HIJAAB... A WAY OF LIFE.!!!

We can easily be seen that now a days, the culture of Hijaab is increasing day by day among women especially in the teenage girls. They all cover their heads with beautiful scarfs which makes them a precious pearl among naked head women. But, a point is raised that do we fulfil or follow the right way of Hjaab? Because Hijaab means "a veil", "curtain", "partition" or "separation." Just because some of the sisters have their head covered, they think that the requirement of Hijaab is fulfilled. They don’t realise that wearing a Hijaab requires much more than just covering your head. Allah says:
“And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty (zeenah) except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty 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 brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you believers, in order that you are successful.” (Surat-un-Nur: 31). 

Now, we can discuss some issues in the light of this Qur'anic verse.

-Well, my head is covered. What more do you want?
If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers should be drawn over the neck slits. Yet, some sisters just cover their head with something, and think they are fulfilling the rights of Hijaab, although part of their hair or body is showing, or their whole neck and chest area are exposed. Actually, that was the way of the women of Jahilliyah. So secure the scarf well around your face, covering your neck/chest area, and keep those half sleeves and capri pants for your Mahrams.

-Sorry.…tight jeans and short shirt just don’t cut it
You can’t wear tight jeans and a short shirt with a piece of cloth on your head and think this is Hijaab. Nor can you wear anything else that is tight, describing the shape of the body in any way, even if it is long. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “In later (generations) of my ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked. On top of their heads (what looks) like camel humps. They will not enter into paradise or (even) get a smell of it.” (Muslim) 

-The Hijaab shouldn’t attract attention
The dress should not be such that it attracts men’s attention to the woman’s beauty. Allah clearly states “not to display their beauty (zeenah).” Yet, Subhan Allah, some Hijaabi sisters are dressed in such a way that they attract more attention to themselves than they would if they didn’t wear Hijaab!! How could such zeenah be concealed if the dress is designed in a way that it attracts men’s eyes to the woman? It beats the purpose of Hijaab. Allah tells us: “And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…” [al-Ahzaab:32] 

-What about make-up and perfume??? 
Wearing make-up is also part of the zeenah that Allah orders us NOT to display. So if your head and body are appropriately covered yet you are wearing bright red lipstick or dark eyeliner such that people confuse between you and a raccoon….uh sorry, that’s not Hijaab. And keep those nice fragrances for the home, between you and your husband. That’s part of Hijaab too, even if you are going to the Masjid. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.” (al-Nasaa’i, Tirmidhi: hasan by Albaani) 

-Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling bracelets
‘Loud’ and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets, clip-clopping shoes, little bells on clothes, you name it, if it jingles or makes noise, it is against the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it. That is what is meant when Allah orders us in the above verse…“not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments.” 

-No laughing, joking, or hanging out with non-Mahrams
Some sisters assume that since they are properly covered, its okay for them to sit around and talk, laugh, joke, etc. with the men, but that’s not right, even if he is ‘the Shaikh’. Allah says:”. . . then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.” [al-Ahzaab:32]

-‘Chatting’ on the internet/phone is not part of Hijaab, either 
There is no such thing as “we’re just friends”. Talking to non-Mahrams is wrong even if it is through the internet or telephone. There are too many stories of illegal relationships, fornications, broken homes, extra-marital affairs and runaway brides to even mention. That is why in Islam anything that leads to haraam is also haraam. Allah says: “Do not (even) come close to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil.” (Surah Israa:32) 

-Be careful, even in the way you walk
Remember, you are not a runway model displaying the latest fashion. Walk with modesty and haya and you will be respected. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet….women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait…..” (Muslim). 

-Don’t shake hands with non-Mahrams. Its part of Hijaab
It is not permissible to shake hands with a non-Mahram, because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” (at-Tabaraani saheeh by al-Albaani).

So here are some points which i described above. We should follow this right way of Hijaab so that we can be blessed by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'la.
May Allah guide us and bless us with the TRUE understanding of His Deen. Ameen.