Why Is Hijab Still Obligatory Without Slavery Today?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
If the purpose of the hijab, according to Ibn Kathir and other exegetes, was to distinguish free women from slaves, why does it remain obligatory when slavery no longer exists?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
The obligation of hijab is not solely based on the historical context of distinguishing free women from enslaved women. While some exegetes like Ibn Kathir mentioned this as one wisdom behind the hijab, the primary reason for its obligation is modesty (haya’) and obedience to Allah’s command, which applies universally across all times.
The Obligation of Hijab
Allah (Most High) said, “…and to draw their veils over their chests…” [Quran, 24:31]
This is a command from Allah to the believing women and jealousy on His part over the wives of His believing servants. It is also to distinguish the believing women from the women of the Jahiliyya and the deeds of the pagan women. The reason for the revelation of this verse was mentioned by Muqatil bin Hayyan when he said:
“We heard — and Allah knows best — that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah al-Ansari narrated that Asma’ bint Murshida was in a house of hers in Bani Haritha, and the women started coming into her without lower garments so that the anklets on their feet could be seen, along with their chests and forelocks. Asma’ said: ‘How ugly this is!’ Then Allah revealed:
‘And tell the believing women to lower their gaze.’” [Quran, 24:31] [Ibn Kathir, Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
Many Islamic rulings have specific historical wisdom and reasons for a revelation like the above but remain applicable because their primary purpose is broader—for example, prayer, fasting, and zakat, which were relevant in the past but still remain obligatory today.
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
