Assalamualaikum,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy New Year. I've got a list of new year's resolution again this year. Hopefully can achieve all :)
Another new year and new challenges ahead for us, Muslimah. And being a muslimah, whether you are a student, a housewife or a career woman, of course you want to look beautiful and stylish.
We can be stylish and trendy. But we have to follow the written rules.
First requirement, you have to remember, you can only show your face and palms. The rest of your body must be covered. And you keep on asking why?? Why must I observe HIJAB (covering of head and body)?? The answer is simple...it is because Allah has told you so. "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)
Second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary.
Third requirement is thickness. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body.
Fourth requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman.
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim)
Fifth requirement, women must not dress so as to appear as men. "Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (S.A.W) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
Sixth requirement, women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers (non-Muslim).
Please observe all the six requirements above. Compare that to what you have in your wardrobe. Do not be carried away in what you see in fashion magazine. Some things are not to be worn in public. Some things are to be worn privately at home or in your own room. So we have to know where and what to wear accordingly.
And by doing so, you're making a statement that we are Muslim. Anyone who sees you will know that you are a Muslim woman and have a good moral character.
In the Quran: " 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 except to their husbands, fathers, husbands' fathers, sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women or the slaves whom their right hand possess or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah(S.W.T) that ye may attain Bliss (Surah 24:31)
So, Muslimah, in this new year of 2013, let us make our statement as Muslim women by flaunting our way of dressing to the world! We are proud to be a Muslim women. And observing the code of dress shows how strong our will and level of confidence as well.
Good luck to all of us. InsyaAllah, we can do it!
Me and my youngest son.