Sisters, I need your help!

[amanda1]

A-salaamu alaikum

I am a 21 year-old Muslimah whose faith in Islam has resurfaced after a trip to South Africa. I live in a city in the States where Muslimahs practice hijab but not in the traditional way. I was wondering if there is only one RIGHT way to cover? I've seen scarves tied all sorts of ways that still adequately cover the body but are not what I saw in Capetown. Is it acceptable to cover in a way I am comfortable or should I stick to tradition?
Thank you. :)

[Tahiyah]

congratulations sister, i am pleased to hear that the light of your eeman (faith) is back on ~ alhamdulillah

there are various hijab styles, i am sure if you do a few searches you will come across many - most important is to keep the head, ears and neck covered. :up:

best wishes to ya and may Allah (swt) grant you true guidance.

[`asiya]

as salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh sister Maybe this article will help insha Allah ta ala barakallahu feeki amin

The correct Hijab

Allah had ordered all believing women to cover their awra but we see today women who wear the latest fashions or cultural dress and do not adhere to the correct hijab. The following is a guide to what is the correct Hijab and we call all Muslim women to adhere to it, and All Muslim men to ensure their wives and daughters are protected from the glances of strange men, and more than that the heat of Hellfire.

The Muslim woman must know that she is obliged to wear hijaab and observe proper Islamic hijaab at all times. It is not permissible for a woman to make a wanton display of herself (tabarruj). Tabarruj is a major sin for which the one who does it deserves the wrath and punishment of Allaah. A woman, as the saying goes, is a jewel, and when she is shown to people and makes a wanton display of herself she loses her value.

A Muslim woman must wear the jilbab (loose fitting full-length garment) which is so loose fitting so that the shape cannot be seen and the khimar (large scarf) must cover the hair and the chest fully. Wearing a jilbab then wrapping a khimar tightly around the head and neck so that the chest remains exposed for all to see, defeats the object of Hijab, Allah orders women in the Quran to hide their chest and body shape. The hair must be fully covered showing no part of it, it is not acceptable to loosely throw a scarf over the head leaving some hair showing as is often seen.

Allah subhanna wa ta ala says,Surah 24: Al-Nur (or The Light), verses 30-31 it says:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity of them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: they should not display their ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty..."

and

“ Oh Prophet! Tell your wives and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their body that will be better that they should be known (as free respectable Muslim women) and so as they will not be annoyed (by men)”
Surah al-Ahzaab 33:59

Something else we see today is women wearing trousers with a tightly wrapped headscarf covering only the hair and neck leaving the chest exposed. This is not the dress of a Muslim woman. (see article on wearing trousers)
Allah subhanna wa ta ala says “And to draw their cloaks over their bosoms” surah 24:31


“Oh children of Adam! We have bestowed on you to cover yourselves and as an adornment-but the raiment of the righteousness that is better. Such are among the ayat (proofs evidences, lessons, revelations etc.) of Allah that they may remember (i.e.: leave the falsehood and follow truth)”

Surah 7:26

It is Haram (forbidden) to wear clothing that resembles the kuffar. Saris are the clothing of the Mushrikeen and must not be worn by a Muslim woman. Wearing the bindhi is also not permissible for a Muslim woman as the bindi is not from Islam but is from the Hindus, the Mushrikeen. Also at the times of weddings we sometimes see a Muslim woman is dressed up looking exactly like a Hindu deity! Wearing a sari, hair showing, elaborate makeup and dripping in gold jewellery , seated on a “throne” type seat, In a mixed gathering with non-mahrams present!! It is not permissible for a woman to resemble the Mushrikeen is any way and these kind of ideas are due to the Muslims living in India and nearby places and amongst the Mushrikeen for so long that the Muslims no longer recognise that which is from Islam, and that which is cultural and from the Mushrikeen. We must avoid imitating the Kuffar In any way shape or form as The Prophet salallahu alleyhi wa salam said

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them”

The Muslim woman must adhere to this virtue which many Muslim women have forsaken, it is the symbol of the Muslim woman, a sign of her commitment, sincere faith and piety.

The Muslim women must Fear Allaah and to adhere to hijab, and Allaah will help her and make her life easier for her. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek.

May Allah make us of those who adhere to that which please him, and avoid that which leads to the fires of hell. Amin.

[amanda1]

A most sincere thanks for the responses :inlove:. I am still facing problems, though, because I know what the books say but applying hijab but in the Western world, especially in one of the cities from which the 9/11 planes departed, is a little more tricky. I can't exactly wear niqab at such a young age and in this area and hijab is...well...hot in the 90 degree heat and I'm not used to covering so fully. What to do?

:lailah:

[aamilah]

A most sincere thanks for the responses :inlove:. I am still facing problems, though, because I know what the books say but applying hijab but in the Western world, especially in one of the cities from which the 9/11 planes departed, is a little more tricky. I can't exactly wear niqab at such a young age and in this area and hijab is...well...hot in the 90 degree heat and I'm not used to covering so fully. What to do?

:lailah:

Assalaamu 'alaykum wr wb sis

May Allaah swt accept ur advances towards His path and strengthen ur faith-aameen!

If you're finding it really really hard to wear the full attire straight away, try wearing really baggy long tops with long skirts and scarf which covers head, ears, neck and falls below chest first. So basically, a baggy top, skirt or a dress and scarf. then slowly move onto the jilbaab if you find that easier.

With scarf, you can get thin plain ones which aren't very see-through either and theyre usually made out of chiffon materials and its really cool for summer.

With regards to clothes, stick to cotton and something baggy in the heat is always better. So maybe long cotton dresses or baggy dresses will be most comfortable..what do you think?

[amanda1]

So maybe long cotton dresses or baggy dresses will be most comfortable..what do you think?

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comments!

[umm umayr]

asalams sister amanda

inshallah read this...it will give you the CORRECT idea of how a muslimah should be dressed, and explains the obligations etc

do read it inshallah

it has helped many sisters whom i know, inshallah will help you too...

Al-Khimaar & Al-Jilbaab
Many people confuse between three issues regarding the Muslim woman’s dress. These three different issues are:
1- Concealing the parts of the body that the Islamic Law has determined i.e. "Al Awrah."
2- What to wear in public.
3- The dazzling display i.e. "Al Tabarruj".
The Judgement of 'Al Awrah'
The Awrah that the Divine Law of Islam has clearly determined for the woman consists of the whole body except for her face and her hands. The neck is Awrah, the arms are Awrah and so are the legs, as well as the hair, even one single hair, ears and the profile are considered to be Awrah as well. Therefore, the Muslim woman should cover all her body except for her face and hands from strange men Muslims or not, for Allah (SWT) says:
"They should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof." [Al-Nur-31]
What must ordinarly appear is the face and the hands for this used to be the case with Muslim women whether during prayer or Hajj or in front of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) who kept silent about this matter which proves that he did not object. Another evidence comes from the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying to Asma’a "O Asma’a, when a woman reaches puberty, no part of her body should be revealed except for this and this." (pointing to the face and hands).
The Judgement on the Awrah necessitates that the colour of the skin should be totally concealed, be it black or white or red or brown. If the clothing is transparent and it shows the colour of the skin, it cannot be valid as a cover for the Awrah, and the Awrah is considered, therefore, to be revealed and not covered, for the Sharia'a has commanded the concealing of the skin by concealing its colour. And the evidence on this issue is derived from what Aysha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: Asma’a daughter of Abu Bakr entered the house of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) to visit her sister Aysha and she was wearing a transparent garment so the Prophet (SAW) turned his head and said :"O Asma’a! If a woman reaches puberty it is not right for her to reveal any part of her body except this and this. (pointing to the hands and face)."
So the transparence of the clothes was considered by the Prophet (SAW) to be revealing and invalid as cover for the Awrah. Another evidence comes from what Usama-Ibnu-Zaid narrated when the Prophet (SAW) asked him about what he did with the Kobtya (a thin dress), Usama said that he gave it to his wife to wear. Upon this the Prophet (SAW) said: "tell her to wear some lining underneath the Kobtya, for I fear that her curves may otherwise still be seen." This saying clearly demonstrates the Prophet's concern about thin clothes which do not properly cover the woman's curves.
The Judgement of what the woman should wear
Islam has commanded the Muslim woman to dress as follows when outside her house:
1- Al-Khimaar, (the veil or the head cover), this is what the scholars call the upper garment.
2- The Jilbaab, (the wide dress), and this is what the scholars call the lower garment.
As far as the upper garment is concerned, Islam has commanded the Muslim woman to wear a "Khimar" (a veil or a head cover) if she is to go out. The Khimar should cover the whole head and the whole neck and the collar bone, and it should be suitable for going out shopping or likewise. The Muslim woman should also observe other recommendations and interdictions before stepping out, like asking the husband or parent for permission, not imitating in her dress men or unbelievers, not to apply make up before other than immediate family (Mahram), not to display her beauty before strangers, to cover the Awrah, and not to put on perfume outdoors. If the woman does not abide by these rules, she will be considered sinful for violating the Sharia'a.
As for the Jilbab or the lower garment, Islam has commanded the Muslim woman to wear over her dress a Jilbab or a cape or something similar (one or two pieces) that would cover the whole of her body down to the ankles. If she has not got a Jilbab, she can always borrow it from a neighbour or relative, otherwise it would not be right for her to go out without such a dress that covers her body and is suitable for outdoors. The Jilbab should not be transparent nor decorated nor dazzling nor perfumed nor similar to a man's or unbeliever's dress. If she does not stick to these rules she will be considered sinful for not abiding by the Sharia'a.
If the Muslim woman when she goes out, does not wear these two garments and does not take into consideration all the other rules like asking permission from the husband or a parent, not imitating men or unbelievers in her dress, not applying make-up around other than immediate family (Mahram), not to display her beauty, to always cover the Awrah and not to put on perfume outdoors, it would not be right for her to go out under any circumstances, for the obligation of wearing these two items should be observed outside at all times unless the woman is under duress and her life is in danger, or if she is obliged to preserve her life, for example if her house is on fire or if she is attacked by a man she can flee outside even half naked to preserve her honour. Preserving life or honour is compulsory in Sharia'a. In any other situation, the Muslim woman has no valid excuse but to abide by what the Sharia'a has prescribed. Evidence on this issue comes from the Holy Qur'an; Allah (SWT) says:
"That they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear therof; they should draw their veil over their bosoms." [Al-Nur - 31]
Allah (SWT) said on the lower garment: "O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons."
It has been narrated on the authority of Umm Atiya that she said: The Messenger of Allah ordered us all women whether single or menstruating or housewives, to go out in the days of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, the menstruating women should not perform prayer but can join in the festivities. I said: O Messenger of Allah! What if one of us does not have a Jilbab? He said: She can borrow a Jilbab from her sister.
These events are clear evidence about what the Muslim woman should wear in public. Allah (SWT) has described in the two verses the dress that He commanded the Muslim woman to wear in public. The description of the dress is detailed, very clear and comprehensive. On the upper garment, He (SWT) says: "That they should draw their veils over their bosoms". It means they are to draw the Khimar around the neck and bosom to hide any part that may appear from around the bosom, collar bone or neck.
As for the lower garment, Allah (SWT) says: That they should cast their outer garments over their persons. This means the women should draw a Jilbab or a cape or something similar, which would cover the whole body right down to the ankles. About the general state of the Jilbab, Allah (SWT) says:
"That they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof."
This means the Muslim women should not reveal any part of the body where beauty could be displayed like the ears and the arms and legs etc., except for what must ordinarily appear in public like the face and the hands. This was the case when these two verses descended i.e. during the life of the Prophet (SAW).
Supported by this detailed and clear evidence the dress a Muslim woman should wear in public should be easy to determine and define. What Umm Atiya narrated confirms and clarifies the obligation of wearing the Jilbab over the normal dress for any woman wanting to go out. When she asked the Messenger of Allah what to do in case a woman did not have a Jilbab and he replied that she should borrow one from her sister, this means she is not permitted to go out without it. The Jilbab should be wide and long, covering the whole body right down to the ankles.
It has been narrated on the authority of Ibni-Omar that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: He who trailed his garment out of pride, Allah would not look toward him on the Day of Reckoning. Upon this Umm Salma said: What should the women do with their dresses then? He said: They should lower about the length of a span (from the ankle). She said: In this case their legs will be revealed ! So he (SAW) said: They should lower an arm's length and no more.
This evidently demonstrates that the Jilbab that a Muslim woman should wear over her dress while outdoors should be lowered all the way down until it covers the legs. This means that it is important to lower the Jilbab until the legs are covered in a way that would clearly show that it is a dress designed for outdoors.
The Judgement of Tabarruj (the dazzling display)
The issue of Tabarruj is separate from that of covering the Awrah and also separate from that of the dress that a women should wear in public. Tabarruj occurs when a women performs a dazzling display of her beauty and reveals it to strangers. Tabarruj is forbidden by a clear-cut evidence from the texts of Sharia'a. Allah (SWT) says:
"Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage - there is no blame on them if they lay aside their outer garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty." [Al Nur 60]
We understand from the verse that Tabarruj is in any case completely forbidden. Allah (SWT) permitted such women to lay aside their outer garments, on the condition that they should not make a dazzling display of their beauty. If the elderly women are forbidden from Tabarruj, this means that other women are forbidden as well. Allah (SWT) says:
"And that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments."
He (SAW) in this verse forbids one form of Tabbaruj in which women strike their feet in a way in which the ankle chain releases a sound which reveals their beauty. In the early days of Islam, women used to wear ankle chains and strike their feet to display their beauty and draw men's attention. So the verse descended to put a stop to such dazzling display of beauty and to such kind of Tabarruj.
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu-Musa Al-Ash'ari that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Any woman who puts on perfume and walks past a group of people and they scent it, she is considered to be an adulterer". It means like an adulterer in terms of sin. It has also been narrated on the authority of Abu-Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: There are two types of people of Hell whom I have not yet seen. The first are people that have whips like the tail of oxen, with which they beat people. And the second are women who are naked inspite of being dressed, they will be led astray and will lead others astray and their heads will look like the humps of camels. These women will not enter the paradise, they will not even experience the faintest scent of it, even though the fragrance of the Paradise can be perceived from a great distance."
These text bear clear evidence about the interdiction of Tabarruj. We ought to also to differenciate between Tabarruj and make up. Tabarruj is forbidden in Islam. However, applying make-up has not been forbidden by the Divine Law of Islam (Sharia'a) except in times of mourning over the loss of a husband, as it has been narrated on the authority of Umm Atyia who said that the Messenger of Allah said: "The woman should not mourn any dead person more than three days, except for the husband whom she should mourn his death for four months and ten days, during which period she is not to wear colourful clothes except if the colours are not bright; she is not to put on Kohl, nor perfume, nor to cut or trim anything except the excessive curls and the long nails."
And on the authority of Abi-Dawood the same Hadith includes the phrase "nor should she dye her hair", and in the Nissa'i version "she should not comb her hair".
This saying (Hadith) is an interdiction of applying make up when in mourning, and this means that make up is allowed otherwise.
To apply Kohl or Henna, or to wear earrings, chains or bracelets etc., is allowed. The Sharia'a has however forbidden some types of make up or beauty accessories like tattoos or adding artificial hair; for on the authority of Ibni-Omar, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"Allah curses the woman who adds artificial hair to her own and the one who adds it for her, and the tattooed woman and the tattoer woman."
Although the Sharia'a allows the woman to apply make up and display her beauty to her Mahrams like her brother, father, husband and others, she is still forbidden from applying make-up outdoors except for the type of make up which is in any way allowed in Muslim society. Therefore, if a woman is about to go out, she should remember that she is not going out to display her beauty or to attract men's attention but to attend to life's necessities like shopping etc.
These are the Judgements of Awrah, and of the woman's garments (Khimar and Jilbab), and also that of Tabarruj (dazzling display). If there were a dress which covers the woman's Awrah, it does not mean that it is automatically allowed for her to wear it outdoors, because the Sharia'a has determined the type of garment that the woman is allowed to wear outdoors. Trousers for instance are not suitable for a woman to wear in public despite the fact that they perfectly cover the Awrah. If a woman goes out wearing trousers, then according to the texts of Sharia'a she is sinful, simply because she ignored one of her duties. That is why we are strongly advised not to confuse the issue of what the women should wear in public with that of covering the Awrah or with that of Tabarruj.
Trousers, even if they are not transparent, a woman should not wear them before strange men, Muslims or not, for when she wears them she is in fact displaying her beauty and this is Tabarruj, and Tabarruj is forbidden (haram).
So all items of wear like trousers and wigs and hats which the Sharia'a has not determined and deemed as fit to be worn in public are forbidden even if such items do cover the woman's Awrah. This means that the Muslim woman should not wear items of clothing, which would cover her Awrah but leaves her displaying her beauty or looking like men or looking like unbelievers.

[Um Abdullah]

Just to make is simple and straight

Hijab has conditions, if the hijab you are wearing fit these conditions then it is correct:
1_cover the whole body (one opinion says it is ok to show only face and hands)
2_ be roomy, bagy ... not tight .. the shape of the body shouldn't show (showing if you are fat or thin does not count).

3_ not sheer ... what is under your hijab should not show.. and I have seen sisters who wear scarfs that are sheer !

4_ It should not resemble the clothing of the kuffar (clothing that are worn only by kuffar like nuns clothing as an example, but skirts and blouses and stuff like that are not only worn by kuffar ).

5_ It does not resemble the clothes of men.

6_ It should not be decoritive in itself... I have seen "flashy" hijabs, and some looked almost like party dresses !

Basically it should not pull attraction, meaning sexual (desire) attraction ... not "curiousity" attraction.


I think that is it.. if I forgot a condition let me know.

And all of these conditions have proof from Quran and Sunnah.
I you want me to bring it for you let me know.

[hugofuchs]

I'll just throw in a link.
http://www.crescentlife.com/heal%20the%20world/muslim_dress_in_dangerous_times.htm

Yes, there are plenty of acceptable dresses, but most won't be on sale again until the end of the summer.