The
Top Ten Excuses of Muslim Women Who Don't Wear Islamic Hijaab - And Their
Obvious Weakness
By
Dr. Huwayda Ismaeel
Rendered
into English from Al-Bayaan Magazine
Get
on the train of repentance my sister, before it passes by your station.
Deeply consider my sister, what is happening today before tomorrow
comes. Think, my sister - starting now.
All
praise is due to Allah ta'aala as is deserved by His Majesty and Great Power.
I send prayers and ask for blessings upon His Noble Messenger who drew the
path for us to the pleasure of Allah and His Jannah. This path is a straight
one that is surrounded by virtue from all sides and attends to the best moral
characteristics which are increased by the clothing of purity, concealment,
and chastity. It is the path trod by the two halves of human society, namely
the man and the woman, toward harmonious contentment and happiness in this
life and the Hereafter.
This
is precisely why the Protector, the blessed and above all imperfection, has
made wearing hijaab (see As-Sunnah Articles) an obligation upon the woman as a
safeguard of her chastity and protection of her honor and sign of her faith (Eemaan).
It is on account of this that
societies
(both Muslim and non-Muslim) that have distanced themselves from the way of
Allah and deviated from His straight path, are ill societies in need of
treatment that will lead them to recovery and happiness.
Among
the pictures that point to the distance of society from that path and that
make clear the level of its deviation and separation from it is the open
spread of women not just uncovering their faces but enhancing and making a
display of their beauty. We find that this is manifested regretfully, in
Islamic (Muslim) society despite that Islamic clothing is also widespread. So
then, what are the reasons that have led to this digression?
We
put this question to a varied group of women from whom we derived ten major
excuses and upon examination and scrutiny, the frailty of the excuses became
evident to us.
Stay
with us dear Muslim sister in these few lines so that we can know through them
the reasons for turning away from the hijaab and then discuss each.
We
then ask this sister two questions.
One:
Is she truly convinced of the correctness of the religion of Islam? The
natural answer is: Yes she is convinced for she responds "Laa ilaaha
illallah!" (There is no god but Allah), meaning she is convinced of the
aqeedah, and then she says: "Muhammadun rasoolullah!" (Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allah), meaning by that that she is convinced of its
legislation or law (sharee'ah). Therefore, she is convinced of Islam as a
belief system and a law by which one governs and rules their life.
Two:
Is the hijaab then a part of Islamic Law (sharee'ah) and an obligation?
If
this sister is honest and sincere in her intention and has looked into the
issue as one who truly wants to know the truth her answer could only be: Yes.
For Allah ta'aala, Whose deity (Uloohiyyah) she believes in has commanded
wearing hijaab in His Book (Al-Qur'aan) and the noble prophet ('alaihi salaat
wa salaam)whose message she believes in has commanded
wearing
the hijaab in his sunnah.
What
do we call a person who says they believe in and are content with the
correctness of Islam but who nonetheless does not do what Allah or His
Messenger have ordered? Certainly they can in no way be described as those
whom Allah speaks of in this aayah: The only saying of the faithful believers
when they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between
them
is that they say 'we hear and obey' and such are the successful. [Soorah An-Noor
24:51]
In
summary: If this sister is convinced of Islam, how then can she not be
convinced of its orders?
The
one who has answered this excuse is the most noble of Allah's creation, the
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) in concise and comprehensive
words of wisdom: There is no obedience to the created in the disobedience of
Allah.[Ahmed]
The
status of parents in Islam, especially the mother, is a high and elevated one.
Indeed Allah ta'aala has combined it with the greatest of matters, worshipping
Him and His tawheed, in many aayaat. He stated:Worship Allah and join none
with Him and do good to parent [Soorah An-Nisaa 4:36]
Obedience
to parents is not limited except in one aspect, and that is if they order to
disobedience of Allah. Allah said: But if they strive with you to make you
join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey
them not.[Soorah Luqmaan 31:15] The lack of obedience to them in sinfulness
does not prevent being good to them and kind treatment of them. Allah said
afterward in the same aayah: But behave with
them
in the world kindly.
In
summary: How can you obey your mother and disobey Allah Who created you and
your mother?
This
sister is either one or the other of two types: She is sincere and honest, or
she is a slippery liar who desires to make a showy display of her "hijaab"
clamoring with colors to be "in line with the times" and expensive.
We
will begin with an answer to the honest and sincere sister. Are you unaware my
dear sister, that it is not permissible for the Muslim woman to leave her home
in any instance unless her clothing meets the conditions of Islamic hijaab (Hijaab
shar'ee) and it is a duty of every Muslim woman to know what they are?
If
you have taken the time and effort to learn so many matters of this world how
then can you be neglectful of learning those matters which will save you from
the punishment of Allah and His anger after death!!? Does Allah not say: Ask
the people of remembrance (i.e. knowledgeable scholars) if you do not know. [Soorah
An-Nahl 16:43]. Learn therefore, the requirements of proper hijaab.
If
you must go out, then do not do so without the correct hijaab, seeking the
pleasure of Allah and the degradation of Shaitaan. That is because the
corruption brought about by your going out adorned and "beautified"
is far greater than the matter which you deem necessary to go out for.
My
dear sister if you are really truthful in your intention and correctly
determined you will find a thousands hands of good assisting you and Allah
will make the matter easy for you! Is He not the One Who says:And whoever
fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out
(from every difficulty) and He will provide him from sources he never could
imagine[Soorah At-Talaaq 65:2-3]?
With
regards to the 'slippery' one we say: Honor and position is something
determined by Allah ta'aala and it is not due to embellishment of clothing and
show of colors and keeping up with the trendsetters. It is rather due to
obedience to Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and
holding to the pure law of Allah and correct Islamic hijaab. Listen to the
words of Allah: Indeed, the most honorable amongst you are those who are the
most pious. [Soorah Al-Hujuraat 49:35]
In
summary: Do things in the way of seeking Allah's pleasure and entering His
Jannah and give less value to the high priced and costly objects and wealth of
this world.
Allah
gives an example by saying: Say: The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat if
they only understand. [Soorah At-Taubah 9:81]
How
can you compare the heat of your land to the heat of the Hellfire?
Know,
my sister, that Shaitaan has trapped you in one of his feeble ropes to drag
you from the heat of this world to the heat of the Hellfire. Free yourself
from his net and view the heat of the sun as a favor and not an affliction
especially in that it reminds you of the intensity of the
punishment
of Allah which is many times greater than the heat you now feel. Return to the
order of Allah and sacrifice this worldly comfort in the way of following the
path of salvation from the Hellfire about which Allah says: They will neither
feel coolness nor have any drink except that of boiling water and the
discharge of dirty wounds.[Soorah An-Naba' 78:24-25]
In
summary: The Jannah is surrounded by hardships and toil, while Hellfire is
surrounded by temptations, lusts and desires.
To
her I say: If everyone was to apply your logic then they would have left the
Deen in its entirety! They would have left off salaat because some would be
afraid of leaving it later. They would have left fasting in Ramadhan because
so many are afraid of not doing it later…etc. Haven't you seen how Shaitaan
has trapped you in his snare again and blocked you from guidance?
Allah
ta'aala loves continuous obedience even if it be small or recommended. How
about something that is an absolute obligation like wearing hijaab?! The
prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: The most beloved deed with Allah
is the consistent one though it be little.Why
haven't
you sought out the causes leading those people to leave off the hijaab so that
you can avoid them and work to keep away from them? Why haven't you sought out
reasons and causes to affirm truth and guidance until you can hold firm to
them?
Among
these causes is much supplication to Allah (du'aa) to make the heart firm upon
the Deen as did the prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam). Also is making
salaat and having mindfulness of it as Allah stated:And seek help in patience
and the prayer and truly it is extremely heavy except for the true believers
in Allah who obey Allah with full submission and believe in His promise of
Jannah and in His warnings (Al-Khaashi'oon).[Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:45]
Other
causes to put one upon guidance and truth is adherence to the laws of Islam
and one of them is indeed wearing the hijaab. Allah said: If they had done
what they were told, it would have been better for them and would have
strengthened their faith. [Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:66]
In
summary: If you hold tight to the causes of guidance and taste the sweetness
of faith you will not neglect the orders of Allah after having held to them.
Any
husband who desires that you be uncovered and adorned in public in defiance of
and in disobedience to Allah, is not a worthy husband in the first place. He
is a husband who has no feeling to protect what Allah has made inviolable,
most notably yourself, and he will not help you in any way to enter Al-Jannah
or escape from the Hellfire. A home which is founded upon disobedience to
Allah and provocation of His anger is fitting that He decree misery and
hardship for it in this life and in the Hereafter. As Allah stated: But
whosoever turns away from My reminder (i.e. neither believes in the Qur'aan
nor acts upon its teachings) verily for him is a life of hardship and We shall
raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. [Soorah Ta Ha 20:124]
Marriage
is a favor and blessing from Allah to whom He give whom He wills.
How
many women who wear hijaab (mutahajibah) are in fact married while many who
don't aren't? If you were to say that '..my being made-up and uncovered is a
means to reach a pure end, namely marriage', a pure goal or end is not
attained through impure and corrupt means in Islam. If the goal is honorable
then it must necessarily be achieved by pure and clean method. We say the rule
in Islam is: The means are according to the rules of the intended goals.
In
summary: There is no blessing in a marriage established upon sinfulness and
corruption.
So…this
sister of ours adheres to the Book of Allah and its commands as long as they
coincide with her personal desires and understanding! She leaves behind those
matters when they don't please her. If this was not the case, then why doesn't
she follow the aayah:And do not show off their adornment except only that
which is apparent[Soorah An-Noor 24:31] and the statement of Allah
subhaanah:Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to
draw their cloaks all over their bodies [Soorah Al-Ahzaab 33:59]?
With
this statement my sister you have now made a shari'ah (law) for yourself of
what Allah ta'aala has strictly forbidden, namely beautification (at-tabarruj)
and uncovering (as-sufoor), and the reason:
Your
lack of wanting to adhere to the order. The greatest blessing or favor that
Allah has bestowed upon us is that of Eemaan (faith) and hidaayah (guidance)
and among them is the Islamic hijaab. Why then do you not manifest and talk
about this greatest of blessings given to you?
In
summary: Is there a greater blessing and favor upon the woman than guidance
and hijaab?
We
ask this sister on what plans or steps she will undertake until she accepts
this divine guidance? We know that Allah has in His wisdom made a cause or
means for everything. That is why the sick take medicine to regain health, and
the traveler rides a vehicle or an animal to reach his destination, and other
limitless examples.
Has
this sister of ours seriously endeavored to seek true guidance and exerted the
proper means to get it such as: Supplicating Allah sincerely as He stated:
Guide us to the Straight Path. [Soorah Al-Faatihah 1:6]; Keeping company with
the righteous good sisters - for they are among the best to assist her to
guidance and to continue to point her to it until Allah
guides
her and increases her guidance and inspires her to further guidance and taqwaa.
She would then adhere to the orders of Allah and wear the hijaab that the
believing women are commanded to wear.
In
summary: If this sister was really serious about seeking guidance she would
have exerted herself by the proper means to get it.
The
Angel of Death my sister, is visiting and waiting at your door for the order
of Allah ta'aala to open it on you at any moment in your life. Allah said:
When their term comes, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it and
hour (or a moment). [Soorah Al-An'aam 7:34].
Death
my sister doesn't discriminate between the young or the old and it may come
while you are in this state of great sinfulness disobedience, fighting against
the Lord of Honor with your uncovering and shameless adornment. My sister, you
should race to obedience along with those others who race to answer the call
of Allah tabaaraka wa ta'aala:Race with one another in hastening towards
forgiveness from your Lord and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of
the heavens and the earth. [Soorah Al-Hadeed 57:21] Sister, don't forget Allah
or He will forget you by turning His mercy away from you in this life and the
next. You are forgetting your own soul by not fulfilling the right of your
soul to obey Allah and proper worship of Him.
Allah
stated about the hypocrites (Al-Munaafiqoon): And be not like those who forgot
Allah and He caused them to forget their own selves.[Soorah Al-Hashr 59:19]
My
sister wear the hijaab in your young age in opposition to the sinful deed
because Allah is intense in punishment and will ask you on the Day of
Resurrection about your youth and every moment of your life.
In
summary: Stop presuming some future expectation in your life will indeed
occur!! How can you guarantee your own life until tomorrow?
My
sister in Islam, there are only two parties in Islam, and they are both
mentioned by Allah Almighty in His Noble Book.
The
first party is the party of of Allah (hizbullah) that He gives victory to
because of their obedience to His commands and staying away from what He has
forbidden. The second party is the party of the accursed Shaitaan (hizbush-Shaitaan)
which disobeys the Most Merciful and increase corruption in the earth. When
you hold tight to and adhere to the commands of Allah, and among them is
wearing the hijaab - you then become a part of the successful party of Allah.
When you beautify and display your charms you are riding in the boat of
Shaitaan and his friends and partners from among the hypocrites and the
disbelievers and none worse could there be as friends.
Don't
you see how you are running from Allah and to the Shaitaan, trading filth for
good? Run instead my sister to Allah and follow His way:So flee to Allah (from
His Torment to His mercy). Verily I (Muhammad) am a plain warner to you from
Him.[Soorah Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:50] The hijaab is a high form of worship that is
not subject to the opinions of people and their orientations and choices
because the one who legislated it is the Most Wise Creator.
In
summary: In the way of seeking the pleasure of Allah and in hope of His Mercy
and success in His Jannah and throw the statements of the devils among people
and jinn against the wall! Hold tight to the legislation of Allah by your
molars and follow the example of the striving and knowledgeable Mothers of the
Believers and the female companions (radiallahu 'anhum ajma'een).
In
Conclusion Your body is on display in the market of Shaitaan seducing the
hearts of men.The hairstyles, the tight clothing showing every detail of your
figure, the short dresses showing off your legs and feet, the showy,
decorative and fragrant clothing all angers the Merciful and pleases the
Shaitaan. Every day that passes while you are in this condition, distances you
further from Allah and brings you closer to Shaitaan. Each day curses and
anger are directed toward you from the heavens until you repent. Every day
brings you closer to the grave and the Angel of Death is ready to capture your
soul.
Everyone
shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your
wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Hellfire and admitted to
Al-Jannah, is indeed successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment
of deception (a deceiving thing).[Soorah Aale 'Imraan 3:185]
Get
on the train of repentance my sister, before it passes by your station. Deeply
consider my sister, what is happening today before tomorrow comes. Think
about it, my sister - Now, before it is too late!