Beauty

The Quran uses two different words in Arabic regarding a women’s beauty and a third word that is used in connection with a women’s beauty. Each of these words has a slightly different meaning that, God willing, we will review in this article.

ḥil’ya

The first use is the word l-ḥil’yati ( ٱلْحِلْيَةِ ), and this is used towards a women’s beauty in the following verse.

[43:18] (They say,) “What is good about an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in war?”

(١٨) أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى ٱلْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ

1	awaman	أَوَمَن	(They think,) “(What good) is (one) who	م ن
2	yunasha-u	يُنَشَّؤُا۟	it is brought up / produced / raised	ن ش ا
3	fī	فِى	for	ف ي
4	l-ḥil’yati	ٱلْحِلْيَةِ	the ornaments / adorning (beauty)	ح ل ي

The root of this word l-ḥil’yati ( ٱلْحِلْيَةِ ) is ( ح ل ي ) and it is found nine times in the Quran.

ḥuliyyihim	حُلِيِّهِمْ	their ornaments / jewelry	7:148:7
ḥil’yatin	حِلْيَةٍ	ornaments / jewelry	13:17:18
ḥil’yatan	حِلْيَةً	ornaments / jewelry	16:14:11
yuḥallawna	يُحَلَّوْنَ	They adorned	18:31:9
yuḥallawna	يُحَلَّوْنَ	They will be adorned	22:23:13
ḥil’yatan	حِلْيَةً	ornaments / jewelry	35:12:18
yuḥallawna	يُحَلَّوْنَ	They will be adorned	35:33:4
l-ḥil’yati	ٱلْحِلْيَةِ	the ornaments / adorning (beauty)	43:18:4
waḥullū	وَحُلُّوٓا۟	And they will be adorned	76:21:6

If we look at these nine other occurrences, we see that this is a kind of beauty that serves no other purpose besides being beautiful. The use of this root in 7:148 is about the jewelry the Children of Israel used to make a calf. While seven other references are regarding adorning jewelry, most notably in the form of bracelets. Both bracelets and jewelry serve no other function besides making something look nice, and this understanding is reinforced in the last occurrence in 13:17.

[13:17] He sends down water from the sky, causing the valleys to overflow, then the rapids produce abundant foam. Similarly, when they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment, foam is produced. GOD thus cites analogies for the truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it goes to waste, while that which benefits the people stays close to the ground. GOD thus cites the analogies.

 أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَـٰعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَـٰطِلَ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

The above verse contrasts ḥil’yatin ( حِلْيَةٍ ) with matāʿin ( مَتَـٰعٍ ). The word matāʿin ( مَتَـٰعٍ ) infers a provision that has utility, while ḥil’yatin ( حِلْيَةٍ ) does not but is nevertheless desirable. This is also aligned with the sentiment made by the bigotry of people in the original verse, where they thought that this was the only value of women.

ḥus’nA

Another word used in reference to a women’s beauty can be found in the following verse, which uses the term ḥus’nuhunna ( حُسْنُهُنَّ ).

[33:52] Beyond the categories described to you, you are enjoined from marrying any other women, nor can you substitute a new wife (from the prohibited categories), no matter how much you admire their beauty. You must be content with those already made lawful to you. GOD is watchful over all things.

(٥٢) لَّا يَحِلُّ لَكَ ٱلنِّسَآءُ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَلَآ أَن تَبَدَّلَ بِهِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ حُسْنُهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رَّقِيبًا

13	walaw	وَلَوْ	even if	ل و
14	aʿjabaka	أَعْجَبَكَ	[it] pleased / impressed you	ع ج ب
15	ḥus’nuhunna	حُسْنُهُنَّ	their beauty,	ح س ن

The word comes from the root ( ح س ن ), and this root is used 194 times in the Quran. The root of this word is associated with being good, righteous, kind, pious, as well as beautiful. This kind of beauty is more than just physical; but is a more all-encompassing beauty through and through. Several times in the Quran, this root is used towards the names of God when it states that to God belongs the best and most beautiful names.

[7:180] To GOD belongs the most beautiful names; call upon Him therewith, and disregard those who distort His names. They will be requited for their sins.

(١٨٠) وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ أَسْمَـٰٓئِهِۦ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

1	walillahi	وَلِلَّهِ	And for God (are)	ا ل ه
2	l-asmāu	ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ	the names –	س م و
3	l-ḥus’nā	ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ	most beautiful,	ح س ن

[59:24] He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.

(٢٤) هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

6	lahu	لَهُ	For Him (are)	ل
7	l-asmāu	ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ	the names	س م و
8	l-ḥus’nā	ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ	most beautiful.	ح س ن

[17:110] Say, “Call Him GOD, or call Him Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names.” You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.

(١١٠) قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَٱبْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا

10	falahu	فَلَهُ	then to Him (belongs)	ل
11	l-asmāu	ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ	the names	س م و
12	l-ḥus’nā	ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ	the best.	ح س ن

zīna

This third word zīna ( زِينَ ), is actually not used in regards to a women’s direct beauty, but it is used in connection with a women’s beauty. This is because zīna ( زِينَ ) is that which beautifies or, put another way, enhances or amplifies beauty. This is best depicted in the following verse, in which the word zīna ( زِينَ ) is used three times in the context of a women’s dress code.

[24:31] And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal their zīna, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, and shall not reveal their zīna to other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal their zīna. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed.

 وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

1	waqul	وَقُل	And say	ق و ل
2	lil’mu’mināti	لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ	to the believing women	ا م ن
3	yaghḍuḍ’na	يَغْضُضْنَ	they to subdue / lower	غ ض ض
4	min	مِنْ	[of]	م ن
5	abṣārihinna	أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ	their eyes	ب ص ر
6	wayaḥfaẓna	وَيَحْفَظْنَ	and they (shall) guard / maintain	ح ف ظ
7	furūjahunna	فُرُوجَهُنَّ	their chastity,	ف ر ج
8	walā	وَلَا	and not	ل ا
9	yub’dīna	يُبْدِينَ	they to falunt / disclose / reveal	ب د و
10	zīnatahunna	زِينَتَهُنَّ	their beauty / adornments	ز ي ن
11	illā	إِلَّا	except	ا ل ل ا
12	mā	مَا	what	م ا
13	ẓahara	ظَهَرَ	it was apparent / obvious / necessary	ظ ه ر
14	min’hā	مِنْهَا	of it.	م ن
15	walyaḍrib’na	وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ	And let them set forth / put	ض ر ب
16	bikhumurihinna	بِخُمُرِهِنَّ	with their cover	خ م ر
17	ʿalā	عَلَىٰ	over	ع ل ي
18	juyūbihinna	جُيُوبِهِنَّ	their breasts / cleavage,	ج ي ب
19	walā	وَلَا	and not	ل ا
20	yub’dīna	يُبْدِينَ	they (shall) flaunt / disclose / reveal	ب د و
21	zīnatahunna	زِينَتَهُنَّ	their beauty / adornments	ز ي ن
22	illā	إِلَّا	except	ا ل ل ا
23	libuʿūlatihinna	لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ	to their husbands,	ب ع ل
24	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
25	ābāihinna	ءَابَآئِهِنَّ	their fathers	ا ب و
26	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
27	ābāi	ءَابَآءِ	fathers (of)	ا ب و
28	buʿūlatihinna	بُعُولَتِهِنَّ	their husbands	ب ع ل
29	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
30	abnāihinna	أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ	their sons	ب ن و
31	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
32	abnāi	أَبْنَآءِ	sons (of)	ب ن و
33	buʿūlatihinna	بُعُولَتِهِنَّ	their husbands	ب ع ل
34	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
35	ikh’wānihinna	إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ	their brothers	ا خ و
36	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
37	banī	بَنِىٓ	sons (of)	ب ن و
38	ikh’wānihinna	إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ	their brothers	ا خ و
39	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
40	banī	بَنِىٓ	sons (of)	ب ن و
41	akhawātihinna	أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ	their sisters,	ا خ و
42	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
43	nisāihinna	نِسَآئِهِنَّ	their women	ن س و
44	aw	أَوْ	or	ا و
45	mā	مَا	what	م ا
46	malakat	مَلَكَتْ	[it] possessed / owned / controlled*	م ل ك
47	aymānuhunna	أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ	their right hands / oaths (*their servants)	ي م ن
48	awi	أَوِ	or	ا و
49	l-tābiʿīna	ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ	the attendants / servants / employees	ت ب ع
50	ghayri	غَيْرِ	without	غ ي ر
51	ulī	أُو۟لِى	possessors of	ا و ل
52	l-ir’bati	ٱلْإِرْبَةِ	the sexual desire	ا ر ب
53	mina	مِنَ	among	م ن
54	l-rijāli	ٱلرِّجَالِ	[the] men	ر ج ل
55	awi	أَوِ	or	ا و
56	l-ṭif’li	ٱلطِّفْلِ	[the] children	ط ف ل
57	alladhīna	ٱلَّذِينَ	those who*	ا ل ل ذ
58	lam	لَمْ	(are) not*	ل م
59	yaẓharū	يَظْهَرُوا۟	[they] aware*	ظ ه ر
60	ʿalā	عَلَىٰ	of*	ع ل ي
61	ʿawrāti	عَوْرَٰتِ	private aspects (of)*	ع و ر
62	l-nisāi	ٱلنِّسَآءِ	the women (*children who have not reached puberty).	ن س و
63	walā	وَلَا	And not	ل ا
64	yaḍrib’na	يَضْرِبْنَ	they to strike	ض ر ب
65	bi-arjulihinna	بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ	with their feet	ر ج ل
66	liyuʿ’lama	لِيُعْلَمَ	that it may draw attention / make known	ع ل م
67	mā	مَا	what	م ا
68	yukh’fīna	يُخْفِينَ	they conceal	خ ف ي
69	min	مِن	of	م ن
70	zīnatihinna	زِينَتِهِنَّ	their beauty / adornments.	ز ي ن
71	watūbū	وَتُوبُوٓا۟	And repent [you all]	ت و ب
72	ilā	إِلَى	to	ا ل ي
73	l-lahi	ٱللَّهِ	God	ا ل ه
74	jamīʿan	جَمِيعًا	altogether	ج م ع
75	ayyuha	أَيُّهَ	O	ا ي ي
76	l-mu’minūna	ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ	[the] believers!	ا م ن
77	laʿallakum	لَعَلَّكُمْ	so that you [all] may	ل ع ل ل
78	tuf’liḥūna	تُفْلِحُونَ	[you all] succeed.	ف ل ح

So based on this verse, the word zīna ( زِينَ ) in the context of this verse is something that amplifies a women’s beauty to make her more adorning. What is interesting is that it states in the following verse that when we go to the masjid, we are to bring our zīna ( زِينَ ).

[7:31] O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately. Surely, He does not love the gluttons.

(٣١) يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُوا۟ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ

1	yābanī	يَـٰبَنِىٓ	O Children (of)	ب ن و
2	ādama	ءَادَمَ	Adam!	ا د م
3	khudhū	خُذُوا۟	Take* [you all]	ا خ ذ
4	zīnatakum	زِينَتَكُمْ	your adornments (*be clean and dress nicely)	ز ي ن
5	ʿinda	عِندَ	at	ع ن د
6	kulli	كُلِّ	every	ك ل ل
7	masjidin	مَسْجِدٍ	masjid,	س ج د

This shows that zīna ( زِينَ ) is something one does to increase attractiveness and, therefore, not about one’s natural beauty. This shows that according to these verses and others, when a woman is out in public, she should be modest in her attire, but when going to the masjid, she should be dressed more nicely.