Importance of Hijab in Islam
AND tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women.
And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” – QURAN (Verse: 31, Ayah Noor, 18 Para)
Hijab is not only the covering of one’s head but also the body parts about which the Holy Quran tells us.
The definition of ‘hijab’ has unfortunately gone far beyond wrong in this generation. The Ayah above explains all about; what parts of her body a woman should hide and from whom they are to be hidden.
Females, nowadays, have so many questions related to hijab. I find this Quranic verse quite self-explanatory and it also answers most of the questions. This Quranic verse tells us in detail about what is to be covered, from whom, and why.
There are so many shops and brands that do not even sell a 3 piece suit now. The dupatta or scarf is just out of the clothing list which shows the importance given to it.
Moreover, you would not have turned a corner of a street till you spot Muslim women bareheaded, wearing tight clothes that reveal body parts or covering their faces with makeup that makes it ornamental.
Even the clothes women in Pakistan wear now are vulgar because they are tightly fitted and reveal the shape of the body parts.
And it is to be brought into account that hijab is not only covering one’s head properly 3 but also covering one’s body, along with all the private parts that are to be kept from the sight of a ‘na-mahram’. Those who are included in the list of na-mahram are mentioned above in the verse.
Only the hands till wrists, feet, and face are allowed to be revealed. Similarly, the word ‘hijab’ includes the covering of eyes. And by this, it means covering your eyes from the sight of a na-mahram or from any vulgar or sinful sight.
For this it is not necessary to have a veil before your eyes, even lowering your eyes when the need arises is sufficient an effort.
Cases of rape and sexual harassment have skyrocketed many times in Pakistan and every time each gender was blamed by the other gender.
Women, for not being covered properly and men for being the gender of the harasser or rapist, most of the time. But the thing is that both the genders are equally responsible. If both fulfilled their duties rightly, the situation would have been far better than what it is now.
Without a doubt, it is not always the fault of the female for not covering herself properly because research has highlighted other different causes for these heinous acts too, which include serious mental health issues of the abuser, but this is also true that revealing one’s body can become a cause of it, or else why even wear clothes? Along with that, it is also the duty of men to lower their gaze out of respect when confronting a ‘na-mahram’ woman.
If they fulfill this one duty of theirs properly, I believe no other efforts will be needed before this evil is eradicated from the society.
The Quran states: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do.” – QURAN (Verse: 30, Chapter 24) 4.
What we do not understand is that a woman in hijab can also be beautiful for her decency and modesty. It is just the way you carry it.
Wearing tight fitted trousers, hair flying like a kite, and short shirts that hardly covering skin make one looks neither decent nor beautiful. It only looks vulgar. Exposing your body on purpose is vulgarity. But there sure is beauty in modesty.
Hijab is not wrapping your head tightly with a stole either. You can wrap a dupatta around your head just so that it covers your hair and body properly and wear clothes that at least do not expose your body figure.
And let me tell you, it is not always a matter of your own choice because being a Muslim you have to follow the instructions of Islam.
Although, no doubt that a female who does not do hijab can be more pious by her deeds than a female who does but she still is neglecting one teaching of Islam that is obligatory. It is not just your hijab too that makes you a good Muslim.
You have to be good in your deeds too. It was a proud moment to have, Bushra Maneka, Pakistan’s First Lady coming to the President House in full hijab when she made her first appearance there. And no doubt she looked really elegant and beautiful.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
