Clothing in IslamAWARE Center

Why we wear clothes

• Protection against weather conditions.• A means of beautification &

adornment.• The moral function.• “O ye children of Adam! We have

bestowed clothing upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the clothing of righteousness – that is the best. Such are among signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!” Quran 7v26

Purpose

• We all use clothing to show our culture, personality, mood.

• We follow fashion or dress according to stage in time ( Victorian, Tudor,)

• We dress according to the situation (job, job interview, sport, wedding)

• We are judged by our appearance, especially 1st impressions.

• Morals• Respect and dignity.

Deen Al-Islam

• Deen Al-Islam – way of life. Islam gives guidance for every part of our life.

• Islam gives priority to the society over individual needs.

• By following a very modest dress code it helps society. If women wear hijab she is showing that she respects herself and demands respect in return.

• It is a form of worship because she is obeying her creator.

• When making salat the Islamic dress code is mandatory.

Responsibility

• “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty..” Quran 24v31

Men’s clothing

• Must cover between the navel and the knees.

• Should be loose, not figure hugging.• Shouldn’t resemble women’s

clothing.• Should keep their beard & wear

perfume.• Shouldn’t wear gold or silk.• Sunnah to cover the head.

Women’s Clothing

• Cover the whole body except hands & face

• Should be loose, not tight fitting.• Shouldn’t be transparent.• Shouldn’t resemble that of men or of

Non-Muslims. Should reflect Islamic identity.

• Shouldn’t be an attraction in itself.• Shouldn’t reflect worldly honour.• Gold & silk are recommended.

Mahrem

• “Not to display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women….or small children” Quran 24v31

Among women & Mahrem

• Minimum – Navel to the knee.• Culturally acceptable.• Cosmetics, perfume & jewellery.

Why cover the hair?

• Isn’t the body enough?

When a woman wears hijab..

• She pleases Allah, obeying his command and she can expect to be rewarded.

• It is Allah’s protection of her natural beauty.

• Outwardly she reflects modesty, serenity, contentment, self assuredness and obedience to Allah. Inwardly, she feels the same.

• She feels feminine and respectful of her womanhood.

• It reinforces the Islamic social system.

Veil

• The wives of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) were required to cover their faces so it would be impossible for anyone to think of them in sexual terms because they’re considered the ‘Mothers of the Believers’ .

Identity

• Different styles can show the nationality etc.• Hijab is a woman’s identity, it is her right

that she may be known to be Muslim and respected.

• “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when they go out) that is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.” Quran 33v59

Benefit of Hijab

• Treated on the basis of our mind not our sexual worth.

• Her character & personal attainments, her modesty & dignity, her piety & intelligence and her feminine role of wife & mother are the sources of status as well as respect within the community rather than her possessing sexual interest & attractiveness.

Reaction from men

• Men (Muslim & non-Muslim) automatically show respect, kindness, helpfulness towards Muslim women who wear hijab.

Haya

• Shyness, reserve, modesty in the presence of the opposite sex.

• Deal with each other in a business like manner.

Sexuality

• “Your wives are your garments and ye are their garments” Quran 2v187

• Sex along with eating & drinking are natural instincts, which should be controlled but not to be ashamed of.

• Women’s sexuality is abused by the media.

Food for thought!

• Why is a Nun respected but a Muslim woman is thought to be oppressed.

• What’s the difference between the dress of the Virgin Mary (always shown by Christians to be wearing hijab) and that of a Muslim woman?

Thank you