hijab? oh NOOOOO..

Salam..

Today, i would like to share with you all about hijab or in malay language it is called as tudung. Hijab literally means to cover, to veil or to shelter. In Islam, women have been ordered to cover themselves and be modest.

The term hijab has different meanings and connotations in various cultures, peoples and places around the world. The hijab is understood differently and the way it is worn differs from one person to the next. Some Muslim women are of the belief that it is not imperative to don the hijab, while others believe that if a woman neglects to wear hijab, she will be liable to punishment.

The Quran states:
"They (the believing women) should draw their head coverings over their bosoms."

(An-Nur 24:31)

Dan hendaklah mereka menutupkan kain kerudung ke dadanya...  

"Oh the Prophet SAW,  Tell thy wives and daughters and the  believing women that they should put on their outer garments; that is most convenient in order that they may be recognized (as Muslims) and not be molested."

(Al-Ahzab 33:59)

Wahai Nabi, katakanlah kepada isteri-isterimu, anak-anak perempuanmu dan wanita-wanita yang beriman; ' Hendaklah mereka menutupkan pakaian ke seluruh tubuh mereka. Yang demikian itu supaya mereka lebih senang dikenali, sehingga mereka tidak diganggu.

It is obviously stated in Al Quran that wearing hijab is compulsary but there are still Muslimahs who still refuse to wear hijab. 

Some of them would say:

My position (in profession/work) does not allow me to substitute my dress for Islamic dress.

It is very hot in my country, and I can not stand it. How could I bear the heat if I wore the hijab?

(The Hell is much much hotter than the hottest place in the World)

I am afraid that if I wear the hijab, I will take it off at some future time because I have seen so many others do this!

(If you really wear the hijab because of Allah and of your own willing then you'll never want to put it off afterwards)

If I wear the hijab then nobody will marry me as i would look less beauty compared to others who are not wearing hijab, so I am going to leave it off until then.

(When you buy things at the supermarket or anywhere.. would you choose the one that is used as exhibition or would you ask for a new one that is still covered with its packaging??)

I know that hijab is obligatory (wajib), but I will wear it when Almighty Allah guides me to do so.

(Doesn't Allah has given us Al Quran as a guide and in Al Quran, it is stated that hijab is compulsary and furthermore it is also stated that Allah won't change ones heart untill they change it by themselves..)

It is not time for that yet. I am still too young to wear hijab. I will do it when I get older, and after I go on Hajj. This has been typically said by our artists, right??

(What would happen if there is no old time for you to repent??)

Many excuses were given by those who does not want to follow the obligation of wearing the hijab. But, although there are incidents in which women have been taunted for wearing hijab, a woman wearing it is often looked upon with great respect. 

For example, we can see a clear distinction in the way the boys at our school or college treated women who wear hijab compared to those who do not wear it. Yeah, i'm myself could really see this scenario.  In my university, i could see the boys (even they are non -muslim) are not dare to touch the hijab-wearing girls and if they are unintentionally done that, they would ask for forgiveness and say sorry for that. Contrary to the girls of not not wearing hijab, the boys would easily touch and even hug ( a kind of act that imitate hug but not really hugging la..) them without asking them for permission..

Besides, when wearing the hijab, we can easily be identified as a Muslim. Contrary to what some may think, many women who wear hijab mentioned that they feel more confident. The hijab covers the adornment of women and generally protects her from being looked upon with lust. And i'm myself feels the same too.. Sometimes when i wear some kind of a shorter hijab, i won't feel comfortable and was unconfident with myself when walking in front others.

There is a forum or some kind of it.. Someone posted the question of the advantages of wearing hijab and a non-Muslim male replied saying:

I am not a Muslim, but I can tell you that people will respect you more. There are too many half-naked women walking the streets these days. Wearing hijab shows that you have dignity and respect for yourself and God.

"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 veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons... " 

(An-Nur 24:31)

In fact, we should remember that hijab has a much deeper meaning than the literal concept of covering ones self. It is much more than merely covering our heads. We should not demean those who do not wear the hijab and consider ourselves to be any better than them.

Almighty Allah is the best of judges and it is He alone who knows what is in the heart of each person. May Allah the Almighty grant us all the guidance to live our lives in compliance with His commands.