79/10. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6240 — The Verse of Veiling
The Divine Verse of Al-Hijab
The Verse of Veiling: Aisha’s Report About Al-Hijab
Sahih Bukhari : 6240
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6240
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، أَخْبَرَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ كَانَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ يَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم احْجُبْ نِسَاءَكَ. قَالَتْ فَلَمْ يَفْعَلْ، وَكَانَ أَزْوَاجُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَخْرُجْنَ لَيْلاً إِلَى لَيْلٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ، خَرَجَتْ سَوْدَةُ بِنْتُ زَمْعَةَ، وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَةً طَوِيلَةً فَرَآهَا عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَهْوَ فِي الْمَجْلِسِ فَقَالَ عَرَفْتُكِ يَا سَوْدَةُ. حِرْصًا عَلَى أَنْ يُنْزَلَ الْحِجَابُ. قَالَتْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ آيَةَ الْحِجَابِ.
A'isha Narrated from:
`Umar bin Al-Khattab used to say to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) "Let your wives be veiled" But he did not do so. The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go out to answer the call of nature at night only at Al-Manasi.' Once Sauda, the daughter of Zam`a went out and she was a tall woman. `Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her while he was in a gathering, and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda!" He (`Umar) said so as he was anxious for some Divine orders regarding the veil (the veiling of women.) So Allah revealed the Verse of veiling. (Al-Hijab; a complete body cover excluding the eyes). (See Hadith No. 148, Vol. 1)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6240In-book reference : Book 79, Hadith 14USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 74, Hadith 257
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6240
This Hadith reports Aisha’s statement about the verse of veiling. She said Umar bin Al-Khattab used to say to Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, “Let your wives be veiled,” but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not do so at that time. The wives of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to go out at night to answer the call of nature at Al-Manasi. One night, Sauda bint Zam’a went out, and Umar recognized her in a gathering. He said this because he was anxious for an order about the veil. Then Allah revealed the verse of Al-Hijab. The Hadith focuses on the reported occasion of the veiling order.
What we learn from this hadith
- Aisha reported Umar’s concern about veiling for the Prophet’s wives.
- The verse of Al-Hijab was revealed after the mentioned incident.
- The narration names Sauda bint Zam’a in the event.
- The Hadith centers on privacy and the Prophet’s household.
