Wear Hijaab

by Maryam Abd Al Ghafur

I admit it. I drew a blank on what to write this month, and so asked several friends for inspiration.

The top three results:

- Fulfilling the duties of the household while holding down employment,
- Polygamy,
- and Hijaab.

So, I now have an idea for the next two articles, but I am going to use hijaab, because even the akhawaat who brought up that subject said that it was a shame, but we need to address it because so many of our noble sisters don’t wear hijaab properly.

This is not going to be about colors, or even niqaab or not. It is about hijaab.

Let’s start with a definition. Not what it has come to mean, but what it meant in the time when the command was given by The Lawgiver, Allaah Subhana wa Ta’Alaa. The hijaab is the over garment that is let down from the top of the head and covers the Believing woman from literally head to toes. It is not the same as a khimar, which is the head scarf. It covers the breasts, it does not stop at them like the head scarf of the women of the Orthodox Jews; we’re supposed to be different from them, as we all remember from our readings of ahadeeth. It does not allow the hair to peep from underneath, nor for the ornaments, the jewelry, to be seen. It is worn when the Believing women go out of our homes, so that we are identifiable as Muslimahs, we are obvious in not being on display for men or others to find us attractive, it is to discourage those who lean towards zina’.

It is not, emphatically so, an option. While not wearing it does not take one outside of Islam, there are penalties for being uncovered when outside of one’s home. Not lashes, not stoning, but something far more severe: Allaah’s displeasure. That which we do and do not repent from, we will have to answer for, in the grave and the ‘Akhira, the Hereafter. And do not forget, ya akhawaat, that our clothing is a part of our adornment. So, the nice dress, the blouse and skirt and khimar, the salwaar chemise, are all to be covered by a different garment, the hijaab, when we are out of doors, or in the presence of ghair maharim. Unless you work only with your abu, and brothers by blood and by marriage, and grandfathers, and uncles, and sons, that includes the men in the office, school, or hospital. A bit inconvenient, and there are some times when there are excuses, but since Allaah did not command us to go out and earn and provide for the household, but rather, He commanded the men to do so, that means that if we choose to, or have to (yes, I know, it happens) we have to make the effort to obey Allaah as much as possible, rather than take it as a license to obey our desires. Have you noticed? Allaah does not praise following our desires, even in marriage, but puts obedience to Him in all things as that which He is pleased with.

We don’t want to go to extremes. That is not praiseworthy. But we have to do the best that we can, and ask Allaah’s help for the rest. So, to my sisters whom I meet on the street, with throats exposed, blouses tucked into the long skirts, jewelry flashing … my dears, you look lovely, really. But you are not following the Sunnah, and that is what we are here for, because the Sunnah is as much to be followed as the Qur’an.

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts from sin and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their headcovers over their necks and bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters sons, or their women (i.e., their sisters in Islam), or their female slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants free of physical desires, or small children who have no sense of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah altogether, O you Believers, in order that you may attain success." [An-Nur, 24:31]

The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Allaah, Most High is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)." 

The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allaah's shield upon her”.. " This hadith is proof that, depending upon the kind of action committed, there will be either reward (if good), or punishment (if bad).

I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post them in the comments section below :)

Posted in: hijab,Islam,Women