Women's Dress Requirements
Looseness
The dress must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of a woman's body. A highly desirable way and commandment of Allah (SWT) of concealing the shape of a woman's figure is to wear a cloak over the garment. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) 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! (Al-Ahzab 33:59)
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba: Aisha (RA) used to say:
"When (the Verse): 'They should draw their veils over their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms,' was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waiste sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Thickness
The dress should be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers, or the shape of the body which it is supposed to hide.
Overall Appearance
The dress should not be such that it attracts men's attention to the woman's beauty with its design, flashiness of fabric or style. Dark colors should be worn.
In addition, Muslims should have their distinct personality and should differentiate their practices and appearances from non-Muslims. The dress should not be similar to what is known as male dress or apparel.
"Allah's Messenger (SAW) cursed the man who put on women's clothes and the woman who put on men's clothes."
It should not be a dress of fame, pride and vanity. Such fame may be sought by wearing excessively fancy dress as a status symbol, or an excessively ragged dress to gain others' admiration of one's selflessness. Both motives are improper by Islamic standards.
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bossoms and not display their beauty 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, or the slaves whom their right hands posess, or male servants free of sexual desires, or small children who have no carnal knowledge of women; or that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah in repentance, that ye may be successful. (Al Nur 24:31)
BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT ONE WEARS
Each person will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection for what clothing they wore. The person will be asked about his wealth and where he acquired it from and what he spent it on. This is stated in a Hadith. - Shaikh Ibn Baz
THE ISLAMIC HIJAB
"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way)…" (Al-Ahzab 33:59)
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba: Aisha (RA) used to say,
"When (the verse): ‘They should draw their veils over their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms,’ was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Hadith No. 282).
The above Ayat in Al-Ahzab along with the Hadith of Aisha (RA) clearly proves that it is required for a Muslim woman to cover herself from head to toe as stated in the following Fatawa given by Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin:
The Islamic hijab is for the women to cover everything that is forbidden for her to expose. That is, she covers everything that she must cover. The first of those bodily parts that she must cover is her face. It is the source of temptation and the source of people desiring her. Therefore, the woman must cover her face in front of those men that are not Mahram (i.e. father, huband, etc.).
As for those who claim that Islamic hijab is to cover the head, shoulders, back, feet, shin and forearms while allowing her to uncover her face and hands, this is a very amazing claim. This is because it is well-known that the source of temptation and looking is the face. How can one say that the Shariah does no allow the exposure of the foot of the woman while it allows her to uncover her face?
It is not possible that there could be in the Esteemed, Wise and Noble Shariah a contradiction. Yet everyone knows that the temptation from uncovering the face is much greater than the temptation that results from the uncovering of the feet. Everyone also knows that the most sought after aspect of the woman for men is the face. If you told a prospective groom that a woman’s face is ugly but her feet are beautiful, he would not propose to such a woman.
However, if you told him that her face was beautiful but her hands, palms, or shins were less than beautiful, he would still propose to her. From this one can conclude that the face is the first thing that must be covered.
There are also evidences from the Book of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of our Prophet (SAW). There are also statements from the Companions, the leading Imams and the great scholars of Islam that indicate that it is obligatory for the woman to cover all of her body in the presence of non-Mahram men. This obviously indicates that it is obligatory upon the woman to cover her face in front of such men. - Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin
Is it legally permissible for a woman to uncover in front of her husband’s brothers or cousins?
First, the brothers and cousins of the husband are not Mahram for his wife simply because they are his brothers or cousins. Therefore, it is not allowed for his wife to uncover in front of them what she cannot uncover in front of non-Mahram men. This is true even if they are very pious and trustworthy. Allah (SWT) has delineated whom a woman may expose her beauty to in verse Al-Nur 24:31.
Therefore, neither the brothers of the husband, nor the children of the brothers of the husband, nor the husband’s cousins are from that group, even though they are related to him. Allah (SWT) makes no distinction in this matter between pious people and others. This is safer for the honor of people. It also blocks the road to sin and evil. It is confirmed in an authentic Hadith that the Prophet (SAW) was asked about the male-in-laws and he (SAW) said,
"The in-laws are death." (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Ruling Concerning a Muslim Woman Praying without Hijab
If a woman who does not wear hijab is forced to pray or if her hijab is not in accordance with the Shariah, for example, some of her hair on her shin is exposed for some reason, what is the ruling?
First, it is necessary that one realize that hijab is obligatory upon women. It is not allowed for her to abandon it or be lackadaisical towards it. If the time for prayer comes and the woman is not properly attired or properly covered, then her situation may be broken down into the following cases: If she is not wearing hijab or is not properly covered due to circumstances forcing her to be in that state (Here the Shaikh is referring to situations where women are not allowed to wear hijab in public, at work or in school. Unfortunately, this situation exists today in some Muslim countries), then she prays in the situation that she is in. Her prayer will then be valid and there will be no sin upon her. This is based on Allah's statement,
"Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope" (Al-Baqarah 2:286)
Allah (SWT) also says,
"So keep your duty to Allah (and fear Him) as much as you can"
(Al-Taghabun 64:16)
However, if the woman is not wearing hijab or is not properly covered out of a voluntary choice, such as following the customs or mode of the people, and the lack of hijab here means not covering her face and hands, then her prayer is correct. But she is committing a sin if she is doing that in the presence of men that she is not related to.
Furthermore, if she is uncovering her shin, forearms, hair on her head and so forth, then it is not permissible for her to pray in that state. If she prays in that state, her prayer is not valid. And she is committing a sin on two counts.
First, she is sinful because she is not covering herself in general. Second, she is sinful for performing the prayer in that state. - Shaikh ibn Baz
Ruling Concerning Women Covering Their Hands and Feet During The Prayer
What is the ruling concerning covering hands and feet in the prayer? Is it obligatory upon a woman or is it allowed for her to uncover them, in particular, if there are no non-related men around her of if she is in a group of women?
As for the face, it is Sunnah for her to uncover it during the prayer if there are no non-related men around her. As for the feet, it is obligatory upon her to cover them according to the majority of the scholars. Some scholars allow the feet to be uncovered but the majority say it is prohibited to uncover them and she must cover them. Abu Dawud (RA) recorded that Umm Salama (RA) was asked about a woman praying in a headcovering and long gown and she said,
"There is no harm in that as long as the gown covers the top of her feet."
So covering the feet is better and safest under all cirumstances. As for the hands, their situation is simpler. If she uncovers them, there is no harm. Some scholars say it is better to cover them. And from Allah (SWT) comes guidance to the correct path. - Shaikh ibn Baz
Ruling Concerning Praying While Wearing Gloves
There is no harm in a woman praying while wearing gloves since she has been ordered to cover herself in the prayer, except for her face when there are no non-related men around. Wearing gloves covers the hands. If, however, she covers the hands with her outer garments, that is sufficient. If non-related men are around then she must cover her face as well as the rest of the body. As for men, it is not sanctioned for them to cover their hands in the prayer, not with gloves or anything else. In fact, the Sunnah is for them to directly touch with the skin of their hands and face the places of their prayer, in imitation of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and his Companions. - Shaikh ibn Baz
"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when out of doors): That is most convient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful."(Al-Ahzab 33:59)
Islam has great respect for the chastity of women. From the time that she reaches puberty, a Muslim woman is required to cover her entire body from head to foot, whenever she appears in public, or whenever she might be seen by other than her Mahram (closest male relatives).
"There is no blame (on these ladies if they appear) before their fathers or their sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sister's sons, or their women, or the (slaves) whom their right hands possess. And, (ladies), fear Allah; for Allah is witness to all things."(Al-Ahzab 33:55)
It is also clearly forbidden for a Muslim woman to use perfume when she goes out of her home -- even if she is going to the mosque.
"The woman who perfumes herself and passes through a gathering is an adulteress."
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Information Taken From
Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women
Compiled By Muhammad bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Musnad
Translated by Jamaal Al-Din Zarabozo
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To A Western Woman
When you look at me all you can see is the scarf that covers my hair. My words you can’t hear because you’re too full of fear, mouth gaping, all you do is stare. You think it’s not my own choice, in your own "liberation" you rejoice.
You’re so thankful that you’re not me. You think I’m uneducated, trapped, oppressed and subjugated. You’re so thankful that you’re free. But western woman you’ve got it wrong - you’re the weak and I’m the strong, for I’ve rejected the trap of man. Fancy clothes- low neck, short skirt, these are devices for pain and hurt, I’m not falling for that little plan.
No time off for menstrual pain - "hormones" they laugh "what a shame." No equal pay for equal skill- your job they can always fill. No promotion unless you’re sterilized. No promotion unless you’re sexually terrorized. Is this liberation?
I’m a person with ideas and thoughts, I’m not for sale, I can’t be bought. I won’t decorate anyone’s arm. Nor be promoted for my charm. There’s more to me than playing shy. Living life as a balancing game- mother, daughter, wife, nurse, cleaner, cook, lover- and still bring home a wage. Who thought up this modern "freedom" where man can love ‘em and leave ‘em. This is not freedom but life in a cage!
Western woman you can have your life. Mine- it has less strife. I cover and I get respected, surely that’s to be expected- for I won’t deprave the feminine. I won’t live to a male criterion. I dance to my own tune, and I hope you see this very soon. For your own sake - wake up and use your sight! Are you so sure that you are right?
From A Muslim Woman
