Constitution (191)

Custody of the child is a right and duty upon the mother, irrespective of whether she is a Muslim or not as long as the child needs this care. If the child no longer needs the care, then the situation is examined. If both of the parents are Muslim then the child, whether boy or girl, chooses whomever they would like to live with, and they will join whomever they choose, irrespective of whether that was the man or woman. If one of them is non-Muslim, then there is no choice between them; and they rather will join the Muslim parent.

The evidence for this article is what was narrated by Abdullah Bin Amr b. Al-‘As:

 أَنَّ امْرَأَةً قَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا كَانَ بَطْنِي لَهُ وِعَاءً، وَثَدْيِي لَهُ « سِقَاءً، وَحِجْرِي لَهُ حِوَاءً، وَإِنَّ أَبَاهُ طَلَّقَنِي وَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَ نْ تَزِعَهُ مِنِّي، فَ قَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ » أَنْتِ أَحَقُّ بِهِ مَا لَمْ تَ نْكِحِي :

A woman said “O Messenger of Allah (saw), this is my son whom my stomach carried, my breast is a water-skin for him, and my lap is a guard for him. His father has divorced me and wants to take him away from me”. So he said “You have more right to him as long as you do not remarry”” (reported by Abu Dawud and Al-Hakim who authenticated it, and Al-Dhahabi confirmed it). This indicates that the mother has more right to the child while they still require nursing, since the Messenger (saw) ruled for her to continue nursing him as long as she was not married, and did not give the child the choice, which indicates that he still required nursing. It is narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah from Umar (ra) with an authentic chain whose reporters are all trustworthy that he divorced Umm ‘Asim, then came to her while Asim was in her lap, and wanted to take him from her. The two of them argued until the young boy began crying, and so they went to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra) who said “Her touch, lap and smell are better for him than you, until he grows up and then can choose for himself”. Accordingly the young child who still needs nursing remains the mother’s right and it is obligatory upon her and similarly upon her mother and grandmother, and upon every women from those who have the right of custody.

When the child becomes older, such that they are above the age of nursing which is by confirming whether he can do without it or not – which differs between children depending upon their circumstances – so a boy may not require it and he was five years old, and another when they were younger or older, and should be according to an expert’s opinion. Based upon that, if they were not reliant upon nursing they are given the choice between the parents; Abu Hurayrah reported

 أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ « » خَ يَّ رَ غُلامًا بَ يْنَ أَبِيهِ وَأُمِّهِ

The Prophet gave a boy the choice between his mother and father” (reported by Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi who authenticated it). And Abu Dawud reported a narration from Abu Hurayrah that Ibn Hibban authenticated:

 أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ امْرَأَةً جَاءَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ...« وَأَنَا قَاعِدٌ عِنْدَهُ فَ قَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ زَوْجِي يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَذْهَبَ بِابْنِي وَقَدْ سَقَانِي مِنْ بِئْرِ أَبِي عِنَ بَةَ وَقَدْ ن فََعَنِي، فَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : ... هَذَا أَبُوكَ وَهَذِهِ أُمُّكَ فَخُذْ بِيَدِ أَي هِمَا شِئْتَ، فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِ أُمِّهِ » فَانْطَلَقَتْ بِهِ

While I was sitting with the Prophet a woman came and said: O Messenger of Allah (saw), my husband wants to take my son, and he brings me water from the well of Abu ‘Inaba, and helps me, and so the Prophet said…This is your father and this is your mother, so take the hand of whichever of the two you wish. So he took the hand of his mother and so she left with him.”

These evidences indicate that once the child, whether boy or girl, reaches the age that they no longer require suckling and nursing, they are given the choice between their mother and father, irrespective of whether they were three years old or more as long as they no longer required nursing. If they still required nursing then the ruling is given in favour of the mother and the child is not given any choice.

However, if the women, such as the mother, was a disbeliever and requested to nurse her child, then if they were lower than the age of suckling or requiring nursing then the child is ruled in her favour in the same way as the Muslim woman, with no difference between them due to the generality of the narration

» أَنْتِ أَحَقُّ بِهِ مَا لَمْ تَ نْكِحِي «

You have more right to him as long as you do not remarry”. As for when the child is above the age of nursing, such that they are at the age or above the age they no longer need to be suckled, and no longer require nursing, then the child is not given the choice but rather is given to the Muslim parent. If the wife was the Muslim then the child would be given to her and if the husband was the Muslim then the child would be given to him, due to His (swt) words

And never will Allah (swt) give the disbelievers over the believers a way [to overcome them].” (TMQ 4:141), and custody gives the custodian a way over the Muslim. Also due to his words

» الإِسْلاَمُ يَ عْلُو وَلاَ ي عُْل ى «

Islam is above and nothing is made above it”, reported by Al-Daraqutni from ‘Aith Al-Mazni with a Hasan chain, and the custodian is above the child. Keeping the child under the custody of the disbeliever who will teach them disbelief is not allowed, and for that reason the child is taken from them.

As for what was narrated by Abu Dawud from ‘Abd alHamid b. Ja‘far from his father from his grandfather Rafi‘ b. Sinan that

فَ قَا لَتِ: ابْ نَتِي، وَهِيَ فَطِيمٌ أَنَّهُ أَسْلَمَ، وَأَبَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ أَنْ تُسْلِمَ، فَأَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ « اقْ عُدْ نَاحِيَةً، وَقَالَ لَهَا: اقْ عُدِي :أَوْ شَبَ هُهُ، وَقَالَ رَافِعٌ: ابْ نَتِي، قَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ نَاحِيَةً، قَالَ: وَأَقْ عَدَ الصَّبِيَّةَ بَ يْ نَ هُمَا، ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُوَاهَا، فَمَالَتِ الصَّبِيَّةُ إِلَى أُمِّهَا، فَ قَالَ » اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهَا، فَمَالَتِ الصَّبِيَّةُ إِلَى أَبِيهَا فَأَخَذَهَا :النَّبِيُّ

he embraced Islam, and his wife refused to do likewise and so she went to the Prophet and said “She is my daughter. She has finished breastfeeding or is about to”. Rafi’ said “She is my daughter”. The Prophet said to him sit on one side, and told his wife to sit on the other. He then said “Call her”, and the girl inclined to her mother. The Prophet then said “O Allah (swt), guide her”, and then she inclined to her father, and so he took her”. This narration is authenticated by Al-Hakim and Al- Dhahabi agreed with him, and Al-Daraqutni mentioned that the girl’s name was Umayra. Ahmed and Al-Nasa’i both narrated this narration with a different chain, Al-Nasa’i narrated from ‘Abd Al- Hamid b. Ja’far Al-Ansari from his grandfather

 أَنَّهُ أَسْلَمَ، وَأَبَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ أَنْ تُسْلِمَ، فَجَاءَ ابْنٌ لَهُمَا صَغِيرٌ لَمْ يَ بْ لُغِ الْحُلُمَ، « الأَبَ هَا هُنَا وَالأُمَّ هَا هُنَا، ثُمَّ خَ يَّ رَهُ فَ قَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهِ، فَذَهَبَ إِلَى فَأَجْلَسَ النَّبِيُّ » أَبِيهِ

that his grandfather embraced Islam, while his wife refused. Thier young son who has not reached puberty yet came. The Prophet sat the father in one place and the mother at another, and then gave the young boy the choice and said “O Allah (swt) guide him”, and so he went to his father”. Ibn Jawzi mentions that between the two chains of narrations the chain that mentions that it was a boy is the more correct.

The Messenger (saw) was not content with what the child had chosen, rather he prayed for him and so he chose his Muslim father, or in other words, the child was given to the Muslim of the two parents.

The married couple must fully assist each other in the housework, and the husband must carry out all the work which is usually undertaken outside the house, while the wife carries out all the work which is usually undertaken inside the house, according to her capability. He must provide her with a servant as required to assist with the tasks that she is unable to carry out alone.

The evidence for this article are the actions and words of the Messenger (saw) , since he

 » قَضَى عَلَى ابْ نَتِهِ فَاطِمَةَ بِخِدْمَةِ البَ يْتِ. وَعَلَى عَلِيٍّ مَا كَانَ خَارِجَ البَ يْتِ «

rules that his daughter Fatimah discharges housework, and ‘Ali with the outdoor work” reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah from Damrah b. Habib, and although Abu Bakr Bin Maryam Al- Ghassani is in the chain of the narration, Abu Hanifah took it and Ibn Hajar said regarding it in Al-Fateh “that was deduced from the narration of ‘Ali b. Abi Talib that when Fatima came to the Prophet and asked him for a servant he indicated to her to what should be said when you go to bed”. And the narration that Al- Bukhari reported from ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (ra),

 أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْ هَا السَّلاَم أَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ « تَسْأَلُهُ خَادِمًا فَ قَالَ: أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكِ مَا هُوَ خَ يْ رٌ لَكِ مِنْهُ تُسَبِّحِينَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ مَنَامِكِ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ وَتَحْمَدِينَ اللَّهَ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ وَتُكَ بِّرِينَ اللَّهَ أَرْبَ عًا وَثَلاَثِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ أَرْبَعٌ وَثَلاَثُونَ فَمَا تَ رَكْ تُ هَا ب عْدُ قِيلَ » ولاَ لَيْ لَةَ صِفِّينَ قَالَ وَلاَ لَ يْ لَةَ صِفِّينَ

Fatima came to the Prophet asking for a servant. He said, "May I inform you of something better than that? When you go to bed, recite "Subhan Allah (swt)' thirty three times, 'Al hamduli l-lah' thirty three times, and 'Allah (swt)u Akbar' thirty four times. 'All added, 'I have never failed to recite it ever since." Somebody asked, "Even on the night of the battle of Siffin?" He said, "No, even on the night of the battle of Siffin.”

This indicates the obligation of the wife carrying out the housework, since her request for a servant is an evidence for the heaviness of the housework upon her, and if the housework was not obligatory upon her there would be no indication from the heaviness, since she would not have been obliged to do the housework, and so then there would have been no heaviness and hardship. This indicates that the wife does the housework according to her capability, and if she requires a helper or more then they are provided for her, according to the evidence of Fatimah’s request from the Messenger (saw). And it indicates that the husband undertakes the work outside of the house, and in such a manner they assist each other.

Marital life is one of tranquillity; and the couple should live together as companions. The guardianship (Qawwamah) of the husband over the wife is a guardianship of care and not ruling. It has been made obligatory for her to obey him, and obligatory upon him to financially support her according to the expected standard of living of one like her.

The evidences for this article are the words of Allah (swt)

It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her.” (TMQ 7:189), and His (swt) words

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (TMQ 30:21), and living here means contentment. The words of Allah (swt)

And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.” (TMQ 2:228), and Ibn Abbas said “They have the right of good companionship, and being taken care of, in the same way that they are to be obedient according to what has been obligated over them with respect to their husbands” as mentioned by Al-Qurtubi in his Tafsir. And His (swt) words

And live with them on a footing of kindness and equity.” (TMQ 4:19), and the living (‘ishrah) is the mixing and blending. It is narrated from Jaber that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said in his address in the farewell pilgrimage

 فَاتَّ قُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانِ اللَّهِ وَاسْ تَحْلَلْ تُمْ فُ رُوجَهُنَّ « » بِكَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ

Fear Allah (swt) with respect to the women, since you took them as a trust with Allah (swt), and you made them permissible to yourselves with the Word of Allah (swt)” (reported by Muslim). And it is narrated that he said

» خَ يْ رُكُمْ خَ يْ رُكُمْ لأَهْلِهِ وَأَنَا خَ يْ رُكُمْ لأَهْلِي «

The best of you are the best of you towards their wives, and I am the best of you to my wife”, reported by Al-Tirmidhi from 'Aisha (ra), and he considered it Hasan Sahih Gharib, and Ibn Hibban, and Al-Hakim who authenticated it. And he said

» وَخِيَارُكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ لِنِسَائِهِمْ «

The best of you are the best of you towards their wives”, reported by Al-Tirmidhi from Abu Hurayrah and he said it was Hasan Sahih. And he used to have a good close relationship with his family - playing with his wives, acting kindly towards them and joking with them. If he had prayed the isha prayer, and entered his house, he would chat with his wife a little before sleeping and make her feel close in that way. All of these evidences indicate that the marital life is one of tranquillity and that the husband must do whatever is required to make the marital life tranquil. It is narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that he used to say “I beautify myself for my woman, in the same way she beautifies herself for me. I love to take every right I have upon her cleanly, which means her rights over me are obligatory, since Allah (swt) said

And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.” (TMQ 2:227)” (reported by Al-Qurtubi in his Tafsir). Though Allah (swt) has made the man guardian over the household, since He (swt) said

Men are in charge of women.” (TMQ 4:34), this guardianship is a guardianship of care and not one of rule and authority. In the Al-Muhit dictionary it says “established … the man and the woman, and upon her, what he prohibited and he fulfils her issue”, which indicates that the meaning of the guardianship of man over woman from a linguistic point of view is to pay for her maintenance and carry out whatever she needs, and so this linguistic meaning is the meaning used in the verse since there is no Shari’ah meaning that has been related regarding it. Therefore, this is the meaning of “in charge of women”, and so it is necessary that the guardianship of the man over the woman is to fulfil her issues, and for his relationship with her to be the relationship of companionship, which is how Allah (swt) characterised it saying

And his Sahibah” (TMQ 80:36), meaning his wife. The Prophet used to be a companion to the wives in his household, and not as a leader dominating over them, and they used to consult him and discuss with him . It is narrated from Umar b. Al-Khattab (ra) that he said "

وَاللَّيه إينْ كُ نَّا يفي الَْْايهلييَّية مَا ن عَُدُّ ليلنِّسَايء أَمْرًا حَ تََّّ أَنْ زَلَ اللَّهُ فيييهنَّ مَا أَنْ زَلَ وَ قَسَمَ لهَنَُّ مَا قَسَمَ، قَالَ: فَ بَ يْ نَا أَنَا يفي أَمْرٍ أَتَأَمَّرُهُ إيذْ قَالَ ي ت امْرَأَيتِ: لَوْ صَن عْتَ كَذَا وَكَذَا، قَالَ: فَ قُلْتُ لهَاَ: مَا لَ ي ك وَليمَا هَا هُنَا؟ وَفييمَ تَكَلُّفُ ي ك يفي أَمْرٍ أُيريدُه ؟ فَ قَالَتْ يلَ: عَجَ بًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ حَتََّّ يَظَلَّ ي وَْمَهُ الخَْطَّا ي ب، مَا تُيريدُ أَنْ ت رَُاجَعَ أَنْتَ وَإينَّ ابْ نَ تَكَ لَ تُ رَا ي جعُ رَسُولَ اللَّيه غَضْ بَانَ، فَ قَامَ عُمَرُ فَأَخَذَ يردَاءَهُ مَكَانَهُ حَ تََّّ دَخَلَ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ، فَ قَالَ لهَاَ: يَا ب نَُ يَّةُ، إينَّ ي ك حَ تََّّ يَظَلَّ ي وَْمَهُ غَضْ بَانَ ؟ فَ قَالَتْ حَفْصَةُ: وَاللَّيه إينَّا لَ نُ رَا ي جعُهُ، لَ تُ رَا ي جعيينَ رَسُولَ اللَّيه فَ قُلْتُ: تَ عْلَ ي مينَ أَنِّي أُحَذِّرُي ك عُقُوبَةَ اللَّيه وَغَضَبَ رَسُولييه "

By Allah (swt), in Jahiliyyah we never used to take account of our women in any issue, until Allah (swt) revealed whatever He has regarding them, and apportioned for them what has been apportioned, so while I was thinking over an issue my wife said to me: ‘If only you did such and such’. So I replied to her ‘What business is it of yours, and why are you talking about an issue that I am dealing with?’ Then she said to me: ‘How strange it is to you O Ibn Al-Khattab, that you don’t want anyone to answer you back, and your daughter answers back to the Messenger of Allah (saw) until he spends the whole day angry’. So Umar (ra) said “I gathered my cloak and left my place until I reached Hafsa, and I said to her: ‘O my daughter, you answer back to the Messenger of Allah (saw) until he spends his day angry?’ She replied: By Allah (swt), we do answer back to him’ Then I said ‘You know that I warn you about the punishment of Allah (swt) and the anger of His Messenger (saw).” And it is narrated from Anas that he said

طَعَامًا فِي قَصْعَةٍ، فَضَرَبَتْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ أَهْدَتْ بَ عْضُ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ « » طَعَامٌ بِطَعَامٍ وَإِنَاءٌ بِإِنَاءٍ عَائِشَةُ الْقَصْعَةَ بِيَدِهَا فَأَلْقَتْ مَا فِيهَا، فَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ

I gave some of the wives of the Prophet food in a bowl, then 'Aisha knocked the bowl with her hand and so whatever was in it fell out, and the Prophet said ‘Food for food and container for container” (reported by Al-Tirmidhi and he said it is Hasan Sahih).

These narrations indicate that the guardianship of the Messenger (saw) over his wives was one of care and not one of rule, and so they were like companions to him and not subjects, as indicated by his relationship with them being one of companionship.

Allah (swt) has made it obligatory for the woman to obey her husband and has prohibited her from disobedience; He (swt) said

But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance(illconduct) - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them .” (TMQ 4:34). And the husband has been obliged to pay for her maintenance; Allah (swt) said,

Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allah (swt) has given him.” (TMQ 65:7). The Prophet said

 أَلاَ إِنَّ لَكُمْ عَلَى نِسَائِكُمْ حَقًّا وَلِنِسَائِكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ حَقًّا، فَأَمَّا حَقُّكُمْ عَلَى « نِسَائِكُمْ فَلاَ يُوطِئْنَ فُ رُشَكُمْ مَنْ تَكْ رَهُونَ، وَلا يَأْذَنَّ فِي ب يُُوتِكُمْ لِمَنْ تَكْرَهُونَ، أَلا » وَحَ قُّهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ تُحْسِنُوا إِلَيْهِنَّ فِي كِسْوَتِهِنَّ وَطَعَامِهِنَّ

You have right over your women, and your women have right over you. As for your right over your women, they should not allow anyone you dislike to treat on your bedding (furniture), nor permit anyone you do not like into your home. Their right over you is to treat them will in clothing them and feeding them.” (reported by Al-Tirmidhi from Ibn Al-Ahwas from his father). In the narration of Muslim from Jabir:

وَلَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُوطِئْنَ فُ رُشَكُمْ أَحَدًا تَكْرَهُونَهُ ... وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُ هُنَّ « » وَكِسْوَتُ هُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ

you have right over them, and that they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed (furniture) whom you do not like…Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing according to what is reasonable”, and it is narrated that Hind came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and said:

 يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنَّ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ رَجُلٌ شَحِيحٌ، وَلَيْسَ ي عُْطِينِي مَا يَكْفِينِي وَوَلَدِي « » إِلاَّ مَا أَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ لا يَ عْلَمُ، فَ قَالَ: خُذِي مَا يَكْفِيكِ وَوَلَدَكِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ

O Messenger of Allah (saw), Abu Sufyan is a stingy man and doesn’t give me and my child adequate provisions for maintenance except what I take from him without his knowledge” and so he replied “Take whatever is sufficient for you and your child that is reasonable” (agreed upon narration from 'Aisha). Accordingly, these are the evidences for this article.

It is prohibited for any man or woman to undertake any work which could undermine the morals, or causes corruption in the society.

The evidence for this article is what was narrated from Rafi’ b. Rifa’ah who said

 وَنَ هَانَا عَنْ كَسْبِ الأَمَةِ إِلاَّ مَا عَمِلَتْ بِيَدِهَا وَقَالَ هَكَذَا بِأَصَابِعِهِ نَحْوَ الْخَ بْزِ « » وَالْغَزْلِ وَالنَّ فْشِ

The Prophet forbade us from benefiting from the slave woman except that which she did with her hands, and said in this manner’ with his fingers, such as bread-making, sewing, and inscribing” reported by Ahmad and authenticated by Al- Zayn, as well as Al-Hakim who also authenticate it; in other words, he prohibited the woman from any work which took advantage of her femininity, while allowing any other type of work. This is understood from the part of the narration which mentions “except that which she did with her hands”, in other words, intended to benefit from her efforts, and its understanding is the prohibition of taking advantage of her femininity. Also, the Shari’ah principle “The means to something forbidden is also forbidden” prohibits any work that could lead to anything forbidden. And the Shari’ah principle “If one type of a permitted thing leads to harm, only that one is prohibited, and the thing remains permitted” prohibits every person, male or female, from working in a job originally permitted for men and women, if the work for that person specifically would lead to a Haram for him, or the Ummah, or the society, whatever type of Haram that may be.

It is not permitted for a woman to be alone with a non- Mahram. It is not permitted for her to reveal the adornments (Tabarruj) and the ‘Awrah in front of foreign men.

This article explains three issues:

Firstly – the prohibition of Khulwah (to be alone in a private space with a non-Mahram). The evidence is the words of the Messenger (saw)

 » وَلاَ يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ، فَإِنَّ ثَالِثَ هُمَا الشَّ يْطَانُ «

A man should not be in khulwah with a woman, since the third of them is the devil”, reported by Ahmad with an authentic chain from Umar (ra). And his words

» لاَ يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلاَّ وَمَعَهَا ذُو مَحْرَمٍ «

A man is not alone with a woman but the third of them is Ash- Shaitan” (reported by Muslim).

Secondly – prohibition of open display of adornments (Tabarruj), or anything which attracts attention. The evidences are His (swt) words

[but] not displaying adornment.” (TMQ 24:60) and His (swt) words

And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment.” (TMQ 24:31). This is a prohibition of one of the actions of Tabbaruj, and Tabarruj linguistically means to reveal the beautification. It is mentioned in Al-Muhit dictionary “she did Tabarruj – she displayed her beauty to the men”, which is also the Shari’ah meaning for it. So Tabarruj is different from beautification, because beautification is one thing whereas revealing that beautification is something else; it is possible for her to be beautified and not doing Tabarruj if her beautification was normal and not of the type to attract attention. Therefore, the meaning of prohibiting Tabarruj is not the absolute prohibition of beautification, since Tabarruj is the revealing of the beauty and charms to the foreign men; it is said the woman did Tabarruj, she revealed her beauty and charms to foreign men. Also supporting these texts that prohibited the actions of Tabarruj, is that with investigation it becomes apparent that they only prohibit the revealing of beautification and charms, and the prohibition of beautification generally is not something which is understood from them. So the words of Allah (swt)

And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment (TMQ 24:31) is plainly prohibiting the revealing of the beautification, since He (swt) said

To make known what they conceal of their adornment.”. It is narrated from Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari who said

 » أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ اسْ تَ عْطَرَتْ فَمَرَّتْ عَلَى قَ وْمٍ لِيَجِدُوا مِنْ رِيحِهَا فَهِيَ زَانِيَة «

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said “Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance then she is an adulteress”, in other words, is like a fornicator, reported by Al-Nasa’i and Al-Hakim who authenticated it. This narration is also prohibiting an action of Tabarruj, and it is clear from his words

 » اسْ تَ عْطَرَتْ فَمَرَّتْ عَلَى قَ وْمٍ لِيَجِدُوا مِنْ رِيحِهَا «

who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance” that it is a prohibition of revealing the beautification, in other words, the putting on of perfume so that men could smell her. It is narrated by Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

 صِنْ فَانِ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ لَمْ أَرَهُمَا: قَ وْمٌ مَعَهُمْ سِيَاطٌ كَأَذْنَابِ الْبَ قَرِ يَضْرِبُونَ بِهَا « ال نَّاسَ، وَنِسَاءٌ كَاسِيَاتٌ عَارِيَاتٌ مُمِيلاَتٌ مَائِلاتٌ رُءُوسُهُنَّ كَأَسْنِمَةِ الْبُخْتِ الْمَائِلَةِ، لاَ » يَدْخُلْنَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلا يَجِدْنَ رِيحَهَا، وَإِنَّ رِيحَهَا لَ يُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ كَذَا وَكَذَا

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said “Two are the types of the the people of Hell whom I did not see: people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance.” (reported by Muslim); so this is also from the actions of Tabarruj. It is clear from his words dressed but appear to be naked” that it means the revealing of adornments. His words “inclined (to evil) and make men incline towards it” is talking about movements that attract men’s attention. And the words “Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side” is talking about revealing the beautification done to their hair, in other words, treating and heaping it around a turban or headscarf or anything similar until it became like the hump of a camel. And the “Bukht” is the Afghani camel, in other words, they arranged their hair to look like the hump of an Afghani camel. This is clearly prohibiting the revealing of beautification to men. And similar to this are all the texts which are related to the prohibition of any action of Tabarruj, all of which make it clear that the prohibition is regarding revealing the beautification in order to provoke men’s inclination towards the woman. And this is supported by the linguistic meaning of Tabarruj which is to reveal the beautification, which is different from beautification itself. Therefore, what is forbidden is the Tabarruj with its linguistic indication, and by the indications of the narrations which prohibit any of its actions, whereas beautification without tabaruuj is not forbidden.

Thirdly, the prohibition of uncovering the ‘Awrah in front of foreign men (men they are able to marry). It is mandatory upon the woman to conceal all of her body apart from her face and hands, according to the evidence

And tell the believing women not to expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof.” (TMQ 24:31); Ibn ‘Abbas said this means the face and hands as reported by Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr in Al- Tamhid and Ibn Kathir in Al-Tafsir. And the Messenger (saw) said

 إِنَّ الْجَارِيَةَ إِذَا حَاضَتْ لَمْ يَصْلُحْ أَنْ ي رَُى مِنْ هَا إِلاَّ وَجْهُهَا وَيَدَاهَا إِلَى « » المِفْصَلِ

If a girl reaches puberty (indicated by starting menstrual cycle), it is not right that any part of her be seen other than her face and the two hands up to the wrists” (Mursal narration reported by Abu Dawud), at which point he grasped his arm, and there was the distance of a grasp between his hand and where he grasped his arm. Therefore, the whole of the woman’s body apart from her face and hands are Awrah, and so it is obligatory for her to conceal it.

The Legislator (swt) made it a condition of the clothing that it covers the skin, in other words, obligated covering the skin by what covers its colour, or in other words, the skin and its colour whether white, red, dark, black or anything else. In other words, the cover should cover the skin and its colour such that the colours of the skin underneath are not known, otherwise it would not be considered as a cover for the ‘Awrah and rather the ‘Awrah would be considered visible and not covered, since the Shari’ah cover is that which conceals the colour. The evidence that the Legislator (swt) obligated covering of the body by covering the skin such that its colour is not known is from his words

 » لَمْ يَصْلُحْ أَنْ ي رَُى مِنْ هَا «

it is not correct that any part of her be seen”. This narration is a clear proof that the Legislator (swt) made it a condition of covering the ‘Awrah that nothing should be seen from it, or in other words, the skin should be covered by something that does not reveal what is behind it, and so it is obligatory for the woman to cover her ‘Awrah by a dress which is not delicate, in other words, does not convey what lies behind it and does not disclose what is under it.

The woman lives in public and private spheres; in the public sphere she is permitted to live with women, Maharim men, and foreign men (men whom she can marry) on the condition that nothing other than her face and hands can be revealed, and that the clothing is not revealing, besides there is not any open display of adornments. As for the private sphere, she is not permitted to live with anyone other than women and her Maharim, and she is not permitted to live with unrelated/foreign men. She is restricted by all the Shari’ah rules in both spheres.

The evidence for this article is the verse mentioning seeking permission

O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome (ask for permission) and greet their.” (TMQ 24:27), and the verse regarding revealing the beautification to the Maharim

And tell the believing women not to expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons.” (TMQ 24:31) - which are the evidences for the private sphere. The verse mentioning the complete clothing

And tell the believing women to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests.” (TMQ 24:31) and the Jilbab

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down (let down) over themselves their outer garments.”, and the verse regarding the prohibition of the open display of adornments

[but] not displaying adornment.” (TMQ 24:60), along with the texts which indicate the obligatory, recommended and permitted actions which Allah (swt) legislated for woman and man without distinction, are all evidences for the public sphere.

However, when Allah (swt) permitted the woman to participate in the public sphere with men, such as the permissibility for her to participate in trade, agriculture, industry, the civil service, the judiciary, membership of political parties, accounting the ruler, and dealing with life’s affairs in the same manner as the man, at the same time He (swt) laid down specific rules. So the clothes which she is permitted to come out with in the public sphere have been specified, in that she has to cover all of her body other than her hands and face, and not display her adornments and beautification openly; Allah (swt) said

And tell the believing women not to expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof.” (TMQ 24:31). Ibn ‘Abbas said this is the face and hands, as reported by Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra. The Prophet said

 إِنَّ الْجَارِيَةَ إِذَا حَاضَتْ لَمْ يَصْلُحْ أَنْ ي رَُى مِنْ هَا إِلاَّ وَجْهُهَا وَيَدَاهَا إِلَى « » المِفْصَلِ

If a girl reaches puberty (indicated by starting menstrual cycle), it is not right that any part of her be seen other than her face and the two hands up to the wrists” (reported by Abu Dawud as a Mursal narration), and Allah (swt) said

[but] not displaying adornment.” (TMQ 24:60), and the Prophet also said

 » أَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ اسْ تَ عْطَرَتْ فَمَرَّتْ عَلَى قَ وْمٍ لِيَجِدُوا مِنْ رِيحِهَا فَهِيَ زَانِيَة «

Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance then she is an adulteress” (reported by Al-Nasa’i from Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari, and Al-Hakim authenticated it and Al-Dhahabi confirmed it). As for how the woman should live in the private sphere, she has been prohibited from living with anyone other than women, Maharim or children, and she has been prohibited from appearing in this private sphere in light clothes except in front of those just mentioned. Allah (swt) said

And tell the believing women not to expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of.” (TMQ 24:31).

It is not permitted for anyone to come into her private sphere before taking permission, irrespective of whether they were Mahram or not; Allah (swt) said

O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome (ask for permission) and greet their inhabitants.” (TMQ 24:27); and the Messenger (saw) ordered a man to take permission before entering his mother’s place.

These are the evidences for this article.

It is not permitted for a woman to take a ruling position; so she cannot be a Khalifah, nor an assistant, governor or ‘Amil, nor undertake any action considered to be ruling. In the same manner she cannot be the head judge and nor a judge in the Madhalim court, nor the Amir of Jihad.

The evidence for this article is what Al-Bukhari narrated from Abu Bakra who said

 لَنْ ي فُْلِحَ « : أن أهل فارس ملَّكوا عليهم بنت كسرى قال لما بلغ رسول الله » قَ وْمٌ وَلَّوْا أَمْرَهُمُ امْرَأَة

When the Messenger of Allah (saw) was told that the daughter of Kisra had been given the reign over the Persians he said: Never will succeed such a nation that make a woman their ruler.”. This explicitly mentions that a woman is not permitted to take a ruling position. Accordingly, women are not permitted to undertake anything at all from any of the actions of ruling, whether the Khalifah, assistant, governor, Supreme judge, judge in the Madhalim court, or ‘amil in the district, due to the explicitness of the narration forbidding it.

As for women not taking the position of the Amir of Jihad, despite it not being a ruling position, this is because Jihad is not obligatory upon women and so she cannot assume leadership over those for whom Jihad is obligatory.

It is permitted for a woman to be appointed in civil service and positions in the judiciary apart from the Court of Injustices. She can elect members of the Ummah’s council, and be a member herself, and she can participate in the election of the Head of State and in giving him the pledge of allegiance.

The evidence for the article is the evidence for employment, since the civil servant and judge are employees. The evidence for employment is general and unrestricted. It is narrated that the Prophet said

» أَعْطُوا الأَجِيرَ أَجْرَهُ قَ بْلَ أَنْ يَجِفَّ عَرَقُه «

 Give the employee his wages before his sweat dries” (reported by Ibn Maja from Abdullah Bin Umar). The word employee” here is general and encompasses both women and men. In the same vein, Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Huraira that the Prophet said

وَرَجُلٌ اسْ تَأْجَرَ أَجِيرًا فَاسْ تَ وْفَى « : إلى أن قال » ثَلاثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ ي وَْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ « » مِنْهُ وَلَمْ ي عُْطِ أَجْرَه

I will be against three on the Day of Judgement” until he said “and a man who employs an laborer, and gets the full work done by him, but does not pay him his wages.”; the word employee is unrestricted and encompasses both women and men. The definition of employment is “a contract upon an exchange of a service for remuneration” and the work in government departments and judiciary is a service, undertaken upon a contract between the State and the civil servant in exchange for remuneration, which is the salary. Umar b. Al- Khattab (ra) appointed Al-Shifa, who was a woman from his tribe, as a judge in the market place (hisbah) in Madinah, though it is not permitted for a woman to be a judge of the Madhalim court and nor to be the chief judge responsible for the Madhalim judiciary, since that is considered a ruling position.

As for the Ummah council which is for consultation and accounting, consultation (Shura) is confirmed by a general evidence

And consult them in the matter” (TMQ 3:159),

And whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves” (TMQ 42:38), and when the Messenger (saw) saw that the Muslims refused to shave and cut their hair, he went to Umm Salamah and said to her

» لَقَدْ هَلَكَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ «

The Muslims are destroyed” as reported by Al-Bukhari from Al-Mawar Bin Makhzama, and he told her what had happened, so she said to him “Shave your head, they will not differ from you”, so he followed her advice and as a result the Muslims shaved and cut their hair. Then she said to him “Set off with them quickly”, and so he took her advice. So he took the opinion of a woman, which indicates that he took her opinion in any issue whether politics or otherwise. The member of the Shura council is simply a proxy to represent opinion, and it is permitted for a woman to be appointed as a proxy in the same manner as a man, due to the generality of the evidence. The issue of accounting is the same since the texts regarding enjoining the good and forbidding the evil are general, encompassing both men and women – Muslim reported from Umm Salama that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said

سَتَكُونُ أُمَرَاءُ فَ تَ عْرِفُونَ وَتُ نْكِرُونَ، فَمَنْ عَرَفَ بَرِئَ، وَمَنْ أَنْكَرَ سَلِمَ، وَلَكِنْ « » مَنْ رَضِيَ وَتَابَعَ، قَالُوا: أَفَلاَ ن قَُاتِلُهُمْ ؟ قَالَ: لا مَا صَلَّوْا

There be Amirs and you will like their good deeds and dislike their bad deeds. One who sees through their bad deeds (and tries to prevent their repetition), is absolved from blame, but one who hates their bad deeds (in the heart of his heart, being unable to prevent their recurrence), is (also) safe. But one who approves of their bad deeds and imitates them is spiritually ruined. People asked the Prophet: Shouldn’t we fight against them? He replied: No, as long as they say their prayers” and prayer here is an allusion to ruling by Islam, and the narration is general for both men and women. So just as men account the rulers, so do women.

As for the issue of men accounting the rulers, Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported from Abu Huraira:

وَكَفَرَ مَنْ كَفَرَ يمنَ الْعَرَ ي ب، فَ قَالَ ، وَكَانَ أَب وُ بَكْرٍ لَمَّا ت وُُفيَِّ رَسُولُ اللَّيه « أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى :كيْفَ ت قَُاتيلُ النَّاسَ وَقَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّيه : عُمَرُ يَ قُولُوا لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، فَمَنْ قَالَهَا فَ قَدْ عَصَمَ مِنِّي مَالَهُ وَنَ فْسَهُ إِلاَّ بِحَقِّهِ، وَحِسَابُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ . فَ قَالَ: وَاللهي، لأُقَاتيلَنَّ مَنْ فَ رَّقَ ب يَْنَ الصَّلاةي وَالزَّكَاةي، فَيإنَّ الزَّكَاةَ حَقُّ الْمَايل، وَاللهي، لَوْ مَنَ عُويني عَنَاقًا كَانُوا ي ؤَُدُّون هََا إيلَى رَسُويل اللهي لَقَاتَ لْ تُ هُمْ عَلَى مَ نْعيهَا. قَالَ عُمَرُ  : ف وَاللهي، مَا هُوَ إيلاَّ أَنْ قَدْ شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَ أَيبي بَكْرٍ  » ، فَ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ الَْْقُّ

When the Messenger of Allah (saw) died and Abu Bakr took office, and those from the Bedouins disbelieved, Umar said: How can we fight people and the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: I have been ordered to fight the people until they say La ilaha illa Allah (swt), and whoever does so then their wealth and blood are protected except by its right, and their account is with Allah (swt). So Abu Bakr said: I swear by Allah (swt), I will fight whosoever differentiates between the prayer and the Zakah, since Zakah is the right of the wealth, By Allah (swt), if they deny me a young goat, that they paid to the Messenger of Allah (saw) I will fight them over their denial. Umar said: By Allah (swt), it was only that Allah (swt) had opened the chest of Abu Bakr (to understanding), and so then I realised it was the truth”. As for women accounting the ruler, it is mentioned by Al-Qurtubi in his Tafsir, Al-Amidi in Al-Ihkam and Al-Ghazali in Al-Mustasfa that a woman accounted Umar (ra) when he prohibited people from giving dowry of greater than four hundred dirham. She said to him: You have no right to do this Umar. Have you not heard the words of Allah (swt)

And you have given one of them a great amount [in gifts], do not take [back] from it anything.” (TMQ 4:20) so he said: A woman is correct, and Umar is wrong.

With respect to her participation in elections for the Khalifah and giving him the pledge of allegiance, the narration of Umm ‘Atiyyah explicitly mentions how the women gave the pledge of allegiance, reported by Al-Bukhari from Umm ‘Atiyyah:

 فَ قَرَأَ عَلَيْ نَا أَنْ لاَ يُشْرِكْنَ بِاللَّهِ شَ يْئًا وَنَ هَانَا عَنِ النِّ يَاحَ ةِ، بَايَ عْ نَا النَّبِيَّ « »... فَ قَبَضَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَّا يَدَهَا

We gave the Prophet the pledge of allegiance and he read for us that they should not disbelieve in Allah (swt), and he forbade us from wailing (over the dead), so one of us withdrew her hand”, and the verse

O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you.” (TMQ 60:12) is also explicit in mentioning the woman’s pledge of allegiance, and ,therefore, it is permitted for her to elect the Khalifah and give him the pledge of allegiance.

The woman has been given the same rights as man, and whatever was oblied upon man is also obliged upon the woman, except that which was specified for her or him by the Shari’ah evidences. Accordingly, she has the right to partake in trade, agriculture and industry, and to undertake contracts and transactions, to possess all forms of property, to invest her wealth whether personally or through proxy, and to personally carry out all worldly affairs.

The evidence for this article is that when the Legislator (swt) addressed the worshippers, He (swt) addressed them in their characteristic as human beings, with no concern as to whether the one addressed was male or female. Allah (swt) said “Say, [O Muhammad],

"O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah (saw) to you all.” (TMQ 7:158), “O mankind, fear your Lord.” (TMQ 4:1), “O you who have believed, respond to Allah (swt) and to the.” (TMQ 8:24), “O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you.” (TMQ 2:183), “So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.” (TMQ 2:185), “And establish prayer.” (TMQ 2:43), “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth.” (TMQ 9:103), “Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy.” (TMQ 9:60), “And those who hoard gold and silver.” (TMQ 9:33), “Allah (swt) has permitted trade and has forbidden interest(usury).” (TMQ 2: 275), amongst many other similar texts. In all of these the Legislator (swt) addresses humankind with a general address irrespective of whether the one addressed was male or female. And the generality of the address of the Legislator (swt) remains upon its generality. Accordingly, the Shari’ah came for humankind and not for men in their characteristic of being male, or for women in their characteristic of being female, rather for mankind from the angle of being human. Therefore, whatever the Shari’ah commanded came for humankind, and whatever it includes in terms of rights and obligations are for and upon humankind. This is the evidence for the part of the article which mentions that the woman has the same rights and obligations as the man, because the Shari’ah came for humankind, and both male and female are human, and it did not come specifically for woman or man, and so the two of them are equal in respect to the address of the Legislator (swt) regarding the Shari’ah rules for humankind.

This generality in the address of the Legislator (swt) remains upon its generality in everything, and remains upon its generality in every rule as long as the Shari’ah did not relate it through a Shari’ah text as a rule specific for women or men, in which case that rule alone that the text addressed would be specific to women or men. The Shari’ah remains upon its generality addressing humankind irrespective of gender,

Say, [O Muhammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah (saw) to you all.” (TMQ 7:158), and all of the remaining rules remain upon their generality for humankind irrespective of gender

O you who have believed, respond to Allah (swt) and to the Messenger (saw).” (TMQ 8:24), “And obey Allah (swt) and the Messenger (saw).” (TMQ 3:132), “Whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.” (TMQ 2:185), “. And bring to witness two just men from among you.” (TMQ 65:2) and whatever else came regarding the rules. All of these remain upon their generality which addressed humankind without regard as to whether they were male or female.

Therefore, in origin the Legislator (swt) made the Shari’ah for humankind, not for men or women specifically, but rather for both of them as human beings. Then, the Legislator (swt) laid down some rules specific for women and some specific for men, however this specificity is restricted to those rules alone and does not go beyond them or the texts which came to explain them. Neither of them is charged with a rule specifically unless there is a clear text related which specifies it to one of the two genders. So the specification of women or men with certain rules is an exception to the generality, and so the Shari’ah remains upon its generality as do all of its rules, and any exception is limited to what the text mentions and does not go any further. For example, there are specific rules for women such as leaving prayer, and eating in Ramadan during the menstrual cycle, and such as making the witness statement of a single woman sufficient in those cases which only they would be privy to such as virginity without requiring the normal condition regarding witnesses, as this is specific to women and there are texts regarding it, but it does not apply to anything else at all; rather she remains addressed by the address of the Legislator (swt) in the same manner as man is, since the address is for humankind and not for a specific gender. Also, for example, there are rules which are specific to men such as ruling or authority, and so it is not valid for anyone other than a man to undertake it. This is specific to men, and has had a text narrated regarding it, and so it is specific to men alone. However this specification is related to ruling alone and not the judiciary or managing the departments of the state because the text came regarding ruling, or those who govern, and nothing else. And it is resricted to what came in the text alone, and will not be specified at all by anything which is not related by text; rather the man remains addressed by the address of the Legislator (swt) in the same manner as the woman since the address is for humankind and not for a specific gender.

Based upon this, there is nothing in Islam called women’s rights or men’s rights, or women’s obligations and men’s obligations. Rather, the rights and obligations in Islam are for humankind in their characteristic as human beings, without any attention as to whether they are male or female; rather irrespective of their gender. Accordingly, all the laws of the Shari’ah are for humankind while some are exceptions - so sometimes the woman is addressed in her characteristic as a female by specific text and at other times the man is addressed in his characteristic as a male by specific text.

Due to the generality of the Shari’ah and its rules, the woman can work in trade, agriculture, and industry in the same way as the man, since the address of the Legislator (swt) came for humankind.

She can undertake all the verbal actions of contracts and transactions, since the address of the Legislator (swt) came for humankind.

She can own any type of property and invest her wealth whether personally or otherwise, since the address of the Legislator (swt) came for humankind.

She can teach and carry out Jihad since the address of the Legislator (swt) came for humankind.

She can partake in politics, join political parties and account the ruler, since the address of the Legislator (swt) came for humankind.

She can directly engage in all the affairs of public life, in exactly the same manner as the man, in everything due to the citizen and whatever is required to make a living, since the address of the Legislator (swt) came for humankind.

In origin men and women are segregated, and do not come together except for a need by Shar’ agrees to it and agrees to their assembly for it , such as trade and the pilgrimage.

This article is derived from numerous evidences. Firstly: the Shari’ah divided the Muslim’s life between the general and private spheres, and in the woman’s private life she can display what is above her Awrah to her Maharim (close family relatives), whereas in her public sphere she cannot display anything from her body except her face and hands. Secondly, the Shari’ah made the rows of the woman in prayer behind that of the men. Thirdly, the Shari’ah ordered men to lower their gaze from the women, and vice versa. Fourthly, the woman has been ordered to cover herself in modest clothing which covers every part of the places of adornment, except for that which is apparent from her (in other words, her hands and face). Fifthly, it is permitted for her to display what is above her Awrah in her private life between her Maharim.

All of the evidences for these rules indicate that the basis is that men are segregated from women, and so each of them lives in a different sphere of life than the other. Along with this, the woman has had certain issues made permitted, recommended and obligatory upon her. Therefore, it is imperative that she undertakes what is obligatory, and recommended, and permitted, but without Tabarruj (beautification which attracts attention) and with the clothing which Allah (swt) described in the Quran with His (swt) words

 “And to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests.” (TMQ 24:31) is the upper/outer clothing; whereas His (swt) words

 “Bring down (let down) over themselves their wrapping outer garments.” is referring to the clothing from underneath, because the Jilbab is worn above the clothing. Al-Jawhari said in Al-Sihhah “The Jilbab is the cover and some say it is a sheet”. In the Al-Muheet dictionary it mentions “the Jilbab is in the form of the Sirdab or the Sinmar, which is the gown or a large garment for women under the cover, or conceals her clothing like a cover”. And to “draw” (Idnaa') clothing is to lower it to the bottom; it is said “draw the cover, lower it”, and the meaning of drawing here is lowering, and the only meaning of lowering the clothing is to lower it to the bottom. And His (swt) words

“Not displaying adornment.” (TMQ 24:60) is with respect to the open display of beautification (Tabarruj).

Therefore, she is allowed to go out dressed in accordance with what the Shari’ah specified for her, and meet with men in order to undertake what the Shari’ah allowed her to do, such as buying, selling, employment, appointing proxies, custody and so on, and to carry out was has been made obligatory upon her such as Hajj and paying the Zakah, or recommended upon her such as voluntary charity, helping the poor, treating the sick and so on. These needs have been confirmed from the legislative angle for her by the Shari’ah, whether they were obligatory, recommended, or permitted, and has confirmed the gathering of men and woman while they are undertaken. Therefore, these evidences indicate that the method of life in Islam is to segregate men from the women in the private sphere, and allow men and women to gather in the public sphere in order to carry out whatever was obligatory, recommended, or permitted upon them with the dress in accordance with what the Shari’ah specified to her. These are the evidences for this article.

Page 1 of 14

Superior Economic Model : Islamic System