Veil a Mark of Freedom

Anas (radi Allahu anhu) reported regarding the marriage of the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to Safiyya bint Huyayy (radi Allahu anha): “Allah's Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) arranged the wedding feast consisting of dates, cheese, and refined butter…. And the people ate to their fill, and they said, ‘We do not know whether he (the Prophet) has married her (as a free woman) or as a slave woman.’ They said, ‘If he (the Prophet) makes her wear the veil, then she is a free woman, and if he does not make her wear the veil, then it means that she is a slave woman.’ When he intended to ride, he made her wear the veil and she sat on the hind part of the camel; so they came to know that he had married her.” [Sahih Muslim]

 There are many lessons to be drawn from this Hadith. A few of these are: 
  • A man should publicize his marriage with a wedding feast. 
  • One should provide sufficient food to the guest that they may eat to their fill. 
  • The veil is the mark of a free woman. 

Safiyyah bint Huyayy (radi Allahu anha) the daughter of the chief of the Jewish tribe Banu Nadheer, was emancipated by the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and her emancipation was her wedding gift (as stated in other Ahadith).

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