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The
Virtues of Hijab
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 honourable 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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