In the Name of Allâh, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Abu Abdullah Fattaah Salaah ibn Bearnard Brooks.
Indeed, all praises are due to
Allah, we praise Him, seek His Aid and beg for His Forgiveness. We seek refuge
in Allah from the evil in our souls and from the bad consequences of our deeds.
Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead that person astray and whomever Allah
leads astray no one can guide that person. I bear witness that there is nothing
worthy of worship except Allah Who is alone and without any partners and I bear
witness that Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is His slave and final
Prophet and Messenger sent to mankind.
Certainly the most perfect speech is
the Speech of Allah and the finest guidance is the guidance of Muhammad
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. The worst of affairs are those that are
innovated into this religion as every innovation is misguidance and every
misguidance is astray and every going astray leads to the Hell Fire.
It often occurs to me that many of
my sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the
requirements of Hijab. It may be that a sister has been obliged to wear the
Hijab without truly pondering over its superiority. Perhaps she has reached the
age of puberty and her Wali (guardian) has instructed her to wear it. Perhaps
she has recently re-verted to Islam and her close sisters have told her of its
obligation. Or, perhaps her husband has commanded her to wear Hijab. A sister
who does not truly know the superiority of Hijab will always remain envious of
the women of the Kufar. Why? Because they see these misguided women looking
beautiful for all to see. Hence, the Muslim woman then compares herself to that
woman which causes her to feel ashamed of her own Hijab.
Therefore, what follows is a
reminder for my sisters in Islam. It is a reminder of the true status of these
so-called beautiful women. It is a reminder that Hijab will always reign
supreme and that the true man (i.e. the Muslim man), will forever be dazzled by
the beauty of the Muhijabah (woman who wears the Hijab).
Some Excellent Qualities of Those
Who Wear Hijab
Al-Hamdulilah, it is well known that
the Muslim woman is a creature of Hayaa (modesty). Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
loves for our Muslim women to be shielded by their Hijab. It is their outer
protection from the decadence of this life. Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam has said:
"Verily! Allah is
Hayaa (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who Shields - from
disobedient acts). He loves Hayaa (i.e. He loves for one to practice modesty
and bashfulness) and Siter (shielding; covering)." [Collected by Abu Dawud;
An-Nissa’ee; Al-Baihaqee; Ahmad; & in Saheeh An-Nissa’ee]
Thus, as possessing Hayaa is a
quality that is beloved by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala our sisters must feel
comfort in knowing that they have this Hayaa and not the women who show themselves
to the world; hence, such women will not be shielded from Allah’s subhanahu wa
ta'ala Wrath. Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) said:
"Any woman who
takes off her clothes in other than her husband’s home (to show off for
unlawful purposes), has broken Allah’s shield upon her." [Collected by
Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi]
Therefore, we see that the Hijab of
the Muslim woman has a quality that comprises Hayaa (modesty). Hayaa is what
proceeds from Iman (belief). That is why when Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
commands the women to observe Hijab, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
"And tell the believing
women..." [Surah An-Nur 24:31]
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also says:
"...And the women of the
believers..." [Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59]
Furthermore, Allah’s Messenger
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:
"Al-Hayaa (modesty
& bashfulness) is from Iman (belief) and Iman is in Al-Jannah (the
Paradise)." [At-Tirmidhi - Saheeh]
He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam
also said:
"Hayaa (modesty and
bashfulness) and Iman (belief) are fully associated together, if one is lifted
the other follows suit." [Narrated by ‘Abd
Allah bin ‘Umar; related by Al-Haakim in his "Mustadrak"]
My dear sisters in Islam, know that
these women who beautify themselves for the world to see possess no Hayaa;
thus, they are void of any Iman. Instead of looking to the latest fashion
models for guidance, you, my dear sisters, must look to the wives of the
Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Look at the extreme amount of Hayaa that
‘Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA) possessed even in the presence of the deceased:
'Aisha (RA) said: "I used to
enter the room where the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and
my father (Abu Bakr) were later buried in without having my garment on me,
saying it is only my husband and my father. But when ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA)
was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I
had my garment on being shy from ‘Umar." [As-Simt Ath’ameen Fee Maniqib
Ummahat Ul-Mu’mineen by Ibn As-Sakir. Al-Haakim brings a similar narration
which he says is "good according the conditions of Imaam Bukhari and Imaam
Muslim"]
My dear sister in Islam, I know that
it is quite difficult for you to go out wearing Hijab in a society that mocks
and torments you. I know that you, indeed, feel strange and out of
place. However, if you knew the status of those who are mocked by the
Kufar as well as the status of the strangers, you will continue to wear your
Hijab (i.e. to cover your entire body with a Khimar as commanded (24:31), as
well as with a Jilbab (33:59), with the exception of the hands and face; however,
knowing the recommendation to cover those parts (as well) with dignity. Allah
subhanahu wa ta'ala says in His Book:
"Verily! (During the worldly
life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And
whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another (in mockery);
And when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting;
and when they saw them, they said: ‘Verily! These have indeed gone
astray!’ But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers
over them (the believers). But on this Day (the Day of Resurrection)
those who believe will laugh at the disbelievers. On (high) thrones,
looking (at all things). Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what
they used to do?" [Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:29-36]
Allah’s subhanahu wa ta'ala words
should serve as a support for you my dear sisters. Also, take comfort in being
a stranger among these lewd and sinful women. Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam said:
"Islam began as something
strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange, so good
tidings for the strangers." [Narrated by Abu Huraira and
Reported Saheeh Muslim]
As-Sufoor and It's Characteristics
As-Sufoor means to expose or to
un-cover. Therefore, instead of practicing the Hijab (covering), the women of
the Kufar practice As-Sufoor. As-Sufoor is sinful as it leads to At-Tabarooj
(i.e. to make a dazzling display of oneself). Displaying oneself is a attribute
of one who is Jaheel (ignorant). Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
"And stay in your houses and do
not display yourselves (At-Tabarooj) like that of the times of
ignorance..." [Surah Al-Ahzab 33:33]
Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam said:
"The best of your
women is the affectionate, the fertile (in productivity), the propitious
(favorable), the consultative if they fear Allah. The most evil of your women
are the Mutabar’rijat (those who do At-Tabarooj), the Mutakhayelat (who
strut/swagger), and they are the hypocrites. Those who enter Al-Jannah (the
Paradise) are like the Cough Crow." [Al-Baihaqi in his
"As-Sunan"]
My dear sisters in Islam, we see
from the above Ayah and Hadith that displaying oneself is indeed Haram.
Further, it is a quality of the most evil of women! Therefore, do not be
envious of the women of the Kufar. They only have this life to enjoy
while the believing women will have Al-Jannah. There is nothing in your Hijab
whatsoever to be ashamed of as it is the garment of the righteous and pious
female slaves of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. In order to truly show you
how evil those women who make As-Sufoor and At-Tabarooj are, let us ponder over
the following statement of Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam:
"Of the people of
Hell there are two types whom I have never seen, the one possessing whips like
the tail of an Ox and they flog people with them. The second one, women who
would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced (to wrong
paths) and seduce others. Their hair is high like the humps (of camels). These
women would not get into Al-Jannah (the Paradise) and they would not perceive
its odor, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such a
distance." [Saheeh Muslim]
Sisters in Islam, these women who
practice At-Tabarooj are common among us today. These are women that even the
Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam did not see! Look around you and you will
see those women who are clothed but naked! Look at the hair styles of the
women who practice At-Tabarooj - are they not high like the camel’s hump?
My dear sister, perhaps we are the first generation since the time of the
Prophet Adam (AS) to witness such women. If one ponders over photos taken
thirty to forty years ago, one will see that the women of the Kufar did not
make At-Tabarooj as their offspring do today. These are women who
will be in the Hell Fire, save Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has mercy upon them by
guiding them to Islam! Thus, how can you envy them? My brothers,
how can you desire them over your creature of Hayaa? These filthy women will
not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. This Hadith also shows us that
what the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam came with (i.e. the Qur’an and
the Sunnah) is the Haqq (truth)! This is a prophecy that has come to pass
in front of our very eyes. Hence, will we continue to envy these evil
women or be grateful to our Lord for your Hijab which brings Hayaa?
Whatever I have written that is true
is from Allah alone while anything that is false is from myself and shaytan.
Subhanaka Allahummah wa bihamdika, ash hadu an la illaha illa anta,
astaghfiruka wa atuboo ilayk
