Hijab is an Attitude, not a Fashion
November 2007
Hijab is an Attitude, not a Fashion
by Somayya Gefori
Hijab is not something we wear as a fashion statement, it is not merely a piece of clothing. Hijab is part of the Islamic way of life, hijab is an attitude, a way of thinking and behaving.
There is such a saying as a woman being clothed, yet naked. This means that she is wearing clothing, but it is so tight and transparent, that it could hardly be called clothing. Even if the clothing is long, if it is tight and figure-hugging, so that it reveals a woman’s shape, it is not hijab.
Hijab is not only wearing a scarf on your head, it also means to cover your awra.
A woman’s awra is her full body. She must cover her hair, torso, arms, legs and feet. The best way of covering everything is to wear a jilbaab/abaya and a scarf on the head. They must be baggy enough so as not to show the shape. They also must not be transparent. Some women choose to also wear niqaab which covers the face; gloves are often worn with it to cover the hands.
“And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms).” Surah an-Nur 30-31.
Women shouldn’t beautify themselves when they go out, such as wear make-up, perfume
or shoes that make a loud sound when they walk outside. Wearing make-up and perfume should be reserved only for her husband to see, not any strange man outside! Many Western women beautify themselves for men, going out caked in make-up, in a cloud of perfume and non-covering clothes so that they draw attention to themselves from the opposite sex.
Going back to what I mentioned above about the hijab being an attitude and a way of thinking, it means that when Muslim women go out, they must act like proper Muslim women. No flirting, talking to men casually, talking too loudly (the voice is also an awra! A man could find a woman’s voice attractive.) etc. We should conduct ourselves with dignity at all times; after all, whenever we go out in the world, we are representing Islam.
There will always be people out there who don’t understand the hijab and direct negative comments and stares towards us. But eventually, you won’t notice those people staring. You will be comfortable in your hijab, you will be strong. It should get to the point where you would feel naked without your covering over your clothes!
But hijab is not only for women, it is for men too. Men have an awra, from their navel to their knee (that is the absolute minimum; it is recommended that men should dress fully and modestly as well). They should also lower their gazes. Although in most Muslim countries, men do not usually walk around without a t-shirt on.
This means that men should not wear tight clothing, or revealing clothing. So, all those young men who insist on wearing their tight jeans so low that everybody can see their underwear should think again!
So, why do we wear hijab? For our husbands? To impress people at the mosque? No. We wear hijab to please Allah and no-one else.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Wow thats really well written and your’e right the men should do as they are told and lower thier gazes, women aswell. Muslims united
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Certainly, an over-exposure to media among young women and men in the ‘West’ creates unhealthy attitudes toward sexuality; however, it is a fallacy that women only dress for men. Women who have been brought up to value their individualism must be viewed individually rather than as representative of all women. Thus, some women dress up for men, but many dress to express their individual personalities. I think that many non-’Western’ people exaggerate the link between ‘Western’ dress and sexuality and under-emphasise the link between dress and individuality. People from traditional, group-oriented societies find it difficult to understand this individualism and often end up generalising or reducing it to a matter of sex.
Qasim Amin wrote that the veil “increase[s] the risk of temptation” among men because it makes them unable to interact properly with unveiled women. Men who are able to have open interaction with women are “less apt to deviate from moral standards”. On the other hand, I absolutely agree with you that many ‘Westerners’ have forgotten the value of modesty. I wouldn’t agree that the hijab or naqib is necessarily the answer (unless, of course, it is freely chosen), but I do believe that we could learn something about modesty from Muslim women.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Salam Alikum,
I do agree that a woman should dress very modestly when she goes out.however, to cover the head is ones free will and no one should be forced to wear hijab,the history of wearing the hijab started around 17th century when the prophet (PBUH) told the village woman to cover up due to modesty. this is a tribal custom not a religious one,so for all the ignorant muslims out there don’t crtisize woman who don’t hear hijab. you are not going to go to hell if you don’t wear one.Salam Alikum
February 25th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Assalam Alaikum,
I hope and pray you take your time to read the whole of this with an open mind/”reasoning”
How did you conclude that hijab is a custom and not compulsory. Check Quran 33 Verse 59
If we then are insisting that this a custom then salat, zakat, hajj, and all Islamic teachings are customs.
We need to know this, a twist to Islam is no more Islam. How can we all be praticing Islam when we worship differently. I guess it is obvious we are not all the same because people have given themselves names –Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Ibaadi, Salafi, Tabligh etc.
Quran 003 Verse031
Say: “If ye do love Allah, Follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
The real Islam is to follow the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet. A true Muslim believe and accept everything in the Quran though he/she might be doing contrary or not praticing thus sinning –the doors of forgiveness is always open. Denying any bit of the Quran or Sunnah is then no more Islam.
As I mentioned above forming groups is an evidence that we are not all Muslims.
May Allah guide us to the right path.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:30 am
assalamualaikum..
i do agree with what you wrote.Now i know that We wear hijab to please Allah and no-one else.
thanks.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Assalam Alaikum
I fully agree with Brother. it is obligatory to wear Hijab
May Allah guide us to the right path.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I couldn’t agree more. It’s definitely not fashion.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Yea. As in our Religion we should all lower our gaze
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Fantastic, full support for wearing Hijab.
July 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
assalamu alaikum,brothers n sisters!
i agree with Muslim(user)!
inorder2 reply Saliya i wud lik2post a forwarded msg 4m my friend:
‘Everything that Allah made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them. Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.’
Source: ‘More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.’
take care!
May u stay strong in Iman n deen!
May Allah shower blessings on u n ur family!
Allah hafiz!
August 11th, 2008 at 8:33 am
you said right, Mr. Sisinlslam :‘Everything that Allah made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them. Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.’
September 1st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
May Alah continue to bless all muslims with patience for one another. I have been practicing Islam for many, many years and I too, sturggled with the issue of hijab. I have approached it from various places.
In my heart, spirit and soul, I believe it is the intention of our faith for both men and women to be modestly covered and this does include the head. Think about how much money and time is invested in beautifying the outward appearance for others to view. Why???
We should strive to be more than the sum of our parts. When we shift our focus to our spirtual health and not our superficialities, covering will come naturally.
I pray that I did not offend, just speaking from the spirit.
Salaams.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I couldn’t agree more, Tahira. When our hearts and spiritual, religious minds are in the right place, we will naturally want to cover up, and be modest in our behaviour also. People who find it hard to cover up should ask themselves these questions, is my heart in the right place? I hope inshallah that those who find it difficult to take that step and wear the hijab full-time, please consider your religion and your modesty. It will come in time, inshallah.
September 9th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I strongly agreed with your view.An ideal muslim should see the hijab as obligatory not a fashion because ALLAH(SWT) knows how perfect we would be in it before HE decreed it on us.
September 16th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Shookrun, that was very intelligently written.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Salamalaykum!I really love women who wear hijab bcos it makes them to more responsible,decent and respected in d society.in fact,they will not b harrassed sexually.Women who wear hijab with piety are valuable in the sight of Allah.may Allah make it easy for our sisters in islam to be wearing hijab.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Parents should encourage their female children to be wearing hijab
September 17th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Further to Adejola’s comment, yes, parents should encourage their daughters to wear hijab, but not force them. I have met girls who have been forced, and as a result, rebel against hijab. I was not forced, and my parents were gentle with me, which is why I am proud to wear it today with no problems.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Oh cool I just love hearing and learning about other cultures. I am embarrassed by my own in such a way because many americans have too much pride and put down other races. It is just not right!
September 21st, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Also, the woman in that picture looks so beautiful in so many ways. She walks with pride wearing what she wears and for that I commend her.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:52 am
Sadly the hijab inevitably is seen as the west as either a tool of “oppression” or a fashion statement! Great article.
October 31st, 2008 at 5:08 am
I am a non-muslim, but because of the world now, wanted to start wearing a head dress to cover myself somehow. To take eyes off of looks and on personality, which is hard to find anymore. I believe that the hijab is a wonderful and beautiful sign of being one self. I do not want to wear this and offend anyone, what do you think?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:26 am
I strongly agreed with your view.An ideal muslim should see the hijab as obligatory not a fashion because ALLAHknows how perfect we would be in it before he decreed it on us. I just don’t like the cloths
November 19th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
because of the world now, wanted to start wearing a head dress to cover myself somehow. To take eyes off of looks and on personality, which is hard to find anymore.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:21 am
I agree with the comments above. The Hijab should be used regardless of fashion.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
It’s impressive what you wrote. It really well-impressed me, especially the last part, when you speak also about the men’s clothes. I think that it’s something we really don’t realise here in “west world”. In your belief both, women and men, are supposed to be chaste and pure for your god, not just a woman. We always think that your way to dress is to make you different and subjected to men, instead you explained very well why you dress hjiab, and i respect it.
Your thoughts reflect your imagine and i like a lot also this, even if i have a different religion and i dress like “western people”. I think many “western people” should read your post and descover what it means to dress with dignity!!
January 12th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I think it is good for girls and women to wear hijab. But for some Muslimas-whether born into Muslim familes, or reverted Muslimas, we have to face ridicule from people that do not understand why we wear hijab. How do we deal with this? We can wear niqab and be even more hidden and covered (and more protected), or we can wear hijab and try to wear it proudly. But since we are human, how do we deal with stares and mean words for the times when others will not respect our right to cover and wear hijab?
January 12th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
PS: That girl Shabina Begum wearing hijab-I can see the outline of her leg. I think the material is too thin.
January 13th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Kristy, I am sure when walking down the street, you can see the outline of most Muslim women’s legs. It’s what happens when you walk, and theres perhaps a little wind in the air. *{And say to the believing women to lower their gazes and guard their chastity, and let them not display of their charm – except what is apparent.}* (An-Nur 24:31) Except what is apparent has been outlined as the face and hands (unless you choose yourself to wear niqab). So if you’re walking along, and you’re wearing a baggy jilbab, that outline-of-the-legs thing will happen! It’s one of things ‘that is apparent’. You cant stop it from happening, and its not showing the leg, nor any private parts. Everything is covered, so its fine. I wouldnt look THAT much into hijab if I were you. Just cover you are supposed to, and inshallah that is enough.
February 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Interesting post.
Beliefs differ from region to region. I Don;t live in an Islamic country. But I have lots of Muslim friends, some wear the Hijab some don’t. It depends on how they are brought up. The society they’ve been living in.
But I believe that a woman should not be forced to wear a Hijab.
February 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I was doing some research for my latest fashion post when I came across your lovely blog. Thank you for the information, so refreshing… and I love the Hijab, so chic
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 am
Interesting. Well i personally think Hijab is a really important aspect of any woman’s attitude. A sign of belief as well. It really does bring out on who you are and what you really mean in this world. Thanks for the really informative post. Appreciate it.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:55 am
I love this!! Its so true about those guys they wear waaayy to tight pants and waayY!! too low! Get a belt! I started wearing a hijab about 6 months ago And im really happy with it
April 5th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Salaam, i think the hijab is not suppose to be a fashion rather it should be considered by women as an act of ibadat so that they will be rewarded by Allah swt. and men should fear Allah to encourage their wives, sisters and daughters to always wear the hijab and if possible with niqab as well
April 8th, 2009 at 11:06 am
A very well written answer however I still feel that the Muslim religion is not fair to muslim woman at all. How come that a woman is not allowed to feel confident and beautiful? Because she has to wear the bhurka. Men are not attracted to women if they see them in normal clothes, it is only when a woman goes out in her underwear that he is attracted. And on another point, it is HIS own fault if he is attracted, he should learn to say NO to himself for looking. A woman should 100% not have to cover up because of somthing a man does. That is his own problem.
Gender equallity!
May 8th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Assalamu alaykum,
sister somayya, may Allah reward you with jannatir firdausi for this your educative and admonishing write up. i hope all the muslim umma especially the female would adhere to this kind of islamic way of appearance.
yours in islam
Mu’azu Dauda
May 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
We should respect every individual’s of clothing, even though it may appear so different from what we’re used to. We should respect the customs and traditions of other people. So this is the reason why Muslim women wear hijab…
May 30th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Hijab is not only wearing a scarf on your head, it also means to cover your awra.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
you think people in the west are intolerant of muslim traditions?try the middle east! if a women walks down the street with nothing covering their hair they get shunned and most likely physically abused. tell me whos more intolerant?
May 31st, 2009 at 11:58 pm
PhotoRetouching: You do have a point about hijab colours. I myself last year decided I was bored to death with wearing black, so I bought myself a red scarf. It’s still a hijab, so it doesnt attract any attention, and for me it feels good to be in a different colour. It’s amazing how something simple can change your mood! Also to Fatima: Yes you have a point also, about if a woman is not covered in the Middle East, she stands out as something wrong. We shouldnt be like that as Muslims, if we see a Muslim doing something wrong, we should never humiliate them in public, as they genuinely be ignorant of the proper rules.
August 15th, 2009 at 6:29 am
im a muslim who once wore hijab and removed it..i wore it bcox every one ws wearing it but now again i want to wear it for myself and to be a better muslim.this is a very constructive articel.i totally loved reading it.i pray that all muslim women would cover up and still dont feel beautiful and confident.
May allah bless muslim umah.
salaam
October 6th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Hijab is a very good thing. i love my Hijab.
July 24th, 2010 at 3:19 am
This is the exact essence of hijab, it has been well said and well described, this must be considered strongly by all believers, because if we miss our objective of doing something, it gets waste to do by missing objective in that, so please think about it as i did and take it so serious. . Its something to be most strongly considered. .
January 22nd, 2012 at 4:52 pm
S.a Honestly your approach on the hijab is pretty amazing. Straight to the point with good reason and facts to support your statement. The fact that every girl wearing the hijab is put in a position where she’s going to have to represent islam in the best way possible. Ladies as long as you know your religion your not going to struggle on wearing the hijab. but if you say you know your religion but your to afraid to put it on then you are kidding yourselves. The more you gain knowledge of islam the more you begin to be afraid of your creator ALLAH SWT. Open your eyes ladies. Being covered will only make you more beautiful. your structures will show. its a shield for your body for your heart for your dignity. no one what so ever will have the guts to put you down or question your religion or what you wear. because the fact that you are covered proves your a believer.
January 22nd, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Thank you zaYn, your comments are much appreciated!