Veiling in Islam

All of this demonstrates that abolishing the veil, which modern civilization upholds as a principle, runs contrary to the natural disposition of women. The Qur’anic command to veil, by contrast, accords with their nature and protects women—those embodiments of compassion and potential companions of their husbands in eternal Paradise—from degradation, spiritual captivity, and misery.

Furthermore, women are by nature often cautious and apprehensive in the presence of unrelated men. Such innate caution itself calls for veiling. In addition, the fleeting pleasure of a few moments may result in the burden of carrying a child for eight or nine months and, if left without the protection of a father, raising that child for many years thereafter. Since such realities occur frequently, women naturally seek to preserve themselves from unrelated men. Their vulnerability urges them to avoid arousing base desires or creating opportunities for abuse by covering themselves. Thus, their veils serve as both their shield and their fortress.

According to reports I have heard, an ordinary shoe shiner in the central marketplace of the capital publicly touched the uncovered legs of the wife of a prominent statesman in broad daylight and before the eyes of many witnesses. This incident is itself a striking rebuke to those who oppose the veiling of women.

The Second Instance of Wisdom

The deep and enduring bond, love, and affection between husband and wife do not arise merely from the needs of worldly life. A wife is not only her husband’s companion in this world; she is also his companion in the Hereafter. Since she will remain his life partner in eternal life, it is only fitting that she neither attract the attention of others to her beauty nor wound the feelings of her everlasting companion by arousing his jealousy.

Indeed, the bond between husband and wife is not confined to this fleeting world, nor is a believing husband’s love based merely on temporary beauty or physical desire. Rather, because she is destined to be his companion for all eternity, his love and respect for her are sincere, profound, and enduring. He continues to cherish and honour her not only in the bloom of youth and beauty but also in old age, when outward attractiveness has faded. In return, both human nature and fidelity require that she reserve her beauty for his gaze alone and devote her affection exclusively to him. Otherwise, she gains little and loses much.

According to the Sharia, a husband and wife should be compatible with one another and well matched. Above all, this compatibility should be rooted in faith and religious commitment.

Blessed is the man who values his wife’s steadfastness in religion, follows her good example, and himself grows in piety, so that he does not lose his life companion in eternal life.

Blessed is the woman who values her husband’s steadfastness in religion and guards herself against sin, so that she does not lose her eternal friend and companion.

Woe to the man who falls into vice and dissipation, thereby losing his righteous wife for all eternity.

Woe to the woman who fails to follow the example of her God-conscious husband, thereby losing her blessed companion forever.

And a thousand woes upon those foolish spouses who imitate one another in sin and immorality, helping each other on the path to the Fire.