The veiling of women has an immediate impact on Kafir societies, as it is not only a religious, but also a political symbol. The doctrine of Political Islam permits and even encourages the abuse of unveiled women, which is a threat to their life and security. And, veiling is divisive, separating the "superior" Islamic society from the "inferior" non-Islamic one.
According to Allah in the Koran, all Muslims must follow Mohammed’s example in their lives. Thus, the veiling of Muslim women comes from the Sunna of Mohammed (the biography and examples from Mohammed’s life.) The veil also distinguished between free women who practiced Islam and Kafir slaves, who were unveiled.
After several successful battles, Mohammed and his military leaders brought the captured Kafirs to Medina to serve as slaves. Mohammed had several sex slaves, but his favorite was Mary, a Coptic Christian woman. Captured Kafir women, who were taken by the warriors, were sold at slave markets. They served their owners in any way that was demanded, including as sex slaves.
Mohammed’s father-in-law, Umar, told him that he should veil his wives. When Mohammed postponed the decision, Umar kept pressing him about veiling. Then, Allah revealed to Mohammed that the women of the believers should be veiled.
The political functions of veiling:
1) A threat to national and personal security: Abuse and molestation of Kafir women
According to the Political doctrine of Islam, if a woman does not wear a veil, she can be molested, abused and raped. This doctrine, specifically veiling, is the reason for the attacks on Kafir women, therefore veiling constitutes a threat to national security.
In the Koran Allah gives permission to treat Kafir women in this way. Veiling made it possible to distinguish which woman is Muslim. In the examples from Mohammed's life, Kafir women were taken as booty, and he and his followers used them as sex slaves.
Veiling is also a threat to national security because some veils hide the face. As a consequence, one individual cannot be distinguished from another, and the face cannot be recognized if a crime is committed.
2) According to the words of Mohammed, veiling women is a political symbol of the superiority of the Islamic civilization over the Kafir‘s
Under Political Islam, all Kafirs have a lower status than Muslims. Owning slaves is permitted by Islamic doctrine and Sharia Law. Kafir women can be captured and used as sex slaves. The absence of the veil makes it possible to recognize who can be treated as a slave.
3) The unequal treatment of men and women
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares men and women to be equal, but Sharia Law, as affirmed in the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights, considers men superior to women.
According to Islamic doctrine, the veil hides women from public gaze to prevent men from perceiving them as sexual objects. The emphasis is not on a man’s duty to restrain his behavior; rather, it is a woman’s duty to keep herself hidden. The Koran says that a wife can be beaten. Aisha, Mohammed's wife complained that the veil conceals bruises.
4) To identify who upholds Sharia law
The Sharia is considered to be Allah´s divine law, and therefore, superior to man-made Kafir secular laws. Wearing a veil is obligatory under the Sharia, so the veil allows for easy identification of women who follow Islamic law.
There are many different ways to veil:
burka – full body and one-piece head covering, including the face (mesh screen for the eyes to see through)
chador – full body, including the head but not the face
niqab – a veil that covers the face showing only the eyes
hijab – usually it means a headscarf, but it can include a full-body covering and is used to describe veiling in general. The "hijab" also refers to a curtain that can be hung between an unveiled woman and a man so that he can speak to her indoors without seeing her.
Political Islam doctrinal references from the Primary Islamic Texts
- Koran[5]- the exact words of Allah as the Angel Gabriel dictated them to Mohammed.
- Sunna- Mohammed’s words and deeds are called the Sunna. They are found in two different texts— the Sira and the Hadith. The Sira [6] is Mohammed’s biography and the Hadith [7],[ 8], [9] are Traditions (examples) from his life.
- Sharia Law [10] - Islamic Law; codification of the knowledge of the Koran and Sunna.
The process of the Islamization of countries through the implementation of Sharia law is gradual. For example, even in some Islamic countries, wearing the veil is not mandatory because full Sharia Law has not yet been implemented.
1) A threat to national and personal security: Abuse and molestation of Kafir women
Koran 33:59 [Saheeh International] O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Koran 33:32-33 [Hilali & Khan] O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allâh), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner. And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salât (Iqamât-as-Salât), and give Zakât and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification.
In jihad, non-veiled Kafir women can be viewed as sex slaves and can be sexually molested or kidnapped. A female slave can be raped by her master.
Koran 23:1-11 [Yusuf Ali] (The believers must (eventually) win through,- Those who humble themselves in their prayers; Who avoid vain talk; Who are active in deeds of charity; Who abstain from sex, Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, for (in their case) they are free from blame, But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors; Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants; And who (strictly) guard their prayers; These will be the heirs, Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).
Hadith [Muslim 8,3371] Abu Sirma said to Abu Sa'id al Khadri: O Abu Sa'id, did you hear Allah's Messenger mentioning al-'azl? He said: Yes, and added: We went out with Allah's Messenger on the expedition to the Bi'l-Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them, for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing 'azl (Withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid-conception). But we said: We are doing an act whereas Allah's Messenger is amongst us; why not ask him? So we asked Allah's Messenger, and he said: It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.
Hadith [Bukhari 4200] Narrated Anas: The Prophet offered the Fajr Prayer near Khaibar when it was still dark and then said, "Allahu-Akbar! Khaibar is destroyed, for whenever we approach a nation, then evil will be the morning for those who have been warned." Then the inhabitants of Khaibar came out running on the roads. The Prophet had their warriors killed, their offspring and woman taken as captives. Safiya was amongst the captives, She first came in the share of Dahya Alkali but later on she belonged to the Prophet.
2) According to Mohammed, veiling women is a political symbol of the superiority of the Islamic civilization over the Kafir‘s
The veil distinguishes between free Muslim women who practice Islam and Kafir women, including slaves.
Hadith [Bukhari B7,62,22] While traveling from Khaybar to Medina, Mohammed stopped for three days to celebrate and consummate his marriage to Safiya. The wedding banquet offered no meat or bread, but Mohammed ordered leather sheets to be spread and dates, butter, and dried yogurt were laid out upon it. The people wondered if Safiya was going to be Mohammed’s slave-girl or his wife. Someone said, “If she is ordered to veil herself, then she will be his wife. If she is not compelled to veil herself, she will be his slave girl.”
Sira [Ibn Ishaq 693] Mohammed had chosen one of their women for himself, Rayhana, one of the women of Qurayza Jews, and she remained with him until she died, in his power. The apostle had proposed to marry her and put the veil on her, but she said: ‘No, Leave me in your power, for that will be easier for me and for you.’ So he left her. She had shown repugnance towards Islam when she was captured and clung to Judaism.
Hadith [Muslim 004, 2127] When it was my turn for Allah’s Messenger to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly.
I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps til he reached Baqi’. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O Aisha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing.
Hadith [Bukhari B1,8,368;B1,10,552;B1,12,826;B1,12,831] Aisha said that some Muslim women would cover themselves with veiling sheets and attend the Fajr prayer with Mohammed. After the prayer, they would return home unrecognized because of the darkness.
Under Political Islam, all Kafirs (non-Muslims) have lower status than Muslims.
Koran 98:6 [Saheeh International] Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.
Mohammed's wives had not always been veiled.
Sira [Ibn Ishaq 731-733] The men had gone. So I wrapped myself in my smock and then lay down where I was, knowing that if I were missed they would come back for me, and by Allah I had but just lain down when Safwan b. al-Mu'attal al-Sulami passed me; he had fallen behind the main body for some purpose and had not spent the night with the troops. He saw my form and came and stood over me. He used to see me before the veil was prescribed for us, so when he saw me he exclaimed in astonishment "The apostle's wife" while I was wrapped in my garments.
After Allah revealed the Verses of Veiling, Mohammed's wives were ordered to veil themselves.
Hadith [Bukhari B1,4,148; B8,74,257] The wives of the Prophet used to go to a large open place to answer the call of nature at night. Umar used to say to the Prophet “Let your wives be veiled,” but Allah’s Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda went out at night and she was a tall lady. Umar said, “I have recognized you, O Sauda.” He said he desired that the women might be veiled. So Allah revealed the verses of veiling.
Hadith [Abu Dawud 33:4091] Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: May Allah have mercy on the early immigrant women. When the verse "That they should draw their veils over their bosoms" was revealed, they tore their thick outer garments and made veils from them. (Sahih)
It was Umar (Mohammed’s close friend and the father of one of his wives) who urged Mohammed to produce the verse about veiling. After his request, another verse was revealed.
Hadith [Bukhari B6,60,10] Narrated Anas: Umar said, "I agreed with Allah in three things," or said, "My Lord agreed with me in three things. I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Would that you took the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.' I also said, 'O Allah's Messenger! 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. […]
3) The unequal treatment of men and women
According to the doctrine, it is unlawful for women to leave the house with faces unveiled, whether or not there is a likelihood of temptation.
Sharia Law [Reliance of the Traveller m 2.3] It is unlawful for a man to look at a woman who is not his wife or one of his unmarriageable kin (def: m6.1) (0: there being no difference in this between the face and hands or some other part of a woman (N: if it is uncovered), though part excludes her voice, which is not unlawful to listen to as long as temptation is unlikely. Allah Most High says, "Tell believers to lower their gaze" (Koran 24:30). A majority of scholars (n: with the exception of some Hanafis. as at m2.8 below) have been recorded as holding that it is unlawful for women to leave the house with faces unveiled, whether or not there is likelihood of temptation. When there is likelihood of temptation, scholars unanimously concur that it is unlawful, temptation meaning anything that leads to sexual intercourse or its usual preliminaries. As for when there is real need (dis: m2.11), looking is not unlawful, provided temptation is unlikely). (A: Being alone with a woman who is not one's wife or unmarriageable kin is absolutely unlawful, though if there are two women and a man, the man and the woman are no longer considered alone.)
Islamic Doctrine allows a husband to beat his wife.
Koran 4:34 [Arberry] Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that God has preferred in bounty one of them over another, and for that they have expended of their property. Righteous women are therefore obedient, guarding the secret for God's guarding. And those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them. If they then obey you, look not for any way against them; God is All-high, All-great.
Sira [Ibn Ishaq 969] You have rights over your wives and they have rights over you. You have the right that they should not defile your bed and that they should not behave with open unseemliness. If they do, God allows you to put them in separate rooms and to beat them but not with severity.
Hadith [Bukahri B7,72,715] Narrated ‘Ikrima: Rifa’a divorced his wife whereupon ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Az-Zubair Al-Qurazi married her. ‘Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green veil (and complained to her (Aisha) of her husband and showed her a green spot on her skin caused by beating). It was the habit of ladies to support each other, so when Allah's Messenger came, ‘Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!" When ‘Abdur-Rahman heard that his wife had gone to the Prophet, he came with his two sons from another wife. She said, "By Allah! I have done no wrong to him but he is impotent and is as useless to me as this," holding and showing the fringe of her garment, ‘Abdur-Rahman said, "By Allah, O Allah's Messenger! She has told a lie! I am very strong and can satisfy her but she is disobedient and wants to go back to Rifa’a." Allah's Messenger said, to her, "If that is your intention, then know that it is unlawful for you to remarry Rifa’a unless ‘Abdur-Rahman has had sexual intercourse with you." Then the Prophet saw two boys with ‘Abdur-Rahman and asked (him), "Are these your sons?" On that `Abdur-Rahman said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "You claim what you claim (i.e.. that he is impotent)? But by Allah, these boys resemble him as a crow resembles a crow."
A woman's body should be hidden from all men except relatives and slaves.
Koran 33:55 [Hilali & Khan] It is no sin on them (the Prophet’s wives, if they appear unveiled) before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or the sons of their sisters, or their own (believing) women, or their (female) slaves. And (O ladies), fear (keep your duty to) Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Ever All-Witness over everything.
Koran 24:30-31 [Yusuf Ali] Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.
Koran 33:53-54 [Hilali & Khan] O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allâh is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allâh’s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allâh that shall be an enormity.
Hadith [Abu Dawud 32:4092] The Apostle of Allah... said: "O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands". This was narrated by Aisha.
Hadith [Abu Dawud 2:641] The Prophet said: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a veil.
Hadith [Bukhari B3,46,710] Utba asked his brother Saad to care for his illegitimate son who was born to Zama’s slave girl. Saad, accompanied by Abd [Zama’s son], brought the boy before Mohammed when he was in Mecca for the fall of that city. Saad said, “Mohammed. This is Utba’s son. He has made me the boy’s guardian. ”Abd then said, “Mohammed, that boy is my brother. His mother is Zama’s slave-girl and he was born on my father’s bed. ”Mohammed looked at the boy and saw the resemblance to Utba. Mohammed said to Abd, “The boy is in your care because he is also your father’s son.” Mohammed then told his wife, Sauda [the sister of Abd], to wear her veil in the boy’s presence because his resemblance to Utba was unmistakable [i.e., he was not biologically related to Sauda even though Mohammed had declared him her legal brother].
Hadith [Bukhari 6:60:282] Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba: 'Aisha used to say: "When (the Verse): "They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms," was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces”.
Hadith [Bukhari B1,6,321] Narrated Aiyub: Hafsa said, “We used to forbid our young women to go out for the two ‘Id prayers. A woman came and stayed at the palace of Bani Khalaf and she narrated about her sister whose husband took part in twelve holy battles along with the Prophet and her sister was with her husband in six (out of these twelve). She (the woman's sister) said, "We used to treat the wounded, look after the patients and once I asked the Prophet, “Is there any harm for any of us to stay at home if she doesn't have a veil?” He said, “She should cover herself with the veil of her companion and should participate in the good deeds and in the religious gathering of the Muslims.” When Um ‘Atiya came I asked her whether she had heard it from the Prophet. She replied, "Yes. May my father be sacrificed for him (the Prophet)! (Whenever she mentioned the Prophet she used to say, “May my father be sacrificed for him!”) I have heard the Prophet saying, “The unmarried young virgins and the mature girl who stay often screened or the young unmarried virgins who often stay screened and the menstruating women should come out and participate in the good deeds as well as the religious gathering of the faithful believers but the menstruating women should keep away from the Musalla (praying place)." Hafsa asked Um ‘Atiya surprisingly, "Do you say the menstruating women?" She replied, "Doesn't a menstruating woman attend ‘Arafat (Hajj) and such and such (other deeds)?"
Veiling is applied less strictly to older women, who are considered less attractive.
Koran 24:60 [Hilali & Khan] And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wed-lock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
4) To identify who upholds Sharia law
Veiling is obligatory. Muslim women should cover their bodies and faces whenever they are in public, day or night.
Sharia Law [Reliance of the Traveller: w 23.1 (A:)] The nakedness ("awra”) of a woman that she is forbidden to reveal differs in the Shafi'i school according to different circumstances. In the privacy of the home, her nakedness is that which is between the navel and knees. In the prayer it means everything besides the face and hands. And when outside the home on the street, it refers to the entire body (N: or for Hanafis, all but the face and hands, just as in prayer).
Sharia Law [Reliance of the Traveller m11.5] A wife is entitled to the kind of clothing that is customary in town for dressing oneself (0: and not just anything termed clothing will suffice. What is obligatory is the amount necessary for the woman, which varies according to whether she is tall or short, thin or fat, and with the hot or cold climate of various towns. In the summertime, it is obligatory to provide her with a head covering, shift, underdrawers, shoes, and a shawl, because of her need to go out; and the same in the wintertime, plus a cloak quilted with cotton to protect her against the cold.
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