The importance of Hijaab for Muslimahs

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Reading the recent thread regarding Hijaab, it prompted me to write about it. A lot of females were dismissing it as saying it is not a big deal and there is no specific proof regarding punishment in the Quran and Sunnah if we don’t observe Hijaab. This is however untrue. Recently while trying to increase my eemaan and gain knowledge Alhamdulillah Allah swt enlightened me and brought the importance of Hijaab into my life. As a practising muslim woman I do not look down upon women who don’t observe the Hijaab but of course we have to respect love and understand a lot more about it and not think of it as a cultural habit. Rather it is obligitory upon us to wear and cover our awrahs and have to have Hayyah. Allah SWT tells us about Hijaab in Surah Nur;

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts from sin and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their headcovers over their necks and bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women (i.e., their sisters in Islam), or their female slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants free of physical desires, or small children who have no sense of women’s nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah altogether, O you Believers, in order that you may attain success.[An-Nur, 24:31]

This proves that as Muslim women we have to guard ourselves from Non-mehram men.Hijaab or covering up and dressing modestly is not a choice it is actually fard upon the believing woman. By not covering, however modestly we dress we are sinning, many girls think it’s okay in today’s society to wear loose clothes but not cover your head but this is not Islamic. When this verse from Surah Nur was revealed at the time of Rasulallah SAW, the women of that time ran to cover themselves in the fear of displeasing ALLAH.

Aishah (RAA) said: “May Allah bestow His Mercy on the first Muhajirat (emigrants). When Allah revealed:…and draw their headcovers over their necks and bosoms… they tore their (material) and covered themselves with it.” [Al-Bukhari]

So the Believing women rushed to cover themselves to save themselves from sinning as ALLAH revealed in the Quran for the women to cover.

Allah swt says in Surah Ahzaab

O Prophet, Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments about themselves (when they go out). That is better so that they may be recognised and not molested. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [Al-Ahzaab, 33:59

This proves that indecent clothing that show the shape and figure of a woman is not reccommended in Islam and that being modest muslimahs, we have to wear loose clothing that doesn’t cling to us along with wearing the head covering.

Allah’s Messenger (SAAWS) said: There will be in the last of my Ummah (nation of believers), scantily dressed women, the hair on the top of their heads like a camel’s hump. Curse them, for verily they are cursed. In another version he said: …scantily dressed women, who go astray and make others go astray; they will not enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance, although it can be smelled from afar. [At-Tabarani and Sahih Muslim]

This shows that Rasulallah SAW preached that women who do not cover will not enter paradise. It is of course correct that we must be clean from inside, have a good heart and strive to be pious from within but we have to do that along with the practical side of Islam as well. It’s all very well being the best kindest person but then not doing something that ALLAH swt commands of us can make us sin and not perfect our deen.

The clothing of the female woman must be feminine. It cannot resemble men’s clothing though nowadays its very normal to wear trousers/jeans/tops etc. This is also not reccommended in Islam. The following Hadith tells us that Rasulallah Saw differenciated between the believers and non believers by the way they dressed so this proves that what we wear is who we are. It’s not only what’s inside that counts.

Abdullah ibn Umar (RAA) said he heard Allah’s Messenger (SAAWS) say: The man who resembles a woman and the woman who resembles a man is not of us (i.e., not of the believers). [Ahmad and At-Tabarani-Saheeh]

How important is Islamic identity to us? The hijaab identifies us as Muslim. I for one want to be recognised as a Muslimah, without a hijaab we cannot tell the difference between a hindu/sikh/athiest/christian woman. The Hijaab sets us apart from the Mushriks and groups us with the believers as one Ummah, kind of like a Uniform. Rasulllah SAW said

Abdullah ibn Umar (RAA) said: Allah’s Messenger (SAAWS) stated: Whoever resembles a people is one of them. [Abu Dawood]

I want to resemble a Muslim because I am one and I want everone to know it :slight_smile:

There are many Hadith which tell us that the Rasulallah SAW tells the muslimahs to cover again and again.

Abu Dawood narrates that `Aishah (RAA) said: "Asmaa’ the daughter of Abu Bakr (RAA) came to see the Messenger of Allah (SAAWS) wearing a thin dress; so Allah’s Messenger (SAAWS) turned away from her and said: O Asmaa’, once a woman reaches the age of menstruation, no part of her body should be seen but this-and he pointed to his face and hands.

Imagine if Rasulallah SAW saw us copying the kaafirs and the mushriks what he would say? Society tells us to dress a certain way but being muslims we have to strive and overcome the media and society. We have to revert back to the fundamentals of Islam and do so what ALLAH swt has commanded us to do. If we want to please society then it’s okay to follow it, but then that is what Emaan is all about. If we want to please ALLAH then of course we should follow his commands as he is our lord and there are no ifs and buts about it. It is extremely clear cut and in Shariah there is no fluctuation on the rulings whatever time/date/era it is. Islam was perfected by Rasullah SAW and completed by him so it doesn’t matter which society we live in the rules were put there for the women before us and they will remain like that untill the day of judgment. It’s up to us a Muslimahs to wear a Hijaab to gain the pleasure of ALLAH. When we love someone we will do anything to make them smile, we never want to see them hurt and we want to do everything in our power to make them happy. Is there any human or wealth more important to us that ALLAH? Do we want ALLAH to be pleased with us? Then all we have to do is do what he says and he will reward us so much beyond our hearts desire.

The Prophet (saws) said:

“There will be, in the last days of my Ummah (nation), women who are dressed and undressed. Curse them: they are accursed.”

Al-Tabarani

Do you want to be one of the accursed? May ALLAH guide us all towards the sirat-ul-mustiqeen, and May ALLAH forgive our sins and make us pious. Ameen.

Other than the reasons above, that it is commanded by ALLAH swt, the Hijaab has many beneficial factors for the believing woman.

The Hijaab is ALLAH’s sheild. Allah loves HAYYA and he loves Muslimah’s to be shielded by the Hijaab. Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

“Al-Hayaa (modesty & bashfulness) is from Imam (belief) and Imam is in Al-Jannah (the Paradise).” [At-Tirmidhi - Saheeh]

It protects and guards from molestation and abuse. There is less chance of temptation when a woman is covered up and it reflects modesty purity and respect. The Hijaabi is less likely to be exploited for her beauty or femininity. The Hijaabi is confident to go out and live her life without worrying about if men find her attractive, she is wearing a Hijaab for ALLAH and noeone else.

We must remember that by not wearing a Hijaab we as muslim women are comitting a bad sin because we are disobeying ALLAH swt. We are putting our worldly desires over our deen and of course this is a display of weakness. Even if some sisters don’t wear Hijaab we still have to realise that this is wrong and a weakness within us that we need to change and that wearing it is fard upon us.

Rasulallah SAW said 'He of you who sees something wrong should correct it with his hand; if he is unable to do that he should condemn it with his tongue; if he is unable to do that he should at least resent it in his heart, and this is the lowest degree of faith’Muslim

May ALLAH forgive me if I have made any mistakes for everything good is from ALLAH and anything bad is from our own actions.

Jazak ALLAH.

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Re: The importance of Hijaab for Muslimahs

*"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts from sin and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their headcovers over their necks and bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women (i.e., their sisters in Islam), or their female slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants free of physical desires, or small children who have no sense of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah altogether, O you Believers, in order that you may attain success.[An-Nur, 24:31]
*
Exactly where does it say headcover in Arabic?
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Re: The importance of Hijaab for Muslimahs

Puchi Kuchi, thank you for the wonderful reminder. It is certainly very profound and I felt it was very powerful. Thank you for quoting numerous ayahs and ahadiths. It certainly helped.

I myself felt ashamed and certainly struck by the message delivered through the ayahs and ahadith. May Allah (SWT) help us all and forgive us all, ameen.

Please do continue to share such wonderful reminders with us.

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Exactly where does it say headcover in Arabic?

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u can get the arabic with translation here , at surah Nur 24 ,ayah 31

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Sister .... May Allah bless you for your neiah. You did a great job. Ofcource you cant convince some people no matter what u do . May Allah show all of us the right way ! Ameen!

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Re: The importance of Hijaab for Muslimahs

Perhaps PK would like the Taliban type of religious police to continue to do the good work in Pakistan.

Not to forget the jail term for beard trimmers & beheading.

Remember the Pak soccer team wearing shorts and the good muslims of Afganistan chopping their hair & sending them back to Pakistan

Back to the good old days, eh??!!

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Re: The importance of Hijaab for Muslimahs

I am merely stating what the importance of Hijaab in Islam is. I understand that things cannot be forced upon people and emaan grows over time, Islam WAS not spread by the sword it can only be spread by love patience and knowledge. You can’t force someone to do something without their will because there will not be any sincerity towards that action and it won’t be from inside, but you can teach the truth and its the free will of that person if they want to accept it.

Jazak ALLAH

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What exactly does this show? It is a page that just says headcovering for the translation. I asked you what is the word for headcover? you will find it is Khimar. What is its root..Kharnar. You will find it has nothing to do with headcovering.

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A lot of these are weak Hadith or translated to suit your own mind. Wear what you like, but dont tell anyone else to wear what you wear.

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Are you a scholar to say such things that Khimar does not mean head covering?

The following was an answer given to a question just like yours and answered by Sister Sahar El-Nadi, a member of Ask About Islam Editorial Staff.

Arabic Words Have Many Meanings

Arabic is a language very rich in shades of meaning for every word; translations often fail to do justice to Arabic verses for lack of appropriate vocabulary. Consequently, it is necessary, when addressing controversial issues, to look closely at the meaning of the Arabic words used in the original context. Let’s start from the meaning of the name of this religion: Islam.

Meaning of the Arabic Word Islam and How Muslims Regard Islamic Rules

Islam means total submission to Allah—in mind, heart, body, and soul—total acceptance of His laws and rules without doubts or arguments, total obedience to Him and His Messenger, and total refusal of shirk (associating anyone with Allah) in all its forms. The Qur’an states what means:

{It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error} (Al-Ahzab 33:36).

Muslims should not argue the commands, rules, or laws of Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him). They do not need proof from Allah for everything He asks of them. Their obedience is the mark of their true faith. In addition, Islam is a complete way of life that should be wholly adhered to by its followers. Thus, Muslims are not supposed to worship selectively, picking out whatever rules or rituals appeal to them and leaving the rest. Denying a basic Islamic rule or ritual is a serious sin.

Meaning of the Arabic Word Hijab

Hijab in Arabic means “barrier” or “screen” and thus it appears in various Qur’anic verses, referring to many things besides the woman’s head cover. For example:
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an that He only talks to humans from behind a hijab. The Qur’an says what means:
{It is not given to any human being that Allah should speak to him unless [it be] by revelation, or from behind a veil} (Ash-Shura 42:51).

The Virgin Mary worshipped behind a hijab:
{She placed a screen [to screen herself] from them} (Maryam 19:17).

And, on Judgment Day there will be a hijab between the residents of Paradise and the residents of Hell:
{And between them will be a [barrier] screen} (Al-A`raf 7:51).

In all these verses, the Arabic word hijab was used to mean different things. In this light, let’s ponder the logic of hijab.

The Qur’an teaches us to look around us with open eyes and minds, to think, rationalize, and reach logical conclusions. If we look at the universe, from the tiny atom to the huge celestial bodies, don’t we see how everything important or precious is protected and concealed with a cover? Think of the skin to the human body, the womb to the baby, the plasma wall to the cell, the bark to the tree trunks, the shell to the egg, even the entire planet we live on is enjoying the protection of a “hijab”—which we call the atmosphere—against the dangers of asteroids and harmful cosmic rays. Think how other planets—Mars for example— deprived of their “hijab” have suffered much harm.

Meaning of the Word Khimar in Arabic

The Arabic word khimar means “top-cover” and it also applies to many things besides women’s head covers. For example, it applies to the top covering a pot or jar, to any head cover worn by people even men. Notably, that’s where liquor and narcotics got their Arabic name khamr because they “cover” the reasoning when a person is intoxicated.

Khimar is the word used to prescribe the head cover of Muslim women in the verse you referred to. The Qur’an says what means:
{And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons…} (An-Nur 24:31).

The meaning apparent to the Arabic reader is that in the presence of men who are not mahrams to a Muslim women, she should wear a head cover that extends long enough to cover the bosom, not that only the bosom is covered. Another verse in Surat Al-Ahzab clarifies this further. The Qur’an says what means:
{O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons [when abroad]; that is most convenient, that they should be known [as such] and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful} (Al-Ahzab 33:59).

The Arabic word used here to indicate the cover is the plural of jilbab. Ibn Taymiyyah stated in Majmu` Al-Fatawa 22:110-111: “The jilbab is a cover which is large enough to cover the woman’s head and the rest of her body hanging from the top of her head.”

Further, the Qur’an instructs the Prophet’s Companions in words that mean:
{And when you ask [the Prophet’s wives] for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen} (Al-Ahzab 33:53).

The meaning of hijab in this verse is any object that conceals a woman such as a wall, a door, or clothes. The ruling of the verse, even though it was revealed concerning the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him), generally encompasses all Muslim women. This is because the wisdom behind the ruling is specified in the remainder of the verse. It says what means:
{that makes for greater purity for your hearts and theirs} (Al-Ahzab 33:53).

This wisdom is general among all men and women. Therefore the generality of the wisdom also indicates the general application of the rule as apparent in surah 33, verse 59 above.

Islam uplifted women, gave them equality, and expects them to maintain their status. The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media. The hijab or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the “subjugation” of women under Islamic law. Yet, the truth is that 1400 years ago, Islam recognized women’s rights in a way that grants them the utmost protection and respect as well, a combination other systems fail to offer. Islam granted them freedom of expression, political participation, business and financial rights, and asked the rest of society to hold them in high esteem and offer them due respect as mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters.

In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty first mentions lowering the gaze for men before lowering the gaze and wearing hijab for women. The Qur’an teaches us what means:
{Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do} (An-Nur 24:30).

The moment a man looks at a woman with any brazen or unashamed thought in mind, he should lower his gaze. The next verse of Surat An-Nur is the one commanding believing women to wear the hijab.

Islam expects women to maintain their status by following Allah’s rules designed for their advantage. Hijab is one such rule.

taken from islamonline

Jazak ALLAH

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You follow scholars blindly. I do not. Read what you copy and paste, does it make sense to you. It's really tiresome going through your errors and simplicity of understanding. This is what you say in your paste..

Meaning of the Word Khimar in Arabic

The Arabic word khimar means “top-cover” and it also applies to many things besides women’s head covers. For example, it applies to the top covering a pot or jar, to any head cover worn by people even men. Notably, that’s where liquor and narcotics got their Arabic name khamr because they “cover” the reasoning when a person is intoxicated.

Khimar refers to ay sort of cover. Not just one that cover the head. Ask an Arab, they will tell you the same thing. Now classical Arabic is the reason given. So you have to take the word of other men and women that it means head cover. This is up to you, but your claim it's Fard doesnt hold much water if you're relying on humans as your evidence.

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for those of you who dont understand the arabic in that verse about hijab…

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=5849&CATE=3600

please dont jusitify NOT wearing hijab especially if you dont understand ARABIC!! :slight_smile:

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lovely post btw :)

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Listen if you don’t believe wearing a Hijaab is part of islam then that’s up to you. I don’t know what kind of islam you follow when it’s pretty obvious it’s written in the Quran and demonstrated by the women at the time of RASULALLAH saw and in hadiths again and again.

I’m not forcing it down anyone’s throat and i’m no way telling people to wear it, it’s a reminder.

Also i’m not the one translating Hadiths as I am not an AALIM and i’m sure your not either so don’t go round telling me that wearing a Hijaab is not part of Islam Subhanallah, picking and choosing what to believe for my own whims and desires is not part of me, and I hope even if I do something wrong may ALLAH forgive me I want to at least be man enoough to admit it’s wrong rather than arguing against it.

I don’t want to argue anymore with you on the basis of whether it’s halal or Haram. I guess we got that clear that you think it is NOT FARD and I do, so leave it at that.

{And among mankind is he who disputes concerning Allah without knowledge of guidance or a Scripture giving light.} (22: 8).

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thanks for this...very interesting and got me to think:(

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I dont follow your sort of Islam probably. You can do what you like, I couldnt care less. I'm not forcing you to do anything. You're forcing other women to do other things by saying this and that is Fard. Let me reiterate, I could not give a damn what you do.

You have not shown anywhere in the Qu'ran where there is a command for women to cover their hair. Not one place. If so, explain it to me, IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Not a copy and paste. Explain the meaning of Khimar and its root, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, and explain what part of the root of Khimar means hair. Then explain where there is an explicit command to cover the hair, rather than using evidence to cover the bosoms as the command.

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I'm not forcing it down anyone's throat and i'm no way telling people to wear it, it's a reminder.

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It's mentally an attempt to make others feel guilty of it. Let's say I say that eating meat is bad for your kids health. Would you do it if you have kids? Probably not. Have I convinced you through manipulation, yes. Have I forced something onto you to change your lifestyle, you bet.!

[quote]

Also i'm not the one translating Hadiths as I am not an AALIM and i'm sure your not either so don't go round telling me that wearing a Hijaab is not part of Islam Subhanallah, picking and choosing what to believe for my own whims and desires is not part of me, and I hope even if I do something wrong may ALLAH forgive me I want to at least be man enoough to admit it's wrong rather than arguing against it.

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You're weak, which is fine. Weak and not very bright, which is fline also. Many people are, and I wish you good luck. I am also not translating things, I am questioning things, and noone can give an explanation of how Khimar means head, where it says to cover the hair etc etc.

[quote]

I don't want to argue anymore with you on the basis of whether it's halal or Haram. I guess we got that clear that you think it is NOT FARD and I do, so leave it at that.

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It's not halal or haraam, and I really dont want to argue or even talk to you, it's just when you go round spreading information like you do, it's kind of annoying.

[quote]

{And among mankind is he who disputes concerning Allah without knowledge of guidance or a Scripture giving light.} (22: 8).
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007.179
**YUSUFALI:* Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless. *

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Salaams Aleykum sister and Jzk for posting this

The person roadrunner, i dont much about him, but if he is a Muslim then can he please provide Islamic evidences for his points of view and what are the sources of Islam that he follows and which scholars from the past and today does he follow. I assume he is not a scholar, but if he is then i apologise and ask for the names of the scholars he studied with.

Keep up the good work all Muslims who post and discuss about Islam. I am really amazed at the number of views to my thread on hijab and the discussion which has ensued as a result. Allhamdul lillahi wa rabil almeen.

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if anyone has any doubt ( or whatsoever) about meaning of word KHIMAR ( reference of Ayah 31 in surah Nur 24) than please look for that in holy book of Quran (that u got)to justify it’s meaning/ translation/ explanation and u will come up with an approprite answer , that the meaning is any cover plus headcover … u can also use any search engine as well like google , yahoo to look for arabic word KHIMAR if u don’t know how to search than no problem i can provide u with the link ,

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one person is sharing info on why hijab is mandatory and it includes headcovering, and one is saying it does not include head covering. Let both state their point of view and do what you feel like.

just like one person has a right to post one perspective, the other has a right to post another perspective.

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Showkot, you're not very bright, and I am not interested in discussing with you.