Hijab should not be labeled as modern or out-of-date Fatwa No: 20080
- Fatwa Date:27-8-2015
What is the religious ruling on the modern Hijaab?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
A Muslim woman is enjoined to conceal her entire body. Allaah, the Exalted, said (what means):
• {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 33:59]
• {…and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their head covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers…} [Quran 24:31]
The Islamic Hijab should cover the entire body of the woman. It should be neither transparent or revealing body details. This is the description of Hijab in Islam, regardless of the time and environment where Muslim women live. The issue is that these conditions are met.
Alas, now, some Muslim women, may Allaah forgive them, have innovated a form of Hijab and are wearing gowns that do not match the Islamic dress code. Such gowns are sometimes transparent and show the shape of the woman's body or tight fitting in a way that outlines the size of the body and reveals its charming spots. Indeed, this is not the Islamic Hijab, but more of a fashion and following of one's personal desires. It is impermissible for a Muslim woman who believes in Allaah, the Exalted, and the Day of Judgment to go out of her house in clothes that reveal her body contours in order to tempt young Muslim men! She will bear the sin of neglecting the command of Allaah, the Exalted, and His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
A Muslim woman should be prudent when it comes to her religion, especially in our time, when corruption prevails, piety has become scarce, and wicked people have become abundant.
Allaah Knows best.