[Tinasblue]

Bismihi Ta’ala

Wa-alaykumus Salaam waRahmatullah

Dear Sister in Islam,

1.) Having read your post, and the different excuses presented by some women (which are common excuses) – and I thought of sharing two excellent analogies conveyed to us by my respected teacher, Shaykh Yunus Patel (RA) :

> Hazrat Maulana had presented the example of a bird. If a bird has a sound heart, but its wings are clipped, it will never soar.

Similarly, if a Muslim claims to have a “sound” or “clean” heart, but does not have the attire and identity of the Muslim, then that Muslim will never soar spiritually.

> Hazrat Maulana (RA) also gave the example: If there is a brand new Boeing on the tarmac and passengers have boarded for flight, and the engine is in perfect condition, but just one small wheel is punctured, the plane will never take off.

Similarly, if a Muslim claims to have an excellent heart, but his or her ‘zaahir’ is not right, then the person will not take flight, spiritually. Because he or she has punctured the Zaahir (outward appearance).

2.) There are so many valid points to counter those reasons and excuses.

It takes perhaps a few minutes to put the Zaahir right : How long does it take us to wear a burqa, niqaab, jilbaab? - just a few minutes.

But it takes, sometimes, a lifetime, to work on the Baatin – i.e. to reform the nafs and to purify the heart. Correcting the Zaahir, facilitates ease in correcting the Baatin. This is the great impact our clothing has on our spirituality.

If a woman is in Hijaab and Niqaab, or a man wears the Sunnah Libaas, she or he will think many, many times before going to a venue of sin, i.e. if there is that temptation. The dressing thus becomes a barrier between the Muslim and sins : A barrier between us and cinemas, clubs, casinos, and other Haraam establishments.

We would not want to be seen at such venues because of what our dressing represents.

And when we stay away from the venues of sins, we stay away from sins, and when we stay away from sins, we improve on our Taqwa. SubhanAllah.

3.) The Hadeeth makes clear that Hayaa (shame and modesty) is a branch of Imaan – highlighting the great importance of modesty – in our dress, in our speech, in our actions, in our heart and mind – in everything. It is not confined to just one aspect of our lives. It covers the entire spectrum of our lives. But the easiest to start with is our dressing - which then influences everything else.

4.) Another point comes to mind: My respected Shaykh presented the example of 400 men in a gathering and ONLY ONE is wearing a kurta, topee and has a fist length beard, etc. The rest are all in suit and tie. If you were to tell a 4 year old child : Make Salaam to the ones you recognize as Muslims.

The 4 year old will make Salaam first and foremost to the one whom he RECOGNIZES as a Muslim – the one who is dressed in the Sunnah Libaas. He will, in all probability, not even consider the rest.

So even if the 399 in suit and tie are Muslim, they will not be recipient to that Salaam because they have not been recognized as Muslim.
The same with women.

5.) The different excuses by women, not to wear the Hijaab, are the excuses of nafs and the whisperings of Shaytaan. The condition of a true and sincere Muslimah is the deep-hearted aspiration to conform to the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. May Allah Ta'ala make us true and sincere.

In the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam), not one of his pure wives, his chaste daughters or the pious Believing women who were part of his noble company, understood Hijaab as something other than veiling. They were all veiled and their garments were modest and loose.

Then which one of us today, can be so bold and audacious to claim to have a purer heart than the Ummahatul Mu`mineen? And can thus walk about without Hijaab?

The need is to acknowledge weakness and not justify it.

It is only when in Hijaab, does a woman realize its beauty, its protection, its benefits, its blessings.

6.) Every aspect and every teaching of Islam is BEAUTIFUL beyond words. The weakness is with us – Never with Islam.

May Allah Ta’ala give us all the understanding and appreciation.

JazakAllah khayr
Was-Salaam