In Islam there is no difference between men and women in to
their relationship with Allah; they are both promised the same reward for good
and the same punishment for evil.
Modesty is a virtue that Islam demands, not only from women
but also from men:
“Say to the believing men, they should lower
their gaze and guard their modesty. And say to the believing women, they should
lower their gaze and guard their modesty”
(Surah 24:30-31)
The Christian pictorial representation of the earlier
prophets and their womenfolk bears familiar likeness to the dress ordained for
Muslim men and women, and to an extent, carried on by some of the nuns to this
day. With regard to this modesty Allah says in the Quran:
“O Children of Adam! We have sent down
on you an undergarment to cover your shameful parts and an outer garment as a
protection and decoration, and the best garment is the garment of piety. Such
are the signs of Allah, that they may be admonished”
(Al-Araaf: 26)
While men are required to cover the body between the navel
and the knee, every woman is asked to cover her whole body excluding the face
and hands from all men except her husband.
“…to the believing women… cast veils
over their bosoms, and not reveal their adornment, except to their husbands…”
(Noor: 31)
The following hadith of out beloved Prophet salalaho alayhi
wasalam proves further clarification:
Asma, sister of Hazrat Ayesha (radiallaho anha) came to the
Prophet salalaho alayhi wasalam in a thin dress that showed her body. The
Prophet salalaho alayhi wasalam turned his eyed away and said:
“O Asma! When a woman reaches puberty,
it is not lawful that any part of her body can be seen except this and this”
and he pointed to his face and the palm
of his hands.
Hafsah, the daughter of Abdul Rahman,
once came before Hazrat Ayesha (radiallaho anha) wearing a thin shawl over her
head and shoulders. Hazrat Ayesha tore it up and put a thick shawl over her.
Therefore it is clear that the dress of a Muslim woman must
cover the whole body in such a way that the curves of the body are not revealed-
except the face and the hands. Our beloved Prophet salalaho alayhi wasalam
described the type of woman that would be amongst the dwellers of Hell as
follows:
“Those women who seem naked even when
dressed, those who plait their hair like humps of camels, thus inviting peoples
attention, will not enter paradise or smell its fragrance” (same goes for
dyeing the hair)
From these quotations from Quran and Hadith it is clear that
among the virtues for observing the proper Hijab for Muslim women is that first
and foremost, it is an act of obedience to Allah and his Rasool salalaho alayhi
wasalam.
The Importance of Hijab
Since the days of the feminist movement, there has been an
increasing amount of scrutiny on the dress and status of Muslim women.
According to these ‘Liberated’ women, the Hijab not only covers the head but
also the mind, will and intellect. They say that our dress code is outdated and
oppressive, and it stops us from being productive human beings. Muslim sisters
must remember that in this so called ‘democratic free world’ women are treated
as sex objects and not equals of men. How many television advertisements do you
get with naked women and how many do you get with naked men…?
In Islam women have been given a noble status and our role
is as important, if not more in the aspects of family life, as that of men.
Allah enjoined the Hijab in the Muslim woman to protect her
from harm. The modest appearance of Muslim women, dressed correctly in the
Hijab is a sign of purity and dignity. It tells the world that she is a chaste
woman and sets her apart from those women who go out there and leave nothing to
imagination. A woman in Hijab is less likely to be harassed be a man with
sinful motives and indeed she will be given more respect from Muslim brothers
and sisters alike for wearing this virtuous raiment.
Alhamdolillah, more and more sisters have taken to wearing
the Hijab in professions/offices or even in the home.
The word ‘Hijab’ comes from the Arabic word ‘hajabah’ which
means to conceal or hide from view. For some sisters, wearing the Hijab is the
truest test of being a Muslim.
If wearing the Hijab is still a big step for some then at
least ensure that your clothing is modest and gradually work towards the Islamic
dress style. Maybe start wearing it at home, when inviting friends over/ when
going to a mehfil and Insha’Allah you will get in the habit of wearing it on a
daily basis.
It is important therefore, that parents get their children
into the Islamic dress style from a young age. Its not help buying them short
dresses when they are young because these problems will come up as the children
grow and on the day of judgment they will blame their parents for the wrong
upbringing.
Hijab is an act of obedience to Allah
and his Prophet (salalaho alayhi wasalam)
Allah says in the Holy Quran: “ And it is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and his
messenger (salalaho alayhi wasalam) have decreed a matter, for them to have any
choice in that matter. And anyone who disobeys Allah and his messenger have
indeed gone astray into open error.”
(Surah Al-Azhab: 36)
Hijab is a Symbol of Islam
Among the fundamental principles of Islam is that faith is a
statement on the lips, a belief on the heart, which manifests onto the limbs of
the body. It is therefore inconceivable if women who testify faith in Allah and
his Rasool salalaho alayhi wasalam go out there in clothes that do not
distinguish them from the non-believers.
The consequence for this type of action is clear for the
Prophet salalaho alayhi wasalam has said, “whoever resembles people
becomes one of them”
Many women misunderstand the purpose of the Hijab. It is not
to distinguish a woman’s cultural background into Pakistani, Indian or
Malaysian but moreover it is to bring all of these cultures together.
Hijab is symbol of Islam!
Conditions of Hijab
(or other means of dress for Muslim
women)
1.
The whole body except the exempted parts should be covered.
The Prophet salalaho alayhi
wasalam said: “O Asma! When a woman reaches puberty, it is not lawful that
any part of her body can be seen except this and this” he then pointed to
his face and hands. (Previously narrated)
2.
Any veil that itself becomes an attraction must be avoided
Should not be flashy or shiny.
3.The garment should not be
semi transparent
Must be thick enough not to
reveal the colour of the body.
4.Dress should not be tight
fitting as to reveal the shape of the body
5. Garments should not be
perfumed
6. The forms of women’s
clothing should not imitate that of men
The Prophet salalaho alayhi
wasalam cursed the women who act like men and the men who act like women, (Abu
dawood)
7. Garments should not
resemble that of non-believers
8. Garments should not
reflect worldly honour
Prophet salalaho alayhi wasalam
said: “whoever wears a dress of fame in this world, Allah will clothe him in
the dress of humiliation on the day of judgement and then set it to fire”