The Pros and Cons of Fashion
The word ?fashion? has somehow gained notoriety without justification. In fact there is nothing wrong in being fashionable. Allah has placed the urge for good taste in our temperament. All inherent characteristics of human nature are therefore good. We have the will to utilize these natural urges and drives. It is only the incorrect use of this discretion which makes the person sinful and renders these inherent urges blameworthy. For example, when Allah bestows wealth on a person he is also vested with a tendency of spending it. And Allah causes it to grow when spent on something virtuous. The persons earns Paradise, which is the real goal. Such expenditure is also a source of peace and good repute in this world. But if the same urge is directed towards sinful things or is wasted, then instead of abundance, the wealth shrinks due to the withdrawal of blessings. Such extravagance causes difficulties in this world plus punishment in the hereafter. Similarly, wearing good clothes and offering prayers in them is praiseworthy.
The virtues of beauty have already been outlined, stating that Allah is beautiful and likes beauty, and that He likes to see the mark of the favours He has bestowed on the believers. If Allah blesses someone with clothes they should not be stored away. To earn Allah?s pleasure, they should be worn or else deposited for the hereafter (by giving them in charity). Hence one should wear nice clothes when offering prayers. Similarly, (to please Allah) wearing good clothes for one’s husband is also virtuous. But it is reprehensible if the same desire is applied for someone besides Allah. For example, displaying good clothes to express superiority over other women is blameworthy. The warnings about such ostentation have been stated previously.
The Prophet (sallallaho alaihi wasallam) has said: ?Whoever wears a dress of fame in this world, Allah will clothe him with a dress of humility on the Day of Resurrection, then set it afire.? And another hadith forewarns the person who raises hope after doing some good that others would appreciate and acknowledge his act, indulges in pride.
The Prophet (sallallaho alaihi wasallam) has said: ?He who has in his heart as much pride as a grain of mustard-seed will not enter Paradise.? Muslim transmitted it. (Mistake V.2, p. 1059).
Being in presence of non-mahrams (marriageable males) in an immodest dress, displaying one’s beauty, is sinful.
Allah, Most High, says:
?And stay in your homes, and do not make a display of yourselves like the displays of the times of ignorance.? (Quran 33:33).
This forbids women to display the shape of their body to non-mahrams (marriageable males) as that gives rise to evil thoughts in men. The necessity of protecting the society by adequate preventive measures against immorality is too obvious.
According to a hadith: ?The fornication of the eyes is in the (unlawful) gaze… the heart lusts and wishes, and the private parts accord with that or reject it.? (Mistake V.1, p. 25).
Women’s beauty is in their face as well as in the shape of their body. The secondary source of beauty lies in their clothes, especially when pervading perfume is also applied.
The Prophet (sallallaho alaihi wasallam) has said: ?When a woman perfumes herself and passes by people, she is such and such meaning an adulterous.? (Mistake V.1, p. 218).
In another hadith it is said: ?The prayers of a woman who has perfumed herself to go to the mosque is not accepted till she bathes as she would for sexual defilement.? Abu Dawud. (Mistake V.1, p. 218).
When the use of perfume is prohibited even while frequenting the mosques, how major a sin it must be to visit markets in this condition! Now if a pious lady goes in the public wearing clothes (to please herself or earning Allah?s pleasure) which reveal the shape of her body for being tight or due to their fine texture, the looks of men will fall on her. Her good intentions cannot prevent their gaze. Unlike the angels, non-mahrams are merely human, with the capacity of sinning. Furthermore, how many men lower their gazes while going about. Perhaps one in a thousand. All the rest look at her irrespective of how virtuous, pure and sincere her intention may be. The men become sinful because of her by committing fornication with her, (with their eyes and their hearts). Since she provides men with the opportunity of sinning, she is involved in their crime. According to a hadith, the one who sees and the one who is looked at are both cursed. Men alone would be sinful if they peep at her in the privacy of her house. So give this issue a serious thought. Watch, whether the devil has disguised this immodesty with ?good intentions??
According to a hadith, ?Modesty and faith are interrelated.? And in another hadith, it is said: ?Modesty is a part of faith.?
The relationship of modesty and faith implies that if one is taken away the other also disappears. How can a pious lady tolerate that someone should contemplate evil thoughts about her? Or how can parents bear that someone should even think of doing evil to their daughter? Just consider how commendable it is to speak tenderly and sweetly. However, due to the concern for women’s purity and protecting the hearts of men, Allah has prohibited women from talking to men in a tender voice (even from behind a curtain). According to a hadith, even the woman’s voice is to be concealed. Let alone her voice, even the jingle of her jewellery should be restrained. All these teachings are in the ahadith, and are stated for the religious and modest women, otherwise there is no admonishment for the senseless.
Allah has created both men and women, so He is fully aware of their psychological make-up, needs, and the things that are harmful. Thus He says:
?Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtile, the Aware.? (Quran