I know that this topic has been repeated many times. I apologize. I was actually searching the threads to see if I could get my answer...but I didn't. If anyone knows the answer, or if there is a source or a thread on this question...could someone please refer it to me? Thanks!
Anyways, I was researching, and I really wanted to know if it really is mandatory to wear a hijab? I don't wear one, but I do dress modestly without it. I wear loose clothing, I even wear a scarf around my neck to cover at all times. So I dress modestly, and I never wear tight fitted clothing. I grew up in a family, where we practice Islam and we pray and all that stuff, but my family never obligated me to wear a hijab. Even in the country where my background is from, many people don't wear a hijab, but they continue to practice and dress modestly.
I read the verses from the Quran, where the woman must only shoe her face and hands, etc.
Of course that was referring to the Prophets (PBUH) time and how his wives and anyone he was related to must cover their hair.
I asked my father, who is well aware of the Islamic religion, and he said that I am not obligated to wear a hijab...it is my choice. He said that back then, it was part of culture as well, and back then things were different, so thats why people wore a hijab. The culture and time has changed, and he said that as long as I present myself as modestly as possible and that I don't seek attention from men, I should be okay, and that Allah (swt) knows best.
So just wanted to know the answer to this. Will I be committing a sin by not wearing a hijab? Is it haram? I still practice Islam like any other Muslim...but am I lacking?
what do you mean by hijab though? dressing modestly is 'hijab'.
as for the face, it is not necessary to cover it, as for the hair, most say it should be covered.
Sura 24:31 And say to the 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..." [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Is a woman's hair not part of her beauty?
I was looking around and though this doesn't satisfy me (when it comes to answering your question), it's still something you could read.
This topic has been covered extensively in the sister's section, but seeing as you're a limited member, I hope it's ok to take one thread out of the section to show you.
The Virtues of Hijab
1. An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur'an:
`It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).
Allah also said:
'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).
Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.
2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says:
'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59).
In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.
3. The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab:
`And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.' (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:
`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.' (S33:32)
4. The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said:
"Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."
The Prophet (pbuh) also said:
"Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "
The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).
5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:
O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.'(S7:26).
The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).
6. The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed:
"If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."
7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.
8. The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.
personally i think that women look much more respectable and decent when they wear the hijab, it gives a message to others that you are proud of your faith as a muslim and it also is more modest than not wearing the hijab. i think you should wear it.^_^
I have studied this question and I constructed a reply based upon my research and investigation of Islamic teachings and the Arabic language. That post was deleted, the reason given – “This is an issue where the mainstream Islamic rulings are what's required.” I am publishing this post not to cause offence or violate the rules but because I believe it is only right that anyone asking such a question should know that the answers he or she receives are edited accordingly.
Thinker, the original poster is in need of authentic Islamic advice, based on sound scholarly research. You only gave conjecture, based on your very limited and narrow understanding of Islamic principles. You can't just take quotes from here and there and give your own superficial rulings (lay muslims can't do that either).
Any further such replies where you give 'Islamic advice' in this thread will be deleted.
Greetings respected Alpaha_dude,
Thank you for your reply to which I would like to respond. . . . .
I am sure that all the members here know that I am not a ‘scholar’ and anything I say is just my personal opinion. That said I and all others here use the intelligence that God gave us to evaluate the evidence and form views. And, because it is our nature, we often form different views based upon the same evidence. That’s all good and healthy but, I humbly suggest, it is not good and healthy is to show only one set of views suppressing all others. But that again is just my opinion and as always I know my opinion could be wrong. :smile:
A hijab is not just covering the hair, but even so, doing so is still part of the hijab.
Yes, covering modestly is required, but so is covering the hair/head/neck. I'm not saying it's either dressing in halter tops and mini skirts or wearing a full jilbab, but there are certain conditions to be fulfilled for a hijab to be acceptable.
Hijab is a word that indicates not just the headscarf but clothing in its entirety which meets the following conditions :
1. Clothing must cover the entire body, only the hands and face may remain visible (According to some Fiqh Schools) .
2. The material must not be so thin that one can see through it.
3. The clothing must hang loose so that the shape / form of the body is not apparent.
4. The female clothing must not resemble the man's clothing.
5. The design of the clothing must not resemble the clothing of the non believing women.
6. The design must not consist of bold designs which attract attention.
7. Clothing should not be worn for the sole purpose of gaining reputation or increasing one's status in society.
So assuming you are wearing very modest clothes, and do everything else the other 6 points discuss, you're still not fulfilling one of the seven conditions of a proper hijab.
Sister, I read your post a few days ago and as a revert, here's my view...
For some time even before I converted, but had Islam in my heart, I wore a hijab. It was an obligation for the believing woman - it was requested by ya Rabb and whom we should all obey. Also, insha'Allah, what better way to show your eman, pride, modesty and dignity.
After I converted I would go to work but not cover - I hadn't decided how to tell them! But seeing around me other Muslim women, and some like me, white converts, I felt so sad and angry that I wasn't doing what ya Rabb had asked me.. also.. my heart was so full of Islam that I wanted the world to know that I was proud to be a muslim, and not only that, I wanted to be me - and that me was covered. I felt so strongly about not covering that I decided to tell my employers and colleagues that I was going to cover at work... and alhamdulillah they were very supportive. From that day onwards, I felt sooo happy and fulfilled. I don't care that I may stand out from others... I am proud to.. proud to declare what I believe alhamdulillah.
When I converted, I remember meeting a friend, kafir, and I was wearing a black hijab... she said it made me look old and how the hijab is just a form of suppression of women. If only she knew in actual fact how truly LIBERATING the hijab is!!!
So sister... wear the hijab...feel its protection, it's power, feel your eman grow.... you will not want to go without it insha'Allah !!
Revert to Peace sorry for butting in, but just wanted to say that you have my FULL RESPECT, I am humbled by your strength and Imaan.
May ALLAH guide the Ummah to the right path.
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