And Tell Believing Women to Lower Their Gaze — Asma's Dress and the Veil Verse
asbab
Level: intermediate
madani-rulings
as-059
وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا
— النور 31
Verse: "And tell believing women to lower their gaze, guard their private parts, and not display their adornment except what appears of it." (24:31)
Occasion (Hasan): It is said Asma' bint Murshida was visited by a man while she was wearing light clothing. She went and informed the Prophet ﷺ. The verse was revealed. In another narration: after verse 30 (for men) came this verse for women.
"Except what appears": Scholars differed — Ibn Masud: outer garments; Ibn Abbas: face and hands; majority: what customarily appears based on scholarly judgment.
The gradual structure: An-Nur 30 for men then 31 for women — Islam addressed both genders in chastity.
Source: Al-Wahidi; Al-Qurtubi (12/224); Ibn Kathir (6/33)
Question: What are the scholars' opinions on "except what appears of it"?
Answer: Ibn Masud: outer garments. Ibn Abbas: face and hands. Majority: what customarily and decently appears — three main scholarly opinions.