The Obligation of Veiling Oneself from Non-Mahram Men

Question:
What is the ruling on the khimar in Islam, meaning: is it obligatory like the hijab, for example? Or is it merely recommended? And if it is obligatory, does she wear it in front of her sister’s husband, her paternal cousins, and her maternal cousins? Or does she wear it only in the street and public places? And what is the evidence for this from the Qur’an or the Sunnah?

Answer:
The khimar is called a khimar because it covers what is behind it. You say: “takhmir al-iniyyah” (covering the vessel), meaning covering the vessel. From this comes “khamr” (intoxicants), because it covers the intellect and wastes it. So the khimar is the covering that is placed on the head and face to conceal that from people. The woman is commanded to cover herself and wear the khimar from her non-mahram men; due to the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) : [Al-Ahzab:53]. So the hijab is the khimar, or the door, or the wall, or something similar that conceals her. [Al-Ahzab:53]. Thus, in Surat al-Ahzab, He (Glorified and Exalted is He) made clear that the hijab is purer for the hearts of men and women.
So it is obligatory for the woman to veil herself and to conceal her entire body from her non-mahram men. Her sister’s husband is not one of her mahram men, and likewise her paternal cousins, or her maternal cousins, and her maternal aunt’s sons, or her paternal aunt’s sons are not mahram for her. Likewise, her husband’s brother, her husband’s paternal uncle, and her husband’s maternal uncle are not mahram. Rather, the mahram men are her husband’s father, her husband’s grandfather, her husband’s son, her husband’s son’s son, and her husband’s daughter’s son, meaning: his children and his children’s children, both male and female, and his fathers and grandfathers; these are mahram. Likewise, her own father and her grandfathers, her sons and her sons’ sons, and her daughters’ sons, and likewise her brothers, her brothers’ sons, and her sisters’ sons, and likewise her maternal uncles and paternal uncles; these are mahram.
As for the son of the maternal uncle, the son of the paternal uncle, the son of the paternal aunt, and the son of the maternal aunt, they are not mahram (a relative one may not marry), and he is permitted to marry her. The wisdom behind this—may Allah know best—is, as is well known, that hijab (the covering prescribed for women) is purer for hearts and further from immorality and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). If a woman reveals herself and shows her face, perhaps one who sees her will be tempted by her and his heart will become attached to her, leading to fitnah and corruption. It is from the mercy of Allah that He prescribed hijab so that fitnah would not occur and so that a man's heart would not become attached to a woman who is not suitable for him or is forbidden to him. Both the believing man and the believing woman are commanded to have taqwa (mindfulness of Allah) and to be cautious of what causes the anger of Allah . Revealing oneself to non-mahram is among the causes of Allah's anger and among the causes of the occurrence of immorality. May Allah grant success. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.