In today's world we have many misconceptions and our own interpretations of hijab in Islam. Before I go into the attire of a Muslim woman, we should understand one basic aspect of hijab. The hijab starts with the eyes.
The Quran clearly first states that the man should lower his gaze and then goes into saying a woman should lower her gaze and then Allah describes the attire of a modest woman. If your gaze is not lowered there is no point of your so-called dressed in Islamic dressing.
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. (30) And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss. [Quran – Surah Al-Noor Verses 30 – 31].
Now coming to hijab –
We think it is just a cloth that covers our head. No my dear sister in Islam, it is beyond that. We need to make sure we are not wearing revealing clothes such as tight jeans, or short sleeves. I sadly admit I did that mistake when I was in college. I would wear my hijab but wearing a short sleeve top and tight jeans. However, I learned with time.
Another aspect of hijab is not to beautify in front of the world. There is no point of your hijab if you have layers and layers of makeup on that all can see. We need to be dressed modestly and above all not attract attention.
Many times we wear hijab when we are going out but in different events, we forego our hijab such as weddings or parties. Is Allah not watching then? Are non-Mehram not present then? Some questions for us to ponder on.
A very valid point that many don't know is that women should not be using excessive perfume in public places. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had condemned such women and compared them to adulteresses who commit zina (fornication).
It was narrated from Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "If a woman puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, then she is such and such," and he spoke sternly - meaning an adulteress. Narrated by Abu Dawood (4173) and al-Tirmidhi (2786); classed as saheeh by Ibn Daqeeq al-Eid in al-Iqtiraah (126) and by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.
This does not mean a woman should stink but rather make sure she doesn't use excessive perfume / body mists or whatever fragrance she is using that would attract others towards her.
You can beautify as much as you want with any kind of dresses, heavy make and strong perfume at home in front of your mahram and female members of the family. The rules of Islam are not restricting us but rather we should look at it with an open mind and see how these rules are protecting us in a world where violation against women on the street has become a common crime.
This was just a reminder for us all, including myself.
May Allah guide us to the Straight Path that would please Him. Ameen.
