All learned Muslim scholars throughout the history of
Islam have the same opinion that fulfilling the conditions of the dress code is
a duty on all Muslim women.
Below are the most well recognized verses of the Quran
and the most well known saying from the Prophet Muhammad regarding the subject
of dress code- hijab.
“O Prophet! Tell your
wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks
(veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known
(as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. (Quran 33:59)
Say to the believing
women that they should lower their gaze and protect their private parts (from
sins); and they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what
appear thereof... (Quran 24:31).
The purpose of hijab is to cover
up the awrah (parts
of the body that should be kept covered) and
awrah varies in different situations and amongst different groups of
people.
To qualify as Hijab, a dress should
fulfilled the following 7 conditions:
1.
The hijab (covering) must cover the entire body excluding the face and
the hands.
2.
It should not be transparent or tight. Tight clothes, even if they cover the
colour of the skin, still depict the size and shape of the woman’s body or part
of it, and create flamboyant images.
3.
It should not attract the attention of the opposite sex, i.e it should not be excessively
magnificent. Nor should jewellery and makeup be on display.
4.
It should not be a garment worn because of vanity or to gain popularity or
fame. The female companions were known to wear black and other dark
colours but other colours are permissible; a woman must not however wear
colourful clothes because of vanity.
5.
It should not be perfumed. This prohibition applies to both the body and the
clothes.
6.
It should not resemble the clothing worn
by men.
7.
It should not bear a resemblance to the
clothing that is specific to the non-Muslims.
Importance of the Hijab
Hijab represents a woman’s submission to her
Creator and her connection with the faith. ALLAH said in the holy Quran “O Prophet!
Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their
cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely). That
will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not
to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [al-Ahzab: 59]
This verse clearly indicates that Allah has made
Hijab an appearance of chastity and modesty. The virtue of wearing Hijab
explained in this verse is that Muslim woman will be identified as respectable
woman when she wears Hijab.
2. Hijab is purity:
Islam respect women a lot and expect Muslim them
to pure in all aspect of their life. Hijab maintain that purity by ensuring
that the women intarction with opposite sex are controlled. Tha why AlLLAH said
in the Holy Quran:
“And when you ask (the Prophet’s wives) for
anything you want, asks them from behind a screen: that is purer for your
hearts and for their hearts.” [al-Ahzab: 53]
The heart may become more pure
with the Hijab as the sight is blocked and there will be avoidance of evil
actions of the opposite sex. Another verse from the Quran sheds light on the
importance of Hijab:
“And stay in your houses, and do not display
yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salat (Prayers),
and give Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs
(evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet
P.B.U.H), and to purify you with a thorough purification” [al-Ahzab: 33]
3. Hijab is honorable:
A muslim women is honor by way she dress and
speak. Her voice is also a part of her Hijab. She should speak in a honorable
manner to become an honorable woman as indicated by this verse:
“Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is
a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire) should be moved with desire, but speak
in an honorable manner” [al-Ahzab: 32]
4. Hijab is righteousness:
“O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment
upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment;
and the raiment of righteousness, that is better” [Al-Araf: 26]
This verse of the Quran indicates that Hijab for
a Muslim woman is to safeguard her body as a manifestation of the order of
Allah; rather than showing off her body. It is an act of righteousness (Taqwah)
for her.
5. Hijab is for successful women and
believing women:
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze
and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only
that which is apparent and to draw their veils all over (i.e. their bodies) and
not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or
their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or 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 vigor, or small children who have
no sense of feminine 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” [An-Nur: 31]
Hijab is not meant for restriction rather it is a
means in which Muslim society may function in an appropriate manner. Islamic
regulations are unique to the highest standards of the Muslim identity of
chastity, righteousness, and moral uprightness. Islam protects and safeguards
the individuals and the society from awkward situations. The Messenger of Allah
(P.B.U.H) said:
“Verily for every religion there is a characteristic,
and the characteristic of Islam is Haya`a (modesty,
shyness, bashfulness)” [Ibn Majah]
Research shows that one of its most important
advantages to society is it clears societyt from crimes, rape, incest,
harassment in daily life, etc. The other important advantage is for the woman
herself who is used to sell her body as if she is a kind of goods that have
particular price, not as a woman who has enormous feelings, dignity, and
special social status. So, looking these importance of the Hijab affirms the
idea that by taking off their hijab, women become belittled and marginalized,
and the society crimes will be the order of the day.
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