How did the first tasattur (veiling, covering oneself) start? How did the wives of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) carry out the command of tasattur?

Tasattur is a command of Allah. It is important how the wives of the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) carried out this command when it was uttered first. The criterion in the first application determines the forms of the following applications. On the other hand, when the criterion is known, the different comments on the matter will be blocked. In the following verses, how believer women should wear their clothes is explained: the 33rd verse of the Surah the Confederates (Al-Ahzáb) And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance and the 31st verse of the Surah Light (An-Nur) they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms

While Hazrat Aisha narrating how believer women carried out this command after its revelation, she says: May Allah be pleased with the first Muhajir (migrant) women, because when the verse they should draw their veils over their bosoms was revealed, they cut pieces from their dresses and make headscarves out of them.


Satiyya binti Shayba narrates this memory she heard from Hazrat Aisha: We were with Aisha, talking about Quraishi women and their virtues. Aisha: Verily, Quraishi women have some virtues. But, I swear by Allah, I have never seen any women more virtuous than the women of Ansar (the habitants of Madinah Muslims) who believed in the Book of Allah strongly and firmly.


When the verse of the Surah Light they should draw their veils over their bosoms was revealed, believer men went to their homes reciting that verse. They read the verse to their wives, daughters, sisters and other relatives. Each woman made headscarves out of their clothes, by believing and affirming the Book of Allah. 


The next morning, the women performed the prayer of fajr (the early Morning Prayer). ıt looked as if there were crows on their heads. (2) Hazrat Aisha herself was careful in carrying out this command; she warned those whose wearing styles were not suitable. One day, a bride who was wearing a thin scarf visited her. She said: A woman who believes in the Surah Light does not like that. (3)

Hazrat Aisha gives narrates an incidence that occurred between her sister and the Prophet (PBUH); 

the Prophet (PBUH) taught her the wearing style according to Quranic command as follows: One day, Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr, entered the presence of the Prophet (PBUH) while she was wearing a thin cloth. Hazrat Prophet turned his head away from her and uttered: O Asma! Verily, when a woman reaches puberty, it is inconvenient for her to show her body except this and this part. The Noble Prophet (PBUH) pointed at his face and hands while speaking. (4)


Hazrat Asma dressed in the way the Prophet (PBUH) had taught her even in her later ages. Munzir bin Zubayr sent a dress to her after returning from an Iraqi journey. Hazrat Asma touched the dress and said take this back to him! Being sorry by that response, Hazrat Munzir asked: Dear Mother, it is not thin, why do you reject it? She replied: True, it is not thin, but it shows the body outlines.


Sources:
1. The Surah Light (An-Nur) 31. 
2. Buhari, Tafsir Sura (The Commentary of the Surahs) 24:12; Abu Dawud, Libas (Cloth):29.
3. al-Qurtubî, 14:157. 
4. Abu Dawud, Libas (Cloth):31 

Mehmet Paksu 

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