Elderly Woman Uncovering Her Face
Before Non-mahrams: Muslim Society And The Care Of The
Elderly
Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & Answers
Is it permissible for an elderly woman to
uncover her face before men who are not her mahrams?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Yes, Allaah has permitted elderly women to uncover
their faces before non-mahram men, but that is subject
to the condition that they do not uncover anything of
their adornment that may be a cause of fitnah, so they
should not wear attractive or fancy clothes or put any
cosmetics on their faces to beautify them.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And as for women past childbearing who do not expect
wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their
(outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their
adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their
outer clothing) is better for them. And Allaah is
All-Hearer, All-Knower"
[al-Noor 24:60].
Abu Bakr al-Jassaas (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: With regard to the words of Allaah, "women past
childbearing who do not expect wedlock" [al-Noor
24:60], Ibn Mas'ood and Mujaahid said: Women past
childbearing who do not expect wedlock are those who
do not want it, and their outer garments are their
jilbabs.
Then he said: There is no dispute that the hair of an
elderly woman is ‘awrah and it is not permissible for
a non-mahram to look at it, as is the case with the
hair of a young woman. If she prays with her head
uncovered, then like a young woman (in the same
situation), her prayer is invalid. So it cannot be
that the meaning is that she may take off her head
covering in the presence of a non-mahram man. Rather
it is permitted for an elderly woman to take off her
outer garment in the presence of men, after she has
covered her head, and it is permitted for her to
uncover her face and hands, because she is not
desirable. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): "But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their
outer clothing) is better for them" [al-Noor 24:60].
So He has permitted her to take off her jilbab, but He
says that refraining by not taking off her garment
before men is better for her. End quote.
Ahkaam al-Qur'aan (3/485).
Ibn al-‘Arabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
This is mentioned only for women past childbearing
age, in exclusion to others, because they are no
longer desirable, but refraining by keeping the full
covering is better than doing that which is permitted
to them, namely taking off their outer garments. End
quote.
Ahkaam al-Qur'aan (3/419).
Al-Sa'di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said (p. 670):
Women who are past childbearing are those who no
longer have any interest in intimacy and desire,
"women past childbearing who do not expect wedlock"
[al-Noor 24:60], i.e., they do not hope to get married
and they are not wanted in marriage, because they have
grown old and are not desirable. "it is no sin on
them" i.e., there is no blame on them, "if they
discard their (outer) clothing" i.e., outer garments
such as the khimaar and so on, concerning which Allaah
says "and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna
(i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)" [al-Noor
24:31]. It is permissible for these women to uncover
their faces, because there is no fear of temptation.
And because allowing them to take off their outer
garment may be taken as meaning that they are allowed
to adorn themselves, the matter is clarified by the
words: "in such a way as not to show their adornment"
i.e., without showing their adornment to people, by
beautifying the outer garment or striking their ground
with their feet so as to let people know about their
hidden adornments, because the mere fact that a female
is wearing adornments, even if she covers them, and
even if she is not desirable, is a cause of fitnah
which causes the one who looks at it to fall into sin.
"But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer
clothing) is better for them" [al-Noor 24:60]. End
quote.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy
on him) was asked:
Is it permissible for a woman of advanced years, such
as 70 or 90 years old, to uncover her face before her
non-mahram relatives?
He replied:
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And as for women past childbearing who do not expect
wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their
(outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their
adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their
outer clothing) is better for them. And Allaah is
All-Hearer, All-Knower"
[al-Noor 24:60].
Women past childbearing are elderly women who are not
desired in marriage and who do not put on adornment.
There is no sin on them if they uncover their faces
before non-mahrams, but for them to observe hijab is
better and is more on the safe side, because Allaah
says "But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer
clothing) is better for them" [al-Noor 24:60]. And in
some cases seeing them may cause fitnah because of
their beautiful appearance even if they are old and
not wearing adornment. But if they are wearing
adornment, it is not permissible for them to refrain
from observing hijab. Adornment includes beautifying
the face with kohl and the like. And Allaah is the
source of strength. End quote.
Fataawa al-Mar'ah al-Muslimah (1/424).
And Allaah knows best.
Muslim society and the care of
the elderly
How are the elderly treated in Islam? Do they
have a special status? Do they receive care that suits
their health needs?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Islam is the religion of compassion and justice, a
religion that teaches perfect morals and forbids bad
conduct, a religion that grants man his dignity, if he
adheres to the laws of Allaah.
There can be no doubt that Islam has given the elderly
a special status, as there are texts which urge
Muslims to respect and honour them.
Care of the elderly in Islam is based on a number of
focal points, including the following:
1 – Man is an honoured creature and has an honourable
status in Islam.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and
We have carried them on land and sea, and have
provided them with At-Tayyibaat (lawful good things),
and have preferred them above many of those whom We
have created with a marked preferment"
[al-Isra' 17:70]
So the elderly, as sons of Adam, are included in this
high status, based on the general meaning of this
verse.
2 – Muslim society is the society of mutual compassion
and coherence
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who
are with him are severe against disbelievers, and
merciful among themselves"
[al-Fath 48:29]
And Allaah says, describing the believers
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Then he became one of those who believed (in the
Islamic Monotheism) and recommended one another to
perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one
another to pity and compassion.
They are those on the Right Hand (i.e. the dwellers of
Paradise)"
[al-Balad 90:17-18]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) described the believers as being like a single
body. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The likeness of the believers in their mutual
love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; if one
part of it complains, the rest of the body joins it in
staying awake and suffering fever." Narrated by
Muslim, 2586.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "None of you truly believes until he loves for
his brother what he loves for himself." Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 13.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The Most Merciful has mercy on those who are
merciful. Be merciful to those who are on earth so
that the One Who is in heaven will have mercy on you."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1924); classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1569.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The relationship of the believer to the people
of faith is like that of the head to the body; the
believer is pained by the suffering of the people of
faith just as the body is pained by the suffering of
the head." Narrated by Ahmad, 32370); narrated by al-Albaani
in al-Saheehah, 1137.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Man is doomed and a loser if Allaah does not
put compassion for mankind in his heart." Al-Albaani
said in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (456): its isnaad is
hasan.
3 – The Muslim society is a society of cooperation and
mutual support
Ibn Abi'l-Dunya narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The most beloved of people to Allaah is the one
who brings most benefit to people, and the most
beloved of deeds to Allaah is making a Muslim happy,
or relieving him of hardship, or paying off his debt,
or warding off hunger from him. For me to go with my
Muslim brother to meet his need is dearer to me than
observing i'tikaaf in this mosque – meaning the mosque
of Madeenah – for a month… whoever goes with his
Muslim brother to meet his need, Allaah will make him
stand firm on the Day when all feet will slip."
Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb
wa'l-Tarheeb, 2623.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Whoever relieves a Muslim of one of the
hardships of this world, Allaah will relieve him of
one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, and
whoever helps one who is financial difficulty, Allaah
will help in this world and in the Hereafter, and
whoever conceals a Muslim's (fault), Allaah will
conceal his (fault) in this world and in the
Hereafter. Allaah will help a person so long as he
helps his brother." Narrated by Muslim, 2699.
4 – The elderly person has a high status before Allaah
if he adheres to the laws of Allaah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "No one of you should wish for death or
pray for it before it comes to him, for when one of
you dies, his good deeds come to an end, and nothing
increases a believer's lifespan but good." Narrated by
Muslim, 2682.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Shall I not tell you who is the best of you?
The best of you is the one who lives the longest life,
if he is righteous and does good deeds." al-Albaani
said in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2498): it is hasan li
ghayrihi.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The best of you are those who live the longest
and do the best deeds." Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
in Saheeh al-Jaami', 3263.
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "No one is better before Allaah than a believer
who lives a long life in Islam because of his saying
Subhaan-Allaah (tasbeeh), Allaahu akbar (takbeer) and
Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (tahleel)." Narrated by Ahmad,
1404. al-Albaani said in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah
(654): its isnaad is hasan.
Al-Tirmidhi narrated (2329) that a Bedouin said: "O
Messenger of Allaah, who is the best of people?" He
said, "The one who lives a long life and does good
deeds." Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi,
1899.
5 – Respecting the elderly and honouring them are
characteristics of the Muslim society
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Part of glorifying Allaah is honouring the
grey-haired Muslim." Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4843;
classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood,
4053.
An old man came wanting to see the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the people did
not make way for him. The Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "He is not one of us who
does not show mercy to our young ones and respect our
old ones." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1919; classed as
hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1565.
6 – Ways in which the Muslim society takes care of the
elderly
(i) Enjoining good treatment of parents:
This is one of the ways in which the elderly are cared
for in Islam, because parents are usually elderly. The
command to honour one's parents is accompanied with
the command to believe in Allaah alone (Tawheed) and
the prohibition on associating others with Him (shirk)
in many verses, for example Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Worship Allaah and join none with Him (in worship);
and do good to parents…"
[al-Nisa' 4:36]
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but
Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents"
[al-Isra' 17:23]
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood said: I
asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him), "Which deed is most beloved to Allaah?" He
said, "Prayer offered on time." He said, "Then what?"
He said, "Then honouring one's parents." He said,
"Then what?" He said, "Jihad for the sake of Allaah."
He told me that if I wanted to ask him more, he would
tell me more.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 527.
(ii) Enjoining honouring one's parents' friends even
after the parents have passed away, and regarding that
as part of honouring one's parents.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Part of honouring (one's parents) is to
keep in touch with your father's friend." Al-Albaani
said in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (23030): it is saheeh
when all its isnaads are taken into consideration.
Muslim (2552) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar that
a man from among the Bedouin met him on the road to
Makkah. ‘Abd-Allaah greeted him with salaam, made him
ride on the donkey that he was riding and gave him the
turban that he had been wearing on his head. Ibn Dinar
said: We said to him, May Allaah guide you, they are
just Bedouin and they are content with something
simple. ‘Abd-Allaah said: The father of this man was a
close friend of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab and I heard the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) say, "The best way of honouring one's
parents is for the son to keep in touch with his
father's friends."
Some of the salaf even used to travel in order to keep
in touch with their father's friends. Ahmad (26998)
narrated that Yoosuf ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Salaam said:
I came to Abu'l-Darda' when he was sick with the
illness that would be his last, and he said to me, "O
son of my brother, what has brought you to this land?"
or "what has brought you?" He said: I said, "Nothing
except to maintain the tie (of friendship) that
existed between you and my father ‘Abd-Allaah ibn
Salaam."
This is one of the forms of elder care in Islam. When
the members of the Muslim society visit the friends of
their fathers they help to include the elderly in
society and put an end to the isolation they feel,
which in turn reduces impact of the social and
psychological changes that the elderly go through.
This is unlike what happens in non-Muslim societies.
From time to time we hear news of what happens to some
of the elderly there, and the extent of the isolation
in which they are living.
There was an old man who was left dead in his
apartment for four years, and his body was only
discovered by accident. Al-Jazeerah newspaper, issue
no. 7751, 7/1414 AH.
In a report from the Ministry of Families, Youth and
Seniors in Germany in 1993 CE, it says that there are
440,000 elderly people who are subjected to physical
and mental abuse at the hands of their relatives and
family members at least once each year.
There was an old paralyzed woman who died of
starvation in her apartment because her son had cut
off her water, electricity and gas, until the
neighbours found out what was happening… but after it
was too late.
And an elderly man died in his flat in London; he had
five children but not one of them knew of his death
until six months later.
There was an old woman in Germany whose house had a
garden which was very beautiful. She took care of it
all year round for the sake of only one day each year
when her children came to visit her, because she loved
them so much but they ignored her. She prepared the
garden for them one day and made delicious food for
them, then she was shocked when they made excuses and
did not come. She wept a great deal and nearly cried
herself to death.
In one of the upper-class areas of Tokyo an elderly
man was discovered in his apartment one and a half
years after he died. And an old lady was found who had
died of starvation in her apartment.
Even stranger than that is the elderly man who was
over ninety years old, and no one knew that he had
died for five days after his death. What is so strange
is that he died in a seniors' home in the city of
Sabor on the island of Hokkaido, and none of the
workers in the home realized that he had died until
some of his relatives came to visit him and they found
out what had happened.
Praise be to Allaah for the blessing of Islam.
And Allaah knows best.
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