Concealed or Revealed?

It is necessary, among other conditions, for a woman’s clothing to cover her entire body and hair (with the exception of her hands till her wrists and feet) before non-mahram men. Furthermore, the clothing should neither be transparent, thus exposing the body, nor should it be tight-fitting, thus revealing the shape of the body and limbs.

Rasululah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to take these aspects very seriously and practically taught them to dress with hayaa and concealment.

Sayyiduna Dihyah Kalbi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates, “Rasulullah once received some Egyptian cloths as a gift. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then took one of the cloths and gave it to me saying, ‘Cut it in half. Make a kurta with one half, and give the other half to your wife so that she can wear it as a scarf.’ Then, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned to leave, he said, ‘Instruct your wife to place a cloth beneath the scarf so that her hair is not revealed (due to the thinness of the cloth).’” (Sunan Abi Dawood #4116)

Similarly, on one occasion, Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the respected sister of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), entered the home wearing a thin garment. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) immediately turned away from her and corrected her, explaining to her that she should not wear such thin clothing as it was insufficient in concealing her body. (Sunan Abi Dawood #4104)

This lesson of hayaa in clothing, taught by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), was so deeply entrenched in the heart of Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) that she remained particular regarding hayaa in her dressing until the end of her life.

Hence, when she reached old age, her son, Munzir bin Zubair (rahimahullah), after returning from Iraq, sent her a cloth of very fine and superior quality as a gift. She had lost her sight, and so held the fabric in her hand, feeling it carefully. Then she said, “Return the cloth to him.” When the cloth was returned to Munzir (rahimahullah), he felt hurt (as his beloved mother had returned his gift) and said to her, “O my beloved mother! The cloth is not transparent (so it is fine for you to wear)!” Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “It may not be transparent, but it will still reveal the shape of the body (due to it being tight-fitting).” Understanding the reason for his mother’s disapproval, he thereafter bought her common garments. She happily accepted them saying, “It is these types of garments that you should give me to wear.” (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 252)

If Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was extremely particular regarding hayaa and purdah, then her sister, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the mother of the believers, was also very particular and strict in this regard. Hence, it is reported that on one occasion, the niece of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Hafsah bintu ‘Abdir Rahmaan (rahimahallah), entered the home of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) wearing a scarf that was thin (and thus revealed the hair). On seeing this, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) took the thin scarf, tore it, and gave Hafsah (rahimahallah) a thick scarf to wear. (Muwatta Maalik #3383)

Perhaps one of the most amazing and inspirational incidents in this regard is that of Sayyidah Ummu Khallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma). Her son, Sayyiduna Kallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was martyred during the battle against the Banu Quraizah tribe of the Jews, due to a woman throwing a rock on him from a hill. So Sayyidah Ummu Khallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to enquire about her son’s status and reward in the Hereafter. However, despite the circumstance being one of grief and sorrow, she was not unmindful of her modesty, and thus concealed her face with the niqaab (purdah) before coming to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Noticing this, one Sahaabi was astonished at her not neglecting the covering of her face even in this emotional situation and remarked, “You have come to enquire about your son (who was martyred) yet you have still covered your face (in this tragic moment)?” She replied, “I may have lost my son, but I have not lost my modesty.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #2488 and Bazlul Majhood)

These are just a few incidents from the lives of the Sahaabiyaat (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna) which clearly highlight the importance they showed to hayaa and dressing correctly. We thus understand that this level of hayaa is the normal required level, expected of every Muslimah, and cannot be labeled as ‘extreme’ or ‘going overboard’, as this was the hayaa advocated by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

Society today may “dress to kill”, but a Muslim should always “dress to conceal”.

Creating the World

(Ambiyaa [‘alaihimus salaam] Series – Nabi Aadam [‘alaihis salaam] #01)

Allah Ta‘ala is the Creator of everything. He created the entire world in just six days. Allah Ta‘ala is so powerful, that He never ever feels tired. Even when He created the whole world, He did not feel exhausted or tired.

Allah Ta‘ala created the earth and made all the different types and colours of soil. Allah Ta‘ala made some soil fine and dry, like the sand in the desert, and some soil wet and sticky, like clay. He made some soil brown, some soil red and some soil black. In some places, Allah Ta‘ala placed huge, heavy mountains on the earth, and in other places, He created valleys and open plains.

Allah Ta‘ala created all the different plants and trees. The tall towering trees, the short, thorny bushes, the attractive flowers with their beautiful colours and patterns, and all the different vegetables with their different tastes – all these are the creation of Allah Ta‘ala. Allah Ta‘ala created the beautiful red roses, the crunchy apples, the sweet strawberries, and many other wonderful things.

Allah Ta‘ala created all the oceans and all the rivers on the earth. He made the different oceans and rivers different colours, and made the water of some salty, while others have sweet water. Some He made with high waves and strong tides, while He made others with calm and peaceful water.

Allah Ta‘ala created the sky, high above the earth. In the sky, Allah Ta‘ala placed the sun, to give light and warmth during the day, and the moon and stars, to give light and guidance at night. Allah Ta‘ala also placed clouds in the sky, to rain water onto the plants and to fill the rivers and lakes.

Allah Ta‘ala created all the animals in the ocean. From the eight-legged octopus and the dangerous shark to the delightful dolphin and the gigantic whale – all were created by Allah Ta‘ala. Similarly, Allah Ta‘ala created all the animals on land, like the poisonous snake, the roaring lion, the playful monkey and the tall giraffe. Likewise, Allah Ta‘ala created the birds in the sky, such as the graceful eagles, the pigeons and all the other birds. Allah Ta‘ala even created all the insects, from the buzzing bee and the busy ant to the slow snail and the green grasshopper. Allah Ta‘ala made all these creatures in different colours, shapes and sizes, and made all of them beautiful to look at.

Everything that we see and know was created by Allah Ta‘ala. He created the water we drink, the air we breathe, the sounds that we hear and every other thing in the world.

Why did Allah Ta‘ala create everything? Allah Ta‘ala created this entire world and everything in it for us – the children of Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam). Allah Ta‘ala created everything so that we can use all these things to live in the world while we worship Him and recognize that He is our creator.

That is why we always read the du‘aa when we eat, and thank Allah Ta‘ala for the food He gave us, and we read the du‘aa when we drink, and thank Allah Ta‘ala for what He gave us to drink. When it rains and the plants grow, we remember that the rain is from Allah Ta‘ala and thank Him. Wherever we are in the world, and whatever we look at, it reminds us and makes us think of Allah Ta‘ala, as He is the One who created it so perfectly. We thank Him for everything and worship Him because He is our Creator.

The Cycle of Life

Once, some people came to Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said, “O Ameerul Mu-mineen! We have an Imaam who is a youngster and leads us in the ‘Asr Salaah. After he completes leading the salaah, he recites some couplets of poetry.” Hearing this, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “Take me to him.”

They thus proceeded with Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to meet the youngster. When they arrived at his home and knocked on the door, he emerged and asked, “O Ameerul Mu-mineen! What has brought you here?” Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I have received a bad report regarding you – you are reciting couplets after the salaah!” The youngster responded, “The couplets are words of advice which I recite as a reminder to myself.”

When Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this, he requested the youngster to recite the couplets for him, but the youngster expressed reluctance and said, “I am afraid to recite these couplets before you.” Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Go ahead. If the words have an excellent meaning, I will recite them with you, and if they have a bad meaning, I will prohibit you from reciting them.”

The youngster lowered his head for a few moments, and then recited the following couplets:

My heart is such that whenever I caution it (to refrain from evil), it returns to sinful pleasures, trying to exhaust me (by rebelling against my effort to reform my ways).

It seems that it will continue to chase after amusements and pleasures for its entire life span. It has tormented me with its persistence and obstinance.

O evil companion! How long will this childish behaviour continue? Your entire life will pass like this, in amusement and play.

My youth is leaving me and departing, before I am able to use it to achieve my aspirations.

After my youth departs, I anticipate nothing but leaving this world, white hair (old age) will hamper my striving to fulfil my ambitions.

O my carnal self! How I wish that you never existed, and how I wish that I never had evil desires! Adopt taqwa before your Master (Allah Ta‘ala), fear Him and remain afraid of Him!

When Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this, he repeated the last couplet while crying and said to those present, “If any one of you wishes to recite couplets of poetry, then it is couplets such as these that he should recite.”

(Taareekh Ibni ‘Asaakir vol. 44, pg. 312 and ‘Uyoonul Hikaayaat pg. 75)

Lessons:

1. When a complaint would be brought to Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he would not immediately arrive at a conclusion. Rather, he would ensure that he first investigated it and allowed the accused person to respond and voice his side of the story.

2. These couplets describe the cycle of life. Many people continue chasing after amusement and pleasures, never outgrowing their obsession with entertainment. Hence, despite being grown adults, and even having children or grandchildren, they continue ‘playing’ – it is just that the ‘toys’ change (e.g. from a toy car to a sport’s car). Thus, we need to do as this youngster had done – we need to continuously remind ourselves and others of the Hereafter and our objective on earth. In this way, we will remain focused on the task at hand – remaining obedient to Allah Ta‘ala.

3. The energy, passion, strength, enthusiasm, vigour and motivation that a person enjoys in his youth is not enjoyed afterwards, when he advances in age. For example, it is far easier for a youngster to memorize the Quraan Majeed and become a Haafiz than it is for an older person. Hence, the youth should value their youth, and parents should guide them appropriately, to utilize this period to progress in Deen and gain the nearness of Allah Ta‘ala. Sadly, we tend to do the opposite. We neglect our salaah when we are young, and then struggle to perform many years’ of qadhaa later on, when we are weak, old and sickly.

4. Evil desires and temptations are part of our human nature and cannot be eliminated. However, we can exercise control over these temptations and desires by restraining ourselves from falling into sin. The most effective way of achieving this is to inculcate the awareness, consciousness and fear of Allah Ta‘ala.