ARE
THEY THE BEAUTIFUL ONES?
Assalaamu'alaykum
Wa rahmatullaahi Wa barakaatuhu
=====================
From
Abu 'Abdul Fattaah Salaah bin Bernard Brooks
Indeed, all praises are due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His Aid and beg for
His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and from the
bad consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead that
person astray and whomever Allah leads astray no one can guide that person. I
bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah Who is alone
and without any partners and I bear witness that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave
and final Prophet and Messenger sent to mankind. To proceed:
Certainly the most perfect speech is the Speech of Allah and the finest guidance
is the guidance of Muhammad (PBUH). The worst of affairs are those that are
innovated into this religion as every innovation is misguidance and every
misguidance is astray and every going astray leads to the Hell Fire. Again, to
proceed:
It often occurs to me that many of my sisters in Islam are not properly
encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijaab. It may be that
a sister has been obliged to wear the Hijaab without truly pondering over its
superiority. Perhaps she has reached the age of puberty and her Wali (guardian)
has instructed her to wear it. Perhaps she has recently re-verted to Islam and
her close sisters have told her of its obligation. Or, perhaps her husband has
commanded her to wear Hijaab. A sister who does not truly know the superiority
of Hijaab will always remain envious of the women of the Kuffaar. Why? Because
they see these misguided women looking beautiful for all to see. Hence, the
Muslim woman then compares herself to that woman which causes her to feel
ashamed of her own Hijaab.
Therefore, what follows is a reminder for my sisters in Islam. It is a reminder
of the true status of these so-called beautiful women. It is a reminder that
Hijaab will always reign supreme and that the true man (i.e. the Muslim man),
will forever be dazzled by the beauty of the Muhijaabah (woman who wears the
Hijaab).
SOME EXCELLENT QUALITIES OF THOSE WHO WEAR HIJAAB
Al-Hamdulilah, it is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of Hayaa
(modesty). Allah loves for our Muslim women to be shielded by their Hijaab. It
is their outer protection from the decadence of this life. Allah's Messenger
(PBUH) has said (what means):
"Verily! Allah is Hayaa (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who
Shields - from disobedient acts). He loves Hayaa (i.e. He loves for one to
practice modesty and bashfulness) and Siter (shielding; covering)."
[Collected by Abu Dawud; An-Nissa'ee; Al-Baihaqee; Ahmad; & in Saheeh An-Nissa'ee].
Thus, as possessing Hayaa is a quality that is beloved by Allah, Ta'Ala, our
sisters must feel comfort in knowing that they have this Hayaa and not the women
who show themselves to the world; hence, such women will not be shielded from
Allah's Wrath. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said (what means):
"Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's home (to
show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her."
[Collected by Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi].
Therefore, we see that the Hijaab of the Muslim woman has a quality that
comprises Hayaa (modesty). Hayaa is what proceeds from Imaan (belief). That is
why when Allah commands the women to observe Hijaab, He, Ta 'Ala, says (what
means):
"And say (O Muhammad (PBUH) to the believing women..." [Surah An-Nur:
31]
Also (what means):
"...And the believing women..." [Surah Al-Ahzab: 59]
Furthermore, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said (what means):
"Al-Hayaa (modesty & bashfulness) is from Imaan (belief) and Imaan is
in Al-Jannah (the Paradise)." [At-Tirmidhi - Saheeh].
Also (what means):
"Hayaa (modesty and
bashfulness) and Imaan (belief) are fully associated together, if one is lifted
the other follows suit." [Narrated by 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar; related by Al-Haakim
in his "Mustadrak"]
My dear sisters in Islam, know that these women who beautify themselves for the
world to see possess no Hayaa; thus, they are void of any Imaan. Instead of
looking to the latest fashion models for guidance, you, my dear sisters, must
look to the wives of the Prophet (RA). Look at the extreme amount of Hayaa that
our mother, Umm Al-Mu'mineen, 'Aaisha bint Abi Bakr (RA) possessed even in the
presence of the deceased:
'Aaisha said: "I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
and my father (Abu Bakr (RA)) were later buried in without having my garment on
me, saying it is only my husband and my father. But when 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab
(RA) was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that
I had my garment on being shy from 'Umar." [As-Simt Ath'ameen Fee Maniqib
Ummahat Ul-Mu'mineen by Ibn As-Sakir. Al-Haakim brings a similar narration which
he says is "good according the conditions of Imaam Bukhari and Imaam
Muslim"].
My dear sister in Islam, I know that it is quite difficult for you to go out
wearing Hijaab in a society that mocks and torments you. I know that you,
indeed, feel strange and out of place. However, if you knew the status of those
who are mocked by the Kuffaar as well as the status of the strangers, you will
continue to wear your Hijaab (i.e. to cover your entire body with a Khimaar as
commanded [24:31], as well as with a Jilbaab [33:59], with the exception of the
hands and face; however, knowing the recommendation to cover those parts as
well) with dignity. Allah, Ta 'Ala, says in His Book (what means):
"Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh
at those who believed. And whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to
another (in mockery); And when they returned to their own people, they would
return jesting; and when they saw them, they said: 'Verily! These have indeed
gone astray!' But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers
over them (the believers). But on this Day (the Day of Resurrection) those who
believe will laugh at the disbelievers. On (high) thrones, looking (at all
things). Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what they used to do?"
[Surah Al-Mutaffifin: 29-36]
Allah's Words should serve as a support for you my dear sisters. Also, take
comfort in being a stranger among these lewd and sinful women. Allah's Messenger
(PBUH) said (what means):
"Islam began as something strange, and it would revert to its (old
position) of being strange, so good tidings for the strangers." [Narrated
by Abu Huraira; Sahih Muslim]
AS-SUFOOR AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
As-Sufoor means to expose or to un-cover. Therefore, instead of practicing the
Hijaab (covering), the women of the Kuffaar practice As-Sufoor. As-Sufoor is
sinful as it leads to At-Tabarooj (i.e. to make a dazzling display of oneself).
Displaying oneself is a attribute of one who is Jaheel (ignorant). Allah says in
His Book (what means):
"And stay in your houses and do not make At-Tabarooj (i.e. display
yourselves) like you made At-Tabarooj in the times of ignorance." [Surah
Al-Ahzab: 33]
Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said (what means):
"The best of your women is the affectionate, the fertile (in productivity),
the propitious (favorable), the consultative if they fear Allah. The most evil
of your women are the Mutabar'rijat (those who do At-Tabarooj), the Mutakhayelat
(who strut/swagger), and they are the hypocrites. Those who enter Al-Jannah (the
Paradise) are like the Cough Crow." [Al-Baihaqi in his "As-Sunan"]
My dear sisters in Islam, we see from the above Ayah and Hadeeth that displaying
oneself is indeed Haraam. Further, it is a quality of the most evil of women!
Therefore, do not be envious of the women of the Kuffaar. They only have this
life to enjoy while the believing women will have Al-Jannah. There is nothing in
your Hijaab whatsoever to be ashamed of as it is the garment of the righteous
and pious female slaves of Allah. In order to truly show you how evil those
women who make As-Sufoor and At-Tabarooj are, let us ponder over the following
statement of Allah's Messenger (PBUH) what means:
"Of the people of Hell there are two types whom I have never seen, the one
possessing whips like the tail of an Ox and they flog people with them. The
second one, women who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are
seduced (to wrong paths) and seduce others. Their hair is high like the humps
(of camels). These women would not get into Al-Jannah (the Paradise) and they
would not perceive its odor, although its fragrance can be perceived from such
and such a distance." [Sahih Muslim]
Sisters in Islam, these women who practice At-Tabarooj are common among us
today. These are women that even the Prophet (PBUH) did not see! Look around you
and you will see those women who are clothed but naked! Look at the hair styles
of the women who practice At-Tabarooj - are they not high like the camel's hump?
My dear sister, perhaps we are the first generation since the time of the
Prophet Aadam (AS) to witness such women. If one ponders over photos taken
thirty to forty years ago, one will see that the women of the Kuffaar did not
make At-Tabarooj as their offspring do today. These are women who will be in the
Hell Fire, save Allah has mercy upon them by guiding them to Islam! Thus, how
can you envy them? My brothers, how can you desire them over your creature of
Hayaa? These women will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. This Hadeeth
also shows us that what the Prophet (PBUH) came with (i.e. the Qur'an and his
Sunnah) is the Haqq (truth)! This is a prophecy that has come to pass in front
of our very eyes. Hence, will we continue to envy these evil women or be
grateful to our Lord for your Hijaab which brings Hayaa?
Whatever I have written that is true is from Allah alone while anything that is
false is from myself and shaytan. Subhanaka Allahummah wa bihamdika, ash hadu an
la illaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atuboo ilayk.
