The Virtues of Hijab

1) AN ACT OF OBEDIENCEThe Hijab is an act of obedience to Allah the Almighty and to HisMessenger Muhammad (PBUH).He 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 havedecreed a matter that they should havean option in their decision. Andwhoever disobeys Allah and HisMessenger, has indeed strayed in aplain error." (Qur'an 33:36)Allah the Almighty 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 noFaith, until they make you(Muhammad (PBUH)) a judge in alldisputes between them, and find inthemselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with fullsubmission." (Qur'an 4:65)Indeed,, Allah ordered that women must put on the Hijab(1).He (PBUH) 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 lowertheir gaze (from looking at forbiddenthings) and protect their private parts(from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and notto show off their adornment exceptwhat must (ordinarily) appear thereof,that they should draw their veils overtheir Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)." (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 notdisplay yourselves like that of the timesof Jahiliyeeyah (Pre-Islamic Paganism). " (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 wivesfor anything you want, ask them frombehind a screen." (Qur'an 33:53)The above Ayah (verse) does not apply only to the Prophet'swives but to all of the believing women. Carefully read the following saying of Allah (the Almighty):} ‏ 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 yourdaughters and the women of thebelievers to draw their cloaks (veils)over their bodies (when outdoors). Thatis most convenient that they should beknown and not molested."(2) (Qur'an 33:59)The Prophet (PBUH) said:" المَرأة عَوْرةَ ""The woman (i.e. any woman) is A'wrah (that is she must be covered).ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ(1)This is not something cultural. It is Allah's order. Its conditions are notArabian, Egyptian, Pakistani, Black or White American, etc. Itsconditions are specified in the Qur'an and Sunnah to provide a protectionand safeguarding of women. No one knows about what is good for menand women more than their Creator, Allah. His laws are Wise as it is thecase with all of His actions.(2) No one can ignore the molestation of women that exists in the so called"open" societies. The question is: why it is happening? The answerbegins to shape up when people think about the purpose behindcreation. Allah created us for the single purpose of worshipping Himalone. He detailed all the ways to fulfill this purpose in the LastRevelation to all mankind, the Qur'an. In it we can find how women andmen can safeguard their dignity, honor, and morality. The worship ofAllah is manifested in the following of His orders. Allah orders thatmen and women must avoid all the roads that lead to animalistic ways ofliving. The Hijab is one of Allah's commands. It is an honor andprotection for women as well as a true freedom for her body from thehands and eyes of aggressors and molesters.(2) THE HI JAB IS IFFAH (MODESTY):Allah (the Almighty) made the adherence to the Hijab a manifestationfor 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 yourdaughters and the women of thebelievers to draw their cloaks (veils)over their bodies (when outdoors). Thatis most convenient that they should beknown and not molested." (Qur'an 33: 59)In the above Ayah there is an evidence that the recognition ofthe apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When thecause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This isillustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lostevery aspect of attraction. Allah (SW) made it permissible forthem to lay aside their outer garments and expose their facesand hands reminding, however, that it is still better for them tokeep 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-bearingwho do not expect wed-lock, it is no sinfor them if they discard their (outer) insuch a way as not to show theiradornment; but it is best to be modestand Allah knows and sees all thingsprovided they do not make a display oftheir beauty; but it is best to be modestand Allah knows and sees allthings." (Qur'an 24:60)So how about young women? Clearly they must stay modestfind not display their beauty.(3) THE HIJAB IS TAHARA (PURITY)Allah (the Almighty) had shown us the Hikma (Wisdom) behind thelegislation of the Hijab:} ‏ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ‏‏{ [الأحزاب، 53]"And when you ask them (the Prophet'swives) for anything you want, ask themfrom behind a screen, that is purer foryour hearts and their hearts." (Qur'an 33:53)The Hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believingmen and women because it screens against the desire of theheart. 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) isvery much manifested. The Hijab cuts off the ill thoughts andthe 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 whoseheart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evildesire for adultery, etc.) should bemoved with desire, but speak in anhonorable manner." (Qur'an 33:32)(4) THE HIJAB IS A SHIELDThe Prophet (PBUH) said:"إنَّ الله حَييٌ سِتَّير يُحِبُّ السِتْر""Allah, Most High, is Ha'yeii(3), Sit'teer)4(, He loves Haya'(Bashfulness) and Sit'teer (Shielding; Covering)"(5).The Prophet (PBUH) 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 herhusband's home (to show off for unlawful purposes). hasbroken Allah's shield upon her"(6)The hadeeth demonstrates that depending upon the kind ofaction committed there will be either reward (if good) orpunishment (if bad).ــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ(3) Ha'yeii: Allah is Bashful: He does not unravel the acts of disobedienceby 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 doorof repentance opened for them. If, however, they become arrogant andpersist on the spread of evil, and disobedience, Allah certainly is All-Justin His infliction of punishment.(4) Sit'teer: Allah is Sit'teer: He provides means that shield against theuncovering of disobedient acts. The slaves commit acts of disobediencewhile Allah is providing them with many of His favors. He (the Almighty) 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 inIslam while at the same time calls him to repent. The Hijab is somethingbeloved by Allah because it is a shield against the spread of evilmanifested in the display of beauty to strangers.(5) Collected by Abu Dawoud, An-Nissa'ee, AI-Baihaqee, Ahmed, and inSaheeh An-Nissa'ee.(6) Collected by Abu Dawoud and At-Tirmidhi who said: it is a good hadeeth".(5) THE HIJAB IS TAQWAH (RIGHTEOUSNESS)Allah (the Almighty) says:} ‏ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ ‏‏{ [الأعراف، 26]"O Children of Adam! We havebestowed raiment upon you to coveryourselves (screen your private parts,etc.) and as an adornment. But theraiment of righteousness, that isbetter." (Qur'an 7:26)The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostlyfor show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of thewoman's body. To the believing women, however, the purposeis to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as amanifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah(righteousness ).(6)THE HIJAB IS EEMAN(BELIEF OR FAITH)Allah (the Almighty) did not address His Words about the Hijab exceptto the believing women, Al-Mo'minat:} ‏ وَقُل للمُؤمِناتِ ‏‏{ [النور،31]"And say (O Muhammad (PBUH) tothe believing women." (Qur'an 24: 31)In another Ayah Allah (the Almighty) also says:} ‏ ونِسآءِ المُؤمِنين‏‏{ الآية [الأحزاب،59]"And the believing women" (Qur'an 33: 59).A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), 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."(7)ــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ(7) Reported in "Ma'alim As-Sunnan" by Abu Suleiman Al-Khitabi in hisexplanation of Sunnan An-Nissa'ee V 4, p.376(7) THE HIJAB IS HAYA'(BASHFULNESS)The Prophet (PBUH) said:"إنَّ لِكُلَّ دين خُلُقاً، وخُلُقُ الإسلام الحياء""Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam ishaya' (bashfulness)."(8)He (PBUH) also said:"Bashfulness is from belief and belief is in Aj-Jannah(Paradise)."(9)Furthermore, he (PBUH) said:"الحياءُ والإيمانُ قُرِنا جميعاً، فإذا رُفِعَ أحَدُهُما رُفِعَ الآخر""Bashfulness and belief are fully associated together if one islifted the other follows suit."(10)The mother of the believers, A'isha said: "I used to enter theroom where the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and my fatherwere later buried in without having my garment on me,saying it is only my husband and my father". But when Umar(may Allah be pleased with him) was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I had my garment on being shy fromUmar (may Allah be pleased with him)."(11) The Hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.ــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ(8) Narrated by Imam Malik in his "Mu'wata" (2: 905-Arabic). The hadeethchain is Mursal i.e. the chain of narrators is disconnected at one point oranother. For example to say: "On the authority of A, on the authority ofB, on the authority of C that the Prophet said "...." . The hadeeth is19Mursal if for example C did not hear directly from the Prophet. In thecase of the above hadeeth, Ibin Habban connected the chain by two waysof narrators, both of them are weak.(9) collected by At-Tirmidhi who said it is: "a good and authentic hadeeth".(10) Narrated by Abdul'lah bin Umar as Related by Al-Hakim in his"Mustadrak" (1/22-Arabic) who said: "it is a good and authenticHadeeth….." and Al-Thahabi confirmed Al-Hakim on this.(11) As-Simt Ath'ameeen Fee Maniqib Ummahat Ul-Mu'mineen, p.91:ABook by Ibin As-Sakir that represents a collection of the great attributesof the Mothers of Believers (The wives of the Prophet-PBUH). Al-Hakim reported a similar narration and said that it is "good according tothe conditions of Imam Bukhari and Imam Mulslim", noting that bothImams did not discuss the chain of narration itself. Al- Thahabi had nocomment about Al-Hakim's narration.(8) THE HIJAB IS GHEERAH (to be Jealous over)The Hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah which is intrinsicin the straight man who does not like people to look at hiswife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drivesthe straight man to safeguard women who are related to himfrom strangers. The straight Muslim man has Gheerah for allMuslim women. Many in the world had lost this great moralaspect. In response to lust and desire men look (with desire) atother women while they do not mind that other men do thesame to their wives or daughters! In "free" societies you seemen sitting with strange women who are half-naked"enjoying" the scene! They introduce their wives to otherstrange men. Mutual looks here and there! Affairs develop andphone calls are exchanged. "Love affairs" destroys manyfamilies and children suffer most. What kind of "love" is this?The mixing of sexes and absence of Hijab kills the Gheerah inmen. The eyes "eat up" other men and women! The inner"justification" is: since I can look they can look. It's a " freechoice"!! Few are those who feel anything when they discovertheir wives have "affairs". They become numb!! No dignity !No honor! The bottom line is that in many societies of thismodern World the animalistic behaviors are becoming veryapparent.Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "It was related to me that you women used tocrowd the Kuffar (disbelieving men) from the non-Arabs inthe markets; don't you have Gheerah? There is no good in theone who does not have Gheerah."Islam considers Gherrah an integral part of faith .The dignityof the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must behighly respected and defended.