Veiling of Women: Qur'an 33:59

Submitted by Mike Ramirez (United States), Apr 22, 2013 at 20:51

Susan: Actually, yes, there is a religious edict in the Qur'an and Hadith that mandate women to cover themselves completely. First, here is an Hadith and then a translation of the Qur'anic verse revealed to Muhammad which gives this order:

"And as regards the (verse of) the veiling of the women, I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! I wish you ordered your wives to cover themselves from the men because good and bad ones talk to them.' So the verse of the veiling of the women was revealed."

(Sahih Bukhari: Vol. 1, Book 8, No. 395, and many other references)

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e.screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft­ Forgiving, Most Merciful. - Mohsin Khan (Qur'an 33:59)

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