The Garment Of Taqwa

“And the garment of Taqwa – that is better.” (Surah Al-A’raf:6)

Both a man and a woman must cover their private parts with ample coverings, since this preserves morals. As for shamelessness and nudity, these are things that lead to the corruption of morality, the loss of honor, and the spreading of lewdness. But when the private parts are concealed with the covering that Allah has instructed the men and women to abide by, this protects the private parts from fornication and homosexuality and it protects the private parts from the unlawful things that Allah has prohibited.

Then Allah specifies women with a command apart from men where he says:

“And to not display their zeenah (adornment) except for that which is apparent from it. And (tell them) to draw their khumur (veils) over their bosoms (Juyoob).” (Surah An-Nur: 31)

Allah ordered that the women be asked from behind a Hijab. What is meant by the word Hijab is: Anything that covers a woman whether a garment, a wall, a door or any other object that can be used to screen a woman from a man when he is talking to her or asking her about something or handing her something. All of these should be done from behind a Hijab, i.e. from behind a screen or covering.

So he should not make any contact with her while she is unscreened or lacking covering and exposed. Rather, she must be behind a screen that covers her, regardless if it is her garment, her door, a wall or so on. This is since this is 'purer for your hearts and their hearts' from temptation.

If women screen themselves by way of a Hijab and the gaze of men does not fall upon them, the hearts of both the men and women will be saved from temptation and enticement. This is clearly visible in the Muslim societies that strictly adhere to the Hijab.

As for what we hear about today from some ignoramuses that a husband’s brother, paternal uncle or other male relative can greet his wife, shake her hand, be alone with her and enter into her presence – this is baseless. It is not permissible for a non-mahram to enter into the presence of a woman (without Hijab), nor to shake her hand, nor to be alone in privacy with her unless there is someone else in the house through which the privacy will be removed.

But as for him entering into a house that has no one in it but her, and he is not one of her maharim, then this is the forbidden type of privacy and it is dangerous.

If a woman has a need to speak to a man that is not one of her maharim, she may speak to him, but with a casual tone that has no softness or gentleness in it and not in a joking or laughing manner. Rather, her speech must be ordinary and in accordance with what necessity dictates – i.e. a question and an answer – as per the need only.

She must not speak in a tone that appears friendly, laughing or teasing, or in a mellow or beautified voice, thus stirring the desires of the one who has a disease in his heart.

This is based on Allah’s saying:

“But rather speak in an honorable manner.” [Surah Al-Ahzaab: 32]