THE ESSENCE OF HIJAAB

HIJAAB IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE TO ALLAH AND HIS PROPHET:

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "And it is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter for them to have any choice in that matter. And anyone who disobeys Allah and His Messenger have indeed gone astray into open error" - (Surah al-Azhab: 36)

"...to the believing women...cast their veils over their bosoms, and not reveal their adornment, except to their husbands…" - (Surah al-Noor: 31)

HIJAAB IS CHASTITY AND PURITY:

Allah makes the compliance of wearing the hijaab a condition of chastity, modesty and purity. The molestation and exploitation of women is a disease that has been in the hearts of men since the dawn of time. The Prophet (SAW) has informed us in a Hadith: "That there is no disease or sickness that Allah has created a cure for it," The cure for this disease of the heart can be found in the following verse of the Holy Quran wherein Allah tells the His Prophet (SAW):

"O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close  to themselves, that at least they should be known and not molested..." - (Sarah al-Ahzab: 59)

The cure is hijaab, one of the commands of Allah. And it makes for greater purity for the hearts of the believing men and women because it screens against desires of the heart. As Allah states in the Qur'an: "... and when you ask his (Prophet's) wives for something, ask them from behind a curtain, which is more pure for your hearts and their hearts... - (Surah al - Ahtab: 53)

When the hijaab is left off, the heart is more inclined to lead by its lust and its desires, but when the private parts and the adornments are covered, this prevents evil. No doubt much consideration has been given by the Shariah in respect to the affairs of the women. These considerations have primarily been laid down to protect her chastity, her honor and her position in society. The laws that have been placed upon the Muslim women with regard to her dress and the display of her beauty serve ultimately to protect her and the society as a whole from the lowest depths of moral corruption.

THE HIJAAB IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, HAYA AND GHEERAH:

Allah says in the Qur'an: - (Surah Al Araaf: 26)

"O Children of Adam! We have sent down on you an undergarment to cover your shameful parts, and an outer garment as a protection and decoration, and the best garment is the garment of piety (righteousness)..."

Today the common ways of dressing are mostly for displaying the female beauty or showing off her social or financial status, and hardly taken as a cover and shield for the woman's body. To the believing women, however, the purpose is to safeguard their bodies in direct obedience to the order of Allah. To them it is an assertion of faith and a way of attaining righteousness.

Hijaab fits the sound inborn and natural fitrah and feeling of women and men which call for haya and gheera. Haya is inhibition and is part of one's Faith to show haya and demand it from those who are his responsibility. The ' Prophet (SAW) said, "Haya is part of imaan." - (Bukhari). And when the woman wears hijaab she is affirming that part of her faith and helping her parents or husbands fulfill their responsibilities to Allah.

Gheerah is the natural character in a man which makes him not accept other men illicitly look at his wife, daughters, sisters and mother, gheerah is what makes man safeguard relative women from strangers. The hijaab fulfills and maintains this vital element in the family and society as a whole. But the mixing of sexes and the absence of hijaab destroys the gheera in men. And since Prophet (SAW) told us, "A Muslim is the brother of the Muslim," Muslim men have gheera for all Muslim women and do not accept for them what they, do not accept for their own sisters.