What is the linguistic inimitability in His saying, the Almighty: (they should draw over themselves from their outer garments), and in the phrase (from their outer garments), and in His saying: (That is more suitable that they should be known and not be abused)?
The closest interpretation regarding the wisdom behind the expression "to draw down" (الإدناء) is that the verse does not merely command covering the 'awrah (private parts) or wearing the jilbab, but rather an additional command, which is to draw down a part of the jilbab over the face to cover it. The act of "drawing down" has been interpreted as letting it hang loosely from above the heads over the faces.
Evidence for this is: that Allah did not say "they should wear jilbabs" (يتجلببن), but rather "they should draw down" (يُدْنِينَ); and that "drawing down" (الإدناء) is transitive with "over" (على) to encompass the meaning of letting hang loosely (الإرخاء); and that the pronoun in "they should draw down" (يُدْنِينَ) includes the wives of the Prophet, his daughters, and the believing women, and it is agreed upon that covering the face and hands is obligatory for his wives; and that Allah commanded the Mothers of the Believers to observe complete covering in the verse of Hijab.
The word "min" (مِنْ) in "{of their jilbabs}" ({مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ}) denotes partiality, meaning that a woman should let down a part of her jilbab and its excess over her face to distinguish herself from slave women.
The wisdom behind this command is "{That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused}" ({ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلا يُؤْذَيْنَ}), meaning they will be known for their chastity and thus will not be molested by those with sickness in their hearts. So, covering is more likely to prevent harm, though it does not necessarily prevent it entirely.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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