The Key to Paradise

Imagine: There is a path to Paradise and as we move along the path,
with the very first step we find a huge signboard on which the
following is written:"Hijaab…the key to Paradise." Naturally, in order
to gain entry to Paradise, we have to know themerits and
characteristics of Hijaab (Islamic covering).
Hijaab fosters piety
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O children of Adam, We have
bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as
adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that isbest. That is
from the signs of Allaah that perhaps they will remember.} [Quran
7:26]
It means that Allaah The Almighty sent two types of clothing: clothing
that covers your 'Awrah (private parts) and clothing that adorns and
beautifies you. The clothing of righteousness is the best. In other
words, religious prudence and fearing Allaah The Almighty provide the
best clothing that man can adorn himself with. Thatis because inner
purity is better than outer beauty, and the best clothing of man is
obedience to his Lord. There is no good in the one who disobeys Allaah
The Almighty.
Hijaab purifies the heart
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And when you ask [his wives]
for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for
your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran 33:53] It was narrated on the
authority of 'Aa'ishah that 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab said, "O Messenger
of Allaah, when righteous and dissolute men [both] may enter upon your
wives, it would be better to orderthem to be veiled." On this
occasion, the verse of Hijaab was revealed, {And when you ask [his
wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer
for your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran 33:53] This verse proves
that Hijaab is a barrier between the desires of the souls and
temptation of the hearts. It cuts the aspirations of those whohave
diseased hearts. So, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Then do
not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease
should covet.} [Quran 33:32]
Hijaab generates bashfulness
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet
said: "Bashfulness is part of faith, and faith leads to Paradise."
[At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh] There is no doubt that Hijaab makes
the woman realize her value in Islam and encourages her not to do
anything against the obligations of Islamic ethics and appearance.
Therefore, Hijaab leads the woman gradually to developing bashfulness
which itself requires her to wear Hijaab. In this way, every act of
worship leads the Muslim to another one. Our Mother 'Aa'ishah said,
I used to enter the house where the Prophet and my father were buried
putting aside my garment, saying that it is [only] my husband and
father. When 'Umar was buried there, I never entered except wearing
mygarment out of shyness of 'Umar . [Ahmad] [Al-Haakim:
Saheehaccording to the conditions stipulated by Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim]
Hijaab is a call to Sitr (covering and protection)
The Prophet said: "Any woman who takes off her clothesanywhere other
than her husband's house violates the Sitr (concealment and
protection) bestowed on her by Allaah The Almighty." [Ahmad]
[Al-Albaani: Saheeh] The woman who observes her Hijaab has attained
covering from Allaah The Almighty in this life and in the Hereafter
and she will be among the dwellers of Paradise which is the abode of
covering.
Hijaab is a Part of Fitrah
Hijaab and covering are part of the Fitrah (innate disposition) of the
woman. She, by nature, does not like anyone to look at her. Sometimes
a bashful Muslim woman may feel shy of her husband whom Allaah The
Almighty made lawful for her. Man's innate disposition calls himto
cover, whereas an animal's nature tends to nudity.
Hijaab is an act of worship
Hijaab is an act of worship offered to Allaah The Almighty since He is
the One who ordered the woman to wear it. Allaah TheAlmighty Says
(what means): {Andto wrap [a portion of] their head-covers over their
chests.} [Quran 24:31] The Muslim woman,who submits to the commands of
Allaah The Almighty, is the onewhose heart is filled with love
forAllaah The Almighty. The issue of Hijaab is not irrelevant to the
Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation) of Allaah and His laws in the
universe; rather, it is an issue that is firmly connected with the
creed and Sharee'ah at the same time.
Hijaab takes you to a good end
One of the righteous predecessors said, "If you want to know your
position in the sight of Allaah, see where He has placed you." If
Allaah has placed the Muslim woman in obedience and wearing Hijaab,
this would be her ultimate status in His sight. The Prophet said:
"'When Allaah wants to do good for one of his slaves, He utilizes
him." People asked, "How does Allaah utilize him?" He replied: "He
guides him to do a righteous deed before he dies, then takes away his
soul while performing it." [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh] Thus, if
Allaah The Almighty guides you, O pure sister, to wear Hijaab until
the last moment of your life, He would be utilizing you, and you
should prostrate in gratitude to Allaah The Almighty.
Hijaab shields from sins
The Prophet said: "There are two groups of people who will enter Hell
but I have not seen them. One of them is a woman who is dressed but
appears to benaked." [Muslim] A woman who wears Hijaab keeps herself
away from the punishment of Allaah The Almighty.
Hijaab is the symbol of the Muslim woman
As-Suddi reported that dissolute men used to annoy and abuse women
when they went out at night. If they found a woman wearing Hijaab,
they would leave her and say that she is a free woman; if they found
herwithout Hijaab, they would say that she is a bondmaid and would
harm her. On this occasion, Allaah The Almighty Revealed (what means):
{O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the
believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer
garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be
abused. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 33:59]
Hijaab is chastity
Allaah The Almighty addressed older women, whom men no longer desire,
Saying (what means): {And women of post-menstrual age who have no
desire for marriage -- there is no blame upon them for putting aside
their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But tomodestly
refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allaah is Hearing and
Knowing.} [Quran 24:60] It means that there is no blame or sin upon
them to put aside some of their clothes, such as the upper garment and
Jilbaab(garment worn over the clothes when going out), and appear
before men with their usual clothes that do not attract attention or
arouse sexual desires. So, the condition is that "{…not displaying
adornment}" for men to look at. After that Allaah The Almighty Says
(what means): {But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for
them}" meaning that covering themselves by wearing the Jilbaab and the
clothes of young women seeking comprehensive covering and chastity
would be better for them, and more honorable and purer in the sight of
Allaah The Almighty.
Hijaab is an address to every believing woman
Allaah The Almighty does not tell anyone to wear Hijaab except every
believing woman who believes in Him and the Last Day. Allaah The
Almighty Says (what means):
{…and women of the believers} [Quran 33:59]
{And tell the believing women…} [Quran 24:31]
This shows that this address is directed to a sincere believing woman
whose heart has been touched by faith and who submits to the command
of Allaah The Almighty. - - ▓███▓ Translator:->
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