Hijaab is an Attitude, NOT A FASHION
First, we must understand that wearing Hijaab is worship (Ibaadah). We also
have to differentiate between Hijab/Jilbab (the outer long garment that covers
a woman’s body) and Khimar (head scarf). Today many sisters think that just
wearing a Khimar (head scarf) is sufficient and they wear tight tops, shirts,
blazers and trousers. Some even show their skins, exposing their arms, neck,
feet and ankles. They come out of their houses and even pray Salat like this.
This is not permissible. Many do it out of ignorance, not bothering to learn.
Others due to pressure from parents etc and yet others due to custom and
culture. If we want to please Allaah – our Creator and sustainer- by
worshipping Him alone and gain reward, then every act of worship and good deeds
that we do has to fulfil three very essential, fundamental conditions and
principles so that Allaah accepts it from us. And they are; first and foremost;
we must have the correct Islamic Aqeedah in
Allah, His Tawheed, Names & Attributes and all the six pillars of eemaan and
all other aspects of Aqeedah such as; the bliss and punishment in the grave,
jannah, jahannam, Prophet Eesaa coming back, etc. etc. and secondly; we have to
do all acts worship and good deeds for the sake of Allaah, not to show off,
fashion, fame, money, nor due to custom and culture, not because of parents and
community telling us to do it but for Allaah’s sake and thirdly; do worship and
good deeds according to the Sunnah of the Messenger, Muhammad sallallaahu
alaihi wa sallam. Exactly how he has related to us in doing a certain Ibaadah.
Salah, saum, Zaqah. Haj, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, how to
wear the Hijab/Jilbab. If one, two or all of them is missing it will not be
accepted from us. If someone wears Hijab for Allah’s sake, yet NOT according to
the Sunnah, it will NOT be accepted. Likewise, if someone wears it according to
the Sunnah yet NOT for
Allah’s sake, it will NOT be accepted.
So as Muslim, believing Women covering ourselves is also worship, Ibaadah and
it has conditions that we need to fulfil. We will not know these conditions,
except by learning and educating ourselves. For the conditions, please refer to
Imaam al-Albani’s ‘The Correct Requirements of Hijaab’. Wearing the Hijaab
isn't just a matter of simply putting a piece of cloth on your head, it is an
attitude, a way of thinking and behaving, and accepting yourself for who and
what you are. Basically it constitutes an Islaamic way of life, it is a
statement which indeed should portray a certain attitude.
A woman may wear the correct Hijaab or just the Khimar without fulfilling the
Hijaabs conditions, but if she flirts and free mixes, then she can't be really
described as wearing the Hijaab. The whole idea involves conducting oneself
with dignity at all times (that means running for the bus and boisterous
behaviour in public is not a good idea!!). As previously mentioned, the Hijaab
depicts a statement, and that is something one should be continually aware of.
It identifies you as a Muslim, and ultimately people will judge Islaam by you,
and that is a heavy responsibility!! Yet sisters, we must also be thankful that
by wearing the Hijaab, we go a long way in fulfilling our duties of Da'wah.
Curiosity prompts people to question us, giving us the opportunity to show the
non-Muslims the beauty of our religion. O.k., so we may get the stares at times
(to which one rapidly becomes immune), but it is amazing how many are sincerely
interested, oh and not to
forget the redoubtable old British ladies on the Tube ("Oh I do like your
headdress, my dear!!!").
Hijaab isn't meant to restrict you from doing the kind of things you want to
do. Whoever wears it correctly and conducts their behaviour properly, will
attain dignity and honour in Allaah’s sight and amongst people…respect, dignity
and honour will be instilled. Hijaab makes us check our behaviour continuously,
preventing us from doing the things that Muslims shouldn't be doing anyway.
Anything (with the blessings of the Almighty, is possible) -studying, working
etc. etc. -provided it is within the bounds of Islaam.
Sometimes, however the decision to wear the Hijaab, let alone the Niqaab (face
veil worn when alot of non-Mahram men are around) can become extra complicated
through external pressures, notably family and friends. Unfortunately, even
some Muslims nowadays look upon the Hijaab as being too "extreme", and the like
and when these attitudes come from members of your family then the decision
becomes all the more difficult. Speaking from experience, things do change,
because ultimately, you are doing this for Allaah (s.w.t), and he will make it
easy for you, by "softening" the hearts of those that may not be all that
encouraging. Eventually they themselves will want to follow you because deep
down they know that it is the right thing to do. If that doesn't help, then
this should convince you:
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that
the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said : Allaah
the Almighty says: " I am as my servant thinks I am...If he draws near to Me a
hand's span, I draw near to him an arms length; and if he draws near to Me an
arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes walking, I
go to him at speed."
On the other hand, it is important to ascertain the motive for wearing the
Hijaab. If you are thinking of wearing it to please your husband, to impress
people at the mosque, being with the ‘in crowd’, fashion or just as a change,
then please think again. Hijaab (as with everything else) is to please Allaah
only, any other motive will not sustain that conviction.
A word also to our brothers; Hijaab may seem to be merely a woman's issue, but
that is not so. Muslim men have to follow a dress code too, no matter if it
isn't as extensive as for women it still exists! The men, like women, should
also wear loose clothes -so no tight fitting jeans please!! They are obligated
to keep their beard and trim the moustache and keep their garments above the
ankle all the time. Their attitude to all women should also always remain
respectful and business like, as the women's attitude to men should be.
Finally, all of the above pales in significance to the words of our Creator
(s.w.t):
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things),
and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer
for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing
women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their
private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their
adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or
both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves,
head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e.
their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons,
their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's
sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female)
slaves whom their right hands
possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no
sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal
what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all,
O believers, that you may be successful. (Al -Qur'ân, ch.24:30-31)
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