format_quote Originally Posted by
Alexia202
Hey everyone, as a non-Muslim, I would like to know, does the amount a woman covers herself reveal how devout of a Muslim she is? For example, I have seen women wear hijabs where their whole body is covered and the form of their bodies is not noticible, but I have also seen women only covering their hair, while wearing short sleeve shirts and jeans or sports jerseys. Would wearing less of a covering be frowned upon, and does this mean that the individual is less religious than someone who has more covering?
:sl:
Our intentions are far more important than our impressions. We shouldn't worry about what other people say, nor should we judge others based on their initial impression and appearance. It could be that a brother who is dressing in casual clothing is far more religious in the eyes of Allah than a brother who is wearing a thobe and has a beared. The same also applies for the sisters; one who observes the full hijab (burqa) is not always going to be as religious as one who only wears a headscarf, for example. We cannot know for sure, but Allah, who is all-seeing and all-knowing, does. We must never assume the piety of someone simply because of the way they are dressed, nor should we make comments about them which are upsetting or mean, e.g. "Look at him, he hasn't got a beard", etc.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated:Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments".[Muslim].
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. [Qur'an 49:11]