Meaning of Hijaab
Hijaab literally means screen, curtain, partition and
concealment. As a verb it means to conceal oneself from the view. In
Shari‘ah the word means to completely hide one’s self from the view of
the ghair mahram. (A man with whom marriage is permissible) The normal
and general rule of Hijaab is total seclusion and segregation
between males and females (non-mahrams).
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Meaning of Jilbaab
The Jilbaab is the outer sheet or cloak. At the time of the
noble Prophets e this sheet was so
large that two women would easily be covered by it. In the era of the
Holy Prophet e ladies used to wear the
Jilbaab in such a way that the cloak covered their entire person
from head to toe including the face.
The term "Yudneena" which literally means (they should lower
or draw down) that the cloak should be drawn over from above and lowered
in such a way that it covers the whole face, in addition to the body.
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Law of Hijaab
The law of Hijaab requires that the whole female body (from
head to feet, including the face) be concealed in the presence of ghair
mahram (with whom marriage is permissible).
A woman should not emerge from the house unnecessarily. If she has
to, due to some need, then she should cover her face and body with the
outer garment e.g. ‘Burqa’, so the face and shape of the body are
not exposed. It should be kept in mind that the outer garment should be
of simple quality and the eyes should be covered with a net or cloth so
as not to be a cause of attraction. The veil should not be put on in
such a way where the outer garment is of good quality or thin cloth or
wrapped round the face so the shape of the nose are exposed.
Allah says in the Holy Quran,
"Oh Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of
the believers to draw their cloaks (veil) 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. And Allah is ever Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful."
Abu Hurairah t reported Allah’s
messenger e having said this, "Two
kinds of people would be in the worst situation in Hell. First, those
officials who would carry with them whips looking like the tails of cows
and they would use them for whipping people. Secondly, those women who
would be naked despite wearing clothes (due to wearing see through and
tight clothes) who would attract strangers (men) towards them and will
themselves be attracted to them. Their heads will be on a side like the
humps of fast camels. They will neither enter Paradise nor would they
even smell the fragrance of Paradise which will reach for distances."(Abu
Daud)
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Clothing
1. The whole body, except for the exempted parts
should be covered.
2. Any veil which itself becomes an attraction is to
be avoided.
3. Garments should not be semi transparent.
4. Dress should not be tight fitting.
5. Garments should not be perfumed.
6. The form of dress should not in any way resemble
that of men.
7. It should not resemble that of non believers.
8. Garments should not reflect worldly honour. It is
not permissible for women to wear very fine and thin clothes i.e. muslin
etc. as it is to go naked. Women have been required and directed to keep
their body covered from head to foot. No part of her body should be
exposed before a non-mahram (un-permitted person).
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Hijaab from A Blind Person
Hazrat Umme Salmah radiyallahu anha narrates that once Hazrat
Maymoonah radiyallahu anha and I were in the presence of the Holy
Prophet e when Hazrat Abdullah Ibn
Maktoom t arrived and presented
himself to him. The Holy Prophet e
ordered "Veil yourselves from him." I replied, "O’ Prophet of Allah
e is he not blind and unable to see
us" The Holy Prophet e said, "Are you
both also blind? Are you not casting your sight upon him."
(Mishkat, Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Thus, we see the Prophet 
ordering his wives to observe Hijaab even in the presence of a
blind person. The above incident stands as proof of Hijaab in the
era of prophecy. How is it that as wrongdoers we can throw wild
accusations in the direction of the beloved Sahabiyat? May Allah
the almighty provide us with understanding and keep us safe from joining
the slanderers of this world. (Ameen)
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The veiling of the Face
The covering of the face was the standard and normal practice in the
time of the Holy Prophet .
On this regard Hazrat Aisha radhiallahu anha narrates that during
the occasion of Hajj- atul-wida when people passed along
side us, we would draw Hijaabs over our heads and faces, when
they (the people) had moved on we would open our face.
(Narrated by Abu Dawood).
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The Observance of Hijaab at Times of
Difficulty
Hazrat Qais Ibn Shammas t reports
that Umme Khallad radiyallahu anha came to the Holy Prophet
e to inquire about her son who had
been killed in one of the battles in the path of Allah. When she arrived
she had a veil covering her face. Upon seeing this one of the Companions
of the Holy Prophet
said: "How is it that even under such unfortunate conditions (in spite
of such grief and sorrow) you wear the Hijaab"
Hazrat Umme Khallad radhiallahu anha replied, "If I
have lost my son I should not lose my modesty" (should I lose them
both). Thus, The Prophet said, "Your son had the reward of two martyrs."
She asked, " Why?" The Prophet replied, "Because the Ahle kitab (The
people of the book) murdered him." (Abu Dawud)
All these narrations are sufficient to indicate that it is essential
for women to observe Hijaab in assuring that their attire confirms to
dictates of the Shariah.
Allah Alone knows best!
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How Should a Muslim Lady Dress?
The non-Muslims encourage the exposure and exhibition of the female
body regarding it as a great art. Public displays of female bodies in
magazines like Vogue are considered artistic developments. Careers like
modelling, acting, singing and dancing is short cuts for women to become
famous and rich. They design clothes for fashion, which hints at the
femininity of the woman and emphasises her figure. In other words, a
non-Muslim woman should be dressed to kill at all times. Perfume and
makeup should be her constant companions. She is dolled up to attract
the attention of the people around her so that she can be noticed,
admired and desired.
Islam on the other hand commands a woman to cover herself completely
so that she does not attract any attention. The Quran states in Surah
Ahzaab verse 59 "… O Nabi! Say to the believing women to draw over
them their outer garments (or cloaks) so that they be recognised and not
molested." Rasulullah e says in a
sahih Hadith, "Shame is a branch of Imaan." Rasulullah
e said that, 'A lady who dresses and
perfumes herself with the intention of creating interest in men is
according to the Shariah an adulteress and she will be punished
on the day of judgement for committing adultery or zina.' All the
prophets’ woman folk used to put on the outer cloaks, which are called
Burqah or jilbab. The Quranic verses and the prophet’s
Ahaadith apply to all Muslims regardless of the generation they are born
in not only for the times of the prophet e.
The outer cloaks is of dull colour and extremely loose so that the
Muslim lady is fully covered from head to toe and does not draw any
attention femininity when she is outdoors. However, she can dress as she
pleases for her husband indoors.
The kuffaar say that Islam has enslaved its women by enforcing
them to stay in their homes and cover themselves when they come out. How
very wrong they are! What have the kuffaar given their women;
prizes for displaying their bodies and exposing them to the risk of rape
and molestation. Insecurity of losing their husbands to beautiful
mistresses. Constant battle with nature to look young and pretty enough
to keep your man with you! On the contrary, Islam elevates its women to
the peak of respect and saves a woman from disgrace and humiliation,
giving her a chance to be treated like an honourable human being and not
a mere sex object for the lustful desires of bestial miscreants.
No doubt, we can adopt from the kuffar beneficial technology but
should not be led into believing that their culture is better than ours
is because it is definitely not! So when the kuffaar and the
unfortunately misled Muslims laugh at the covered Muslims ladies,
calling them backward and fanatical, we can educate them on the
advantage of covering ourselves. Not only will he gain true satisfaction
and peace of heart by following the truth, but we will also gain the
pleasure of our Rabb who in turn he will reward us very
handsomely for not forgetting the teachings of Islam, even after fifteen
centuries after Rasulullah e death.
All the innocent Muslims who have strayed from the commands of Islam
should know that the kuffar also lose their respect for us when they see
us abandoning our culture and fumbling like sheep trying hard to make
ourselves at home in their alien and immoral society. Allah says in
surah Asr…. "By the time man is in loss, except those who believe".
Just when will he start believing and prevent himself from incurring
more loss and ruin? Rasulullah e has
said, "He who imitates a nation will be raised with the kufar and be
thrown into the depths of hell with them?
I hope that with this article Muslim women will he able to decide for
themselves what sort of life they want in this world, and how they want
to be treated on the day of judgement.
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once suggested that the wives of the Holy Prophet