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 sallallahu '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 sallallahu '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 Hellfire.
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 reverted 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 Kuffar. 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
Alhamdulilah, it is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of Haya (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 sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam has said:
"Verily! Allah is Haya (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who Shields - from disobedient acts). He loves Haya (i.e. He loves for one to practice modesty and bashfulness) and Siter (shielding; covering)." [Collected by Abu Dawud; An-Nasa'i; Al-Bayhaqi; Ahmad; & in Sahih an-Nasa'i]
Thus, as possessing Haya is a quality that is beloved by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala our sisters must feel comfort in knowing that they have this Haya and not the women who show themselves to the world; hence, such women will not be shielded from Allah's Wrath. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) 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 Haya (modesty). Haya 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 ... " [Al-Qur'an 24:31]
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also says:
" ... And the women of the believers ... " [Al-Qur'an 33:59]
Furthermore, Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:
"Al-Haya (modesty & bashfulness) is from Imam (belief) and Imam is in Al-Jannah (the Paradise)." [At-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
He sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam also said:
"Haya (modesty and bashfulness) and Imam (belief) are fully associated together, if one is lifted the other follows suit." [Narrated by 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar; related by Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak]
My dear sisters in Islam, know that these women who beautify themselves for the world to see possess no Haya; 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 sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Look at the extreme amount of Haya that 'A'ishah bint Abu Bakr (radhiallahu 'anha) possessed even in the presence of the deceased:
"I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah sallallahu '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 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'amin Fi Manaqib Ummat'l-Mu'minin by Ibn as-Sakir. Al-Hakim brings a similar narration which he says is "good according the conditions of Imam Bukhari and Imam 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 Kuffar 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?" [Al-Qur'an 83:29-36]
Allah's 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 sallallahu '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 Hurayrah and Reported in Sahih Muslim]
As-Sufur and It's Characteristics
As-Sufur means to expose or to uncover. Therefore, instead of practicing the Hijab (covering), the women of the Kuffar practice as-sufur. As-Sufur is sinful as it leads to at-tabaruj (i.e. to make a dazzling display of oneself). Displaying oneself is a attribute of one who is jahil (ignorant). Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
"And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves (at-tabaruj) like that of the times of ignorance ... " [Al-Qur'an 33:33]
Allah's Messenger sallallahu '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-tabaruj), the Mutakhayyilat (who strut/swagger), and they are the hypocrites. Those who enter Al-Jannah (the Paradise) are like the Cough Crow." [Al-Bayhaqi in his 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 Kuffar. 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-sufur and at-tabaruj are, let us ponder over the following statement of Allah's Messenger sallallahu '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." [Sahih Muslim]
Sisters in Islam, these women who practice at-tabaruj are common among us today. These are women that even the Prophet sallallahu '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-tabaruj - 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 to witness such women. If one ponders over photos taken thirty to forty years ago, one will see that the women of the Kuffar did not make at-tabaruj as their offspring do today. These are women who will be in the Hellfire, 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 Haya? These filthy women will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. This Hadith also shows us that what the Prophet sallallahu '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 Haya?
Whatever I have written that is true is from Allah alone while anything that is false is from myself and Shaytan.
Subhanakallahummah wa bihamdika, ashadu an laillaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk
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