The Muslim Woman's Dress

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Shaykh Nassir-uddeen al-Albani
Below, is an abridgement of the book "Muslim Women's Dress" by our Sheikh Nassir-uddeen al-Albani complied by Sheikh Mahmud Murad.

Although the following provides the fiqh details of the dress of a Muslimah, the word "hijaab" itself needs to be understood. In Islam, a woman is commanded to cover her body and not show herself to strange men. Thus hijaab when applied to a Muslimah not o*nly includes the physical dress, but also the manner of living in society (for example, staying at home, praying at home, not coming out of the house unless due to necessity etc.). So when we read these articles, it is to be kept in mind that the correct understanding of hijaab includes vieling of women by means of clothing as well as correct behaviour in society.

Introduction



The outer garment worn in public must cover all of the body except the face and hands.

The outer garment must not be decorative itself or a means of beautification.

The outer garment must be thick and opaque so as to conceal the clothes worn.

Muslim women should not wear perfume in public.

The clothes of Muslim women should not resemble men's clothes.

The clothes of Muslim women should not resemble those of the disbelievers.

The clothing of Muslim women should not be ostentatious.


Introduction


Praise be to Allaah and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger and upon his honourable Companions and those who have followed his example with piety.



This brochure has been prepared in response to a deterioration in the condition of Muslim women of this day and age, which is a consequence of the misconception that how a woman dresses is of little importance, as long as she performs her obligatory acts of worship. This misconception is not restricted to Muslim women in the West, but unfortunately is shared by many of their sisters in the East.



In the Glorious Qur'an, we are told:


"And let there arise out of you a nation inviting to what is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. They are the o*nes who are successful." (3:104)

Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri relates that he heard the Prophet say: "He of you who sees something wrong should correct it with his hand; if he is unable to do that, he should condemn it with his tongue; if he is unable to do that, he should at least resent it in his heart, and that is the lowest degree of faith." [Muslim]



It is clear that we must draw the attention of our Muslim sisters to the importance of wearing Islamic dress. This is not imposed upon us by the mere opinion of a scholar or a Sheikh. It is a Divine Command, and is necessarily in the best interest of the society of every age and place. In this we stand opposed to the opinion of some `modernists' who maintain that those living in a western society are justified in adapting to its norms and morals.



We believe that our religion is that which has been transmitted to us through the Prophet Muhammad , his Companions and our Pious Predecessors. A careful study of relevant Qur'anic ayah (verses) and ahaadeeth (Prophetic traditions), along with the works of our Pious Predecessors, will reveal a strict emphasis o*n the need for women to observe modesty in their dress when they appear in the public by covering all their bodies and any ornaments or other means of beautification they might wear.



Allah the Exalted says in Surat an-Noor, ayah 31:

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not show of their adornment except o*nly that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their (necks and) bosoms and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers, or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no knowledge of women's awarah (that which is covered). And let them not stamp their feet to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn you all to Allaah in repentance, O believers, that you may be successful."

And He says in Surah al-Ahzaab, ayah 59:

"O Prophet! tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments close around them. That will be better, that they may be known and so not to be bothered. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

From these two ayah of the Noble Qur'aan and from the authentic sources of guidance provided for us; we can derive the following principles of proper dress and adornment for Muslim women:


The outer garment worn in public must cover all of the body except the face and hands


Surat an-Noor, ayah 31 (quoted above) contains clear a command that a woman's natural beauty and her adornment are to be concealed from strangers, except that which might show unintentionally (ie. parts of the dress or ornaments) or which show as a matter of course because it is not prohibited that they be shown (ie. the face the hands).



Abu Dawood authentically narrated that 'Aaishah said:

"Asmaa came to see the Messenger of Allah. She was wearing a thin dress; the Prophet turned away from her and said to her: "O Asmaa! o*nce a woman reaches the age of puberty no part of her body should be uncovered except her face and hands."


It should be noted that the Arabic word khumur (plural of khimaar) which has been translated above in the ayah from Surat an-Noor as veils, means head covers, not face veils as may mistakenly be supposed. It refers to a cloth which covers all of the hair. Furthermore, the word juyoob (plural of jaib), also found in the ayah of Surat an-Noor, refers not o*nly to the bosom, as is commonly thought, but also to the neck.



Qurtubi, an eminent mufassir (Qur'anic commentator) stated:



"Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimaar, throwing its ends o*n their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears, in the manner of the Christians. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimaar."



"And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment."



Women at the time of the Prophet used to wear anklets, which they could employ to attract attention by stamping their feet, making the anklets tinkle together. This practice was now forbidden, but even more important for us, these words make it absolutely clear that the legs and ankles are to be covered.
Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated:



"The Prophet said: "On the Day of Judgement, Allah will not look upon o*ne who trails his garment along out of pride." Umm Salamah then asked: "What should women do with their garments?" The Prophet said: "They may lower them a hand span." She said: "Their feet would still be uncovered." The Prophet said: "Then a forearm's length, but no more." (Tirmidhee)



The ayah from Surat an-Noor quoted above gives us specific and detailed information about what a Muslim woman should be sure to cover when she is in the company of strangers, and it gives a detailed list of those with whom she is permitted to be less inhibited. The ayah quoted from Surat al-Ahzab further directs Muslim women to put some outer garment over their clothes, and to draw it close around them.



Abu Dawood related that when this ayah was revealed, the women of the Ansaar appeared like crows (because of the black cloaks which they wore).



Some outer garment, whether a cloak or a coat, must be worn by a Muslim woman when she is in public, and even when she is in her own house or that of a close relative, if she is in the presence of strangers.



It was mentioned above that the face need not be covered. If, however, the woman is wearing make-up, she should cover her face, since the make-up is adornment beyond what is permitted. Similarly, she should cover her hands if she is wearing nail polish or some other decoration or ornament. Furthermore, although it is permissible to leave the face uncovered in the presence of strangers, it is praiseworthy to cover it, as that was the practice of the wives of the Prophet according to authentic ahaadeeth.





The outer garment must not be decorative itself or a means of beautification




When Allah commands women not to reveal their beauty, He means both the natural beauty, with which He has endowed them, and all means which they might employ to enhance that beauty. Clearly, the garment which is used to screen the woman's beauty and her adornment from public view should not itself be a thing of beauty.



Fudaalah ibn 'Ubaid reported that the Prophet said:



"There are three people that you should not concern yourself about: a man who parted from the Jamaa'ah and disobeyed his Imaam and died in that state; a slave who ran away from his master and died without returning; a woman whose husband departed from her after providing for her worldly needs and who then beautified (tabarrajat) herself in his absence. Do not worry about any of them." (Ahmad)

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The Muslim Woman's Dress

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The word tabarraja means not o­nly to beautify o­neself, or to make o­neself pretty, but also to display o­neself, to play up to o­ne's charms for the purpose of exciting desire. Imam ad-Dhahabi said in his book Kitaab al-Kabaa'ir (The Book of Great Sins): "Of the deeds woman is cursed for are displaying the ornaments which she is wearing, wearing perfume when going out, and wearing colourful clothes and silky short cloak." The verb `tabarrraja' includes all of these actions. `Tabarruj' is so abhorrent that it is associated with shirk, fornication, stealing and other (major) sins.



Abdullah ibn 'Umar said:



"A woman came to the Messenger of Allah to give her pledge for Islam. He said: "I accept your pledge that you will not associate partners with Allaah, nor steal, nor fornicate, nor kill your child, nor commit a sin between your arms and legs, nor wail over the dead, nor beautify and display yourself (tatabarraji) after the fashion of the pre-Islamic days." (Ahmad)





The outer garment must be thick and opaque so as to conceal the clothes worn




Proper covering cannot be achieved by wearing tight or transparent apparel.



The Prophet said:



"There will be in the last days of my ummah (nation), women who are dressed and undressed. Curse them: they are accursed." (At-Tabarani)



Abu Hurairah related that the Prophet referred to:



"... women who are naked even though they are wearing clothes, go astray and make others go astray, and they will not enter paradise nor smell its fragrance, although it can be smelt from afar." (at-Tabarani)



The dressed and undressed women are those who wear transparent or very tight clothes, or clothes which are cut in such a way that they expose the body. Such clothes reveal more than they conceal. The Prophet said:



"Belief and the sense of shame are tied together; if o­ne is lost, the other is lost." (Al-Hakim)



It should be noted that a woman should wear a loose over-garment for offering prayer. It should cover her whole body (as far as going out) and should be such that it conceals the shape of her arms and legs, as well as that of the rest of her body.





Muslim women are not to wear perfume in public




Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet said:



"Any woman who wears perfume and passes by some people who smell her perfume is like o­ne who commits fornication."



Abu Hurairah said that:


"A woman passed by him smelling strongly of scent. He called to her, "O slave of the powerful. Are you going to the mosque?" She said that she was. He said: "Go back and wash it (the perfume) off. I heard the Messenger of Allaah say: "Any woman who goes to the mosque wearing perfume will not have her prayer accepted by Allaah; first she should go back home and have a bath (to wash the perfume off).""

It is inappropriate for a woman to wear perfume in the mosque, where people are attending to the worship of Allah; how much more inappropriate is it that she should wear scent elsewhere, where people are more liable to distraction? Scent attracts attention to woman and may thereby stimulate sexual desires; this is improper in the marketplace and mosque.





The clothes of Muslim women should not resemble men's clothes.




Abu Hurairah said that:


"The Messenger of Allah cursed the man who wears women's clothes and the woman who wears men's clothes."

Ibn Umar said that he heard the Messenger of Allaah say: "He is not of us who imitates women nor is he of us who imitates men." (al-Hakim)



Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet said:



"Three people will not enter paradise, and Allaah will not look to them o­n the Day of Judgement: the o­ne who is disobedient to his parents, the woman who imitates men and the ad-Dayooth." (Ahmad)



Ad-Dayooth[1] is the man who permits women for whom he is responsible (eg: mother, wife, sister etc.) to engage in illicit sexual relations, or to display their beauty to strange men, thereby stimulating their sexual desires.

Masha Allah loved the article thanks sis

That's a very good article.

I've never understood why the prayers of a woman wearing perfume wouldn't be answered. I don't think God can smell it. If he CAN smell it, and smells offend him, does this mean that poor smelly people with bad hygiene aren't having their prayers answered too? That seems unjust.

This also reminds me of something I read about God answering the prayers of women during child labor. I understand that they are suffering so God may be more apt to answer their prayers. But, I bet such women stink after long and hard labor. Wouldn't the stench from their bodies cancel out the suffering, and render them equal on levels of prayer importance?

Just a thought.

It is inappropriate for a woman to wear perfume in the mosque, where people are attending to the worship of Allah. People are more liable to distraction Scent attracts attention to woman and may thereby stimulate sexual desires; this is improper in the marketplace and mosque.

Originally Posted by Tayyaba

It is inappropriate for a woman to wear perfume in the mosque, where people are attending to the worship of Allah. People are more liable to distraction Scent attracts attention to woman and may thereby stimulate sexual desires; this is improper in the marketplace and mosque.

I understand the sexual stimulate aspect. I don't understand why God wouldn't answer a prayer of a perfume wearing person. I doubt that he's stimulated. Is there an explanation?

MashaAllah Sister an excellent sharing.
jazaak ALLAH khayr..:rose:

Hi searchingsoul.


I havn't read the article fully myself, but does it say anywhere that Allaah Almighty doesn't accept the prayer of a believing woman within the masjid? Or when she wears the perfume even within the home?

Because i think that hadith may be referring to a woman who wears it in the masjid (or outside the home), because obviously - men may pass through the masjid and may be attracted to that smell. Or even while she's on her way to the masjid.


But i can't find any hadith from the article above, disapproving of a woman wearing perfume i.e. within the home/when performing salaah within the home etc.


Allaah Almighty knows best.


Peace.

Yea I think it only refers to going outside of the house.
Tru Allah knows best. I think im gunna find out though, dont wana say nethin wrong. I think it refers to non mahrams.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess if a woman wears perfume to a mosque or marketplace she is TRYING to attract attention and deliberately sinning. So it's more of an issue with the intent not the actual smell of the person. gotcha

Whether it be her intention or not, it will attract the other person. So thats why we cant go out with it on.

Question:

We have noticed at Taraaweeh prayers that some women come to the mosque wearing perfume that has such a strong fragrance that men can smell it if they walk behind or beside them. Some women tried to advise them, but they said that they wore perfume when coming to the mosque out of respect for the mosque. What is the ruling on this?



Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The point of reference for Islamic rulings must be the texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, not one’s own opinion, mood, desire or ideas about what is nice. Concerning this very issue many reports have been narrated which strictly forbid this (women wearing perfume when they go out). These reports include saheeh ahaadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade women to wear perfume when they go out of their houses:

1. Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.”


2. Zaynab al-Thaqafiyyah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If any one of you (women) goes out to the mosque, let her not touch any perfume.”


3. Abu Hurayrah said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense), let her not attend ‘Ishaa’ prayers with us.”


4. Moosa ibn Yassaar said that a woman passed by Abu Hurayrah and her scent was overpowering. He said, “O female slave of al-Jabbaar, are you going to the mosque?” She said, “Yes,” He said, “And have you put on perfume because of that?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “Go back and wash yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘If a woman comes out to the mosque and her fragrance is overpowering, Allaah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself.’”


The reason for this prohibition is quite clear, which is that women’s fragrance may cause undue provocation of desires. The scholars also included other things under this heading of things to be avoided by women who want to go to the mosque, such as beautiful clothes, jewellery that can be seen, excessive adornments and mingling with men. See Fath al-Baari, 2/279.

Ibn Daqeeq al-‘Eed said:

This indicates that it is forbidden for a woman who wants to go to the mosque to wear perfume, because this causes provocation of men’s desires. This was reported by al-Manaawi in Fayd al-Qadeer, in the commentary on the first hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah quoted above.

Having examined all this saheeh evidence, there can be no room for debate or argument. Muslim women have to understand the seriousness of the issue and the sin involved in going against this shar’i ruling. They should remember that they are going out to seek reward, not to fall into sin. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound.

By the way, we recently read that biologists have discovered a sexual gland in the nose, i.e., there is a direct connection between the sense of smell and the provocation of desire. If this is true, then it is one of the signs that prove even to the kuffaar how precise are the rulings of this sharee’ah which came to preserve chastity and to block the ways that lead to immorality.


Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

source: http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?re...ng&txt=perfume

Nice brother
Jazak Allah Khair

I heard in a lecture by Muhammad al Shareef that Aa'isha (may Allaah Almighty be pleased with her) did wear perfume to attract the attention of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him.) So it may be permissible as long as she's doing it to impress her husband, but if she leaves the house - then she should do full ghusl (bath) before leaving.


Check these lectures out insha'Allaah:

How to be an Outstanding Wife
http://www.uponsunnah.com/brohus/Aud...ing%20Wife.mp3

How to be a good muslim spouse:
http://www.uponsunnah.com/brohus/Aud...m%20spouse.mp3

source:
http://www.uponsunnah.com/shareef.php?


Allaah Almighty knows best.

I do agree that proper dress is necessary and very important for not just women, but also men!

You should dress with modesty, but especially women, who are objectified, and stared at in sexual ways, and raped, etcetera.

Allah knows what "He" is saying when he orders that a woman cover up and/or dress modestly in public. It's for our own good, in my opinion.