Another woman living in the West is occasionally asked about her manner of dress as she moves steadily in her long, dark garment that shields her against the tyranny of this life. Others around her rush frantically, but she moves with tranquillity and ease. The peace that is achieved beneath this veil of hers is immense. It is liberation beyond measure. In contrast she is not like the Western woman who wants the attention and focus of this life. This is because she is a Muslim woman, and a woman of hijab.
The sight of women covered form top to bottom, is not so rare anymore in the major cities of the West, yet many are still ignorant of its significance and the reason why women choose to adhere to such clothing. For others, it represents the oppression that Islam imposes upon women. For Muslim women however, it is the realisation that Islam will eventually reach every corner of this planet. Allah says in the Qur’an:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their
modesty, and not to display their adornments except that which appears ordinary
thereof, and to draw their veils over their necks and bosoms". (24:31)
Ever since the appearance of hijab in the west, there has been a constant crusade against this noble act. The hypocrisy of the western media has been evident for many years now, through its constant attacks on Islam and hijab. Despite these attempts, women in hijab are still on the increase. Hijab is an Arabic word which means to cover, conceal or hide oneself form the view of Ghair Mehrem (usually anyone you can marry e.g. your cousin) and it is an obligatory act. Allah says in the Qur’an:
"O Prophet! Tell you wives and daughters and all other believing women that they should cast their outer garments over themselves (when they go out or are among men). This is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims)" (33:39)
Also it is narrated in the hadith of Prophet (pbuh): Aisha reported that Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr entered into the presence of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) wearing thin transparent clothing. So the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) turned away from her saying: ‘O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it is not allowed that any of her should be seen except this’ and he pointed to his face and hands. (Abu Dawood)
The hijab must therefore cover the entire body of a woman. It is not a thin chiffon scarf which many women wear and with which they think they are fulfilling their Islamic obligation, a piece of transparent cloth on the head that does not conceal the hair which is exposed and is the cause of much strife in today’s society. The hijab must not be dazzling, thin, transparent or too colourful. In fact Islam has commanded the Muslim woman to wear the Khimar, (the veil or the head cover), and the Jilbab, (the wide dress) when outside her house.
Muslim women who choose to adhere to the Islamic dress code do so for no other reason other than to worship their Creator, Allah. They decide to submit to their Lord as He says:
"I have not created Jinn or Man except to worship Me." (51:56)
The ‘ideal’ modern woman however, does not follow the laws of the One who created her. Instead she lives in today’s society by the standard imposed on her by this society, and she does not have time to even think about whether or not it is the way she wants to dress. She is seen paraded naked on posters, billboards, television, magazines and newspapers. She is used as a cheap product to advertise make up, perfume, cars, clothes and now even ice creams. She is used by merchandise and traded in market places bought and sold but in a ‘civilised’ manner in the name of art, in the name of liberation and in the name of freedom. As the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stated, "In later generations of his ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (will look like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed."(Muslim)
In contrast one can witness that whilst such a woman thinks she is ‘free’, she is in fact subjected to the pressures and slavery of modern society. The Muslim woman is truly free from this.
The benefits of covering are many. A Muslim woman forces people to deal with her on a person-to-person level. She is known for her talents, intellect and personality only, not as "fat", "beautiful" or "a red head". She maintains dignity whilst the western woman is constantly being treated in a sexually degrading manner, and is expected to conform to the liberal fashions which appear daily. Hijab is the liberator from this slavery. It takes women away from the obedience of man, to the obedience of the Most Perfect - Allah.
Wearing the hijab is no futile action. A woman may go through much trial and tribulation because she has obeyed Allah. But the fulfilment of this action will never go unnoticed, as Allah says:
"Never will I allow to be lost the actions of any of you: whether male or female." (4:124)
Those women who seek to reject the laws of their Creator, and in turn submit to the oppression of man, for them their loss will be clear, as Allah says,
"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost." (3:85)
But those who seek to please Allah by obeying His commands through their actions, can be sure that this good will only bring more good, as He says:
"Is there any reward for good – other then goodness?" (55:60)
Ever since the appearance of hijab in the west, there has been a constant crusade against this noble act. The hypocrisy of the western media has been evident for many years now, through its constant attacks on Islam and hijab. Despite these attempts, women in hijab are still on the increase. Hijab is an Arabic word which means to cover, conceal or hide oneself form the view of Ghair Mehrem (usually anyone you can marry e.g. your cousin) and it is an obligatory act. Allah says in the Qur’an:
"O Prophet! Tell you wives and daughters and all other believing women that they should cast their outer garments over themselves (when they go out or are among men). This is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims)" (33:39)
Also it is narrated in the hadith of Prophet (pbuh): Aisha reported that Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr entered into the presence of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) wearing thin transparent clothing. So the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) turned away from her saying: ‘O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it is not allowed that any of her should be seen except this’ and he pointed to his face and hands. (Abu Dawood)
The hijab must therefore cover the entire body of a woman. It is not a thin chiffon scarf which many women wear and with which they think they are fulfilling their Islamic obligation, a piece of transparent cloth on the head that does not conceal the hair which is exposed and is the cause of much strife in today’s society. The hijab must not be dazzling, thin, transparent or too colourful. In fact Islam has commanded the Muslim woman to wear the Khimar, (the veil or the head cover), and the Jilbab, (the wide dress) when outside her house.
Muslim women who choose to adhere to the Islamic dress code do so for no other reason other than to worship their Creator, Allah. They decide to submit to their Lord as He says:
"I have not created Jinn or Man except to worship Me." (51:56)
The ‘ideal’ modern woman however, does not follow the laws of the One who created her. Instead she lives in today’s society by the standard imposed on her by this society, and she does not have time to even think about whether or not it is the way she wants to dress. She is seen paraded naked on posters, billboards, television, magazines and newspapers. She is used as a cheap product to advertise make up, perfume, cars, clothes and now even ice creams. She is used by merchandise and traded in market places bought and sold but in a ‘civilised’ manner in the name of art, in the name of liberation and in the name of freedom. As the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stated, "In later generations of his ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (will look like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed."(Muslim)
In contrast one can witness that whilst such a woman thinks she is ‘free’, she is in fact subjected to the pressures and slavery of modern society. The Muslim woman is truly free from this.
The benefits of covering are many. A Muslim woman forces people to deal with her on a person-to-person level. She is known for her talents, intellect and personality only, not as "fat", "beautiful" or "a red head". She maintains dignity whilst the western woman is constantly being treated in a sexually degrading manner, and is expected to conform to the liberal fashions which appear daily. Hijab is the liberator from this slavery. It takes women away from the obedience of man, to the obedience of the Most Perfect - Allah.
Wearing the hijab is no futile action. A woman may go through much trial and tribulation because she has obeyed Allah. But the fulfilment of this action will never go unnoticed, as Allah says:
"Never will I allow to be lost the actions of any of you: whether male or female." (4:124)
Those women who seek to reject the laws of their Creator, and in turn submit to the oppression of man, for them their loss will be clear, as Allah says,
"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost." (3:85)
But those who seek to please Allah by obeying His commands through their actions, can be sure that this good will only bring more good, as He says:
"Is there any reward for good – other then goodness?" (55:60)
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