Expert: Yasmeen - 9/23/2004

Question
Asallamu Alaikum.

i have been baffled for many years about hijab
i dress modestly - never showing flesh apart from what is 'normal'(hands and face) but i do not cover my hair unless i'm wearing a hat -at home i wear a headscarf -though that is quite irrelevent...
Anyway i have read books etc on the matter and some books say that hair must be covered from strangers while other books focus on decent behaviour and the intentions in the heart which obviously Allah knows well about.
Some books say that 'a veil must be drawn over the chest ' and forgive me greatly if i am wrong or mistaken but i did read that in the Qur'an and i wonder is covering hair really as important and about true Islam or is it people's interpretation of the rules?
Forgive me if i am in any way out of order - i don't mena to be or want to be - i just want to know.
What if the hair is left uncovered but not in a way that clearly attracts or would attract men? Is what is in the heart and the intentions and behaviour more important?
i do feel like i want to cover my hair but with all these political (sorry - i did read you don't answer politics -i don't like it much either!) things going on in the world and because of the fear of racism i just don't have the courage to do that especially as i don't live in a Muslim populated city also.
i know we should fear Allah and not people and that is what i try to live by but some people are so horrible aren't they?
Do you think Allah will understand this -or is my 'weakness' really bad? i am a believer and i always will be. Allah doesn't want me to be sad does He? i live a quiet life, i don't even talk to stranger men/boys unless it's necessary...oh please help me with my confusion. i will be waiting for your reply
And thank you in advance
Assalamu- alaikum.  

Answer
Dear sis, Assalamu alaikum, i do understand your situation and how you feel about hijab, but one thing for sure that we should not deny is that hijab is an obligation on all women, This has been enjoined upon women as a protection against abuse and temptation. That is because women are the focus of desire, and the focus of what those who are tempted look at. So if a woman uncovers her beauty she will provoke desire, and people will become attracted to her and will follow her. This is the cause of many immoral actions such as adultery and the things that lead to it.

 Verses that have to do with hijab:

1 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And tell 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, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or 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 feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”

[al-Noor 24:31]

2 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And as for women past childbearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allaah is All‑Hearer, All‑Knower”

[al-Noor 24:60]

“Women past childbearing” are those who no longer menstruate, so they can no longer get pregnant or bear children.

We shall see below the words of Hafsah bint Sireen and the way in which she interpreted this verse.

3 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“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 Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[al-Ahzaab 33:59]

4 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allaah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allaah's Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allaah that shall be an enormity”

[al-Ahzaab 33:53]
so hijab is mentionned in the Holy Quran and has been made an obligation.

Im sure that if you make up your mind and decide to wear hijab to please Allah, then Allaah will give you the strength, steadfastness, courage and certainty to face all difficulties and overcome them. The experience of other women who have become Muslim from other religions, gives you a good example of what you could be able to do in the future as regards following the rules of Islam, such as hijaab and other issues, despite being surrounded by an overwhelming atmosphere of kufr.

We understand totally the difficulties and social embarrassment that you speak of, and we know that going against one's family and the society in which one lives are very difficult matters, but Allaah makes every difficult thing easy.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):

“… And Allaah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:68]

“…And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).” [al-Talaaq 65:2]

“… Allaah will grant after hardship, ease.” [al-Talaaq 65:7]

“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e., Allaah's Religion – Islamic Monotheism)…” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:69]

Im sure you wouldnt have asked this question if you wouldnt have been feeling guilty about not puttin hijab, and deep inside you, you might feel that it is the right thing for you.

may Allah guide us to what is right

for more opinions, id advice you to post a question on the site www.islamqa.com

assalamu alaikum