Are Gloves Obligatory Upon Muslim Women?

Question: are gloves obligatory upon Muslim women?

Summary:

This issue is one of the matters in which the scholars have differed. -Some scholars hold that a woman's face and hands are awrah and must be covered from non-mahram men. According to this view, gloves or any other means of covering the hands are obligatory in the presence of non-mahram men, and this is the stronger opinion. -Other scholars hold that the hands are not awrah and that uncovering them is permissible if there is no fear of temptation. -The view held by many later Salafi scholars, including Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, and Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin, although they differed on some details, is that this issue is a matter of scholarly reasoning. However, Ibn Baz and Ibn Uthaymin inclined toward the obligation of covering the hands, while al-Albani held that uncovering them is permissible.

Answer:

First: The View That Covering the Hands Is Obligatory

Those who hold this opinion cite the general meaning of the statement of Allah, the Exalted:

From the Qur'an:

Sūrat al-Ahzab 33:59
"O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw over themselves their outer garments."

They also argue that the hands are among the places of adornment and that temptation may arise because of them. Therefore, they must be covered just like the rest of the body. For this reason, many Muslim women throughout the centuries would cover their hands in the presence of non-mahram men. Second: The View That Covering the Hands Is Not Obligatory Those who hold this opinion cite the statement of Allah, the Exalted:

From the Qur'an:

Surah al-Nur 24:31
"And not display their adornment except that which ordinarily appears thereof."

It has been narrated from a number of the Salaf that what is meant by "that which ordinarily appears thereof" is the face and the hands. They also argue that the basic principle is that there is no obligation to cover something unless there is clear evidence requiring it. Third: Are Gloves Specifically Obligatory? No. Even according to the view that covering the hands is obligatory, the covering does not have to be specifically through gloves. Rather, the objective is simply to cover the hands by any legislated means, such as: -Gloves. -A wide sleeve that covers the hands. -An abayah, jilbab, or similar garment. Therefore, gloves are merely a means of covering and are not an act of worship intended in and of themselves. Fourth: What Should a Muslim Woman Do? If she follows the view that covering the hands is obligatory, then she should cover them in the presence of non-mahram men as a precaution for her religion. If she follows a qualified scholar who holds that uncovering the hands is permissible, then she should not be condemned, so long as she adheres to the Islamic guidelines and avoids causes of temptation and display of adornment. Conclusion: Gloves are not obligatory in and of themselves. Rather, the disagreement among the scholars concerns the ruling of covering the hands in the presence of non-mahram men. Whoever holds that covering the hands is obligatory says that they must be covered by any suitable covering, and this is the stronger opinion. Whoever holds the opinion that the hands are not awrah permits uncovering them. However, the safer and more complete practice for a Muslim woman is to cover her hands in the presence of non-mahram men in order to avoid the area of disagreement and to distance herself from temptation, especially in environments where gazing and temptation are widespread.

And Allah knows best.

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Are Gloves Obligatory Upon Muslim Women?

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From the Qur'an:

From the Qur'an:

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