The significance of Hijaab

It often occurs to me that many of our sisters in Islam are not
correctly enlightened or encouraged once they begin to observe the
requirements of Hijaab (Islamic women's dress). It may be that a
sister hasbeen obliged to wear theHijaab without truly pondering over
its superiority and uniqueness .
Perhaps she has reached the age of puberty and her parents have
instructed her to wear it. Perhaps she has recently accepted Islam and
her close companions have told her of its obligation, or perhaps her
husband has commanded her to wear it .
A sister who does not truly know the superiority of Hijaab will always
remain envious ofdisbelieving women. Why? Because they observe these
misguided disbelievers attempting to look beautiful for all tosee.
Hence, the Muslim woman then compares herself to that woman, which
causes her to feel ashamed of her own Hijaab.
Therefore, what follows is a reminder for my sisters in Islam. It is a
reminder of the true status of these so-called beautiful women. It is
a reminder of the excellence of the women who wear Hijaab.
Excellent Qualities of Those who Wear Hijaab :
It is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of modesty.
Allaah loves for our Muslim women to be shielded by their Hijaab. It
is their outer protection from the decadence of this life. Allaah's
Messenger said: "Allaah is modest and covering. He loves modesty and
privacy." [Ahmad and Others]
Thus, as modesty is a quality that is loved by Allaah, our sisters
must take comfort in knowing that they are modest and not like those
women who show themselves offto the world. Such women will not be
shielded from Allaah's wrath. Allaah's Messenger said: "Any woman
whotakes off her clothes in other than her husband'shome, has broken
Allaah's shield upon her." [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi ]
Therefore, we see that the Hijaab of the Muslim woman is indeed part
of modesty. Modesty accompanies Eemaan (faith); this is why the
Messenger of Allaah said: "Modesty is part of Eemaan and Eemaan is in
Paradise." [At-Tirmithi] Also: "Modesty and Eemaan are (intimate)
companions: when one departs, so does the other." [Al-Haakim and
Others]
The Muslim woman must know that the disbelieving women whobeautify
themselves for the whole world to see possess no modesty; thus,they
are void of any Eemaan. Instead of looking to the latest fashion
models for guidance, she should look to the wives of the Prophet .
Look at the regard for modesty that our mother,'Aa'ishah possessed,
even in the presence of the deceased; she said : "Iused to enter the
room where the Messenger of Allaah and my father, Abu Bakr, were
buried without wearing my (outer) garment, saying that it was only my
husband and my father. But when 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab was later buried
(in the same place), I did not enter theroom except that I had my
outer garment on, due to being shy of 'Umar ."
It could be quite difficult for the Muslim woman to go out wearing
Hijaab in a society that mocks and torments her. She would certainly
feel strange andincongruous. However, if she realises the status of
those who are mocked by the disbelievers, then she would continue to
wear her Hijaab with dignity.
Allaah Says in His Book (what means): "Indeed, those who committed
crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And when they passed by
them, they would exchange derisive glances. And when they returned to
their people, they would return jesting. And when they saw them, they
would say: 'Indeed, those are truly lost.' But they have not been sent
as guardians over them. So Today [i.e., the Day of Judgement] those
who believed are laughing at the disbelievers, on adorned couches,
observing. Have the disbelievers [not] been rewarded [this Day] for
what they used to do?" [Quran: 83:29-36]
These words of Allaah should serve as a supportfor you, my dear
sister. Also, take comfort in being a stranger among these lewd and
sinful women. Allaah's Messenger said: "Islam began as something
strange, and it will revertto (its old position of) being strange, so
good news is for the strangers." [Muslim]
The Characteristic of the Exposed :
Instead of wearing the Hijaab (covering), the disbelieving women
expose themselves, making a dazzling display of themselves for others.
Such a display is an attribute of ignorance. Allaah Says in His Book
(what means): "And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves
as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance…" [Quran 33:33]
Allaah's Messenger said: "The best of your women are the affectionate,
the fertile, the comforting, and the agreeable – if they fear Allaah.
The most evil of your women are those who expose and display
themselves, and those who strut (to show off), and they are the
hypocrites. Those who enter Paradise are like the red beaked crow."
[Al-Bayhaqi] The mentioning of this kind of crow is to highlight that
those who enter Paradise will be as rare as this kind of crow .
We see from the above verse and Hadeeth (prophetic statement) that it
is certainly unlawful for a Muslim woman to make a displayof herself.
Further, it is a quality of the most evil ofwomen. Therefore, do not
be envious of the disbelieving women. They only have this life
toenjoy, while the believing women will have Paradise. There is
nothing in your Hijaab tobe ashamed of as it is thegarment of the
righteousand pious female worshippers of Allaah .
In order to truly show how evil those women who expose themselves are,
let us ponder over the following statement of Allaah's Messenger : "Of
the people of Hell, there are two types that Ihave never seen; the
first are those holding whips like the tail of an ox with which they
flog people. The second are women who would be naked despite being
dressed (i.e. either partly dressed or wearing translucent clothes),
who are seduced and who seduce others. Their hair is high like the
humps of a camel. These women will not enter Paradise, nor will they
smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be smelled from such
and such a (very far) distance." [Muslim]
These women who expose themselves are common among us today. These are
women that even the Prophet did not see! Look aroundyou and you will
see those women who are clothed but naked! Look at the hair styles of
the women who expose themselves – are they nothigh like a camel's hump
?
Perhaps we are the first generation since the timeof Aadam to witness
such women. If one ponders over photographs taken thirtyto fifty years
ago, he will see that the disbelieving women did not expose themselves
in the mannerthat their offspring do today! These women are among the
people of the Fire! Thus, how can you envy them ?
Therefore, the Muslim men should not let the people of the Fire affect
the modesty of their wives, daughters and sisters. Such lewd womenwill
not even smell the fragrance of Paradise, so our women must avoid
their path .
Another lesson from the above Hadeeth is that it confirms that what
the Prophet came with is indeed the truth! This is aprophecy that has
come to pass in front of our very eyes. Hence, will we continue to
envy these evil women, or should we be grateful to our Lord for the
Hijaab, which brings modesty which leads to Paradise ?
On the whole, the Muslim woman should abandon all of the ways of the
exposed, and adopt the ways of those who are modest through their love
and practice of the proper Islamic Hijaab .