If I were a Muslim woman who had to veil, this would disturb me to my core. Why? Because Muhammad did not want his women veiled. He was doing it to please his close friend Umar. It wasn’t the first time he did so as we will see. But first, let’s look at what the authentic hadith says:
“Narrated `Aisha:
The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqi` at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. `Umar used to say to the Prophet (ﷺ) “Let your wives be veiled,” but Allah’s Apostle did not do so.
One night Sauda bint Zam`a the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) went out at `Isha’ time and she was a tall lady. `Umar addressed her and said, “I have recognized you, O Sauda.” He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of “Al-Hijab” (A complete body cover excluding the eyes)” (Sahih al-Bukhari 146).
“Narrated Aisha:
Sauda (the wife of the Prophet) went out to answer the call of nature after it was made obligatory (for all the Muslims ladies) to observe the veil. She had a large frame and everybody who knew her before could recognize her. So `Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her and said, “O Sauda! By Allah, you cannot hide yourself from us, so think of a way by which you should not be recognized on going out. Sauda returned while Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in my house taking his supper and a bone covered with meat was in his hand. She entered and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! I went out to answer the call of nature and `Umar said to me so-and-so.” Then Allah inspired him (the Prophet) and when the state of inspiration was over and the bone was still in his hand as he had not put in down, he said (to Sauda), “You (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4795).
It was Umar who wanted women veiled and he had been pressuring Muhammad to do so. It was not until there was a public situation that Muhammad claimed to get a revelation, all while he was eating meat on the bone.
Umar would go on to boast that Allah agreed with him in three things, this being one of them:
“Narrated Anas:
`Umar said, “I agreed with Allah in three things,” or said, “My Lord agreed with me in three things… ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Good and bad persons visit you! Would that you ordered the Mothers of the believers to cover themselves with veils.’ So the Divine Verses of Al-Hijab (i.e. veiling of the women) were revealed” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4483).
Both Muslim men and women will go on to say that women are to veil themselves for the purposes of stopping men’s lust. It is believed to be a sign of modesty.
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap their headcovers over their chests…” — Quran, Surah 24:31
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves part of their outer garments (jalabibihinna). That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused…” — Quran, Surah 33:59
“…And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition (hijab)…” — Quran, Surah 33:53
The responsibility is entirely upon the women. If they are not properly covered, it is their fault for causing men to stumble. Worse, if a woman is raped, she must have four female witnesses or two male witnesses, or it is her fault (Quran 2:282). How is a rape going to be witnessed in that quantity?
And then there are the problematic teachings about lust and immorality.
“Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: Verily Allah has fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in, and which he of necessity must commit. The adultery of the eye is the lustful look, and the adultery of the tongue is the licentious speech, the heart desires and yearns, which the parts may or may not put into effect” ( Sahih Muslim 2657b).
This gives license for men in their sexual desires. It is not unlike what we see in the example of Muhammad’s life. Muhammad was caught in bed with a woman who wasn’t his wife, and received a revelation that it was acceptable for him (Quran 66:1-2), women prisoners were fair game for sex even if they were married (Quran 4:24), Muhammad lusted after his daughter in law and it is said Allah put it in his heart that he was to marry her, and he died (Quran 33:37). Muta, or temporary marriage that last a few days to a few weeks was sometimes permitted (Quran 4:24; Sahih Muslim 1405a).
Questions:
- Why are men not encouraged to be self-controlled in their relationship with women?
- If veiling has as its primary purpose to prevent men from lusting, then why are young children sometimes veiled?
- Why are not men told to veil or cover themselves so that women do not lust after them?
- Why is it in the natural world of creation, that beauty surrounds us? People have been tempted to worship the sun, moon, stars, mountains, etc… but God never says that the beauty of creation should be veiled.