It’s not an uncommon view to notice many people of our Ummah ignoring the hijab. Even then, there are quite a few people who do encourage the idea of covering up modestly for the sake of Allah ﷻ.
Despite that, how many of us justly adhere to its true meaning? Does the hijab constitute only the clothes that we wear?
Allah ﷻ says:
“…then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.”
[Surah Al-Ahzaab: 32]
From this verse, it is undeniably clear that the hijab isn’t just about adorning oneself properly, it also includes how we interact with everyone, especially the non-mahram.
Some assume that just because they’re covered, they can talk, laugh, joke and be ‘friends’ with the opposite gender. It is high time we understand that the hijab isn’t limited to just layering on clothes but more about how well we conceal our awrah, speech, attitude and manners before the non-mahram.
Allah ﷻ says,
“And do not (even) come close to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil.”
[Surah Israa: 32]
Yet, we find many of our own involved in ‘love relationships’ when Allah ﷻ has warned us to not even come ‘close’ to it.
It is also prohibited to sway one’s hips, walk as if one’s dancing, or make any unnecessary and inappropriate moves.
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be Pleased with Him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There are two types of people of Hell that I have never seen; people with whips like the tails of cattle with which they strike the people, and women who are dressed but appear naked, walking with an enticing gait, with their heads looking like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will never enter Paradise, nor even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be discerned from such and such a distance.”
[Muslim, Al-Bayhaqi, and Ahmad – Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Saheehah, 3/316, no.1326]
Besides all this, one fundamental aspect of the hijab is to not discuss one’s female friends or sisters with the male family members. Describing something about our sisters in Deen to our mahrams is basically exposing their awrah, which has become unbelievably common these days.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No woman should mix with a woman, and describe her to her husband so that it is as if he can see her.”
[Muslim, 5240]
Therefore, dear sisters and brothers, true hijab isn’t easy to practise, and it could be extremely difficult with the fitnah around us always. But as Muslims, we must understand that all the instructions laid down by Islam are for our own good, and we should learn to adapt those to remain safe from troubles and also from the anger of Allah ﷻ.
May Allah ﷻ grant us the hikmah to better ourselves always. آمین اللهم.
Written by: adropofhumanity and Reshma
Edited by: The Editorial Team
© The Islamic Reflections Blog
References
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/66266/she-formed-a-relationship-with-a-man-over-the-phone-and-she-wants-advice
Hijab is not a piece of cloth on your head
Jazakallahu khaira dear sisters for this wonderful topic explained very clearly. It is a topic for all the Muslim women to have the knowledge and to teach for our offspring and even others. Please keep on posting such topics.