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Highlighting Hijaab
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By
Saaleha Bhamjee**
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Mar.
13, 2006
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In
recent years, the numerous bombings that have occurred all over
the world 'supposedly' in the name of Islam, have given rise to huge
amounts of attention being given to Islam on various platforms, the media
being the most prominent among these. Many of the Islamic principals and
practices have been brought into the spotlight, but none more notably,
than the hijaab.
Hijaab
has been called many names, and those who choose to don it have often found themselves on the receiving end of snide remarks,
accusations and at times even sympathy. But what exactly is the Islamic
position of Hijaab?
Allah
says in the Noble Qur'an, {And say to the believing women that
they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they
should not display their beauty except that which
co-incidentally appears thereof, that they should draw their
veils over their bosoms and not reveal their adornments} (An-Nur
24:31)
Concerning
the portion of the verse 'that which co-incidentally appears thereof', a difference of opinion exists amongst the jurists as
to whether the face too should be covered. But all unanimously agree that
the entire body, including the hair should be covered in the presence of
those with whom marriage is not forbidden (ghair-mahram).
I approached a few sisters, to ask them what their hijaab
means to them. These were their responses: Safiyyah* was not a hijaabi. In fact fancy hair-do's were her
trademark. One incident, however, changed her life.
She says, "I passed by a fellow muslimah one day and
greeted her. She did not respond to me. I was suddenly struck by the thought that,
should I die on this road, no one would know that I am a Muslim. The very
next day, I wore a scarf."
When asked what her head scarf, which has now had a niqaab
added to it, she
replies, "The most important aspect of this style of dress,
is that it is my identity. It identifies me as a Muslim. Besides, covering the
head is a command of Allah. Also my scarf ensures that I am respected by
both Muslims as well as non-Muslims. It is a reflection of my modesty, which
is part of Imaan. It liberates me and I know that I am pleasing
Allah."
Another sister that I had the pleasure of speaking to was Fatima*,
a 19 year old Hafizah (one who has memorized the Qur'an). She
started covering up two years after starting her hifz
classes. She explains, "I just felt that it was not right.
My mum went around saying that she had begun wearing the scarf
because of my hifz, and this made me feel even more
guilty. Initially, my scarf bothered me. I felt self-conscious
and out-of-place, especially when going out with my friends.
Today, I can't do without it. It means everything to me. I feel
good that I am fulfilling such an important command of Allah."
Her elder sister, Yumna*, on the other hand does not wear a
scarf. When asked why not, she says, "I don't really know. I know that
it is wrong, but maybe it's the kind of friends I have. Maybe I just like
experimenting with my hair," she jokes. "But if I were to marry someone
who would like me to wear the scarf, I wouldn't mind. I know
that it is compulsory." She sees women who wear the head
scarf as being more committed. "They're better than me
because they are prepared to go the extra mile. I respect
them."
And what are my views concerning the hijaab?
I wear a niqaab. It is the essence of who I am. It
doesn't make me better or worse than anyone else. It also doesn't give anyone the license
to judge me more harshly. After all, the laws of shari'ah are equally
applicable to everyone. It just shows that I am trying.
My hijaab means that I need not be judged on the basis of
my appearance. It allows me to stand before Allah each day, secure in the
knowledge that I have at least one less sin to answer for.
It draws me into the company of the illustrious Wives and
Sahaabis (Allah is pleased with them) of the Prophet (prayers and peace upon him)
who prided themselves on the observance of hijaab as a
means of preserving chastity and improving morality in society.
For me, hijaab shows strength of conviction in one's
belief, is a symbol of Allah, as well as His flag which is being hoisted high amid all
the flags of immorality. It is an expression of our modesty, concerning
which, the Prophet (prayer and peace upon him) had said,
"Modesty and Imaan go side by side. If the one is
removed, the other too will soon follow." (Reported by Al-Hakim)
Observing hijaab brings us fully into the sisterhood of
Islam.
*names have been changed
Read
More:
**
Saaleha Bhamjee is a mother of four and a writer
based in South Africa. She is a regular columnist for The
Muslim Woman, a magazine in South Africa. She is an Islamic
Writers Alliance member and can be contacted at youth_campaign@iolteam.com.
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