Every religion on the surface of the earth has a way of life that makes it unique and identifiable from other religions. Islam, as a religion, is a way of life with certain codes and conducts that make it unique from other religions. The foremost that comes to mind is the appearance of Muslims, especially that of the Muslimah (Muslim woman). Islam places particular emphasis on the appearance of Muslim women as it is the first feature that helps to identify them in public, especially in the midst of members of other faiths. However, it is very unfortunate and worrying nowadays to see Muslim sisters as majority have adopted certain fashion trends which have relatively nothing Islamic about them. The resulting appearance leaves a lot to be desired as one can hardly tell whether they are really Muslims or non-Muslims.
Our dear Muslim women should bear in mind that Islam prohibits the imitation of the dressing of non-Muslims, especially those that display their physique and draw out the outline of their bodies.
Islam disapproves conformity to non-Islamic ways of lives and therefore has prescribed distinctive characteristics in appearance, as well as in beliefs and mannerisms for its followers. That is why Muslims have been asked to make themselves differ from members of other faiths. For instance, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Libaas, 3512. Al – Albaani said in Saheeh Abi Dawood, (it is) hasan Saheeh. No.3401).
A contemporary observation of many Muslimahs (Muslim women) reveals the transparent or tight clothing phenomenon that has enveloped them like how a hungry lion grasps and devours its weak prey. They present themselves in such apparitions with their hairs uncovered, giving reasons that are completely illogical and best known to them. However, caution should be sounded that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned those people who do not observe modesty in dressing. He referred to them as “among the people of Hellfire”, with a category of such people being “women who are clothed yet naked”. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) had informed us that
Among the dwellers of Hellfire are such women as are clothed yet naked, seducing and being seduced. These shall not enter the Garden [of paradise], nor shall (even) its fragrance reach them” (Saheeh Muslim, No.2128).
Many of our dear Muslim sisters are also engrossed in the many kinds of artificial extension of body parts such as hair, nails, eyebrows/lashes etc. Perhaps the sympathizers of such “fashion sense” are ignorant of the (Islamic) implications of such actions, or they volitionally choose to disregard it. It is for such action that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah narrate: The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) has cursed the lady who lengthens hairs artificially and the one who gets her hair lengthened, and also the lady who tattoos (others) and the one who gets herself tattooed (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5933, 5934, 5937, 5940, 5942, 5947) and Saheeh Muslim (5298, 5300).
Quran Chapter 24:31 explicitly states that,
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes or the entire face for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of the feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.
Benefits of dressing Islamically
- Muslim women are easily identified in their islamic dresses and that protects them from harassment especially from men. Quran Chapter 33:59 states, “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them. That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not harassed. God is ever Forgiving, Merciful”. Women who dress islamically do not attract the attention of lustful, lecherous and vicious men who prey on the sexuality of women, especially those who expose their bodies.
- It represents the fear of Allah among Muslim women. It represents their dedication and commitment to Allah and His messenger, Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him). Furthermore, it attests that none has the right to seek sexual pleasure from Muslim women as they are sacred for their husbands.
- It channels people’s focus and attention to the personality, character and dedication of the Muslim woman rather than her physical beauty and sexuality.
- Dressing islamically safeguards Muslim women from committing sins. They are obliged by Allah to cover their bodies, therefore those who refuse that decree earn sins upon themselves. It also prevents men from committing sins as Muslim women do not become easy targets of sexual temptations for them.
It is realized that modesty is an empowering tool through which women do not only accord themselves self-respect but also demand respect from others. Dressing islamically does not neither have demerits nor block opportunities as some of our Muslim sisters may think. Rather, it elevates them to a respectable grandeur and gives them piety, confidence, dignity and strength. I encourage our sisters, the queens of the religion, to make it a habit to always appear islamically so as to obey our Maker and earn His blessings in this world and the Hereafter.
EDITORIAL COMMENTS:
Does modest dressing in line with islamic guidelines diminish the woman’s beauty?
Is islamic guidelines on modest dressing applicable in modern sports?
Can modest dressing meet my gorgeous look?
Learn how to dress modestly and yet gorgeous:
| How to appear splendid in hijab | Guidelines to modest Islamic dressings? |
| Be a Pretty Hijabi | Dress Modestly as a Muslim Girl |
| How to Put On a Hijab | Why do Muslims have a code of dressing? |
| Wear a Niqab in a Non-Muslim Country like Ghana | Dress Code of Muslim Women |
| How to wear hijab with confidence | Understanding the Muslim dress code |
| Get to learn some ways of wearing hijab | |
| watch a video on how to hijab |
Watch a short video on how to do simple but gorgeous looking hijab:
What some Musims think about Modest women:
• “I can feel the extra respect coming my way. People take me more seriously, and I feel protected and confident when I step out.” Dr. Mrs. N.Z. Vakil, M.D.(cited from this website)
The Editorial Board strongly encourages the Muslim women, especially the Ghanaian professional youth, to be proud of and flaunt off their majestic self in the islamic fashion wherever they found themselves on the national ladder. This we believe has, at least, the following effect:
- Serving as model and inspiration to the younger Muslims while challenging the older ones to set the pace.
- Increase acceptance and credit to Islam as such appearance help keep them on their toes with regards their other social islamic obligations.
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Article Provided by
Meesuna
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Article: Your Appearance is Your Identity
Published: 25-05-2018
Place: [Salaga],[East Gonja District],Northern Region [GH]
Phone: +233247523716
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Mohammed Meesuna is a KNUST graduate and he is currently undertaking his National Service at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Tamale.
Connect with Mohammed Meesuna on:
Editorial Board, GhMYC
