Is it true that the Mothers of the Believers have a special status regarding hijab, in that they do not uncover their faces; and regarding their livelihood, in that they do not go out to work, but rather suffice with their share from jihad; and in that they do not leave their homes except out of necessity; and that the verse: (That is purer for your hearts and their hearts) does not negate the purity of their hearts, but rather indicates a higher stage of purity exclusive to them, due to His saying, the Most High: (O wives of the Prophet, you are not like any other women, if you are righteous); and consequently, that emulating them in what was exclusive to them is not favored by the Prophet, just as he did not favor continuous fasting (wisal)?
The Mothers of the Believers do not have exclusivity regarding the issue of hijab. The verse of hijab in Surah Al-Ahzab/53 was not specific to them; rather, they were addressed by it in wording, and all Muslim women were included in its meaning. Verse 59 of the same Surah commanded all women to observe hijab, and scholars such as Ibn Abbas and Ibn Masoud indicated that "they should draw over themselves from their outer garments" means covering the entire face except for one eye. Hijab is a general ruling for all women due to the reason of purity of hearts, and niqab is part of this hijab, as indicated by the verses of the Holy Quran.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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