Question
Muslim women have recently commemorated a day called “World hijab day”. With all such debate going around Muslim women’s attire, what is the legal ruling regarding hijab and whether it is obligatory in the Shari‘ah?
Answer
It is obligatory for every Muslim woman who has reached puberty to wear the hijab. This ruling is established in the Quran, Sunnah, and by the consensus of the Muslim community.
In the Quran, God the Almighty says, “O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and women believers to make their outer garments hang low over them” (33:59).
In the Prophetic traditions, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “O, Asmaa! If a woman reaches menarche nothing should be seen [of her body] except this and this,” and he pointed to her face and hands.” [Abu Dawud, al-Sunan]
This is also the consensus of the Muslims from the earliest generations and their successors. It is necessarily known to all Muslims to be obligatory in religion.
God the Almighty knows best.
