The Hijab is Beautiful
It often occurs to me that many of my sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijab.
- Categories: Muslim Women's Issues - Rulings concerning women -
Indeed, all praises are due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His Aid and beg for His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and from the bad consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead that person astray and whomever Allah leads astray no one can guide that person. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah Who is alone and without any partners and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) is His slave and final Prophet and Messenger sent to mankind.
Certainly the most perfect speech is the Speech of Allah and the finest guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). The worst of affairs are those that are innovated into this religion as every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is astray and every going astray leads to the Hell Fire.
It often occurs to me that many of my sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijab. It may be that a sister has been obliged to wear the Hijab without truly pondering over its superiority. Perhaps she has reached the age of puberty and her Wali (guardian) has instructed her to wear it. Perhaps she has recently reverted to Islam and her close sisters have told her of its obligation. Or, perhaps her husband has commanded her to wear Hijab. A sister who does not truly know the superiority of Hijab will always remain envious of the women of the Kuffar. Why? Because they see these misguided women looking beautiful for all to see. Hence, the Muslim woman then compares herself to that woman which causes her to feel ashamed of her own Hijab.
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 that Hijab will always reign supreme and that the true man (i.e. the Muslim man), will forever be dazzled by the beauty of the Muhajjabah (woman who wears the Hijab).
Some Excellent Qualities of Those Who Wear Hijab
Al-Hamdulillah, it is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of Haya (modesty). Allah loves for our Muslim women to be shielded by their Hijab. It is their outer protection from the decadence of this life. Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) has said:
"Verily! Allah is Hayiy (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who Shields - from disobedient acts). He loves Haya (i.e. He loves for one to practice modesty and bashfulness) and Sitteer (shielding; covering)." [Collected by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'I, and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«إن الله عز وجل حيي ستير يحب الحياء والستر» رواه أبو داود والنسائي وصححه الألباني
Thus, as possessing Haya is a quality that is beloved by Allah our sisters must feel comfort in knowing that they have this Haya and not the women who show themselves to the world; hence, such women will not be shielded from Allah's Wrath. Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"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." [Collected by At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albnai]
«ما من امرأة تضع ثيابها في غير بيت زوجها إلا هتكت الستر بينها وبين ربها» رواه الترمذي وصححه الألباني
Therefore, we see that the Hijab of the Muslim woman has a quality that comprises Haya (modesty). Haya is what proceeds from Iman (belief). That is why when Allah commands the women to observe Hijab, Allah says:
{And tell the believing women...} [An-Noor 24:31]
{وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ...} النور: 31
Transliteration: Waqul lilmuminati
Allah also says: {...And the women of the believers...} [Al-Ahzaab 33:59]
{...وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ...} الأحزاب: 59
Transliteration: wanisai almumineena
Furthermore, Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Al-Haya (modesty & bashfulness) is from Imam (belief) and Imam is in Al-Jannah (the Paradise)." [At-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
«الحياء من الإيمان، والإيمان في الجنة» الترمذي، صحيح
He (Peace and blessings be upon him) also said: "Haya (modesty and bashfulness) and Imam (belief) are fully associated together, if one is lifted the other follows suit." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
«الحياء والإيمان قرناء جميعا، فإذا رفع أحدهما رفع الآخر» صححه الألباني
My dear sisters in Islam, know that these women who beautify themselves for the world to see possess no Haya; thus, they are void of any Iman. Instead of looking to the latest fashion models for guidance, you, my dear sisters, must look to the wives of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him). Look at the extreme amount of Haya that 'Aisha bint Abu Bakr possessed even in the presence of the deceased:
'Aisha said: "I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) and my father (Abu Bakr) were later buried in without having my garment on me, saying it is only my husband and my father. But when 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I had my garment on being shy from 'Umar." [Al-Abani said: it’s men are the men of the authentic]
«كنت أدخل بيتي الذي فيه رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم -؛ وإني واضع ثوبي، وأقول: إنما هو زوجي وأبي، فلما دفن عمر – رضي الله عنه -، معهم؛ فوالله ما دخلته إلا وأنا مشدودة علي ثيابي؛ حياء من عمر» قال الألباني، رجاله رجال الصحيح
My dear sister in Islam, I know that it is quite difficult for you to go out wearing Hijab in a society that mocks and torments you. I know that you, indeed, feel strange and out of place. However, if you knew the status of those who are mocked by the Kuffar as well as the status of the strangers, you will continue to wear your Hijab (i.e. to cover your entire body with a Khimar as commanded (An-Noor 24:31), as well as with a Jilbab (Al-Ahzaab 33:59), with the exception of the hands and face; however, knowing the recommendation to cover those parts (as well) with dignity. Allah says in His Book:
{Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. (29) And whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another (in mockery); (30) And when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting; (31) And when they saw them, they said: "Verily! These have indeed gone astray!" (32) But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers over them (the believers). (33) But this Day (the Day of Resurrection) those who believe will laugh at the disbelievers (34) On (high) thrones, looking (at all things). (35) Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what they used to do? } [Al-Mutaffifin 83:29-36]
{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا كَانُوا مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَضْحَكُونَ ﴿٢٩﴾ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِهِمْ يَتَغَامَزُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾ وَإِذَا انقَلَبُوا إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِمُ انقَلَبُوا فَكِهِينَ ﴿٣١﴾ وَإِذَا رَأَوْهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ لَضَالُّونَ ﴿٣٢﴾ وَمَا أُرْسِلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ حَافِظِينَ ﴿٣٣﴾ فَالْيَوْمَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنَ الْكُفَّارِ يَضْحَكُونَ ﴿٣٤﴾ عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ يَنظُرُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾ هَلْ ثُوِّبَ الْكُفَّارُ مَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ} المطففين: 29-36
Transliteration: Inna allatheena ajramoo kanoo mina allatheena amanoo yadhakoona (29) Waitha marroo bihim yataghamazoona (30) Waitha inqalaboo ila ahlihimu inqalaboo fakiheena (31) Waitha raawhum qaloo inna haolai ladalloona (32)Wama orsiloo AAalayhim hafitheena (33) Faalyawma allatheena amanoo mina alkuffari yadhakoona (34)AAala alaraiki yanthuroona (35) Hal thuwwiba alkuffaru ma kanoo yafAAaloona
Allah's words should serve as a support for you my dear sisters. Also, take comfort in being a stranger among these lewd and sinful women. Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Islam began as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange, so good tidings for the strangers." [Narrated by Abu Hurairah and Reported Sahih Muslim]
«بدأ الإسلام غريبا وسيعود كما بدأ غريبا . فطوبى للغرباء» رواه مسلم
As-Sufur and It's Characteristics
As-Sufur means to expose or to un-cover. Therefore, instead of practicing the Hijab (covering), the women of the Kuffar practice As-Sufur. As-Sufur is sinful as it leads to At-Tabarruj (i.e. to make a dazzling display of oneself). Displaying oneself is an attribute of one who is Jahil (ignorant). Allah says:
{And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves (At-Tabarruj) like that of the times of ignorance...} [Al-Ahzaab 33:33]
{وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ...} الأحزاب: 33
Transliteration: Waqarna fee buyootikunna walatabarrajna tabarruja aljahiliyyati aloola
Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The best of your women is the affectionate, the fertile (in productivity), the propitious (favorable), the consultative if they fear Allah. The most evil of your women are the Mutabarrijat (those who do At-Tabarruj), the Mutakhayyilat (who strut/swagger), and they are the hypocrites. Those who enter Al-Jannah (the Paradise) are like the Cough Crow." [Al-Bayhaqi in his "As-Sunan" and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«خير نسائكم الودود الولود المواتية المواسية، إذا اتقين الله، و شر نسائكم المتبرجات المتخيلات و هن المنافقات لا يدخل الجنة منهن إلا مثل الغراب الأعصم» أخرجه البيهقي في السنن وصححه الألباني
My dear sisters in Islam, we see from the above Ayah and Hadith that displaying oneself is indeed Haram. Further, it is a quality of the most evil of women! Therefore, do not be envious of the women of the Kuffar. They only have this life to enjoy while the believing women will have Al-Jannah. There is nothing in your Hijab whatsoever to be ashamed of as it is the garment of the righteous and pious female slaves of Allah. In order to truly show you how evil those women who make As-Sufur and At-Tabarruj are, let us ponder over the following statement of Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him):
"Of the people of Hell there are two types whom I have never seen, the one possessing whips like the tail of an Ox and they flog people with them. The second one, women who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced (to wrong paths) and seduce others. Their hair is high like the humps (of camels). These women would not get into Al-Jannah (the Paradise) and they would not perceive its odor, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such a distance." [Sahih Muslim]
«صنفان من أهل النار لم أرهما . قوم معهم سياط كأذناب البقر يضربون بها الناس . ونساء كاسيات عاريات مميلات مائلات . رؤوسهن كأسنمة البخت المائلة . لا يدخلن الجنة ولا يجدن ريحها . وإن ريحها لتوجد من مسيرة كذا وكذا» رواه مسلم
Sisters in Islam, these women who practice At-Tabarruj are common among us today. These are women that even the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) did not see! Look around you and you will see those women who are clothed but naked! Look at the hair styles of the women who practice At-Tabarruj - are they not high like the camel's hump? My dear sister, perhaps we are the first generation since the time of the Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) to witness such women. If one ponders over photos taken thirty to forty years ago, one will see that the women of the Kuffar did not make At-Tabarruj as their offspring do today. These are women who will be in the Hell Fire, save Allah has mercy upon them by guiding them to Islam! Thus, how can you envy them? My brothers, how can you desire them over the chaste and modest women? These filthy women will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. This Hadith also shows us that what the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) came with (i.e. the Qur'an and the Sunnah) is the Haqq (truth)! This is a prophecy that has come to pass in front of our very eyes. Hence, will we continue to envy these evil women or be grateful to our Lord for your Hijab which brings Haya?
Whatever I have written that is true is from Allah alone while anything that is false is from myself and Shaytan. Subhanaka Allahumma Wa Bihamdika, Ash Hadu An La Ilaha illa Anta, Astaghfiruka Wa Atubu Ilayk.
By Abu Abdullah Fattah Salah ibn Bernard Brooks