Taking Hijaab (Cloak & Veil) In The Light of Qur'an - [Part 1]

The importance and necessity of taking ‘Jalabeeb’ has clearly been mentioned in Qur’an and Sahih Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Interpreters have mentioned the Arabic word ‘Jalabeeb’ as similar to Cloak/Hijaab (which is why the word Hijaab is very common today).

There are only two sources of evidence which are acceptable in Islam:
1.) The Holy Quran which if the actual words of Allah revealed in the Arabic language.
2.) The Hadeeths and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Muhammad (s.a.w).

First let's analyze the importance of Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw), as to why we have to follow Sunnah and Hadith along with Qur'an.

 Evidence from Qur’an

Importance of teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

[Surah An-Nisa Ch:4 V:41]

“How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad SAW) as a witness against these people?”

Explanation:

In this ayat Allah (swt) gives us a clear proof that every nation was appointed with a Messenger by Allah (swt)’s grace, and the last Prophet, Who is not a Prophet for just one nation but for every creation of Allah (swt), Who is a Prophet of all the Prophets even, Subhan’Allah, He is Muhammad (saw), and Allah (swt) says Himself that He bring Muhammad (saw) as a witness and a mercy to mankind. Which makes his Sunnah a clear proof for us to follow. There is no reason for us to deny any of His sayings, We must follow every word of our Prophet (saw) if we want to earn our way to Jannah, Insha’Allah. Allah (swt) will judge every man from the Sunnah of His Beloved Messenger (saw). And in several Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw) he mentions the importance of Veil and instructs the believing Women to take Jalabeeb. So why we argue over it? May Allah (swt) forgive us all.

[Surah An-Nisa Ch:4 V:59]

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (SAW), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.”

Explanation:

A Muslim can’t deny the Hadith (or Sunnah) of The Prophet (s.a.w). He has been instructed to do so by Allah (s.w.t) Himself. If we don’t agree with Hadith then we are not Muslims since a Muslim testifies that ‘There is no god but Allah And Muhammad (s.a.w) is His Messenger’ by believing in Qur’an but not the Hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w) we only ‘Testify that there is no god but Allah’ whereas we don’t testify that Muhammed (s.a.w) is His messenger. A Muslim needs to follow the teachings of Allah’s Messenger as commanded. Otherwise he is not amongst the believer.

[Surah Nisa Ch: 4 V:65]

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.”

Explanation:

In comparison to the Ayat No.59 of Surah Nisa this ayat is similar to some extent but As per the understanding of many well-known scholars it is said that this is by far the most beautiful Ayat in which Allah (swt) is swearing Himself. According to scholars this ayat shows the love Allah (swt) has for Prophet Muhammad (saw), as Allah (swt) commanded us to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and to make him our role model. If any two Muslims are arguing over a matter they should consult Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw), as if they want Allah (swt) to be their ‘Rabb’ then they have to follow His Prophet (saw) first, if they don’t do that then Allah (swt) labels them as the one’s with no faith. This brings our attention to the importance of Sunnah and Saying of Prophet Muhammad (saw) known as Ahadith. We must not deny any hadith and must not deprive ourselves from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Commandment of Jilbab (cloak)

[Surah an-Nur ayah 31]

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be  successful.”

Explanation:

In the verse mentioned above it is very clear that Allah (swt) has commanded a believing woman to guard her private parts and not to display her adornments. Allah (swt) has even mentioned the list of people who are exception to this ruling, Subhan’Allah. Now why would Allah (swt) specifically mention the relationship which is an exception to this ruling? The answer seems to be very simple as per my understanding, Allah (swt) is Our Creator, Our Rab, Our Protector, Subhan’Allah, He knows what we don’t, And since Allah (swt) created men and women, So He knows us better then we know ourselves. Which is why Allah (swt) commanded women to cover herself from men in order to eliminate any sort of Fitnah and temptation that could arise if women do not cover themselves. Other than that Allah (swt) even instructs the believing women not to bring into anyone’s attention of what they are. He is ‘Al-Muhaymin’ (The Guardian and Protector) and by this commandment He is protecting the believing women. Subhan’Allah. And if we must consider the environment we live in today, we must agree to the fact that today is not better than yesterday. We are opting more and more western culture and thoughts to our mind and Qur’an and Sunnah both instructs us not to follow the way of non-believers, and not to even indulge ourselves in their acts. So keeping in mind how men tease women today veil is mandatory.

[Surah Al-Ahzab Verse: 58]

“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.”

[Surah Al-Ahzab Verse: 59]

“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 Allah is Ever OftForgiving, Most Merciful.”

[Surah Al-Ahzab Verse: 60]

“If the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease (evil desire for adultery, etc.), and those who spread false news among the people in AlMadinah, cease not, We shall certainly let you overpower them, then they will not be able to stay in it as your neighbours but a little while.

Explanation (58) (59) (60):

In context to the Ayat No. 58….In ayat No.59 Allah (swt) instructs Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) that he should say to, His wives, daughters and the Believing women to draw their cloaks all over their bodies as that will be better for them. So as to protect them from such people who harm the believing men and women (which Allah (swt) mentioned in verse no. 58), Allah (swt) gave this commandment.  Then in verse no. 60 Allah (swt) informs us that if still such people don’t stop (i.e if still they continue with their evil acts even after the ruling in Verse.59) then Allah (swt) will let the believing men and women overpower such people and terminate them the way He wills And Allah (swt) knows best, And if He commands the believing women to take Cloak as it’s better for them, then why wouldn’t we want to follow what’s better for us?. I assume we all Muslims believe that Allah (swt) has complete knowledge and we know nothing in comparison. He is Our Creator and we are His Creation, It’s not the other way round Nauzubillah, and we must never forget this. We want to earn the highest place in Jannah so we should follow what Allah (swt) is suggesting us.

For the one’s unable to wear hijab and living in Non-Islamic Countries:

[Surah Al-Nisa’ CH:4 V:97] 

“Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (as they stayed among the disbelievers even though emigration was obligatory for them), they (angels) say (to them): “In what (condition) were you?” They reply: “We were weak and oppressed on the earth.” They (angels) say: “Was not the earth of Allaah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?” Such men will find their abode in Hell — what an evil destination!”

Explanation:

The Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen cannot carry out many of the rituals and visible acts of worship of Islam, in addition to the fact that he is exposing himself to temptation because of the permissiveness in those countries that is protected by their laws. The Muslim should not expose himself to temptations and trials. Furthermore the saying of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is also supported by this Ayat as He (saw) said: “I disown every Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen”. So for those who are living in such lands and they say we are unable to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and commandment of Allah (swt), Why not settle in some muslim country? Is money more important for you then the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (saw)? You guys should remember one thing that this world is just a trial for us, and we are not here to reach to extreme worldly level But Allah (swt) created us to worship Him alone. So save yourself from the whisper of the devil and don’t fall into his trap. For he is the one who deprives you of Qur’an and Sunnah. May Allah (swt)’s curse be upon him.

[Surat Adh-Dhariyat Ch:51 V:56]

“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).”

Explanation:

I’m sure that this ayat is very simple and clear to everyone, Allah (swt) is Our Creator, Our Khaliq and He created men and jinn both to worship Him alone, and to Him alone shall we return, Allah (swt) created man to obey every command of Allah (swt) and follow the footsteps (sunnah) of His Messenger (saw). And Qur’an and Sunnah (Hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (saw) both instructs a woman to cover herself and take a veil. Even Hazrat Maryam (AS) took a veil when Hazrat Jibrail (AS) came to her.

Conclusion:

Since a person needs to be modest (as Islam teaches us to be modest), but who will judge this modesty? America? England? Pakistan?. It varies from country to country we all know that, so then how to dress up modestly? So obviously the One who Created us knows best and only He will define what modesty is, and since He is our Creator, We will follow His ways only, Insha'Allah. And from the above authentic Ayats of Qur'an we all know what is modesty and how to dress up modestly when we step out of our house.