"The Reason Behind the Legislation of the Jilbab and Aspects of Its Wisdom According to Interpreters of the Verses of Legal Rulings An Objective Analytical Qur’anic Study"

الجلباب عِلَّة تشريعه ووجوه حِكْمَت

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives:

This study aims to: present the evidences for the rationale behind the legislation of the jilbab and the aspects of its wisdom; in response to calls for liberation and those who arrogantly criticize God's rulings, due to their confusion between the rationale behind the legislation of the jilbab and its wisdom. It also aims to clarify both the devotional legal aspect and the societal benefits within the objectives of Islamic law concerning the jilbab, so that wearing the Islamic garment stems from conviction and a desire to please Allah Almighty. Additionally, the study explores the views of interpreters of the Qur’anic legal verses on this matter.

Methods:

In this study, the researcher adopted the inductive method to examine the relevant verses of the Holy Qur’an and the clarifying Hadiths—following the steps of the thematic interpretation approach to Qur’anic topics—as well as the works of exegetes of legal verses and others. This was followed by a descriptive analysis of the results derived from induction, in accordance with the principles of the analytical, inferential, and comparative methods. The aim was to reach the intended conclusions in line with the set objectives, based on the outcomes of analytical interpretation and the methodology of thematic interpretation of Qur’anic subjects.

Results:

The study reached a number of findings, including: the confirmation that the rationale behind the legislation of the obligation of the jilbab is the covering of a woman’s ‘awrah—her body—based on the meaning of the Qur’anic verses. It also clarified the aspects of its wisdom: such as protecting women from harm, shielding men from temptation, and preserving and safeguarding society. These conclusions are based on both the explicit wording and implicit meaning of the Qur’anic verses, as well as the statements of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), the Tabi'in, and the interpretations of exegetes of legal verses and others on the matter.

Conclusions:

The study concluded that the distinction between the rationale behind the legislation of the jilbab and the aspects of its wisdom is clear, and that the doubts raised by those who confused the two are unfounded and baseless before they could even take root.

Keywords: Al-Jilbab, ‘Illah of the Jilbab, Hikmah of the Jilbab, Mafhum of the Jilbab, Al-Khimar, Al-Hijab.