Hijaab is Beautiful

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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 ibn 'Abd Allah is His slave and final Prophet and Messenger sent to mankind (SAAWS). To proceed:

Certainly the most perfect speech is the Speech of Allah and the finest guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (SAAWS). 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 Hell Fire. Again, to proceed:

It often occurs to me that many of my sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijaab. It may be that a sister has been obliged to wear the Hijaab 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 re-verted to Islam and her close sisters have told her of its obligation. Or, perhaps her husband has commanded her to wear Hijaab. A sister who does not truly know the superiority of Hijaab will always remain envious of the women of the Kuffaar. 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 Hijaab.

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 Hijaab will always reign supreme and that the true man (i.e. the Muslim man), will forever be dazzled by the beauty of the Muhijaabah (woman who wears the Hijaab).

SOME EXCELLENT QUALITIES OF THOSE WHO WEAR HIJAAB

Al-Hamdulilah, it is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of Hayaa (modesty). Allah loves for our Muslim women to be shielded by their Hijaab. It is their outer protection from the decadence of this life. Allah's Messenger (SAAWS) has said (what means):

"Verily! Allah is Hayaa (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who Shields - from disobedient acts). He loves Hayaa (i.e. He loves for one to practice modesty and bashfulness) and Siter (shielding; covering)." [Collected by Abu Dawud; An-Nissa'ee; Al-Baihaqee; Ahmad; & in Saheeh An-Nissa'ee].
Thus, as possessing Hayaa is a quality that is beloved by Allah, Ta ' Ala , our sisters must feel comfort in knowing that they have this Hayaa and not the women who show themselves to the world; hence, such women will not be shielded from Allah's Wrath. Allah's Messenger (SAAWS) said (what means):

"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 Hijaab of the Muslim woman has a quality that comprises Hayaa (modesty). Hayaa is what proceeds from Imaan (belief). That is why when Allah commands the women to observe Hijaab, He, Ta ' Ala , says (what means):

"And say (O Muhammad SAAW) to the believing women..." [Surah An-Nur: 31].
Also (what means):

"...And the believing women..." [Surah Al-Ahzab: 59].
Furthermore, Allah's Messenger (SAAWS) said (what means):

"Al-Hayaa (modesty & bashfulness) is from Imaan (belief) and Imaan is in Al-Jannah (the Paradise )." [At-Tirmidhi - Saheeh].
Also (what means):

"Hayaa (modesty and bashfulness) and Imaan (belief) are fully associated together, if one is lifted the other follows suit." [Narrated by 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar; related by Al-Haakim in his " Mustadrak"].
My dear sisters in Islam, know that these women who beautify themselves for the world to see possess no Hayaa; thus, they are void of any Imaan. Instead of looking to the latest fashion models for guidance, you, my dear sisters, must look to the wives of the Prophet (SAAWS). Look at the extreme amount of Hayaa that our mother, Umm Al-Mu'mineen, 'Aaisha bint Abi Bakr (RAA) possessed even in the presence of the deceased:

'Aaisha (RAA) said: "I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah (SAAWS) 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 (RAA) 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'ameen Fee Maniqib Ummahat Ul-Mu'mineen by Ibn As-Sakir. Al-Haakim brings a similar narration which he says is "good according the conditions of Imaam Bukhari and Imaam Muslim"].
My dear sister in Islam, I know that it is quite difficult for you to go out wearing Hijaab 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 Kuffaar as well as the status of the strangers, you will continue to wear your Hijaab (i.e. to cover your entire body with a Khimaar as commanded [24:31], as well as with a Jilbaab [33:59], with the exception of the hands and face; however, knowing the recommendation to cover those parts as well) with dignity. Allah, Ta ' Ala , says in His Book (what means):

"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?" [Surah Al-Mutaffifin: 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 (SAAWS) said (what means):

"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 Huraira; Sahih Muslim].
AS-SUFOOR AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

As-Sufoor means to expose or to un-cover. Therefore, instead of practicing the Hijaab (covering), the women of the Kuffaar practice As-Sufoor. As-Sufoor is sinful as it leads to At-Tabarooj (i.e. to make a dazzling display of oneself). Displaying oneself is a attribute of one who is Jaheel (ignorant). Allah says in His Book (what means):

"And stay in your houses and do not make At-Tabarooj (i.e. display yourselves) like you made At-Tabarooj in the times of ignorance." [Surah Al-Ahzab: 33].
Allah's Messenger (SAAWS) said (what means):

"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-Tabarooj), the Mutakhayelat (who strut/swagger), and they are the hypocrites. Those who enter Al-Jannah (the Paradise ) are like the Cough Crow." [Al-Baihaqi in his "As-Sunan"].
My dear sisters in Islam, we see from the above Ayah and Hadeeth that displaying oneself is indeed Haraam. Further, it is a quality of the most evil of women! Therefore, do not be envious of the women of the Kuffaar. They only have this life to enjoy while the believing women will have Al-Jannah. There is nothing in your Hijaab whatsoever to be ashamed of as it is the garment of the righteous and pious female slaves of Allah. In order to truly show you how evil those women who make As-Sufoor and At-Tabarooj are, let us ponder over the following statement of Allah's Messenger (SAAWS), what means:

"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-Tabarooj are common among us today. These are women that even the Prophet (SAAWS) 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-Tabarooj - are they not high like the camel's hump? My dear sister, perhaps we are the first generation since the time of the Prophet Aadam (AS) to witness such women. If one ponders over photos taken thirty to forty years ago, one will see that the women of the Kuffaar did not make At-Tabarooj as their offspring do today. These are women who will be in the Hell Fire, save Allah 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 Hayaa? These filthy women will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise . This Hadeeth also shows us that what the Prophet (SAAWS) came with (i.e. the Qur'an and his 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 Hijaab which brings Hayaa?

Whatever I have written that is true is from Allah alone while anything that is false is from myself and shaytan. Subhanaka Allahummah wa bihamdika, ash hadu an la illaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atuboo ilayk.

Abu 'Abdul Fattaah Salaah bin Bernard Brooks

Pittsburgh , PA