Title: Further Queries regarding Head Covering for Women Question/Comments: In your response you conclude: In my opinion, even if there can be a difference of opinion as to whether or not head-covering for women is an essential part of the directives of the Shari`ah related to the interaction between males and females, yet no one can challenge the fact that head-covering for women has remained an integral part of the noble social traditions of each one of the three Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Head-covering has traditionally been considered a symbol of nobility and modesty in all of these traditions. In view of this significance of head-covering, I feel more inclined towards recommending for all Muslim women to adhere to this practice. I have no doubts in my mind after reading this that you advise Muslim women to adhere to the traditional practice of Hijab . However this can be taken as your personal view on the subject as "you are inclined to recommend that". Please clarify following queries in this regard. What is the specific ruling of Shari`ah in this regard? Is it mandatory for Muslim women to wear Hijab i.e Covering their heads completely? It is clear from your previous reply that the specific ruling for Hijab cannot be deducted from Qur'an as it only prescribes a general etiquette of dress. I want to know the Sunnah of Prophet (may peace be upon him) in this regard? Wassalam Aasem Pakistan Answer: First of all I would like to clarify that ' Hijab ' is not a term of the Shari`ah and, therefore, I would neither like to use it nor recommend its usage to imply any particular aspect of the social directives of Islam relating to the prescribed etiquettes of interaction between males and females. You write: I have no doubts in my mind after reading this that you advise Muslim women to adhere to the traditional practice of Hijab . However this can be taken as your personal view on the subject as "you are inclined to recommend that." It is indeed my personal view and people would be correct in construing it as such. However, in the cited paragraph, I have also mentioned the basis of this personal view. Those who agree with my stated basis, would, in all probability, also agree with my view regarding "head-covering." You ask: What is the specific ruling of Shari`ah in this regard? Is it mandatory for Muslim women to wear Hijab i.e Covering their heads completely? According to my understanding of the related prescription of the Qur'an (in Surah Al-Noor ), the Shari`ah has not made it obligatory upon Muslim women to keep their heads covered. You write: It is clear from your previous reply that the specific ruling for Hijab cannot be deducted from Qur'an as it only prescribes a general etiquette of dress. I want to know the Sunnah of Prophet (may peace be upon him) in this regard? It is clear that if the Qur'an has given a ruling relating to an issue - and something has not been made obligatory in that ruling - then no other source can add upon or remove from the ruling of the Qur'an. Thus, when the Qur'an has made a clear prescription relating to the etiquettes of social interaction between males and females, then there is no reason why Sunnah would add upon this prescription of the Qur'an. I hope this helps. With fond regards, Moiz Amjad May 4, 2003