Then, the fourth ordinance is stated about the subject of...

Then, the fourth ordinance is stated about the subject of veil, as follows: “…And when you ask his wives for any object, ask them from behind a curtain…” It has been a custom among Arabs, as well as many other people, that when they are in need of some furniture and means of life they borrow them temporarily from the neighbour. The Prophet’s house was also one of them and, now and then, neighbours would come and borrow something from the wives of the Prophet (S).

It is clear that coming before the people’s sight (even with Islamic veil) was not a good action for the Prophet’s wives, that was why it was ordained that they would take them from behind the curtain or the door. The point which must be taken under consideration is that the purpose of the Qur’anic word /hijab/ , in this verse, is not the women’s veil, but it is an ordinance added to it which had been particular for the wives of the Prophet (S).

By it, for the special conditions of the wives of the Prophet (S), people were commanded if they wanted to take something from them, they would take it from behind the curtain, and these wives should not appear before people in such instances, even with Islamic cover. This ordinance, of course, has not been ordained about other women, for whom only observing the religious cover is enough.

This command was ordained for the wives of the Prophet because of the existence of the abundant enemies and self-interested fault-finders who might denigrate them and the black-hearted persons might take it as a document; then this special command was for them, or, in other words, it was given to the people that at the time of asking something from the Prophet’s wives they would ask them what they wanted from behind the curtain.

Specially the application of the Qur’anic word /wara’/ (behind) is a witness for it. Next to this command, the Qur’an states the philosophy of it as follows: “…This is purer for your hearts and for their hearts…” The Qur’an states the fifth ordinance as follows: “…And it is not for you to hurt Allah’s Messenger…” The act of annoyance is mentioned in this verse and it is to go to the Prophet’s house out of place, and staying there and causing bother after eating the meal, yet, however, the concept of the verse is general and envelops any kind of annoyance and hurt.