From the moment I took my shahada I have been wearing hijab. That is, I cover everything but my hands and face. As of late, I have been looking into the true meaning of the verses in the Quran about hijab and trying to discover what is really TRUE hijab.
For those of you who need a reminder about what the verses say....
Allah says in the Quran: (translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali)
Surat Al-Nuur 24
V 31
And say to 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 bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, Their sons, their brothers, or their brothers sons, or their sisters sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hand possess, or male servants free from physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex....
Surat Al-Azhaab 33
V 53
And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs.
V 55
There is no blame (on these ladies if they appear) before their fathers, or their sons, or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their women, or their (slaves) whom their right hand possess...
V 59
O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, so that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is oft forgiving, most merciful.
Read the Quran yourself, there are other translations that may be better than these, Allahu Alim.
There are also hadith addressing hijab... Here is one of the more famous ones:
Aisha said:
May Allah grant the women of the Ansar his mercy, when Allah revealed his words, "and that they draw their khimar over their bosoms", they tore a portion of their wrapping garments and used them as khimar.(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Anyway, now that we have dispensed with the formality of making sure we are all on the same page...
I have started to research the subject of niqab, and have come across some every good information online. There are many sisters who are putting what they have learned on line in an effort to make it easier for all of us to find good information. May Allah(SWT) reward them for their efforts.
I myself have come to the conclusion that niqab is at the very least highly recommended. You may remember that I stated earlier that I do not yet wear niqab, and you may be asking why. For personal reasons I am unable to answer my heart and begin wearing niqab at this time. Insha'Allah, I will come to a place in my life where I am free to do so soon.
If you are non-Muslim, of maybe someone who disagrees with the practice of hijab, you may be surprised to hear that no one forces me to dress like this. I do it for Allah(SWT) and of my own volition. Under this khimar there is a woman who feels quite liberated.
I feel badly for the sisters who are missing out on this part of the deen. You should really consider it. I think it helps you to behave in an appropriate manner and reminds you of who you are and what you reason for being here is. You are a Muslim, and you are here to worship Allah(SWT). Besides, some of the things you do for your deen are hard, I think this one is easy... Easier than dragging yourself out of bed in the middle of the night to pray anyway:) LOL
These are just my thoughts. I hope you will do as I have done and go out and seek the information for yourself.
Allah forgive me for any information I have given that is wrong or misleading.
