Why Wear Hijab
Friday sermon by Sheikh Reda Shata
In the name of Allah, the most gracious most merciful
Praise be to Allah, the lord of existence! His prophet was advised with
guidance; to lead the religion of righteousness, and to establish it over the
entire faiths. His mission was to emphasize that Allah is the only one whom
we depend upon, to proclaim that there is no God but Allah, and that
Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him) is his believer and prophet. All
praise and gratitude belongs to Him; the provider of life and death, and He is
all knowing and capable of his creation.
Allah, place praise and peace, while increasing the blessings over our
teacher, the prophet Mohamed, as regards to his worth, divine, and great
stature. May Allah also embrace the four great and pious leaders: Abu Bakr,
Omar, Othman, and Ali; as well as the rest of their descendents, followers,
and those that relished their lives with faith and filled their existence with
Allah’s grace. Blessings and great mercy, Oh most gracious!
Oh Allah! Open the gates of mercy for us, Oh most merciful! Allow us
and enable us to become from the most truthful and faithful, Oh lord of
existence! Allah! Empower us to become from the most faithful, and place
us between those who are most faithful to you. Help us maintain our lives as
those who are most loyal to you. Guide us to the straight path and reward us
on the day of judgment.
This lecture, aside from all the rest, is directed to the discussion
entailing our sisters, or whomever has taught a woman. Teaching a woman
is, in fact, as teaching an entire family! A scholar once said, “ a mother is an
institute that could raise an entire nation, if one could teach her properly.”
Women, account for 50% of the community as regards to the populous.
However, when dealing with stature, their role is extremely important. Their
level of importance is so great that they should be focused on as if they made
up the whole community! This lecture entails the discussion of the
influential role of women. Its main concern is to discuss the most
controversial issue that is related to women in this present age. Specifically,
the hijab (the head piece; veil). The true question is, why has Allah ordained
the hijab on all women? Why did Allah restrict women to this attire? Why
did He forbid women to display their femininity and beauty? Why is this
piece of fabric mandatory for women to place over their heads? Why wear
the hijab?
Why the hijab, is this lecture’s title and topic. To answer this question
we need to research and explore the true purposes served by wearing the
hijab. What are the advantages of wearing the hijab and what wisdom lies
beneath it? The answer, my sisters, is found in the six main purposes, which
will be discussed in this lecture. The first purpose, or reason, is that the
hijab is a reflection of an order set forth by Allah. It is a direct command
from Him, the gracious creator. Secondly, it is a form of security and
protection for whomever wears it. Thirdly, it is a source of preservation of
the health. Fourth, it is a symbol of our faith. It is a shield from the impure
and the sinners. Fifth, it purifies the heart towards the faith. Finally, the
sixth purpose is that the hijab is a modernization, an escape, from the age of
ignorance. By elaborating further on these six main aspects, my dear sisters,
we shall elucidate them thoroughly, but only after you recognize Allah as the
one and only divine existence.
Now, why the hijab? Why this restraint? Why did Allah place this
constraint onto women? Everything in our religion is for a reason; it is for a
purpose. The hijab serves a designated duty. Everything in our religion is
precise, and extremely on point. Everything in Islam has solid proof, which
benefit those who pursue it. Some individuals seek to attain this knowledge,
while others avoid it and choose ignorance. As mentioned previously, the
first reason for wearing the hijab is because of the fact that it is mandated by
the creator Himself, Allah the gracious. Allah is the one who commanded
this and He is the one who placed this restraint. The one who has created
you as a woman is also the one who restrained you with the hijab. Where is
the evidence that this restriction is from his grace, from his majesty. The
evidence is that Allah said, “ you are concealed and protected within your
homes rather than exposed as in the exposure witnessed during the age of
ignorance.” Allah then said, “ and if you asked them a pleasure, ask them
through the hijab...this is more pure to your hearts, and to the their hearts.”
His grace also said, “ my prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the
women of the faithful to conceal their beauty with the hijab; for it is best for
them.” His majesty also ordered, “ tell the faithful women to watch where
they look, to cover themselves and not to show any mark of their beauty,
except to their fathers, their brothers, their brother’s children, their sisters,
and their sister’s children, their husbands and their own children. Repent to
Allah, Oh faithful one, for in it lies your eternal salvation.” The hijab is a
command, my dear sisters! Allah has addressed the faithful women and the
wives of the faithful men on such topic. When women approached ‘Aisha,
the prophet’s wife, while wearing clothes that revealed them, ‘Aisha looked
at them and said, “ if you truly are faithful then you must not wear what you
are wearing, but if you are unfaithful to the will of Allah then enjoy what
you wear.” A faithful Muslim woman insists on her dedication to wearing
the hijab, because that attire is an inseparable part of her faith.
My sisters, purify your hearts by praising our prophet Mohamed
(praise and peace be upon him). Consequently, every single centimeter cube
of a woman’s attire is a true sign of her faith, dedication, and commitment to
the will of Allah. A woman in Islam is special and unique. She was created
by Allah as an extraordinary being and, as a result, she was ordered to abide
to her hijab as a form of prayer. One may be puzzled by such statement,
however, the explanations behind it will make it graspable.
Let us sum up some of the things women experience due to the hijab.
Woman are restricted by wearing the hijab, therefore, they are deprived of
plenty of activities. In addition, they are exposed to rudeness, indecency,
and, to some point, are threatened with their income. Some women are even
deprived of marriage all because of the hijab! I swear to Allah, every
woman, from the age of our dearest prophet Mohamed (praise and peace be
upon him), until now, shall be rewarded to an extent that only the creator
himself, Allah, his majesty, knows and sets limitations to. The women who
have restricted themselves and have suffered the worst of what life can
impose on them due to the hijab, those who have insisted and dedicated
themselves to wearing the hijab, shall enjoy the fruits of Allah’s blessing,
insh’Allah. Why? That is due to the fact that they have worshiped Allah to
the utmost degree; by fearlessly wearing the hijab only to please Allah.
There are general duties that all Muslims take part in. Everyone fasts
and prays because they both are pillars of Islam, for Allah said, “ basics of
faith are three, whomever neglected one then he is a non-believer whose
blood is worth spilling. (They are:) Proclamation that there is no god but
Allah and that Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him), is his prophet.
Prayers, and fasting.” Aside from the main practices that make up the core of
Islam (i.e., fasting, praying, etc..), there are other habitual, branched, ones
that remain a mandatory act of faith. For example, if a person is rich then
he/she is obligated to spend money for a righteous cause ( i.e. give to the
poor, charity, etc…), and by doing so then advancing closely towards Allah
becomes manageable. If a person is physically and/or mentally strong, then
the first act of faith is to allow truth to prevail, to overcome the unjust, and
to stand by the weak. In addition, if there is an informative scholar, then
his/her obligation is to spread the word of Allah with diligence and respect,
while fearing no one but Him.
On the other hand, aside from that of mentioned above, women
demonstrate their faith by wearing the hijab. It is their leading priority of
worship. However, if a woman says, “I have a doctorate degree and other
highly acclaimed educational certificates. I pray, I fast, but, I do not wear the
hijab,” then she is insignificant and shall be harshly judged by Allah on the
day of judgment; due to the fact that she became neglectful of Allah‘s
demand. An Islamic priority is to uphold the words of Allah. His majesty
affirms that women have to conceal their beauty, therefore, women uphold
Allah’s word by wearing the hijab. Each and every aspect that Allah has
blessed a woman with must be concealed. Respectively, all features that
Allah beautifully created in a woman is for the satisfaction of the woman
and her husband alone. The main reason behind that is to prevent any one
else, other than her husband, from desiring her. A woman’s beauty and
femininity were designed by Allah for the relationship between a woman and
her spouse. It strengthens their relationship, and establishes a strong bond.
The hijab is a representation of Allah’s command. As a result, all
women should strongly maintain any word ordained by Allah in that matter.
This brings us to the second reason for wearing the hijab, which is security.
It is a source of protection sent forth by Allah. A woman protects herself and
the community around her when she is veiled. The community is protected
in the sense that a man is prevented from comparing a woman he saw
walking down the street to his wife. Thus, in a community, the hijab guards
against dysfunction, disarray, or destruction of other families. In addition,
the hijab proves that the woman wearing it is a serious person, that she is
someone who does not misbehave, and that she is not the type who can be
taken advantage of. Allah protects these women the way a treasure is
safeguarded from the impure hands of thieves. I am willing to challenge any
individual who argues that a veiled woman can be prone to having someone
do or say something sinful to her. No matter how corrupt that person may
be, he/she will never become successful in harming that woman. A woman
wearing the hijab is blessed and full of grace, due to her undivided loyalty to
the grace of Allah.
A Muslim scholar, residing in Los Angeles, wrote a book that
mentions a story of a college girl who was harassed by several boys. She
tried to push them away and make them stop, however, the harassment never
halted no matter how much she tried. She then shaved her hair as to make
herself look like the boys, but the harassment and obscene words still
continued. As her last resort, she thought of imitating the Muslim women by
covering her head. As a result, no one dared to confront her in any way
afterwards. Allah, his majesty says, “ it is impossible for a man to attempt to
make offensive remarks towards a woman wearing a hijab.” Look at the
peak of beauty of wearing the hijab! Praise our prophet Mohamed (praise
and peace be upon him).
If you happen to see a child wearing a school uniform, is that solid
proof that he is a well achieved school student? Not necessarily, because
he/she may be a failure. In comparison, the hijab on a woman could assert
her ties with her creator and His religion. However, that may not be the case
with some. Accompanied with the hijab, there has to be a strong personal
conduct and a firm will for raising obedient, Muslim children. Some of the
unknowledgeable women believe that they are within the grasps of Allah’s
mercy only by wearing the hijab. Others even believe that they can become
great scholars by only attending a couple of lectures. That should not be the
case.
The third role of the hijab is the preservation of health. Do you
believe that the hijab preserves your health? There are several journals in
medicine that proves that the hijab serves the purpose of protecting
whomever wears it from serious diseases. Please, before we continue, praise
out dearest prophet Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him). Lets
consider, if one of many governments saw that a certain product may cause
the spread of a very serious illness or disease amongst the public. At that
point, the role of that government is to withdraw that poison from the market
for the better health of the people. Is it then the people’s right to protest
against the government and insist on consuming that poison? Will it be
coherent for them so say, “leave us alone?” It would not. Allah is aware of
all!
It is mentioned in several British medical journals that wearing the
hijab protects women from contracting serious new plastic disorders,
specifically, carcinoma of the skin, or skin cancer. This is a world
recognized journal with solid evidence through research and data collection.
Therefore, a covered woman is far more safer than an exposed one. The
risks of an unveiled woman to contract a serious dermatological condition is
13 times more susceptible than a woman covering herself. These are the
words of Allah. He ordered women to wear the hijab to prevent them from
torture in the hell’s fire, and to protect them from the serious health hazards.
The human’s skin is very sensitive to ultraviolet rays, through which
prolonged exposure predisposes to the development of very serious
conditions.
Allah ordered women to conceal, and not expose, themselves as in the
age of ignorance. That exposure is the uncovering of the hair and neck! Do
not think for a moment that Abu Jahel would allow his daughter to wear a tshirt to the university. Abu Jahel, who is condemned by Allah, was the ruler
of men at that time. He would never have allowed his women to place
make-up on their face, to expose themselves, nor walk in a suggestive
manner. Hence, even the most cruel and sinful of men protected his pride
and honor. He did so in an uttermost extent that, unfortunately, most men
nowadays can not be compared to him. My dear brothers, retain your wives
on this earth, for otherwise, you shall be punished by Allah beneath this
earth (i.e. death) and on the day of judgment.
The fourth purpose of the hijab is, it is a symbol, a call for faith. It
protects against those who mock and insult the bearers of hijab. Some nonMuslims have a mission towards veiled women, and that is to cause women
to remove what protects them; their hijab. Those people attack insistently
and make desperate attempts to mislead women into disobeying Allah. No
matter how much lies they forge, or how much rumors they spread, there are
still faithful women who insist on standing up against this bashing of Islam.
They strive to fulfill Allah’s command, and they are greater than submitting
to the temptations of taking part in new fashions, trends, or to display their
beauty. For these reasons, they will be granted eternal blessing, insh‘Allah.
Do you know that the hijab is no longer an issue of misunderstanding
amongst the majority of Muslims? Rather, it is a well understood
representation of our faith. How is that so? The following will illustrate the
concept of how the issue of the hijab was developed into becoming more
understandable. When El Salaf ( i.e. the companions of the prophet, for ex.,
Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali, etc…) used to be challenged with an issue
regarding our religion, whether it was being attacked or deprecated, they
used to convert it into something positive.
This illustrates their
incomparable faith; a very serious level of understanding. The imam ElMalik, as well as the imam Abu Haneefa, said, “ there are three aspects that
make an individual a part of people of sunna.” The imam Al-Malik said,”
the three aspects are: to love and respect Abu Bakr and Omar, to respect, not
bash nor insult al Hassan and al Hussein, and to consider washing our feet
while covered.” Al imam Abu Haneefa said, “ honor the companions, never
insult Othman and Ali, and to consider washing our feet while covered.”
Presently, one would say, “ in order to become part of the people of sunna
(one of the followers of the prophet, praise and peace be upon him) one has
is to pray every sunna in prayers, to respect and give compassion to all of the
companions of the prophet, and to wear the hijab.” Such is a representation
of how people perceive, and understand issues as time continues. Therefore,
as you see my brothers and sisters, the hijab is no longer a branched topic. It
is no longer a simple issue; it has become a strong representation of our
belief system. I swear to Allah that the hijab was the reason for the
conversion of many people to Islam!
Jeffrey Lang was a mathematician, a professor of mathematics in the
university of San Francisco. When he was a student, his professors would
walk into the lecture hall and say, “ Jeffrey, you are excused from attending,
I will give you the full mark.” Jeffrey was not the average person as regards
to intellect. He was a great source of reference after becoming a professor.
As a result, many students turned to him for questions and clarifications. Dr.
Lang said that he had a middle eastern woman refer to him once and that the
weather was extremely warm during that time. Furthermore, upon the
woman’s approach into his office, she was wearing the hijab. He swore, “ I
swear to God, I could not even lift up my eyes to look at her from her
greatness and pious countenance.” At that point, he became determined to
read and learn about the religion; the one which caused that woman to wear
the hijab so diligently, and was unconcerned with herself in accordance with
the weather‘s severity. Today my dear brothers, Jeffrey Lang is one of the
most famous speakers and preachers of Islam. Praise be to Allah, my
Muslims!
Let us continue on with the fifth purpose of the hijab, which entails
the fact that it purifies the heart. The hijab leads to the purification of the
heart, which is accompanied by accomplishing the faith itself. A woman
who truly insists to wear the hijab, while upholding her faith, is truly pure at
heart. Some women may say that it is not important to wear the hijab on the
head, but rather a hijab on the heart! If a woman would have said, or even
attempted to say something remotely close to that during the age of Abu
Bakr, she would have faced death by the blade of his sword. What hijab
over the heart??! The hijab, by origin, is an aspect which purifies the heart.
The hijab is the fuel that drives the hearts of women to righteously support
their faith. We need to fully understand that some individuals can be easily
influenced through the interactions with others. Whether a person will be
negatively influenced is all dependant on how others view that person. That
external influence is prevented from penetrating the hearts of our Muslim
sisters once the hijab is worn. No one will aim at corrupting someone who
has a firm Islamic belief. Therefore, whomever seeks clarity of the mind
and purification of the heart then wear the hijab. Whomever wishes to earn
Allah’s acceptance shall follow His command. The hijab represents an order
from his Majesty, and his prophet (praise and peace be upon him).
Lets recall the purpose of the hijab once again. First, it is a reflection
of what Allah ordained. Two, it is a means of protection and security.
Three, it is a source of preservation of the health. Four, it is a symbol of
faith. Five, it purifies the hearts towards the faith. Last, but not least, the
sixth purpose is that the hijab is a form of modernization; an escape from the
age of ignorance. A woman who leaves her home without a hijab and places
make-up upon her face receives sins for every man that looks at her. Does
any unveiled woman have enough good deeds which will be equivalent to
the acquired sins? Will she be capable to stand before Allah with the way
she exposes herself? Our prophet Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him),
said,” all of you shall enter paradise, except for whomever disobeyed me.”
Exposing oneself is an act of displeasing the prophet (praise and peace be
upon him). He also said,” there will be a woman in my nation, in my
Islamic nation, who will not conceal herself. Curse her! For she (or they) is
condemned.” He added, “ a woman who decorates herself outside of her
own home is like darkness that shall never be approached by light on the day
of judgment.” Our dearest prophet explained,” the best of your women are
the faithful, the dedicated, and those who conceal themselves. The worst of
them are the sinners, the unfaithful, and the exposed. Those are nonbelievers towards Allah.” He (praise and peace be upon him) also covered
the subject regarding perfume, he said,” any woman who sprays perfume
outside her dwelling and passes by a group of people who smelled her
essence is considered to have committed adultery…..A woman who is
decorated and entered a mosque…”, he became very upset, but continued,”
my people, advice your women to restrain from decorating themselves and
from entering the mosque while in that state, for other nations were cursed
when their women entered holy grounds while decorated.” You see my
brothers and sisters, the shameful part about this is the fact that this is
present in the mosques today. It is like a fashion show of who appears to be
more attractive!
At the end my sisters, the necessity of the hijab is all due to Allah
wanting to have you enter paradise. In addition, His majesty wants to
preserve your health, to protect you from the eyes and words of obscenity.
My dear sisters, conceal your beauty. Do not decorate and expose yourself
in public. Do not take off your hijab! Preserve yourself, do not loose it and
become guilty of sin. Do not remove your hijab, but insist on wearing it; for
in it lies your redemption, your salvation. With it, your hearts will be
purified with faith, and you shall be blessed with the mercy of Allah.
In the end, we ask from Allah to bless this year for us. To bless it so
that it is out of shame and scandal. A good dead never goes undone, a sin
never goes unpunished, and the creator is ever existing, ever lasting. The
creator is immortal! Do as you please, considering that you reap what you
sow. For every action, you should be judged. Our dearest prophet
Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him) said,” ask from Allah, praise to
Allah, and be certain that He shall reply.”
***