Veil ( Hijab) and Its Importance

Introduction

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the both worlds. Thanks to the success granted by Allah as good deeds can be achieved by His Will only. May peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the most nobles: Prophet who imparted (disclosed) the revealed Message and admonished his nation by delivering the truth honestly. Peace may also be upon those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.

Allah says in the Qur’an O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam. (3:102)

“ The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.  (9:71)

A woman is the source of happiness to her husband and the tender (loving) mother to her children. Therefore, Allah ordered her to cover her whole body and to stay in her home. It is the home inside which she can give ultimate tenderness, love and kindness because it is the natural place where she can exercise such qualities. Allah says in Qur'an:

"And stay quietly in your houses" (Al-Ahzab : 33)

Islam ordained her to draw her veil over her bosom and not to display her beauty and to cast her outer garment over her (when abroad) that is most convenient that she should be known.

"0 Prophet ! Tell your wives and 'your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. (Al-Ahzab:59)

When the opponents of Islam realized this prestige of respect, reverence and eminence which the Muslim, woman enjoys, they envied her for this status. Accordingly, they started plotting against her and watched for her disaster by setting traps everywhere. Moreover, they introduced several toxic movements such as Emancipation Movement, Equilibrium Movement and Captivation or Temptation Movement in which they showed peace and mercy for them and wrath, disaster and punishment for the women outside these movements. Every effort is being made to undermine values, morals and to expose the sexual affairs publicly and openly using latest models and modes of display and exhibition. Hence, the biggest desire or attention of the woman focused on adopting and having naked (seducing) dresses. She came out to the streets and started working outside the home in company with men using her dirtiest weapons of allurement. The Muslim woman learnt the tactics of enchantment by watching the lewd films, licentious photos and reading the sexual novels. Readily, she can find the male and female guides from among those in her environment who speak her own language to explain her the way by which she can be attractive (charming) whether at home or in the street, both on optical and acoustical levels through being complaisant in speech, motions, clothing, make up (cosmetics), walking, sitting and even in looks. Such notions, unfortunately, decayed the prudency of the Muslim woman. Thus, she carried on paying no heed in going out naked, displaying her charms to anybody who likes thereof and thereby leading to the stirring up of man's sexual (animal) appeal. Conversely, if she adhered by to the covering of her whole body (wearing the Islamic lawful veil), they will consider her a retrograde and backward (retarded) woman. At this point resistance from her would vanish and replaced by submissiveness

ISLAM IS A GIFT OF ALLAH TO HUMANITY

My sister in Islam: Allah THE MOST EXALTED, Glory be to Him, has bestowed us with the blessings of Islam and Belief (Faith) together with their inclusive (latent) might and pride for the whole humanity generally, and the woman in particular. Islam has honored her so much. It has laid down the legitimate laws which protect her chastity and also secure for her the ways of self-realization, dignity and the fulfillment of her rights. Thus, the Muslim woman has been featured by matchless privileges which have raised her prestige and standing thereby enabling her to hail and get pride of being the women who is overwhelmed with sobriety, reverence, respect and lofty honor.

Veil is lawfully (legitimately) defined as the dress which should cover (veil) the whole body of the woman including the hands, face and feet. It is a must that it should be with a loose and wide garment which neither materialize or increase the body in volume nor show her qualities.  Veil has been prescribed legitimately upon women to block out the occurrence of the temptation between man and woman.

Allah (glory be to Him) said In HIS Holy Book, “0 Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful". (33:59)

THE CONDITIONS OF THE LEGAL (LEGITIMATE) VEIL

My sister in Islam: We draw the attention that the permissible veil (Al-Hijab Ay-Shariy) should have certain characteristics and conditions through which the Muslim woman can be specified (recognized) from among others. The best form for the veil is the garment (cloak) which should cover the whole body of the woman starting from the head down to the toes of her feet. Allah states in the Qur'an that they Should “Draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (when abroad)". (33:59)

"And to draw their veils over their bosoms” (24:31).

Further, Allah addressed only to the believing women to wear the veil by His' Saying, "And say to the believing woman", as well as His Saying in the Verse, "And the believing women". From the point of view of Hadith, it was mentioned (narrated) that: Some women came to see Aiysha (Razi Allah Anha) they entered Aiysha's ( RA) room while they had fine dresses on. However, Aiysha (RA )said. "If you were believing women, then such would not be the suitable dress of the believing women, but if you were not, you can enjoy wearing it."  From the above foregoing, the lawful veil is the one which screens the whole body including the face and palms of the hands -such is riot the veil through which a woman displays her charms by covering the head only while exposing her body and the face. We come to the conclusion that' any dress whatsoever which covers the body including the head, exposing however, the complexion of the woman or increasing her body in volume or showing her charms to anybody staring at her, would be deemed to be illicit because it makes the woman play her enchantment, and so it will contradict with the warning of Allah to man against the allurement of the Satan (devil) regarding the subject of clothing (dress). This meaning is depicted clearly in the following Qur’an Verses:

"0 Children of Adam! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Eve) out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and his tribe see you from a position where you cannot see them." (7:27)

Allah also says in the Qur'an:  "0 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. Such are among the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc. ) of Allah, that they may remember (i.e., leave the falsehood and follow the Truth). (7:26)

Now Satan is doing the same that he did to our -forefather Adam, he is striving hard to persuade Adam's progeny, bidding them indecency, impeding them to behave according to the laws regulated by Allah and alluring mischief to them.

UNCOVERING (OF THE FACE) IS A HERETICAL DEED WITH UNDERLYING DISMERITS

Unveiling is a heresy, error and a violation of both the Islamic religion and the purified tradition (Sunnah). It is evidence that a woman who uncovers has a weakness in belief as it strips her from chastity and modesty, taking in consideration that these two qualities (features) are from the branches of Faith (Belief). Additionally, uncovering takes away dignity and the granted legal rights from the woman, revealing of her private parts, exposing her shortcomings (faults) and spoiling (wasting) her feminity. It represents an adherent character for the woman who has already stripped off modesty and chastity, contrary to those who are complied with the ordinances of Allah and the significance lying behind.

Here under we mention some of the disadvantages of uncovering (the face or any part of the body): First: A woman being unveiled will be in a state of rebellion against Islamic society and disobedience of the precepts of Allah -the Omnipotent -Who created her.

Second: She will be violating the legitimate rules of her true Islamic religion, as well as the purified laws of the Prophet's traditions (Sunnah).

Third: Such woman will be breaching the honored morals of Islam giving no heed thereto in case of being unveiled.

Fourth: Waiving the woman of her prudence and chastity which were the prime characteristics of the mothers of the believing man and women -may Allah accept them and also each believing woman.

Fifth: Uncovering will strip the woman from anything which hides (veils) her finery, charms and the genitals (private parts).

Sixth: Making the woman equal to man as to treatment and rights especially in some Islamic and Arab countries.

Seventh: Going out from home and being obliged co work in company with men.

Eighth: The unveiled woman has to follow (adopt) what the west imposes upon her of illicit notions and tenets.

Ninth: The unveiled Muslim woman will be involved in imitating the non-believing women as regards to the destructive customs and usages.

Tenth: ·Unveiled women would become the protectors and maintainers of men.

Eleventh: Both men and women will not be satisfied with each other under their existing conjugal life with the mutual desire of making a new substitution.

Twelfth: The western semi-naked fashion and modes would govern and control the dress and appearance of the woman.

Thirteenth: Most male-oriented commodities are advertised by alluring naked females for attractions and promotions.

Fourteenth: Degrading and humiliating the unveiled woman in the common service and job sites which are supposed to be allocated to men only.

Fifteenth: Causing the woman to be under actions of compulsory rape and deflowering, of which incidences are seen and heard about, particularly in he advanced and civilized societies in all levels of life.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN AL-HIJAB (VEIL) AND AS-SOFUR (UNVEIL)

And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance: and establish Regular Prayer, and give Regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye Members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.  (33:33).

Islam got them a dress which is the raiment of righteousness and belief Through covering, Islam made them inaccessible and well-fortified, averted the makers of plots from them, as well as the tease of fashion and the feelings of hatred from male violent people against them. He fixed the house to be the natural place for the woman to worship and obey Allah, considering the household jobs will be the best duty to be undertaken by the woman in the world life.

Covering is thus, by Islam, the protective screen for the woman from any evil and harm. This is contrary to man who is required by nature to work and keep performing prayers in the mosque. Moreover, man, and not the woman, is the one who has to move freely to earn living.

On the other hand, Allah did preserve for the woman all rights in connection with states of marriage, divorce, pregnancy, period of wait (after being divorced and husband's death), and cost of living due to her including all other things entitled to her. Allah, the Omnipotent, has referred to these points among some Surahs and Verses of the Holy

Therefore, our generous Prophet instructed us in so many authenticated traditions to make the woman our ultimate concern. On the opposite side, he warned and drew her attention to some requirements through some other traditions which are all correct as to their chain of authorities on which a tradition is based.

In view of all these aspects our Muslim esteemed sister -may Allah guide us and you to His Right Path. Here it is this comparison between the state of being covered and not covered, to be fully oriented and understood while reading, then only you can be convinced of the privileges of Al-Hijab (covering) along with its relevant several benefits. It is an ordinance which Allah has prescribed upon it for women, making clear at the same time the disadvantages of uncovering which is an evil suggestion from Satanic assaulting mind, an action of Satan's maneuvers and a disowned atrocity of its abominations. May Allah give us refuge against him, for Allah hears and responds all things.

Al-Hijab (Covering): It has been prescribed upon woman by an order from Allah, Glory be to Him, which has been referred to in Qur'an. Thus, a Muslim woman is obliged to follow, and apply the teachings of the Holy Book and Sunnah by the manner of adhering therewith, following and submitting thereto as-per the laws legitimated to woman in this respect. The purpose is seeking to please Allah, the Creator, preserving both her person and her dignity.

As-Sofur (Uncovering): It is an invitation extended by Satan, foe of the Allah, and an act of his own. It is a blind imitation of those who deviated from the denominations of Islam, neither admitting it nor its lawful rules.

Hence, Muslim woman has to turn away from being' unveiled and to reject it since it is a bad conduct which degrades her prestige, honor and puts down her standing, thus making her a very cheap commodity for the callers of evil and a target for the eyes of evil.

AI-Hijab (Covering): It is a sign of the completion of faith by a woman who wore it for the Fear of Allah and seeking to please Allah but not as a customary and habitual matter. The woman who covers herself will be covered with chastity, modesty see or predict its shape or color. Even though, they appreciate and estimate your valuable jewel highly; although they did not have any chance to see or touch it, they quite know and realize how pretty and valuable the jewel is. For being strong holder (protected) by something similar to Al-Hijab (Covering), such shield make them think thousand times before their hands try to reach to. Such a perfect jewel of splendid qualities and being fully conserved in like the Muslim veiled woman, who in herself, is considered to be a valuable jewel whose value is increased by this protected veil which keeps her away from any hurt or harm,

This point is amply illustrated in the following Verses of the Qur'an:

"That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be  annoyed." (33:59)