A) In Islam, all
individuals become responsible and accountable for
their behavior at the age of puberty. The Islamic
teachings about modest dress apply to any person,
male or female, at that time.
Islamic teachings on this
subject are based on the Qur'an, and on the specific
sayings/traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, known as
the hadith. In one often-cited tradition, it is
reported that a young woman visited Muhammad's wife
Aisha while she was wearing see-through clothing.
Muhammad averted his eyes and told her, "After a
young woman reaches the age of puberty, nothing
should be seen of her except this and this,"
motioning to his face and hands. Therefore, it is
expected at this age for Muslim girls to adapt more
modest styles of dress that do not expose too much.
Even before the age of
puberty, many girls become accustomed to these
values of modesty. Muslim parents are generally
careful about choosing appropriate clothing, even
for their young children. While they may or may not
wear the hijab yet, many young girls choose not to
wear short skirts or shorts, belly shirts, or
sleeveless tops in public.
In some families and
cultures, girls begin to wear the hijab at puberty
simply out of family, peer, or societal pressure.
Some girls decide, on their own, to start wearing
the hijab even before the age when it is required of
them. It is becoming more common for families to
leave the decision about hijab up to the young woman
herself. They may try to educate her about her
Islamic responsibilities, but ultimately they allow
her to make the choice when she fully understands
and feels ready to commit to the decision.
It is important to note
that Islamic values of modesty apply to both men and
women, and that the responsibility for making good
choices in this regard falls on boys and girls
equally.
Some of the virtues of Hijab
Praise be to Allaah.
There can be no doubt that Allaah only enjoins that
in which there is wisdom, but in some cases the
wisdom behind some rulings may be hidden from
people, and in some cases it may be quite obvious –
such as the prohibition on alcohol which clouds the
mind and hinders people from the remembrance of
Allaah and from prayer [cf. al-Maa'idah 5:91].
The wisdom behind the prescription of hijab is one
of the most clear, because it is a covering for
woman and guards their chastity, and it prevents the
foolish from making approaches and harassing them.
How often has a woman’s hijab prevented the devils
among mankind from harrassing her? How often have
unveiled women made a display of their beauty and
charms, which has led to their being harrassed by
the foolish? Concerning this, Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and
the women of the believers to draw their cloaks
(veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen
themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to
see the way). That will be better, that they should
be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be
annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most
Merciful”
[al-Ahzaab 33:59]
This verse gives the complete answer to many
questions, because Allaah mentions here the command
to His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) to tell his wives and daughters and the
believing women to wear hijab, and it mentions the
wisdom behind that, which is so that they may be
protected and not exposed to annoyance.
When women go out showing most of their bodies –
this is one of the greatest causes of crime and
corruption of men’s morals, and of the spread of
immorality. It is also degrading for woman, as we
see women becoming cheap products for
business-owners and advertisers, who show woman
half-naked and devoid of modesty in order to attract
customers and market their products.
A woman’s body belongs to her and is not to be
shared with people. When she gets married it belongs
to her husband and she should not let anyone else
have a share in it. What does a woman want when she
shows her body and exposes her charms to onlookers?
Does she just want them to look and stare, and what
is the affect of that on rapists and the foolish?
How are you going to stop them from getting what
they want by attacking you and trying to rape you.
Are you going to show some meat to the hungry and
then try to stop them from eating it?
In a modern study it was shown that:
65% of female workers are exposed to sexual
harassment in their place of work in some European
countries.
18% of women in America have been raped or been
subjected to attempted rape at some stage in their
lives.
More than half of victims were under the age of 17.
Kitaab Ihsaa’aat, Diraasaat, Arqaam (p. 140).
In Islam, women are protected and looked after. That
is not in return for her staying in the home only,
rather that is because she plays a great role, which
is taking care of her husband and raising and caring
for children. This is an important role, because the
soundness or corruption of society depends on the
extent to which mothers are successful in their
raising and teaching of their children.
Hijab has been enjoined upon women as a protection
against abuse and temptation. That is because women
are the focus of desire, and the focus of what those
who are tempted look at. So if a woman uncovers her
beauty she will provoke desire, and people will
become attracted to her and will follow her. This is
the cause of many immoral actions such as adultery
and the things that lead to it. So hijaab is
obligatory for women and was enjoined upon them in
the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
BENEFITS OF HIJAAB.
If a woman is covered up she does not attract
unwanted attention, and causes men to be lustfully
attracted to them which is not ideal for a good
society, or for a good family. If you leave a fruit-
e.g. a bannana opened and not covered it is not long
before it gets infested with dirty germ carrying
insects and flies all over it.
Allah clearly wants Muslims to be recognized in
whatever community they live in. Their lives lived
as Muslims will get other people interested in them
and that will be a way of spreading the message of
Islam. People will approach them and ask them why
they dress like that, why they are different. Their
curiousity will automatically draw them towards
Islam. Allah is the most supreme starategist of the
universe. He blessed us with the message of Islam
(Islam means peace and security and told us
strategies to spread the message which only benefits
us and not Allah. Allah is beyond all needs.
For Muslim women, COVERING THE HEAD IS NOT THE SIGN
OF DEGRADATION or oppression. It is a commandment
from Allah, who is not male or female, and thus,
would not discriminate against women, a segment of
His creation.
The Hijab allows a woman to move about outside the
confines of her home WITH HER ATTENTION ON THE TASKS
SHE HAS SET OUT TO DO. The Muslim woman does not try
to impress anyone but Allah when outside of her
home. She is not concerned if men find her
attractive, or if people are impressed because she
has the latest fashions, or the newest hairstyle.
She leaves her home as a SELF-CONFIDENT PART OF
HUMAN RACE, not as a fashion-plate seeking stares
and adoration in order to gain self-esteem.
The hijab cuts down on competition among women. How
many people in the West sacrifice financial savings
and health in order to have plastic surgery - in a
desperate attempt to meet up to an unrealistic
standard of beauty. IN ISLAM, WOMEN ARE APPRECIATED
FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE, PIETY AND CONTRIBUTION TO
SOCIETY. When women wear hijab one finds that the
most beautiful women are not necessarily the most
popular. Rather, a woman is assessed for her mind,
and not just superficial physical traits.
Read more about the Hijab