In the previous posts, we have been examining: Whether Islam commands women to cover their faces and each time, from different angles we have seen that there is no such obligation established in the Qur’an, Hadith, or practice of the Prophet ﷺ
In this post, we take the discussion further.
We now examine:
- Daily worship practices
- The meaning of “Hijab” in the Qur’an
- one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern discourse
A Simple Yet Powerful Question
If face covering was obligatory then how would essential acts of worship be performed?
Let us take one example:
Wudu (ablution)
Wudu: An Act That Requires Visibility. Wudu is not optional rather It is a prerequisite for prayer and daily repeated act. One of its essential steps is washing the face
Now ask yourself: Can someone wash the face while keeping it covered? Impossible.
What Happened in the Prophet’s ﷺ Time?
Men and women came to the mosque and performed wudu. The critical detail here is they performed wudu from the same water source and not Separately, Hidden or Divided.
There was even:
- No partition
- No separate timings
- No divided arrangement
Men and women performed wudu together
Think Deeply About This
During wudu:
- The face is washed
- The arms are exposed
- Movements are visible
So, if face covering was mandatory, would this be allowed? The Logical Answer is No because wudu itself requires the face to be visible
In another narration, it is described that while taking wudu people would take water from the same vessel and their hands enter the same container and men and women were seen standing close enough to share water
This Is Not a Rare Incident but a normal, repeated practice. Even the Prophet ﷺ Was Present during the above scenario.
Some narrations state clearly that the Prophet ﷺ himself performed wudu alongside others.
Now Reflect Carefully
If face covering was a serious obligation
Would the Prophet ﷺ allow:
- Shared space
- Visible faces
- Open interaction
This One Practice Alone Is Enough to conclude that Face covering was not obligatory
Another Dimension: Physical Visibility
During wudu, face and hands up to the elbows are exposed and washed but no Restriction Was Imposed. This shows that Islam does not demand complete concealment
The Misuse of “Hijab” — A Critical Clarification
Now we come to one of the most misunderstood terms ie the misuse of Hijab
What Do People Think Hijab Means?
Today, many believe that Hijab means:
- Head covering
- Face covering
- Specific clothing
But is this correct? What Does the Qur’an Actually Say?
The word “Hijab” appears multiple times in the Qur’an but in none of those instances it meant clothing
Instead, it means:
- Barrier
- Screen
- Partition
- Separation
Understanding Through Examples
The Qur’an uses “Hijab” to describe:
- A barrier between Paradise and Hell
- A spiritual barrier between truth and disbelief
- A physical screen separating individuals
So, The Real Meaning of Hijab is something that blocks visibility or access and not a garment worn by women
A Clear Example: Maryam (AS)
Maryam (AS) is described as placing a “Hijab” which means she created a physical barrier and a private space and not piece of clothing
Another Example: Allahﷻ Speaking to Prophets
Allahﷻ says that he speaks to humans directly, through a messenger or from behind a Hijab.
What Does This Mean? this means barrier that prevents seeing but allows hearing which again proves that Hijab = barrier, not clothing
The Most Misused Verse: The “Hijab Verse”
Now we come to the verse people often quote. It instructs when speaking to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ— Do so from behind a screen (Hijab)
But Who Is This For? The verse clearly states that it is for the wives of the Prophet ﷺ and not for all women. This is a special rule, just like The Prophetﷺ’s unique permissions and his family’s unique responsibilities.
What Happened Later?
This specific instruction was generalized, expanded, misapplied and turned into a universal rule. This Is a Fundamental Error because a specific ruling is not automatically a general ruling
Another Important Point is the same passage includes rules specific only to Prophet ﷺ
For example: the rulings regarding restrictions on his marriages.
Do we apply those rules to everyone? No. Then Why Apply This One? This inconsistency shows selective interpretation
The “Hijab Came Later” Argument Revisited
Some say: “All earlier evidence is invalid— Because Hijab came later.”
But now we understand that Hijab does not mean face covering, it means barrier or partition. So, the Argument Collapses because the meaning itself was misunderstood
A Powerful Reflection
How did we reach a point where a word meaning “barrier” became a clothing obligation?
The Answer Is Simple
- Language was ignored
- Context was removed
- Culture replaced scripture
Final Summary
From all the above samples we got a clear understanding that:
✔ Wudu requires face visibility
✔ Men and women performed wudu together
✔ No separation was enforced
✔ Hijab in Qur’an means barrier—not clothing
✔ The “Hijab verse” applies only to the Prophet’s wives
✔ Misinterpretation led to confusion
Closing Reflection
Islam is not hidden. It is clear, logical, and consistent
Do not let:
- Words be redefined
- Context be removed
- Religion be reshaped
Hold firmly to what is ثابت (established) because the truth is not complicated but it becomes complicated when:
- Language is misunderstood
- Evidence is ignored
- And assumptions are repeated
May Allahﷻ grant us:
- Clarity in understanding
- Honesty in interpretation
- And sincerity in following the truth
Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allahﷻ.