Why Is Hijaab So Important When It Is Not One Of The Pillars Of Islam?

Islamic Rulings - Living Shariah Verdicts

Islamic Questions & Answers

By Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen

Is it right for someone to say that since wearing hijab is not one of the five pillars of islam therefore it is really not that important?

This is a mistake, because hijaab is obligatory for women. Allaah is the One Who has commanded women to cover their adornments, including the face, bosom and all their adornments. 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. So hijaab is obligatory for women and was enjoined upon them in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"…and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)…"
[al-Noor 24:31]
The veil (khimaar) is that which comes down from the head and covers the face, and the jilbaab is an outer garment with which a woman covers herself, leaving no part of her body showing.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"…And when you ask (his [the Prophet's] wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen…"
[al-Ahzaab 33:53]
So it is a protection for women so that there will be no room for people to treat them as playthings.

Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Jibreen

Question: Is this true that -- "Honorable or good muslim women wear hajab But low class muslim women don't"? This is the understanding of few muslims in my community. They base their understanding from the following hadith. Please clarify. I'm producing the hadith for your convinience. This hadith is recorded in the Sahih of Al-Bukhari with the following wording: The Companion Anas ibn Malik narrates: The Prophet stayed for three rights between Khaibar and Medina and was married to Safiya. I invited the Muslims to his marriage banquet and there was neither meat nor bread in that banquet but the Prophet ordered Bilal to spread the leather mats on which dates, dried yogurt and butter were put. The Muslims said amongst themselves, "Will she (i.e. Safiya) be one of the mothers of the believers, (i.e. one of the wives of the Prophet ) or just (a lady captive) of what his right-hand possesses?" Some of them said, "If the Prophet makes her observe the veil, then she will be one of the mothers of the believers (i.e. one of the Prophet's wives), and if he does not make her observe the veil, then she will be his lady slave." So when he departed, he made a place for her behind him (on his camel) and made her observe the veil. Few thing I'd like to know more are time frame of this incident, before or after the revelation of Al-Ahzab( 33:59) etc. I'm seeking your opinion as par on-line hadithsearch's recommendation.

Answer By by al-Khudayr: The hadeeth came after the revelation of the hijaab and after it was made obligatory for the believing women. But the full hijaab is only for free women; slaves and concubines should not resemble free women by wearing the full hijaab. A slave woman does not have to cover her face, and ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to forbid them to do so. This is the case if there is no fear of fitnah from them; but if there is fitnah, then they have to do whatever will prevent that fitnah.

 

 

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