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1.An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his
prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur'an: `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.' (S33:36).
Allah also said: '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.'(S24:31).
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.
2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the
hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah
says: 'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters
and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks
(veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most
convenient that they should be known and not molested.'
(S33:59). In the above Ayaah 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 (swt) made it permissible for them
to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces
and hands reminding, however, that is still better for
them to keep their modesty.
3.The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind
the legislation of the hijab: `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.' (S33:53).
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:
`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.' (S33:32)
4.The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said: "Allah, Most High, is
Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He
loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."
The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who takes
off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to
show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's
shield upon her. "The hadith demonstrates that
depending upon the kind of action committed there will
be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).
5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: `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.'(S7:26).
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 Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab
except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many
cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing
women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh),
addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who
came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they
were improperly dressed: "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. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each
religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is
haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and
belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits
the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature
of women.
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 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. The mixing of sexes and
absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. 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.
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