The Concept Of Hijab And What Is Not Right

Prior to the advent of Islam, women were socially, physically and emotionally abuse. Sex harassment, indecent dressing, circumcision, trokosion, lesbianism, premarital sex, polyandry, teenage pregnancy, abortions and all kind of indecent acts became the other of the day.

Shyness in women evaporated as it is in this modern Era of ours, these continued until when almighty Allah sent down the beautiful, noble and unbiased religion to our master and beloved prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and commanded him to tell the believing women to observe hijab. This can be found in the noble Qur'an

Hijab therefore, refers to the complete covering of everypart of the body except the hands, face and feet in long, loose and unseen through garment. A woman who wears hijab is called “Muhaajaba” which is considered as a test for the “Muslimah” or Muslim woman.

It’s clear from the noble Qur'an and the Hadiths that hijab is a religious obligation, which a woman has to undertake. Hijab must not be too tightened or too loose, it should be moderate. It should not spell out the shape of the shape of the wearer.

Wearing hijab is a way of heeding to Allah's commandment for modesty. The angel of death, Azrael says! "obedience to Allah commandment is better than compassion to the earth” ''Moreover, observing hijab is not just by one's own interest, that you must choose to wear or not, it is a command from Allah and his noble prophet to the believing women.

According to ahadith, and the Qur’an, Allah almighty says, '' O prophet (S.A.W) Say to your wives, your daughters and the women of the believers that, they should let down upon themselves their ‘Jalabib’”. Jalabib is a wide dress, wider than the scarf that a woman puts upon her head and let it down on her bosom.

However , Islamic dressing code for women does not only consist of a scarf that covers the head, the neck and the bosom, it also includes the overall dress that should be long and loose to prevent one’s shape from being exposed.

This is clear as Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qu’ran "O children of Adam wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer". Master Muhammad says, as narrated by Aisha, ‘ummul mu'mminun’ "Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who reaches puberty unless she wears hijab”.

It is narrated in a hadith by Aisha that, “Asmaa, daughter of Abubakar entered upon the apostle of Allah wearing a thin cloth, the apostle of Allah (S.A.W) turned his attention from her”.

He said "Asmaa, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this" and he pointed to her face and hands ".

Furthermore, hijab contributes to a stable and preserved marital family by eliminating the chances of extramarital affairs as it shows some kind of modesty required by the Islamic religion. Imam Jafar Sadiq (A. S) says '' modesty is a symbol of faith and whoever has no modesty, has no religion.

It is however sad that, the Muslimah today founds it difficult in observing hijab because, some feel it is outmoded, whiles others shun away from being known as a Muslim. This thinking, my sister is wrong, because Islam comes to stay, and wherever you are, you should understand that, your religion first before anything. For a Muslimah, your dressing forms part of worship and if you forego that, you neglect your deen.

I often weep bitterly and feel sad when I see a Muslimah wearing clothes that shows her body shape, this is because, it will only attract bad intended men towards you.

Hijab stands as a shield of protection against any evil man who would want to marry you. It also gives the woman an air of authority, dignity and respect which a non-believer can never claim to possess. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) says, '' those who do not wear hijab are blatantly defying the commandment of Allah. Hijab gives an identity to the Muslimah. The hijab protects a woman's honor and does not arouse unwanted passion from the opposite sex

Therefore my colleague ladies know that, beauty of a lady doesn’t depend on the face or the exposure of her nakedness, it lies in her character. So, when a lady refuses to observe hijab, she enquires the wrath of Allah. Also, women who don’t observe hijab attracts the attention of evil men hence being harmed sexually since men are moved by what they see.

My fellow women, let us understand that, women who do not observe the hijab are not respected and are judged by society as bad based on their appearance. A Muslimah who doesn’t observe the hijab identity as Muslims is lost. Hijab is the best symbol for modesty. Hence forth, my colleague Muslimah, let’s join hands in advocating for the wearing of hijab and also wear it ourselves.

I also called on my brothers, fathers, husbands and uncles to assist us in fulfilling this divinely obligatory requirement of observing the hijab. This is because, aside the trauma a Muslimah who is in hijab goes through outside the home, some family relations also makes the wearing of hijab difficult for us as women. I therefore plead with family relations, friends and associates to assist women who want to be in hijab.

Furthermore, institutions such as schools, hospitals and and the many working environments available should stop discriminating against the use of hijab by the Muslimah, because, it is an obligation given to women by our creator.