An Interpretive-Jurisprudential Study of Women’s Covering from the Perspective of the Two Islamic Sects

The present study titled “an Interpretive-jurisprudential study of women’s clothing from the perspective of Islamic sects” has been conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The words hijab, khamar and jilbab are among God’s interpretations of the type of covering used by human beings, which have been discussed and explained in Shiite and Sunni commentators’ interpretations of verses 30 and 31 of Surah Noor and verse 59 of Surah Al-Ahzab. Shiite and Sunni commentators do not disagree on the necessity of the principle of women’s hijab, but have made different statements about the limits of hijab. All commentators, both Shia and Sunni, agree that except for the face and hands, the rest of the female body is considered as private part for a non-mahram man and its covering is obligatory. In the verses of the Qur’an, in addition to emphasizing the necessity of keeping the hijab, the necessity of covering the head, neck and chest, hiding one’s ornaments and not showing off is stated. The study and analysis of the commentators’ views on the above verses shuts the way for those who claim that hijab and covering do not have Qur’anic support, and will be a prelude to responding to the doubts raised about these verses.