Hijab, Women choice not oppression, hijab, virtues of hijab, women in Islam

The Virtues of Hijab

NerdOfIslam September 18, 2022

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. Please learn from and enjoy The Virtues of Hijab.

Extraordinary consideration has been given by the Islamic Law to women’s affairs, all meant to protect her chastity, to honor her and to secure her position in life. The so called “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 humiliation.

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AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE
THE HIJAB IS IFFAH (MODESTY)
THE HIJAB IS TAHARA (PURITY)
THE HIJAB IS A SHIELD
THE HIJAB IS TAQWAH (RIGHTEOUSNESS)
THE HIJAB IS EEMAN(BELIEF OR FAITH)
THE HIJAB IS HAYA‘ (BASHFULNESS)
THE HIJAB IS GHEERAH

One of the means of this protection is the HIJAB. The characteristics of the Hijab are discussed, 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’ruj (display of beauty).

It comes at a time when more women are throwing away their revealing clothes, and wearing the Hijab. This comes at a time when Muslim women wearing Hijab are attacked in “civilized” Europe (2)! and in France and India (3) Muslim women are prevented from wearing the head scarf / 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.

(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 Paradise
(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.!!!

THE VIRTUES OF HIJAAB

(1) AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE

The Hijab is an act of obedience to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) (4) and to His Messenger Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم (5)

He (سبحانه و تعالى) says:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا

“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 (سبحانه و تعالى) also says:

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

“But no by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) 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 (سبحانه و تعالى) says:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ

“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 الْأُولَىٰ

“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 مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ

“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 (سبحانه و تعالى):

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. (9) (Qur’an 33:59)

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said:

“The woman (i.e. any woman) is A’wrah (10)”, that is she must be covered.

(4) Subhanahu Wata’ala, Most Glorified and Most High is He.

(5) صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم: Salla Allahu Alaihi 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 the case 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.

(10) 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-Suyouti hinted that it is authentic.

(2) THE HIJAB IS IFFAH (MODESTY):

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) made the adherence to the Hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

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 (سبحانه و تعالى) 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 أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍ ۖ وَأَن يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“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 (سبحانه و تعالى) had shown us the Hikma (Wisdom) behind the legislation of the Hijab:

وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ

“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:

تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا

“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 (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said:

“Allah, Most High, is Ha’yeii (11), Sit’teer (12), He loves Haya’ (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)”(13).

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) also 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” (14)

The hadeeth demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

(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 (سبحانه و تعالى) 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” .

(5) THE HIJAB IS TAQWAH (RIGHTEOUSNESS)

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ

“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 (سبحانه و تعالى) did not address His Words about the Hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mu’minat:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ

“And say (O Muhammad (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) to the believing women.” (Qur’an 24: 31)

In another Ayah Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) also says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

“And the believing women” (Qur’an 33: 59).

A’isha (Radiya Allahu anha)(15)) the wife of the Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم), 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)

(15) 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

(7) THE HIJAB IS HAYA‘ (BASHFULNESS)

The Prophet (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said:

“Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya’ (bashfulness).” (17)

He (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) also said:

“Bashfulness is from belief and belief is in Al-Jannah (Paradise).”(18)

Furthermore, he (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) said:

“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 (صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم) 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 (radi Allaahu anhu) was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I had my garment on being shy from Umar (radi Allaahu anhu).”(20) The Hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

(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 Ibn As-Sakir that represents a collection of the great attributes of the Mothers of Believers (The wives of the Prophet-صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم). AlHakim 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.

(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 (radi Allaahu anhu) 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 Gheerah? There is no good in the one who does not have Gheerah.”

Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith .The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

Source: Posted from the e-Book: The Hijab .. Why? by Muhammad Bin Ahmad Bin Ismail Al-Mokadam | Dr. Saleh As-Saleh [PDF]