Hijab Fashion has sadly given rise to the so-called feministic and modern opinion where many have begun to believe that ‘hijab’ is no longer obligatory; that covering the hair and body of the muslim woman is not necessary. This phenomenon has affected many women in the West, in the Asian subcontinent and even in the Arab world. The work of shaytaan spreads like wildfire!

Allah says, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine nudity. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al-Noor 24:31]

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” [al-Ahzaab 33:59]

These verses are clear evidence that the muslim woman is to cover herself. There is no room for anything contrary. The entirety of a woman’s body is awrah, to be covered in the presence of non-mahrams. Her body is precious and valued, not to flaunt and expose to the prying eyes of every random person.

However, just reading these verses is insufficient. We must learn how to implement what is revealed in the verses. And who better to teach us than our instructor, Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him? And who better to implement what he taught than his wives, the mother of the believers and the sahabiyyaat, the best of women? These women were the cream of the crop, they were chosen by Allah to live during the time of the Prophet. They were women of Jannah, chosen to be amongst the Prophet’s companions.

It was narrated from Safiyyah bint Shaybah that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to say: When these words were revealed – “and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” – they took their izaars (a kind of garment) and tore them from the edges and covered themselves with them.  Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4481.

‘Aa’ishah said: “The women of Quraysh are good, but by Allah I have never seen any better than the women of the Ansaar, or any who believed the Book of Allah more strongly or had more faith in the Revelation. When Soorat al-Noor was revealed – “and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” – their menfolk came to them and recited to them what had been revealed, and there was not one woman among them who did not go to her apron, and the following morning they prayed wrapped up as if there were crows on their heads.” (Abu Dawud)

These Ahadith are just a few of the many that explain the covering of woman in Islam. It is apparent that hijab is not a figment of imagination of the righteous scholars nor an invention of the pious predecessors, rather it is the law of Allah.

Imagine, the best of women, rushing to cover themselves to apply Allah’s command, in full submission to the Lord of the Worlds. Wouldn’t you want to be like them? To be with them in Jannah?

Then let us do the same…