Concept of Hijab in Islam

by: Shamsul Huda Qasmi

Islam is the heavenly religion with a complete system of life. It teaches humankind worshiping Allah alone and believing in Muhammad (saw) as the final messenger. It covers all aspects of life. On the one hand, it commands us to adore the creator, it shows the path of modesty and humility on the other. It instructs us what is lawful and unlawful. We are not permitted to practise what we wish and what we don’t. As a human being, we must follow the spirit of humanity guided by Allah through His messengers and must keep ourselves away from the wrog doings. But there are certain forces follow their desire and want the whole society to indulge in immodesty, sensuality and voluptuousness.

A great deal of articles has been written on emancipation of women and their rights. Under the cover of these beautiful slogans so-called educated people interestingly some Islamic schoolars too, oppose Hijab and regard ot a barrier for women to progress. It is a commonplace scene that lectures are organised on Islamic subjects and the audience, male and female, sit together in the auditoriums without practising Hijab and deem it a great service of Islam. Those who understand the siprit of Islam will never allow such activities in the name of Islam. Today’s world: In this modern age, western civilization is a big obstacle to follow Islam and to perceive it. Radio, TV, vulgar novels and literatures are poisoning the minds of people, which arouse them to practise what they will. However, Islam leads the human kind to a complete system of life, which is full of modesty, dignity, and gives a great status to women and humanity. Allah (sw) created two sexes, male and female. Also He explained the due decorum of life. He blessed the man with the set of laws for men and women according to the human nature. He is well aware of the purpose of creation and life of humankind being the creator. He, therefore, explained all the aspects of life through his beloved messenger Muhammad (pbuh). Campaign against Hijab: Today, people talks much about Hijab and believes it as a barrier for Muslim women to progress in this so-called civilized world. The campaign against Hijab is in its full swing and in fact the mind behind this spreading evil is that of anti-Islamic elements. No doubt it’s a dangerous conspiracy of the western media, creating misconception against Islam. They are ready to destroy the bond of families, society and Islamic Culture. Women’s right, emancipation of women and their education are beautiful slogans, in fact illusion, that keep their heinous campaign hidden. Responsibility of Man: Allah (sw) made the man responsible and guardian of his wife and children as Allah (sw) says in the Quraan: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend for their means.” (surah Nisa, 5 verse 34) The prophet (saw) has given the similar message, He said: “Men are guardian of his family and he is steward. A woman is responsible for her husband’s house and children.” (Agreed upon) Now it becomes clear that Allah has divided the duties of both, men and women. Man is liable for outdoor duties and woman for inside the door. The Quraan talks about Hijab: Modesty is equally required in men and women both. But on account of differentiation in sexes, temperaments and social life, a greater amount of privacy and modesty are required in women, especially in the matter of dresses and visiting places. The first and the most dangerous step that leads man to a dark pitch is a brazen stare by man at women or at a man by women. The holy Quran says to the believer: “And tell the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty that will make for greater purity for them and Allah is well acquaintance with all that they do.” (Surah Noor, verse 30) “And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty that they should not display their (zeenat) beauty and ornaments except what appear therefore; and to draw their veils all over (their bodies, faces, neck and bosom) and not to reveal their (zeenat) ornaments except to their husbands… etc. (surah Noor, verse 31) ‘Zeenat’ means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. Both are implied here. A woman is asked not to make a show of her beauty and ornaments except to the following classes of people – her husband, her father (her near relatives whom a certain amount of negligence is permissible) her women slave male and female, as they would be in constant attendance and infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. In order to maintain the privacy, the Qura’an asks women to stay in the homes. It says: “And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of time of ignorance.” (Surah Ahzab, verse 33) The duties, therefore, related to the outdoor, have been laid on the shoulders of men not on those of women such as Juma’a prayer, funeral prayer, obligatory of Jihad etc. As a human being, women have certain needs and requirements that make them to go out of the door. They are allowed going out side the door, but under some conditions. The holy Quran says in Surah Ahzab verse 33: “O Prophet! Tell your wives, and daughters, and believing women to draw cloaks round them (when they go out) that will be better, that they should be known, so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.” This verse of the Holy Quran gives the clear picture and proof for covering the face of women while walking out of the door. Hijab in the light of Hadith: In Tafseer-e-Kabir, Hadrat Ibn-e Abbas (r.) relates that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah enjoined upon women to draw their cloaks on their faces from their heads when they go out of the door and open only one eye for walking.” Another saying of the Prophet that says: women (is a thing that) should be covered because when she comes out of the home, Satan stares at her. But when a woman stays in the house is close to Allah (SW). Practicing Hijab form blind: The Prophet (pbuh) warned women not to display themselves even before a blind. Once the Prophet (pbuh), Hadrat Umme-e Salma and Hadrat Aayeisha (may Allah be pleased with them) were sitting together. All of a sudden Aabdullah Ibn-e Mubarak came to the home. The Prophet (pbuh) commanded them to draw the veils. Umme-e Salmah asked The Prophet (pbuh), “Is not he blind? He is not watching us.” The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Are you also blind? Are you not watching him?” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu-Daood) The Prophet (pbuh) defined the status of women regarding Hijab that they must cover their faces and one who goes out of the door without covering the face trespass the limit the women’s characters and transgresses Islamic teachings. The most attractive part of human body is his face. It is the phenomenon of beauty. It needs no deep psychological knowledge to understand the fact and truth. Hence, one who understands the will of Islamic laws and teachings and has a common sense can easily come to the conclusion that uncovering face and going about without veil and working in offices along with men are completely against the spirit and will of Shari’a (teachings of Islam). One who is sincere and keen to get the fact must scrutinize him, must question his own heart and analyze his experience. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Ask your heart and leave what stick to your mind.” It is Islam that gives us a complete system of life and teaches us modesty and chastity. We must compare the rate of sexual crimes of the countries where Islamic Shariah is implemented and where not. We should ponder upon the matter sincerely. It is Islam that calls for intelligence and wisdom, since it is the divine system of life. May Allah enable us to follow the teachings of Islam!