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Writers Articles And Opinions |
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20 January 2010
By Shayekh - Dr. Muhammad
Bin Ismail
Translator and
Commentator: Dr. Saleh As-Saleh
Islam House
Introduction
ALL praise is due to
Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, the Most Merciful, the
Beneficent, and the Master of the Day of
Judgment. O Allah! Have
Your Salat(1) and Salam (peace)
and blessing upon Your slave and Messenger Muhammad
and upon all of his companions.
Extraordinary
consideration has been given by the Islamic Law to
women's affairs. Such consideration is sufficient to
protect her chastity, to honor her and to secure her
position in life. The "restrictions" placed upon her
regarding her dress and the display of her beauty and
ornament is only to guard against all ways of
corruption arising from such dazzling displays. What
Islam has established is not a restriction on
the freedom of women but is a firm protection
for her from falling down to the lowest levels of
humility.
In this work, we mention
the virtues of a critical aspect of this protection:
the HIJAB. The characteristics of the
Hijab arediscussed, bringing the glad tidings promised
(by Allah) to those women adhering to it. We also
point out the danger of dazzling displays of ornaments
and beauty as well as the terrible repercussions in
this life and in the hereafter for those who practice
Tabar'roj.
This is the second
edition of this book. It comes at a time when more
women are throwing away their revealing clothes, and
wearing the Hijab. It goes to print when Muslim
women are being raped and tom in their Hijabs in
"civilized" Europe(2)! and when France(3)
prevents Muslim women from wearing the Hijab at
school. These are times of trials for Muslims and
particularly for Muslim women. We all have to remember
the path of the Prophets: endurance, patience, holding
on, and aiming high by keeping the way of Allah above
everything.
Allah knows our
intentions and He is Sufficient to Us and He is the
Best Guardian.
(1) AN ACT OF
OBEDIENCE
The Hijab is an act of
obedience to Allah SW(4) and to His Messenger
Muhammad (SAAW(5)). He (SW) says:
}
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ
وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ
الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ
وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا
مُبِينًا{
[الأحزاب، 36]
"It is not for a
believer, man or woman,
when Allah and His
Messenger have
decreed a matter that
they should have
an option in their
decision. And
whoever disobeys Allah
and His
Messenger, has indeed
strayed in a
plain error." (Qur'an
33:36)
Allah (SW) also says:
}
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا
يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ
بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي
أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ
وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا{
[ النساء، 65 ]
"But no by your Lord,
they can have no
Faith, until they
make you
(Muhammad (SAAW)) a
judge in all
disputes between them,
and find in
themselves no
resistance against your
decisions, and accept
(them) with full
submission." (Qur'an
4:65)
Indeed,, Allah ordered
that women must put on the Hijab(6). He (SW)
says:
}
وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ
فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ
زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ
بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ {
[النور،31]
"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
what must (ordinarily)
appear thereof,
that they should draw
their veils over
their
Juyubihinna(7)." (Qur'an 24:31).
Allah considered the
dazzling display of beauty an act of ignorance:
}
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ
وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ
الْأُولَى{
[الأحزاب،33]
"And stay in your
houses and do not
display yourselves
like that of the times
of Jahiliyeeyah(8)
(ignorance). " (Qur'an 33:33)
He, Most Glorified, says:
}
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ
مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ
ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ
وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ{
[الأحزاب، 53 ]
"And when you ask the
Prophet's wives
for anything you
want, ask them from
behind a screen."
(Qur'an 33:53)
The above Ayah (verse)
does not apply only to the Prophet's wives but to all
of the believing women. Carefully read the following
saying of Allah (SW):
}
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ
قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ
جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا
يُؤْذَيْنَ {
[الأحزاب،59]
"O Prophet! Tell your
wives and your
daughters and the
women of the
believers to draw
their cloaks (veils)
over their bodies
(when outdoors). That
is most convenient
that they should be
known and not
molested."(9) (Qur'an 33:59)
The Prophet (SAAW) said:
" المَرأة عَوْرةَ "
"The woman (i.e. any
woman) is A'wrah (10)", that is she must be
covered.
(2) THE HIJAB
IS IFFAH (MODESTY):
Allah (SW) made the
adherence to the Hijab a manifestation for chastity
and modesty:
}
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ
قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ
جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا
يُؤْذَيْنَ {
[الأحزاب،59]
"O Prophet! Tell your
wives and your
daughters and the
women of the
believers to draw
their cloaks (veils)
over their bodies
(when outdoors). That
is most convenient
that they should be
known and not
molested." (Qur'an 33: 59)
In the above Ayah there
is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent
beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause
of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This
is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may
have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (SW) made
it permissible for them to lay aside their outer
garments and expose their faces and hands reminding,
however, that it is still better for them to keep
their modesty:
}
وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ
النِّسَاءِ اللَّاتِي لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا
فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ
يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ
بِزِينَةٍ وَأَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ
خَيْرٌ لَهُنَّ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ {
[النور،60 ]
"And as for women past
child-bearing
who do not expect
wed-lock, it is no sin
for them if they
discard their (outer) in
such a way as not to
show their
adornment; but it is
best to be modest
and Allah knows and
sees all things
provided they do not
make a display of
their beauty; but it
is best to be modest
and Allah knows and
sees all
things." (Qur'an
24:60)
So how about young women?
Clearly they must stay modest find not display their
beauty.
(3) THE HIJAB
IS TAHARA (PURITY)
Allah (SW) had shown us
the Hikma (Wisdom) behind the legislation of the Hijab:
}
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ
مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ
ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ
وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ{
[الأحزاب، 53]
"And when you ask them
(the Prophet's
wives) for anything
you want, ask them
from behind a screen,
that is purer for
your hearts and their
hearts." (Qur'an 33:53)
The Hijab makes for
greater purity for the hearts of believing men and
women because it screens against the desire of the
heart. Without the Hijab, the heart may or may not
desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the
sight is blocked (by Hijab) and thus the prevention of
fitna (evil actions) is very much manifested. The
Hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the
sick hearts:
}
فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ
بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ
وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَعْرُوفًا {
[الأحزاب، 32]
"Be not soft in
speech, lest he in whose
heart is a disease (of
hypocrisy or evil
desire for adultery,
etc.) should be
moved with desire, but
speak in an
honorable manner."
(Qur'an 33:32)
(4) THE HIJAB
IS A SHIELD
The Prophet (SAAW) said:
"إنَّ الله حَييٌ سِتَّير
يُحِبُّ السِتْر"
"Allah, Most High, is
Ha'yeii(11), Sit'teer)12(,
He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding;
Covering)"(13).
The Prophet (SAAW) also
said:
"إيما إمرأةٌ نَزَعَت
ثِيابَها في غير بيتِ أهلِها، خَرَقَ الله عزَّ وجَلَّ
عَنها سِتْرِها"
"Any woman who takes off
her clothes in other than her husband's home (to show
off for unlawful purposes). has broken Allah's shield
upon her"(14)
The hadeeth demonstrates
that depending upon the kind of action committed there
will be either reward (if good) or
punishment (if bad).
(5) THE
HIJAB IS TAQWAH (RIGHTEOUSNESS)
Allah (SW) says:
}
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ
أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ
وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ {
[الأعراف، 26]
"O Children of Adam!
We have
bestowed raiment upon
you to cover
yourselves (screen
your private parts,
etc.) and as an
adornment. But the
raiment of
righteousness, that is
better." (Qur'an
7:26)
The widespread forms of
dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and
hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's
body. To the believing women, however, the purpose is
to safeguard their bodies and cover their private
parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is
an act of Taqwah (righteousness ).
(6)THE HIJAB
IS EEMAN(BELIEF OR FAITH)
Allah (SW) did not
address His Words about the Hijab except to the
believing women, Al-Mo'minat:
}
وَقُل للمُؤمِناتِ {
[النور،31]
"And say (O Muhammad (SAAW)
to
the believing women."
(Qur'an 24: 31)
In another Ayah Allah
(SW) also says:
}
ونِسآءِ المُؤمِنين{
الآية [الأحزاب،59]
"And the believing
women" (Qur'an 33:
59).
A'isha (RAA(15))
the wife of the Prophet (SAAW), addressed some women
from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came visiting her
and had light clothes on them:
"If indeed you are
believing women, then truly this is not the dress of
the believing women, and if you are not believing
women, then enjoy it."(16)
(7) THE HIJAB
IS HAYA'(BASHFULNESS)
The Prophet (SAAW) said:
"إنَّ لِكُلَّ دين
خُلُقاً، وخُلُقُ الإسلام الحياء"
"Each religion has a
morality and the morality of Islam is haya'
(bashfulness)."(17)
He (SAAW) also said:
"Bashfulness is from
belief and belief is in Aj-Jannah (Paradise)."(18)
Furthermore, he (SAAW)
said:
"الحياءُ والإيمانُ قُرِنا
جميعاً، فإذا رُفِعَ أحَدُهُما رُفِعَ الآخر"
"Bashfulness and belief
are fully associated together if one is lifted the
other follows suit."(19)
The mother of the
believers, A'isha said: "I used to enter the room
where the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) and my father
were later buried in without having my garment on me,
saying it is only my husband and my father". But when
Umar (RAA) was later buried in (the same place), I did
not enterthe room except that I had my garment on
being shy from Umar (RAA)."(20) The Hijab fits
the natural bashfulness which
is a part of the nature
of women.
(8) THE HIJAB
IS GHEERAH
The Hijab fits the
natural feeling of Gheerah which is intrinsic in the
straight man who does not like people to look at his
wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that
drives the straight man to safeguard women who are
related to him from strangers. The straight Muslim
man has Gheerah for all Muslim women. Many in the
world had lost this great moral aspect. In response to
lust and desire men look (with desire) at other women
while they do not mind that other men do the same to
their wives or daughters! In "free" societies you see
men sitting with strange women who are half-naked
"enjoying" the scene! They introduce their wives to
other strange men. Mutual looks here and there!
Affairs develop and phone calls are exchanged. "Love
affairs" destroys many families and children suffer
most. What kind of "love" is this?
The mixing of sexes and
absence of Hijab kills the Gheerah in men. The eyes
"eat up" other men and women! The inner
"justification" is: since I can look they can look.
It's a " free choice"!! Few are those who feel
anything when they discover their wives have
"affairs". They become numb!! No dignity ! No honor!
The bottom line is that in many societies of this
modern World the animalistic behaviors are becoming
very apparent.
Ali (RAA) said: "It was
related to me that you women used to crowd the Kuffar
(disbelieving men) from the non-Arabs in the markets;
don't you have Cheerah? There is no good in the one
who does not have Gheerah."
Islam considers Gherrah
an integral part of faith .The dignity of the wife or
daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly
respected and defended.
**************
(1) The Salat of Allah upon prophet Muhammad is His
Praise and
mentioning of the Prophet to the angels in the Most
High place in
Heaven
(2) Bosnia is a testimony against the "civility" of
Europe and the West.
Civility stops at the word: Muslim or Islam!
(3) The country that raises the banner of: equality,
brotherhood, and
freedom.!!!
(4) SW: Subhanahu Wata'ala, Most Glorified and Most
High is He.
(5) SAAW: Salla Allahu Aleihi Wassalam: May the Salat
and Salaam
(Peace) of Allah be upon His Prophet Muhammad
(6)This is not something cultural. It is Allah's
order. Its conditions are not
Arabian, Egyptian, Pakistani, Black or White American,
etc. Its conditions are specified in the Qur'an and
Sunnah to provide a protection and safeguarding of
women. No one knows about what is good for men and
women more than their Creator, Allah. His laws are
Wise as it is thecase with all of His actions.
(7) Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf
As-Saleh (righteous predecessors) differed whether the
veil cover of the body must include the hands and face
or not. Today, respected scholars say that the
hands and face must be covered. Other respected
scholars say it is preferable for women to cover their
whole bodies.
(8) Jahilyeeyah: The days of ignorance prior to the
Revelation of the Qur'an.
(9) No one can ignore the molestation of women that
exists in the so called "open" societies. The question
is: why it is happening? The answer begins to shape up
when people think about the purpose behind creation.
Allah created us for the single purpose of worshipping
Him alone. He detailed all the ways to fulfill this
purpose in the Last
Revelation to all mankind, the Qur'an. In it we can
find how women and men can safeguard their dignity,
honor, and morality. The worship of Allah is
manifested in the following of His orders. Allah
orders that men and women must avoid all the roads
that lead to animalistic ways of living. The Hijab is
one of Allah's commands. It is an honor and protection
for women as well as a true freedom for her body from
the hands and eyes of aggressors and molesters.
(l0) This hadeeth is narrated by Abdullah bin Masoud
and collected by At-Tirmidhi who said it is
Hassan-Ghareeb i.e. good and Ghareeb (The Ghareeb is a
narration by one narrator either in each level of the
levels of the chain of narrators or in some levels of
the chain). Also
As-Siyouti hinted
that it is authentic.
(11) Ha'yeii: Allah is Bashful: He does not unravel
the acts of disobedience by His slaves. They openly
disobey Allah while they are in need of Him, yet He
(being Ha'yeii) is ashamed of humiliating them leaving
the door of repentance opened for them. If, however,
they become arrogant and persist on the spread of
evil, and disobedience, Allah certainly is All-Just in
His infliction of punishment.
(12) Sit'teer: Allah is Sit'teer: He provides means
that shield against the uncovering of disobedient
acts. The slaves commit acts of disobedience while
Allah is providing them with many of His favors. He
(SW) gives the opportunity for each one of us to
return to Him in repentance and to seek His
forgiveness. He loves those who do not like the spread
of sin. He dislikes the Muslim who publicizes his acts
of sin and disobedience. He loves the Muslim who does
not unravel the sins of his brother in Islam while at
the same time calls him to repent. The Hijab is
something beloved by Allaah because it is a shield
against the spread of evil manifested in the display
of beauty to strangers.
(l3) Collected by Abu Dawoud, An-Nissa'ee, AI-Baihaqee,
Ahmed, and in Saheeh An-Nissa'ee.
(14) Collected by Abu Dawoud and At-Tirmidhi who said:
it is a good hadeeth" .
(15) RAA: Radiya Allahu anhu (anha or anhum): May
Allah be pleased with him (her or them)
(16) Reported in "Ma'alim As-Sunnan" by Abu Suleiman
Al-Khitabi in his explanation of Sunnan An-Nissa'ee V
4, p.376
(17) Related by Imam Malik in his "Mu'wata" (2:
905-Arabic). The hadeeth chain is Mursal i.e. the
chain of narrators is disconnected at one point or
another. For example to say: "On the authority of A,
on the authority of B, on the authority of C that the
Prophet said "...." . The hadeeth is Mursal if for
example C did not hear directly from the Prophet. In
the case of the above hadeeth, Ibin Habban connected
the chain by two ways of narrators, both of them are
weak.
(18) collected by At-Tirmidhi who said it is: "a good
and authentic hadeeth".
(19) Narrated by Abdul'lah bin Umar as Related by
Al-Hakim in his "Mustadrak" (1/22-Arabic) who said:
"it is a good and authentic Hadeeth….." and Al-Thahabi
confirmed Al-Hakim on this.
(20) As-Simt Ath'ameeen Fee Maniqib Ummahat
Ul-Mu'mineen, p.91:A Book by Ibin As-Sakir that
represents a collection of the great attributes of the
Mothers of Believers (The wives of the Prophet-SAAW).
Al-Hakim reported a similar narration and said that it
is "good according to the conditions of Imam Bukhari
and Imam Mulslim", noting that both Imams did not
discuss the chain of narration itself. Al- Thahabi
had no comment about Al-Hakim's narration.
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