The Virtues Of Hijab

1.  An Act of Obedience 

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says:

"But no by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (Muhammad (Peace be upon him) a judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission." (Surat Al-Nisa’: 65)

Indeed, Allah ordered that women must put on the Hijab[1].

He (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

"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[2]." (Surat An-Nur: 31).

Allah considered the dazzling display of beauty an act of ignorance:

"And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of Jahiliyeeyah[3] (ignorance)." (Surat Al-'Ahzab: 33)

He, Most Glorified, says:

"And when you ask the Prophet's wives for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen." (Surat Al-'Ahzab: 53)

The above Ayah (verse) does not apply only to the Prophet's wives but to all of the believing women.

Carefully read the following saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He):

"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." (Surat Al-'Ahzab: 59)

No one can ignore the molestation of women that exists in the so called "open" societies. The question is: why it is happening? The answer begins to shape up when people think about the purpose behind creation. Allah created us for the single purpose of worshipping Him alone.

He detailed all the ways to fulfill this purpose in the Last Revelation to all mankind, the Qur'an. In it we can find how women and men can safeguard their dignity, honor, and morality.

The worship of Allah is manifested in the following of His orders. Allah orders that men and women must avoid all the roads that lead to animalistic ways of living. The Hijab is one of Allah's commands.

It is an honor and protection for women as well as a true freedom for her body from the hands and eyes of aggressors and molesters.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"The woman (i.e. any woman) is A'wrah[4]", that is she must be covered.  Arabian, Egyptian, Pakistani, Black or White American, etc. Its conditions are specified in the Qur'an and Sunnah to provide a protection and safeguarding of women.

No one knows about what is good for men and women more than their Creator, Allah. His laws are Wise as it is the case with all of His actions.

2. The Hijab Is Iffah (Modesty):

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) made the adherence to the Hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty:

"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." (Surat Al-Ahzab: 59)

In the above Ayah 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 (Glorified and Exalted be He)made it permissible for  them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that it is still better for them to keep their modesty:

"And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wed-lock, it is no sin for them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment; but it is best to be modest and Allah knows and sees all things provided they do not make a display of their beauty; but it is best to be modest and Allah knows and sees all things." (Surat Al-Nur: 60)

So how about young women? Clearly they must stay modest. 

3. The Hijab is Taharah (Purity)

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) 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.” (Surat Al-Ahzab: 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.” (Surat Al-Ahzab: 32)

4. The hijab is a Shield

The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet (Peace be upon him) 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 (Glorified and Exalted be He) 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.” (Surat Al-A'raf: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 Iman (Belief or Faith)

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) 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 (Peace be upon him), 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 Gheerah 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.

(With slight changes)