Verse of Hijab

Verse of Hijab

Verse's Information
Name	Hijab verse
Sura	Sura al-Nur
Verse	31
Juz'	18
Content Information
Place of Revelation	Medina
Topic	jurisprudence
About	Hijab

The verse of Ḥijāb (Qur'an 24:31) (Arabic: آيَة الحِجاب talks about the obligation of women to wear hijab. This verse is one of the Qur’anic arguments of the jurists for the obligation of hijab. Also, some jurists based on the phrase “beyond what is [acceptably] visible” in this verse, said that it is not obligatory for a woman to cover her face and hands from the wrist down.

Other verses are also known as verses of hijab. Among them is verse 59 of sura al-Ahzab, which is called the verse of Jilbab.

Text and translation

Verse 31 of sura al-Nur is known as the verse of hijab. They say that with the revelation of this verse, hijab became obligatory for women.

Application in fiqh

In the books of fiqh, this verse is mentioned as the reference to explain the obligation of women to wear hijab and some of its rulings, including the limits of hijab. According to jurists, the phrase “and not display their charms” indicates the obligation of hijab for women. Also, according to some Shiite jurists, such as Shaykh Ansari, Shahid Thani and Allama Hilli, the phrase “beyond what is [acceptably] visible” excludes the face and hands (from the wrists down) from the obligation to cover.

Occasion of revelation

Regarding the story of the revelation of this verse, it has been narrated from Jabir b. Abdullah Ansari that one day, a group of women went to Asma’, daughter of Murthida who did not have proper covering, in such a way that their anklets, necks and breast projection were visible. He became upset by this act and criticized them. Then, the verse of hijab was revealed. Tabrisi, the exegete of the Qur’an, has also written in this regard that before the revelation of this verse, women used to wear headscarf in such a way that its tail fell behind them, and therefore their necks and chests were visible.

Interpretation notes

According to exegetes, the meaning of not displaying the charms in the phrase “and not display their charms” is not showing the parts of the body that are usually adorned [such as the ears and the neck], not showing the ornaments alone; because it is not forbidden to show jewelry alone like earrings. “Khumur” is the plural of “khimar”, which means a cover with which women cover their heads. In the phrase “and let them draw their scarfs over their bosoms”, it is ordered that women put headscarves on their chests so that their hair, ears and necks are not visible.

Covering with Jilbab

Verse 59 of sura al-Ahzab also talks about hijab, which is known as the verse of jilbab. In this verse, women are asked to cover themselves with jilbab. Lexicographers have interpreted jilbab as a garment larger than a scarf and smaller than a rida’ (overcoat, robe) that women put on their heads and cover their chests.