THE STATUS OF THE LEGITIMATE HIJAB IN ISLAM.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, Who says in His glorious book: {يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ ذَلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ} [الأعراف: 26] O’ children of Adam we have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves and as adornment and the raiment of righteousness that is better. Such are among the signs of Allah, that they may remember. (Q7:26) We praise Him, the Glorified, the High. We also thank him, we seek his help and forgiveness. We equally seek His refuge against the evil of ourselves and the evil of our handiwork. Surely, whomever Allah guides, such is the guided, whomever He (Allah) misleads is led astray, there is no guidance for him. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah the One without equal or partner. I also bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and messenger who said: “The woman is a nude” O! Allah shower your mercy on him (SAW), his household and the generality of companions and those who tread his sunnah (way of life) and practice till the Day of Judgement. Oh worshippers of Allah, I admonish you and myself to fear Allah the most high according to His words: in Q3:102: " يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ ( آل عمران : 102 ) O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that he has ordered and by abstaining by all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always), and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allah. Brethren in Islam and faith, this is the fifth gathering in the month of Rabiul-Awwal in which the best of Allah’s creatures, Muhammad son of Abdullah (SAW) was born. Since the beginning of this month, we have been discussing the birth of the greatest personality in existence. It is the personality of Muhammad (SAW) whom Allah (specially) selected and sent as mercy to the worlds. Today, we are participating with our brothers in the Islamic world, in reviving one of the religious rites which the last of the prophets and the leader of the messengers, Muhammad, the chosen brought. What is this rite? It is the Muslim woman code of dressing. Thus, today’s topic of discourse centres on the legal status of hijaab in Islam. Definition of Hijab, Literally and Technically The linguistic meaning of hijab: the subject matter ‘hajaba’ in Arabic language has two meanings: barrier and prevention. Almanaawee said that hujb literally means prevention (i.e. preventing an occurrence). Hijab is every barrier against pursuit and prevention of arriving (at something). It is said that it (hijab) is a barrier to prevent seeing or viewing (something) – (Almanaawee) Hijab technically according to the Islamic law with evidences from the Quran and sunnah, hijab is restricted to two meanings. The first, it means staying at home of woman. This is to cover herself away from the sight of men and mixing with them. The second meaning is her garment which is made of her free outer gown and the head cover – (see Hirasatul Fadeelah by Bakr Abdullah Abu Zaid pg 29) As for the evidence on the first meaning, it is established in Q33:53 thus: " ... وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ...(الأحزاب :53) “… And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition…” (33:53) It is clear that hijab in the verse above means the staying at home of women. The verse itself is a proof on hijab as an apparel, even though it is used inclusively because the verse is the evidence of all scholars that the Hijab of staying at home and covering the face is compulsory for the wives of the Prophet (pbuh). (see Kashful hijab and shubuhaat atheerat haulal hijab wa niqaab by Naafi’ Ahmad Al-Juuharee) Jilbaab: is the outer flowing gown worn by women over their dress, used majorly when they go out of their homes. Jilbaab: is also the covering robe or gown covering (the woman) from the head to the foot. I have said that the ‘khumr’ (head cover) is used in the house and Jilbaab (flowing outer garment) is used when outside. On this understanding, I have explained the two verses on hijaab: First, ({وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ} [النور: 31]) “and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests” (24”:31) And the second, (يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ) “to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments.” To draw their cloak all over their bodies (Q33:59) – [Jalbaabul mar’at Muslimah by Sheikh Al-Albaanee] Are verses of hijaab specially directed to the prophet (pbuh)’s wives? To perfectly answer this question, we need to understand verse 59 of chapter 33 which Dr Wahbah Zuhailiy titled: Verse of the women Jilbaab to cover nudeness. Therefore this study will be in the light of the Quranic exegesis of At-tafseer Al-muneer: Verse of the women Jilbaab to cover nudeness يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (33:59) Cause of Revelation of the verse Aisha (R.A) narrated that Sauda (the wife of the Prophet) went out to answer the call of nature after it was made obligatory (for all the Muslims ladies) to observe the veil. She was a fat huge lady, and everybody who knew her before could recognize her. So 'Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her and said, "O Sauda! By Allah, you cannot hide yourself from us, so think of a way by which you should not be recognized on going out. Sauda returned while Allah's Apostle was in my house taking his supper and a bone covered with meat was in his hand. She entered and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I went out to answer the call of nature and 'Umar said to me so-and-so." Then Allah inspired him (the Prophet) and when the state of inspiration was over and the bone was still in his hand as he had not put in down, he said (to Sauda), "You (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs." Ibn Sa’d narrated in At-tabaqaat from Abu Malik: He said: The wives of the Prophet (pbuh) do go out at night to answer the call of nature, but some hypocrites do disturb to molest them, and they complained about this. The hypocrites said: “We do such act (of molestation) to the slaves” thus the verse was revealed: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. …” (33:59) The connection between verses 58 and 59 After explaining that those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin, Allah ordered believers to desert places of ambiguity and suspicion which could subject them to harm or molestation, by putting on the Jilbaab (Hijab, veil) aside from the practice of the day of ignorance when women do go out naked and got followed by adulterers. The interpretation of the verse: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (33:59) Allah requested His Messenger, peace be upon him to order the believing women, especially his wives and daughters to allow the cloth drag down and use to cover themselves when they go out of their homes, so that they can be distinguished from slaves. Jilbaab is the garment worn above the muffler. There are several narrations reported on the description of the garment. - Ibn Abbas said: God commanded the believing women to cover their faces from above their heads leaving out just an eye when they go out of their homes. - Ibn Jarir narrated that Muhammad bin Sirin said: I asked Ubaida As-Salmaaniy about the words of Allah: يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ “to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments.” And in response, he covered his face and head, and left his left eye uncovered. - Abdul Razzaq and Ibn Abi Hatim related that Umm Salamah said: When this verse was revealed: يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ “to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments.” The Ansar women came out (en masse) as if crows of tranquility perched on their heads, they wore black garments. It is intended in this verse that the garment prescribed be an addition to the mandatory cloth needed to cover one’s nudeness. It represents an exemplary culture which protects women from accusation and suspicion and from the harms of evildoers. The Islamic dress for women is the garment that covers all the flesh, which does not show what is beneath it. However when the woman is in her home with her husband, she can wear whatever she wants. Allah says: (ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا) “That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (33:59) Casting the outer garment over the person gives advantage of being known as freeborn against being slaves or prostitutes and they will not be molested by corrupt persons. وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا “And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” Allah is forgiving for their earlier negligence in applying the covering, and for anyone who implements the order but was found wanting one way or the other unintentionally concerning the covering, widely merciful towards His slaves and have guided them to this marvelous culture. Majority of scholars agree that the full garment described above is not mandatory for slaves in order to reduce the hardship and facilitate their task of services to their masters. Abu Hayyan said: The statement: (وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ) “and the women of the believers” includes freeborn women and slaves, and that sedition is usually more from slaves due to their frequent involvement in much activities as against freeborn. Therefore, any exception for slaves from among other women requires a clear proof. Jurisprudence of life: The verse points to the following: 1 – An order to cover all the body with cloths that will not describe her body details except when with the husband, she can wear what she wants because he alone has the authority to enjoy with her. The wives of the Prophet peace be upon him and his daughters were among those instructed. Qataadah said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him left nine wives after his demise; five of Quraish: Aisha, Hafsah, Umm Habiba, Saodah, and Umm Salamah, and three from the rest of the Arabs: Maymunah, Zainab bint Jahsh, and Juwairiyyah and one from Harun tribe: Sofiyyah. The Prophet had both male and female children. Male children include: Qasim, Abdullah, Tayyib, all from Khadijah. His daughters were: Fatimah (wife of Ali), Zainab (married to the son of Abu-l-‘Aas, her maternal uncle), Ruqayah (wife of Uthman), and Umm Kulthum (wife of Uthman) all being the daughters of Khadijah (R.A). It would be understood from this arrangement that the dawah can never grow except when the caller starts from himself and family, thus the command to adorn hijab started with the wives and daughters of the Prophet (pbuh) It is noted that the call does not bear fruit unless began calling in himself and his family , so he started up the veil by women of the Prophet peace be upon him and his daughters . 2- The image of adorning the Jilbaab: A woman will cover all her body except an eye for seeing, as said by Ibn Abbaas and Ubaidah As-Salmaaniy. Qataadah and Ibn Abbaas in another narration said that she wears it above the forehead tightly fixed and drawn across the nose, covering the chest area and the face even if the two eyes are exposed. Al-hassan Al-basriy said: It should cover half of the face. 3- The freeborn are instructed to cover themselves to distinguish them from slaves, when they are recognized and distinguished, they will not face any form of molestation and to ward off lustful advances. 4- Allah says: “And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” as a sign of kindness for earlier sins of neglecting Jalbaab before this legislation. 5- Ibn Sa’d mentioned in Al-tabaqaat Al-kuburah that Ahmad Isa- a prominent Faqih of Shafi’ school made a deduction from this verse that the practice of scholars and leaders in changing cloths and headgear is good because it distinguish them from others, even though the salaf did not do it. The verse is also used to explain the obligation of covering the face, body and hair when going out or before non-muhram, as explained by scholars like Ibn Jaoziy, At-tabari, Ibn kathir, Abi hibaan, Abu Su’uud amd Jasaas Ariraazi. Conditions of Muslim women’s Jilbaab as outlined by Sheikh Nasrudeen Al-baaniy in “The Jilbaabul of the woman in the Qur’an and Sunnah”: 1- It should cover the entire body except those places excluded 2 - It should not be an adornment in itself 3 – It should be compact and thick not transparent 4 - is to be loose and expanse not tightly which will now describes the body shape. 5 - It should not be scented with perfumes 6 - It should not resemble men's clothing 7 – It should not look like the dress of kaafir (unbelievers) 8 - It should not be a celebrity dress for fame. SECOND KHUTBAH Praise be unto Allah who says in the glorious Qur’an thus: They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.( 33 ) It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although they who associate others with Allah dislike it. (10:32-33) Praise be unto Him over His immense favour on us beyond measure and comprehension. The best of peace and blessings be showered upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) raised as mercy to the universe, his household, companions and those who follow them in righteousness till the day of recompense. Dear worshippers of Allah, I will like to inform you that tomorrow- Saturday, February 1st, 2014 is World Hijab Day to which every Islamic association and organization is a partaker. It is worthwhile to participate accordingly with respect to your ability. History of the World Hijab Day The event that occasioned the World Hijab Day was the killing of a an Egyptian Muslim sister in Hijab- MARWA EL-SHERBINI in Germany in 2009 by ALEX WIENS. The sad event took place in a court in Dresden city in Germany where this murder stabbed this believing soul till death in the presence of the husband who was equally stabbed repeatedly. In the course of the incidence, police officer came and opened fire mistakenly on the husband. The murder was arrested and sentenced to death. But what was the sin of the slain woman? Apparently she committed no offence other than wearing a Hijab. It was said that she came as a witness against this murder on a matter of verbal abuse. The Muslim world thereafter made that day of her murder The World Hijab Day- 1st February annually. Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!"