This document discusses the true meaning and requirements of hijab beyond just covering the head. It states that hijab is a whole way of life that encompasses how one talks, walks and carries themselves. The document outlines various requirements of hijab such as ensuring the neck and chest are covered, not using see-through fabrics, avoiding attracting attention with one's appearance, not wearing makeup or perfume in public, and concealing other women. Hijab involves an attitude and covers all aspects of a woman's presentation of herself.
2. Hijab is not a Piece of Cloth on your Head
Hijab is not a piece of cloth on your head. It¡¯s a way of life.
Just because some of the sisters have their head covered,they think that
the requirement of Hijaab is fulfilled.They don¡¯t realize that wearing a
Hijaab requires much more than just covering your head.
Actually, if you think about it, Hijaab is the way you talk¡..the way you
walk¡.the very way you carry yourself. In fact, Hijaab is an attitude in itself.
Its a whole way of life.
Well, my head is covered. What more do you want?
If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers
(khumur) should be drawn over the neck slits (juyoob). Khumur is the plural
of the Arabic word ¡°khimar¡± which means a headcover. Juyoob is the plural
of the Arabic word ¡°jaiyb¡±, which refers to the neck slit (of the dress).
Yet, some sisters just cover their head with something, and think they are
fulfilling the rights of Hijaab, although part of their hair or body is showing,
or their whole neck and chest area are exposed.Actually, that was the way
of the women of Jahilliyah.
Al-Qurtubi said: ¡°Womenin those days used to cover their heads with the
khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper
part of the chest bare, along with the ears. Then Allah commanded them to
cover those parts with the khimar.¡±
If it is see-through, it¡¯s NOT Hijaab
You cannot use chiffonor other see through material to cover your hair and
body. Everything should be covered and the colorof the skin underneath
should not be visible.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment
as a gift. He gave it to Osamah b. Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife.
When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that
he gave it to his wife.
The Prophet then said to Osamah ¡°ask her to use a ¡°gholalah¡± under it (the
garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.¡±
(Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)
The Hijaab shouldn¡¯t attract attention
The dress should not be such that it attracts men¡¯s attention to the
woman¡¯s beauty. Allaah clearly states ¡°not to display their beauty
3. (zeenah).¡± Yet, Subhaan Allaah, some Hijaabi sisters are dressed in such a
way that they attract more attention to themselves than they would if they
didn¡¯t wear Hijaab!! How could such zeenah be concealed if the dress is
designed in a way that it attracts men¡¯s eyes to the woman? It beats the
purpose of Hijaab.
Allaah tells us:
¡°And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the
times of ignorance¡¡± [al-Ahzaab:32]
What about make-up and perfume???
Wearing make up is also part of the zeenah that Allaah orders us NOT to
display. So if your head and bodyare appropriately covered yet you are
wearing bright red lipstick or dark eyeliner such that people confuse
between you and a raccoon¡.uh sorry, that¡¯s not Hijaab. And keep those
nice fragrances for the home, between you and your husband. That¡¯s part
of Hijaab too, even if you are going to the Masjid. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu
Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
¡°Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can
smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.¡± (al-Nasaa¡¯i, Tirmidhi: hasan by
Albaani)
Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling bracelets
¡®Loud¡¯ and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets,clip-clopping shoes,
little bells on clothes, you name it, if it jingles or makes noise, it is against
the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it.
That is what is meant when Allaah orders us in the above verse¡¡°notto
strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their
adornments.¡±
Hijaab is also to concealyour sister
Although some sisters wear the Hijaab themselves,they forgetthat they
cannot talk about another sister and her beauty in front of their own
husbands, brothers, etc. Remember,part of your Hijaab is to coveryour
sisters ¡®awrah¡¯ as well.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
¡°No woman should mix with a woman and describe herto her husband so
that it is as if he can see her.¡± (Muslim)
May Allah guide us and bless us with the TRUE understanding of His
Deen. Ameen.