One day a sheikh with his wife in Hijab and a non Muslim were traveling together in the train.
The non Muslim asked the sheikh: "Why do you people cover your wife from head to toe?"
The sheikh started thinking... suddenly he took a fruit from his pocket cut it half with knife.
The sheikh asked the non Muslim: "Do you know what this is?"
The non Muslim responded: "hmmm...yum yum...Yes I know, this is a delicious fruit.
The sheikh then replied: "No....this is my fruit, while it was in my pocket your mouth didn't water but as soon as I took it out and cut it, you wanted to taste it, similarly when a woman is covered from head to toe, no one will think about her but if she removes her Hijab then every one will desire her.
What is the correct Hijab of a Muslim woman? Why should we wear it and how should we wear it?
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (Jilbab) all over their bodies. 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" [Noble Quran 33:59]
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts from sin and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their head covers over their necks and bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women (i.e., their sisters in Islam), or their female slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants free of physical desires, or small children who have no sense of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah altogether, O you Believers, in order that you may attain success." [Noble Quran 24:31]
Definition and Description of the Jilbab (Over Garment):
The non Muslim asked the sheikh: "Why do you people cover your wife from head to toe?"
The sheikh started thinking... suddenly he took a fruit from his pocket cut it half with knife.
The sheikh asked the non Muslim: "Do you know what this is?"
The non Muslim responded: "hmmm...yum yum...Yes I know, this is a delicious fruit.
The sheikh then replied: "No....this is my fruit, while it was in my pocket your mouth didn't water but as soon as I took it out and cut it, you wanted to taste it, similarly when a woman is covered from head to toe, no one will think about her but if she removes her Hijab then every one will desire her.
What is the correct Hijab of a Muslim woman? Why should we wear it and how should we wear it?
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (Jilbab) all over their bodies. 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" [Noble Quran 33:59]
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts from sin and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their head covers over their necks and bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women (i.e., their sisters in Islam), or their female slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants free of physical desires, or small children who have no sense of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah altogether, O you Believers, in order that you may attain success." [Noble Quran 24:31]
Definition and Description of the Jilbab (Over Garment):
The Jilbab is defined as the covering with which a woman wraps around her body on top of her regular household garments to cover herself from head to toe, and is intended to completely hide the shape of her body.
The Jilbab has been mentioned in ayah 33:59 above. This ayah orders Muslim women to draw their outer garments about themselves when they go out.
How the Salaf (Early Companions) & Other Scholars Defined Jilbab:
Ibn Mas'ud said, "Jilbab is that sheet of cloth which is worn on top of the scarf."
Ibn `Abbas said concerning the description of the Jilbab that "it is to be fully wrapped around the women's body, so that nothing appears but one eye with which she can see." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
Al-Qurtubi defined it as "a cloth which covers the entire body..."
Ibn Al-Hazm said: The word Jilbab means the outer sheet which covers the entire body. A sheet smaller than that which would cover the entire body, cannot be categorized as Jilbab. [al-Muhalla, Vol 3. Pg. 217]
Muhammad bin Sireen: "When I asked Ubaydah bin Sufyan bin al-Harith the meaning of this verse and how the Jilbab was to worn, he demonstrated it to me by pulling a sheet of cloth over his head to cover his entire body, leaving the left eye uncovered. This was also the explanation of the word 'Alaihinna in this verse" [Commentary by Ibn Jarir and Ahkam-ul-Quran, Vol.III, p .457 ]
Umm Salamah narrated that: When the verse, "That they should draw their over garments (Jalabib) close around them" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing over garments (Jalabib).
Al-Qurtubi, explains: "Women in the past (i.e. before the ayahs concerning covering properly were revealed) used to cover their heads with the Khimar, throwing its ends over their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, in the manner of the Christians. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the Khimar."
Hence, the Khimar must fully cover not only the hair, but the neck, the shoulders and the chest.
Allah states further in An-Nur, 24:31:
"...And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment." [Noble Quran 24:31]
The women in the time of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) wore anklets which were used to attract attention by stamping their feet and making the anklets jingle. This shows not only that this practice (of stamping the feet to draw attention), is forbidden by Allah, but also that the legs and ankles must be covered as well.
Regarding the feet, this is clarified in the following Hadith from Ibn 'Umar who reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at the man who trails his garment along out of pride. Umm Salamah then asked: What should women do with (the hems of) their garments? He replied: Let them lower them a hand span. She said: Their feet would be exposed! He (Peace be upon him) then said: Let them lower them a forearm's length but no more." [Reported by At-Tabarani]
So it is clear that the dress worn in public must cover the entire body (including the feet) except what has been specifically excluded.
Therefore, from the above proofs from the Quran, the Sunnah and the Statements of the Salaf of this Ummah, we can conclude that a Jilbab or an outer garment or cloak of some type must be worn by a Muslim woman over her normal clothes whenever she goes out in public or if she is in the presence of strangers (i.e., men that are not a Mahram for her) within her own home or the home of a close relative and that simply covering the hair with a headscarf along with normal clothing is not sufficient.
Garments such as the Abaya, the chador, a cloak or other similar loose garments that are worn can also be defined as a "Jilbab" as well as any combination of clothing that covers as a single over garment (such as the Abaya) does and if one has to wear normal clothing should be as loose not to display the shape of her body.
The Jilbab Must be Sufficiently Thick and Loose:
The Jilbab should be thick and opaque so as not to display the skin color and loose enough so as not to reveal the shape and size of the woman's body beneath it.
We find a very severe warning against wearing clothing that is transparent or tight fitting in the following Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah who said that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "I will not be a witness for two types of people who are destined for the fire: people with whips, like the tails of cows, who beat the people (i.e. tyrants who are the enemies of their own people) and women who, although clothed, are yet naked seducing and being seduced, their hair style like the tilted humps of camels. These will not enter the paradise nor will its fragrance reach them although its fragrance reaches a very great distance" [Muslim]
The Scholars have interpreted the Prophet's (pbuh) statement "although clothed, are yet naked" as meaning a woman wearing clothes that do not cover her body properly.
Al-Qurtubi reports a narration from `Ayshah that some women from Banu Tamim came to see her, wearing transparent clothing. `Ayshah said to them: "If you are believing women, these are not the clothes of believing women."
Further proof that the Jilbab should be both sufficiently loose and thick can also be found in the following Hadith from Usamah ibn Zaid who said:
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) gave me a gift of thick Coptic cloth he had received as a gift from Dahiah Al-Kalbi, and so I gave it to my wife. Thereafter the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked me: Why didn't you wear the Coptic cloth? I replied: 'I gave it to my wife.' The Prophet (Peace be upon him) then said: Tell her to wear a thick gown under it (the Coptic garment) for I fear that it may describe the size of her limbs. [Narrated by Ahmad, Al-Baihaqi, and Al-Hakim]
So, from this, we can conclude that a skin-tight body suit or blue jeans (for example) which may conceal the skin color, are nonetheless lacking as proper Hijab because they still reveal the size and shape of the body. Additionally, a Jilbab that may be sufficiently loosely fitting, but is transparent, would also be lacking because it is not opaque and thick and would reveal the skin color of the woman.
Color Must Not Be Alluring and Should Not Have Attractive Designs:
The Hijab is intended to conceal the woman and her beauty from public view and should not be a thing which actually enhances her beauty or draws attention. Therefore, the Jilbab should not have bright colors, eye-catching decorations nor have a glossy and/or reflective fabric that will draw the attention of the opposite sex.
The Proof for this is as follows Allah says:
"...And do not make a display of yourselves like the displaying of the ignorance of long ago..." [Noble Quran 33:33]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"Do not prevent the female slaves of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah, but let them go out unadorned." [Abu Dawud]
So, the Muslim woman is encouraged to wear soft, somber colors and to avoid Jilbabs that contain bright designs, patterns, images, bright colors or any other thing which draws attention. Additionally, the Jilbab should not be adorned with jewelry and/or perfume. Many women wear black, not because it is obligatory, but because it is the most somber color and farthest removed from being an adornment.
The following report from Abu Dawud indicates that the women of the Sahabah used to wear black in which 'Ayshah said: "After this Ayah (Al- Ahzab, 33:33) was revealed the women of the Ansar appeared like crows." The scholars have interpreted part of the meaning of "appeared like crows" as meaning that their Jilbabs were plain and black.
Also, over garments that could be considered to be extravagant dress of high status, or something worn as a status symbol, like an expensive brand to be shown off should also be avoided in accordance with Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said:
"He who wears extravagant clothing in this world will be dressed in humiliating clothes on the day of judgment" [Ahmad Abu Dawud]
Must Not Resemble Men's Clothing:
A Muslim woman's clothes must not resemble men's clothing (and vice versa).
The Messenger (pbuh) said:
"Allah curses those men who imitate the women, and He curses those women who imitate the men." [Al-Bukhari]
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"The man who resembles a woman and the woman who resembles a man is not from us" [Ahmad and At-Tabarani]
Must Differ from the Clothing of Kuffar:
A Muslim's clothing must not resemble the clothing of unbelievers. This is a general ruling of the Shari'ah which not only includes dress but manners, religious practices and festivals, and other customs and traditions that are exclusive to the Kuffar.
'Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`Aas said: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) saw me wearing two saffron-colored garments, so he said:
"Indeed, these are the clothes of Kuffar (unbelievers), so do not wear them." [Sahih Muslim]
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) stated:
"Whoever resembles a people is one of them." [Abu Dawud]
Al-Qurtubi defined it as "a cloth which covers the entire body..."
Ibn Al-Hazm said: The word Jilbab means the outer sheet which covers the entire body. A sheet smaller than that which would cover the entire body, cannot be categorized as Jilbab. [al-Muhalla, Vol 3. Pg. 217]
Muhammad bin Sireen: "When I asked Ubaydah bin Sufyan bin al-Harith the meaning of this verse and how the Jilbab was to worn, he demonstrated it to me by pulling a sheet of cloth over his head to cover his entire body, leaving the left eye uncovered. This was also the explanation of the word 'Alaihinna in this verse" [Commentary by Ibn Jarir and Ahkam-ul-Quran, Vol.III, p .457 ]
Umm Salamah narrated that: When the verse, "That they should draw their over garments (Jalabib) close around them" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing over garments (Jalabib).
Al-Qurtubi, explains: "Women in the past (i.e. before the ayahs concerning covering properly were revealed) used to cover their heads with the Khimar, throwing its ends over their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, in the manner of the Christians. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the Khimar."
Hence, the Khimar must fully cover not only the hair, but the neck, the shoulders and the chest.
Allah states further in An-Nur, 24:31:
"...And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment." [Noble Quran 24:31]
The women in the time of Jahiliyyah (ignorance) wore anklets which were used to attract attention by stamping their feet and making the anklets jingle. This shows not only that this practice (of stamping the feet to draw attention), is forbidden by Allah, but also that the legs and ankles must be covered as well.
Regarding the feet, this is clarified in the following Hadith from Ibn 'Umar who reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at the man who trails his garment along out of pride. Umm Salamah then asked: What should women do with (the hems of) their garments? He replied: Let them lower them a hand span. She said: Their feet would be exposed! He (Peace be upon him) then said: Let them lower them a forearm's length but no more." [Reported by At-Tabarani]
So it is clear that the dress worn in public must cover the entire body (including the feet) except what has been specifically excluded.
Therefore, from the above proofs from the Quran, the Sunnah and the Statements of the Salaf of this Ummah, we can conclude that a Jilbab or an outer garment or cloak of some type must be worn by a Muslim woman over her normal clothes whenever she goes out in public or if she is in the presence of strangers (i.e., men that are not a Mahram for her) within her own home or the home of a close relative and that simply covering the hair with a headscarf along with normal clothing is not sufficient.
Garments such as the Abaya, the chador, a cloak or other similar loose garments that are worn can also be defined as a "Jilbab" as well as any combination of clothing that covers as a single over garment (such as the Abaya) does and if one has to wear normal clothing should be as loose not to display the shape of her body.
The Jilbab Must be Sufficiently Thick and Loose:
The Jilbab should be thick and opaque so as not to display the skin color and loose enough so as not to reveal the shape and size of the woman's body beneath it.
We find a very severe warning against wearing clothing that is transparent or tight fitting in the following Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah who said that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "I will not be a witness for two types of people who are destined for the fire: people with whips, like the tails of cows, who beat the people (i.e. tyrants who are the enemies of their own people) and women who, although clothed, are yet naked seducing and being seduced, their hair style like the tilted humps of camels. These will not enter the paradise nor will its fragrance reach them although its fragrance reaches a very great distance" [Muslim]
The Scholars have interpreted the Prophet's (pbuh) statement "although clothed, are yet naked" as meaning a woman wearing clothes that do not cover her body properly.
Al-Qurtubi reports a narration from `Ayshah that some women from Banu Tamim came to see her, wearing transparent clothing. `Ayshah said to them: "If you are believing women, these are not the clothes of believing women."
Further proof that the Jilbab should be both sufficiently loose and thick can also be found in the following Hadith from Usamah ibn Zaid who said:
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) gave me a gift of thick Coptic cloth he had received as a gift from Dahiah Al-Kalbi, and so I gave it to my wife. Thereafter the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked me: Why didn't you wear the Coptic cloth? I replied: 'I gave it to my wife.' The Prophet (Peace be upon him) then said: Tell her to wear a thick gown under it (the Coptic garment) for I fear that it may describe the size of her limbs. [Narrated by Ahmad, Al-Baihaqi, and Al-Hakim]
So, from this, we can conclude that a skin-tight body suit or blue jeans (for example) which may conceal the skin color, are nonetheless lacking as proper Hijab because they still reveal the size and shape of the body. Additionally, a Jilbab that may be sufficiently loosely fitting, but is transparent, would also be lacking because it is not opaque and thick and would reveal the skin color of the woman.
Color Must Not Be Alluring and Should Not Have Attractive Designs:
The Hijab is intended to conceal the woman and her beauty from public view and should not be a thing which actually enhances her beauty or draws attention. Therefore, the Jilbab should not have bright colors, eye-catching decorations nor have a glossy and/or reflective fabric that will draw the attention of the opposite sex.
The Proof for this is as follows Allah says:
"...And do not make a display of yourselves like the displaying of the ignorance of long ago..." [Noble Quran 33:33]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"Do not prevent the female slaves of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah, but let them go out unadorned." [Abu Dawud]
So, the Muslim woman is encouraged to wear soft, somber colors and to avoid Jilbabs that contain bright designs, patterns, images, bright colors or any other thing which draws attention. Additionally, the Jilbab should not be adorned with jewelry and/or perfume. Many women wear black, not because it is obligatory, but because it is the most somber color and farthest removed from being an adornment.
The following report from Abu Dawud indicates that the women of the Sahabah used to wear black in which 'Ayshah said: "After this Ayah (Al- Ahzab, 33:33) was revealed the women of the Ansar appeared like crows." The scholars have interpreted part of the meaning of "appeared like crows" as meaning that their Jilbabs were plain and black.
Also, over garments that could be considered to be extravagant dress of high status, or something worn as a status symbol, like an expensive brand to be shown off should also be avoided in accordance with Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said:
"He who wears extravagant clothing in this world will be dressed in humiliating clothes on the day of judgment" [Ahmad Abu Dawud]
Must Not Resemble Men's Clothing:
A Muslim woman's clothes must not resemble men's clothing (and vice versa).
The Messenger (pbuh) said:
"Allah curses those men who imitate the women, and He curses those women who imitate the men." [Al-Bukhari]
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"The man who resembles a woman and the woman who resembles a man is not from us" [Ahmad and At-Tabarani]
Must Differ from the Clothing of Kuffar:
A Muslim's clothing must not resemble the clothing of unbelievers. This is a general ruling of the Shari'ah which not only includes dress but manners, religious practices and festivals, and other customs and traditions that are exclusive to the Kuffar.
'Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`Aas said: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) saw me wearing two saffron-colored garments, so he said:
"Indeed, these are the clothes of Kuffar (unbelievers), so do not wear them." [Sahih Muslim]
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) stated:
"Whoever resembles a people is one of them." [Abu Dawud]
We sincerely ask Allah by His Infinite Mercy to unite our hearts upon His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger (pbuh) and make us firm in our efforts to spread His Deen. Indeed Allah is The One with the ability to do that. Ameen... And our final Du'a is All Praise to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds...
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