Elaborating on the issue of women wiping over the Khimar and washing the head after Janabah
From `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah Ibn Baz to the honorable brother H.A.B. may Allah guide him to what pleases Him, Amen!
Peace be upon you! To proceed, I received your letter (may Allah guide you) and was glad to hear you are in good health and you are still striving to serve your nation and country. All praise be to Allah. May Allah grant you prosperity and success!
I was very glad to hear that you undertake the mission of spreading Islam, inviting people to it, demonstrating its virtues and answering those who oppose it. Further, you ask us to send some Du`ah (callers to Islam) from the Islamic University graduates to increase the number of those who enter Islam after knowing its Truth and realizing its sublimity and justice. All praise be to Allah, Who guided you to carry out this honorable mission and noble role. I ask Allah to increase you in goodness and guidance, benefit others with your efforts and make us all among those who are guided and guiding, for He is the Most Generous.
Concerning your request to send some Du`ah to America to carry out the mission of Da`wah (calling to Islam) and to convey the message of Islam, I would like to tell you that I am very interested in the matter and I appreciate your valued idea. In sha'aAllah (if Allah wills), we will send some Du`ah once we find the suitable ones who have mastered the English language. It is the language barrier that hinders our efforts. May Allah achieve our aim of granting Islam glory and setting right the affairs of Muslims!
Indeed, we have sent many Du`ah to different African countries to invite people to Islam, guide them, prepare reports about the conditions of Muslims there, study their problems, know the Islamic societies there, and offer them all available help and choose students who can be sent to the Islamic University of Madinah. All praise be to Allah, those Du`ah have achieved great success and have done much good. We ask Allah (Exalted be He) to guide us and all Muslims to understand His Religion, hold fast to it, and exert every effort to invite others to it, and spread its virtues and teachings. May Allah guide our rulers to all that sets Muslims' affairs right, promotes the soundness of their religion, and unify their word, for He is the One Capable of that.
In your letter, you inquired about the ruling on women wiping over the Khimar (veil covering to the head) when performing Ghusl (ritual bath following major ritual impurity) for Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge). You say that the obligation of washing the head each time after Janabah may hinder the American women from entering Islam, as they have their hairstyle prepared in certain form and water spoils it.
A: It is known in Shari`ah (Islamic law) and in the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars that wiping over any screen on the body such as the Khuffs (leather socks), turban or Khimar is not permissible when taking Ghusl following major ritual impurity. This is only permissible when performing Wudu' (ablution), based on the Hadith related on the authority of Safwan ibn `Assal (may Allah be pleased with him) who said,
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered us not to take off our Khuffs for three days and nights when we were on a journey, unless we were in the state of Janabah, but not after excretion, urination, or sleep.
Certainly, Shari`ah is characterized by leniency and tolerance but not in this particular case of washing the head after Janabah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked by Um Salamah about performing Ghusl following major ritual impurity due to Janabah or menstruation saying, "O Messenger of Allah! I have closely plaited hair on my head. Should I undo it when performing Ghusl following major ritual impurity and menstruation?" He (peace be upon him) said: "It is enough for you to throw three handfuls of water on your head and pour water over your body, and then you are purified." (Related by Muslim in his Sahih Book of authentic Hadith)
Thus, women who find it difficult to wash their heads when performing Ghusl following Janabah should throw three handfuls of water over their heads until water covers it without having to undo their hair or change anything that is hard to change. Moreover, it is important to encourage these women by telling them about the great reward in store for them with Allah (Exalted be He), the good end and the eternal noble life that awaits them in the Hereafter if they are patient
and hold fast to the rulings of Shari`ah. On the other hand, there are some necessary screens needed to fix