Is Hijab required in front of blind men?
The requirement of hijab in front of blind men is addressed in several hadith. One notable narration from Sunan Abu Dawud states, I was with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while Maimunah was present, when the blind son of Umm Maktum came by. This was after we had been commanded about the hijab. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Maimunah and me, 'Take cover from him.' We replied, 'O Messenger of Allah, he is blind; he neither sees us nor recognizes us.' The Prophet replied, 'Are you both blind? Are you not able to see him?'
Sunan Abu Dawud 34:93. This narration illustrates that despite the man being blind, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of maintaining the hijab.
Additionally, in Al-Kafi, it is reported that Ibn Umm Maktum asked permission to enter upon the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) while Aisha and Hafsa were present. The Prophet instructed them to "Get up and enter the house." They remarked, "He is blind." The Prophet responded, If he does not see you, then you see him
Al-Kafi 3:1087. This further reinforces the understanding that the requirement for hijab extends beyond mere physical sight, emphasizing a broader principle of modesty and respect.
These hadith collectively indicate that hijab is required even in the presence of blind men, as the ruling is rooted in maintaining modesty and decorum.
Sources
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Sunan Abu Dawud 34:93
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 34, Hadith 93 · Narrated by Umm Salama
I was with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while Maimunah was present, when the blind son of Umm Maktoom came by. This was after we had been commanded about the hijab. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Maimunah and me, 'Take cover from him.' We replied, 'O Messenger of Allah, he is blind; he neither sees us nor recognizes us.' The Prophet replied, 'Are you both blind? Are you not able to see him?' Abu Dawud said this ruling was specifically for the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Do you not notice Fatimah bint Qays' confidence around the blind man, Ibn Umm Maktoom? The Prophet had told Fatimah bint Qays, 'Be confident around Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he is blind; you may leave your clothes at his place.'
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Al-Kafi 3:1087
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 1087
The pebbles for the Jamārāt should be about the size of a fingernail. Do not take black, white, or red ones; take them as dark-blue with spots. You throw them one by one, hold them between your thumb and forefinger, then push them with your index fingernail and throw them from the valley floor, keeping them all to your right side. Do not throw at the first two Jamārāt, and do not stop at the Jamrah of Aqaba. — OR — Ibn Umm Maktum asked permission to enter upon the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) while Aisha and Hafsa were present. The Prophet said to them, "Get up and enter the house." They said, "He is blind." He said, "If he does not see you, then you see him."
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