to display their beauty and expose their charms. No, rather, it means leaving off the niqab, which is what is sewn to fit the face, and leaving off the qafiz, which is what is sewn to fit the hands. So, she should not wear the niqab that women usually wore in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which covers the face except the eyes, and she should not wear the qafiz, which are two coverings—or if you wish, two veils—placed on the hands, made of wool, cotton, or something else. This is prohibited for a woman during her ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah. However, this does not mean that she should expose this adornment; rather, she should cover it with something other than the niqab and the qafiz. She should cover her hands with her jilbab and other general clothing, and cover her face with something other than the niqab, such as the jilbab, the khimar, or the like. For this reason, it was reported from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: .
The requirement from all of this is to avoid fitnah. If she is among men or near men, she should cover herself with the jilbab or the khimar instead of the niqab. She should also leave off anything that brings about fitnah, such as having visible items of beautiful clothing that attract attention, or jewelry that may appear on the hand, or the like. She should be mindful of this so that she covers her entire body and does not become a cause of fitnah for any of the people in this great season, the season of Hajj. She should cover her face, her hands, and her entire body so that nothing is seen of her that would cause fitnah for any of the people when she gathers with men or mixes with men in tawaf, sa'y, in any place, in 'Arafah, in Muzdalifah, in any place. She should avoid the causes of fitnah, because Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) commanded women to observe hijab: [Al-Ahzab: 53]. He (Glorified and Exalted is He) made it clear that hijab is purer for the hearts of everyone, meaning: it is further from the causes of fitnah. Indeed, immorality is impurity, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and avoiding what Allah has forbidden, is all purity. For this reason, He said: [Al-Ahzab: 53]. And He said regarding lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts: [An-Nur: 30]. Therefore, it is obligatory for everyone to avoid everything that Allah has forbidden. The man avoids the causes of fitnah by lowering his gaze, guarding his private parts, and not being alone with a non-mahram woman, as the Sunnah has stated. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . And he said: . All of this is to protect the believer from the causes of fitnah and to protect the believing woman from the causes of fitnah. This applies to Hajj and other times; it covers the journey of Hajj and other journeys, and it covers the woman in Hajj and outside of Hajj. She is a fitnah wherever she is, so she must avoid the causes of being a fitnah for others. And the man must also avoid the causes of fitnah through her, and not be exposed to the fitnah of women, and he must not be affected by women either. Each of them should beware of the causes of fitnah through the other, so that perhaps he may be saved and perhaps he may be safe in the season of Hajj and in other times. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.