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Why Wear Hijab

Friday sermon by Sheikh Reda Shata

In the name of Allah, the most gracious most merciful

Praise be to Allah, the lord of existence! His prophet was advised with

guidance; to lead the religion of righteousness, and to establish it over the

entire faiths. His mission was to emphasize that Allah is the only one whom

we depend upon, to proclaim that there is no God but Allah, and that

Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him) is his believer and prophet. All

praise and gratitude belongs to Him; the provider of life and death, and He is

all knowing and capable of his creation.

Allah, place praise and peace, while increasing the blessings over our

teacher, the prophet Mohamed, as regards to his worth, divine, and great

stature. May Allah also embrace the four great and pious leaders: Abu Bakr,

Omar, Othman, and Ali; as well as the rest of their descendents, followers,

and those that relished their lives with faith and filled their existence with

Allahs grace. Blessings and great mercy, Oh most gracious!

Oh Allah! Open the gates of mercy for us, Oh most merciful! Allow us

and enable us to become from the most truthful and faithful, Oh lord of

existence! Allah! Empower us to become from the most faithful, and placeus between those who are most faithful to you. Help us maintain our lives as

those who are most loyal to you. Guide us to the straight path and reward us

on the day of judgment.

This lecture, aside from all the rest, is directed to the discussion

entailing our sisters, or whomever has taught a woman. Teaching a woman

is, in fact, as teaching an entire family! A scholar once said, a mother is an

institute that could raise an entire nation, if one could teach her properly.

Women, account for 50% of the community as regards to the populous.

However, when dealing with stature, their role is extremely important. Theirlevel of importance is so great that they should be focused on as if they made

up the whole community! This lecture entails the discussion of the

influential role of women. Its main concern is to discuss the most

controversial issue that is related to women in this present age. Specifically,

the hijab (the head piece; veil). The true question is, why has Allah ordained

the hijab on all women? Why did Allah restrict women to this attire? Why

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did He forbid women to display their femininity and beauty? Why is this

piece of fabric mandatory for women to place over their heads? Why wear

the hijab?

Why the hijab, is this lectures title and topic. To answer this question

we need to research and explore the true purposes served by wearing thehijab. What are the advantages of wearing the hijab and what wisdom lies

beneath it? The answer, my sisters, is found in the six main purposes, which

will be discussed in this lecture. The first purpose, or reason, is that the

hijab is a reflection of an order set forth by Allah. It is a direct command

from Him, the gracious creator. Secondly, it is a form of security and

protection for whomever wears it. Thirdly, it is a source of preservation of

the health. Fourth, it is a symbol of our faith. It is a shield from the impure

and the sinners. Fifth, it purifies the heart towards the faith. Finally, the

sixth purpose is that the hijab is a modernization, an escape, from the age ofignorance. By elaborating further on these six main aspects, my dear sisters,

we shall elucidate them thoroughly, but only after you recognize Allah as the

one and only divine existence.

Now, why the hijab? Why this restraint? Why did Allah place this

constraint onto women? Everything in our religion is for a reason; it is for a

purpose. The hijab serves a designated duty. Everything in our religion is

precise, and extremely on point. Everything in Islam has solid proof, which

benefit those who pursue it. Some individuals seek to attain this knowledge,

while others avoid it and choose ignorance. As mentioned previously, thefirst reason for wearing the hijab is because of the fact that it is mandated by

the creator Himself, Allah the gracious. Allah is the one who commanded

this and He is the one who placed this restraint. The one who has created

you as a woman is also the one who restrained you with the hijab. Where is

the evidence that this restriction is from his grace, from his majesty. The

evidence is that Allah said, you are concealed and protected within your

homes rather than exposed as in the exposure witnessed during the age of

ignorance. Allah then said, and if you asked them a pleasure, ask them

through the hijab...this is more pure to your hearts, and to the their hearts.

His grace also said, my prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and thewomen of the faithful to conceal their beauty with the hijab; for it is best for

them. His majesty also ordered, tell the faithful women to watch where

they look, to cover themselves and not to show any mark of their beauty,

except to their fathers, their brothers, their brothers children, their sisters,

and their sisters children, their husbands and their own children. Repent to

Allah, Oh faithful one, for in it lies your eternal salvation. The hijab is a

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command, my dear sisters! Allah has addressed the faithful women and the

wives of the faithful men on such topic. When women approached Aisha,

the prophets wife, while wearing clothes that revealed them, Aisha looked

at them and said, if you truly are faithful then you must not wear what you

are wearing, but if you are unfaithful to the will of Allah then enjoy what

you wear. A faithful Muslim woman insists on her dedication to wearing

the hijab, because that attire is an inseparable part of her faith.

My sisters, purify your hearts by praising our prophet Mohamed

(praise and peace be upon him). Consequently, every single centimeter cube

of a womans attire is a true sign of her faith, dedication, and commitment to

the will of Allah. A woman in Islam is special and unique. She was created

by Allah as an extraordinary being and, as a result, she was ordered to abide

to her hijab as a form of prayer. One may be puzzled by such statement,

however, the explanations behind it will make it graspable.Let us sum up some of the things women experience due to the hijab.

Woman are restricted by wearing the hijab, therefore, they are deprived of

plenty of activities. In addition, they are exposed to rudeness, indecency,

and, to some point, are threatened with their income. Some women are even

deprived of marriage all because of the hijab! I swear to Allah, every

woman, from the age of our dearest prophet Mohamed (praise and peace be

upon him), until now, shall be rewarded to an extent that only the creator

himself, Allah, his majesty, knows and sets limitations to. The women who

have restricted themselves and have suffered the worst of what life canimpose on them due to the hijab, those who have insisted and dedicated

themselves to wearing the hijab, shall enjoy the fruits of Allahs blessing,

inshAllah. Why? That is due to the fact that they have worshiped Allah to

the utmost degree; by fearlessly wearing the hijab only to please Allah.

There are general duties that all Muslims take part in. Everyone fasts

and prays because they both are pillars of Islam, for Allah said, basics of

faith are three, whomever neglected one then he is a non-believer whose

blood is worth spilling. (They are:) Proclamation that there is no god but

Allah and that Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him), is his prophet.Prayers, and fasting. Aside from the main practices that make up the core of

Islam (i.e., fasting, praying, etc..), there are other habitual, branched, ones

that remain a mandatory act of faith. For example, if a person is rich then

he/she is obligated to spend money for a righteous cause ( i.e. give to the

poor, charity, etc), and by doing so then advancing closely towards Allah

becomes manageable. If a person is physically and/or mentally strong, then

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the first act of faith is to allow truth to prevail, to overcome the unjust, and

to stand by the weak. In addition, if there is an informative scholar, then

his/her obligation is to spread the word of Allah with diligence and respect,

while fearing no one but Him.

On the other hand, aside from that of mentioned above, womendemonstrate their faith by wearing the hijab. It is their leading priority of

worship. However, if a woman says, I have a doctorate degree and other

highly acclaimed educational certificates. I pray, I fast, but, I do not wear the

hijab, then she is insignificant and shall be harshly judged by Allah on the

day of judgment; due to the fact that she became neglectful of Allahs

demand. An Islamic priority is to uphold the words of Allah. His majesty

affirms that women have to conceal their beauty, therefore, women uphold

Allahs word by wearing the hijab. Each and every aspect that Allah has

blessed a woman with must be concealed. Respectively, all features thatAllah beautifully created in a woman is for the satisfaction of the woman

and her husband alone. The main reason behind that is to prevent any one

else, other than her husband, from desiring her. A womans beauty and

femininity were designed by Allah for the relationship between a woman and

her spouse. It strengthens their relationship, and establishes a strong bond.

The hijab is a representation of Allahs command. As a result, all

women should strongly maintain any word ordained by Allah in that matter.

This brings us to the second reason for wearing the hijab, which is security.

It is a source of protection sent forth by Allah. A woman protects herself andthe community around her when she is veiled. The community is protected

in the sense that a man is prevented from comparing a woman he saw

walking down the street to his wife. Thus, in a community, the hijab guards

against dysfunction, disarray, or destruction of other families. In addition,

the hijab proves that the woman wearing it is a serious person, that she is

someone who does not misbehave, and that she is not the type who can be

taken advantage of. Allah protects these women the way a treasure is

safeguarded from the impure hands of thieves. I am willing to challenge any

individual who argues that a veiled woman can be prone to having someone

do or say something sinful to her. No matter how corrupt that person maybe, he/she will never become successful in harming that woman. A woman

wearing the hijab is blessed and full of grace, due to her undivided loyalty to

the grace of Allah.

A Muslim scholar, residing in Los Angeles, wrote a book that

mentions a story of a college girl who was harassed by several boys. She

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tried to push them away and make them stop, however, the harassment never

halted no matter how much she tried. She then shaved her hair as to make

herself look like the boys, but the harassment and obscene words still

continued. As her last resort, she thought of imitating the Muslim women by

covering her head. As a result, no one dared to confront her in any way

afterwards. Allah, his majesty says, it is impossible for a man to attempt to

make offensive remarks towards a woman wearing a hijab. Look at the

peak of beauty of wearing the hijab! Praise our prophet Mohamed (praise

and peace be upon him).

If you happen to see a child wearing a school uniform, is that solid

proof that he is a well achieved school student? Not necessarily, because

he/she may be a failure. In comparison, the hijab on a woman could assert

her ties with her creator and His religion. However, that may not be the case

with some. Accompanied with the hijab, there has to be a strong personalconduct and a firm will for raising obedient, Muslim children. Some of the

unknowledgeable women believe that they are within the grasps of Allahs

mercy only by wearing the hijab. Others even believe that they can become

great scholars by only attending a couple of lectures. That should not be the

case.

The third role of the hijab is the preservation of health. Do you

believe that the hijab preserves your health? There are several journals in

medicine that proves that the hijab serves the purpose of protecting

whomever wears it from serious diseases. Please, before we continue, praiseout dearest prophet Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him). Lets

consider, if one of many governments saw that a certain product may cause

the spread of a very serious illness or disease amongst the public. At that

point, the role of that government is to withdraw that poison from the market

for the better health of the people. Is it then the peoples right to protest

against the government and insist on consuming that poison? Will it be

coherent for them so say, leave us alone? It would not. Allah is aware of

all!

It is mentioned in several British medical journals that wearing thehijab protects women from contracting serious new plastic disorders,

specifically, carcinoma of the skin, or skin cancer. This is a world

recognized journal with solid evidence through research and data collection.

Therefore, a covered woman is far more safer than an exposed one. The

risks of an unveiled woman to contract a serious dermatological condition is

13 times more susceptible than a woman covering herself. These are the

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words of Allah. He ordered women to wear the hijab to prevent them from

torture in the hells fire, and to protect them from the serious health hazards.

The humans skin is very sensitive to ultraviolet rays, through which

prolonged exposure predisposes to the development of very serious

conditions.

Allah ordered women to conceal, and not expose, themselves as in the

age of ignorance. That exposure is the uncovering of the hair and neck! Do

not think for a moment that Abu Jahel would allow his daughter to wear a t-

shirt to the university. Abu Jahel, who is condemned by Allah, was the ruler

of men at that time. He would never have allowed his women to place

make-up on their face, to expose themselves, nor walk in a suggestive

manner. Hence, even the most cruel and sinful of men protected his pride

and honor. He did so in an uttermost extent that, unfortunately, most men

nowadays can not be compared to him. My dear brothers, retain your wiveson this earth, for otherwise, you shall be punished by Allah beneath this

earth (i.e. death) and on the day of judgment.

The fourth purpose of the hijab is, it is a symbol, a call for faith. It

protects against those who mock and insult the bearers of hijab. Some non-

Muslims have a mission towards veiled women, and that is to cause women

to remove what protects them; their hijab. Those people attack insistently

and make desperate attempts to mislead women into disobeying Allah. No

matter how much lies they forge, or how much rumors they spread, there are

still faithful women who insist on standing up against this bashing of Islam.They strive to fulfill Allahs command, and they are greater than submitting

to the temptations of taking part in new fashions, trends, or to display their

beauty. For these reasons, they will be granted eternal blessing, inshAllah.

Do you know that the hijab is no longer an issue of misunderstanding

amongst the majority of Muslims? Rather, it is a well understood

representation of our faith. How is that so? The following will illustrate the

concept of how the issue of the hijab was developed into becoming more

understandable. When El Salaf ( i.e. the companions of the prophet, for ex.,

Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, Ali, etc) used to be challenged with an issueregarding our religion, whether it was being attacked or deprecated, they

used to convert it into something positive. This illustrates their

incomparable faith; a very serious level of understanding. The imam El-

Malik, as well as the imam Abu Haneefa, said, there are three aspects that

make an individual a part of people of sunna. The imam Al-Malik said,

the three aspects are: to love and respect Abu Bakr and Omar, to respect, not

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bash nor insult al Hassan and al Hussein, and to consider washing our feet

while covered. Al imam Abu Haneefa said, honor the companions, never

insult Othman and Ali, and to consider washing our feet while covered.

Presently, one would say, in order to become part of the people of sunna

(one of the followers of the prophet, praise and peace be upon him) one has

is to pray every sunna in prayers, to respect and give compassion to all of the

companions of the prophet, and to wear the hijab. Such is a representation

of how people perceive, and understand issues as time continues. Therefore,

as you see my brothers and sisters, the hijab is no longer a branched topic. It

is no longer a simple issue; it has become a strong representation of our

belief system. I swear to Allah that the hijab was the reason for the

conversion of many people to Islam!

Jeffrey Lang was a mathematician, a professor of mathematics in the

university of San Francisco. When he was a student, his professors wouldwalk into the lecture hall and say, Jeffrey, you are excused from attending,

I will give you the full mark. Jeffrey was not the average person as regards

to intellect. He was a great source of reference after becoming a professor.

As a result, many students turned to him for questions and clarifications. Dr.

Lang said that he had a middle eastern woman refer to him once and that the

weather was extremely warm during that time. Furthermore, upon the

womans approach into his office, she was wearing the hijab. He swore, I

swear to God, I could not even lift up my eyes to look at her from her

greatness and pious countenance. At that point, he became determined to

read and learn about the religion; the one which caused that woman to wearthe hijab so diligently, and was unconcerned with herself in accordance with

the weathers severity. Today my dear brothers, Jeffrey Lang is one of the

most famous speakers and preachers of Islam. Praise be to Allah, my

Muslims!

Let us continue on with the fifth purpose of the hijab, which entails

the fact that it purifies the heart. The hijab leads to the purification of the

heart, which is accompanied by accomplishing the faith itself. A woman

who truly insists to wear the hijab, while upholding her faith, is truly pure at

heart. Some women may say that it is not important to wear the hijab on thehead, but rather a hijab on the heart! If a woman would have said, or even

attempted to say something remotely close to that during the age of Abu

Bakr, she would have faced death by the blade of his sword. What hijab

over the heart??! The hijab, by origin, is an aspect which purifies the heart.

The hijab is the fuel that drives the hearts of women to righteously support

their faith. We need to fully understand that some individuals can be easily

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influenced through the interactions with others. Whether a person will be

negatively influenced is all dependant on how others view that person. That

external influence is prevented from penetrating the hearts of our Muslim

sisters once the hijab is worn. No one will aim at corrupting someone who

has a firm Islamic belief. Therefore, whomever seeks clarity of the mind

and purification of the heart then wear the hijab. Whomever wishes to earn

Allahs acceptance shall follow His command. The hijab represents an order

from his Majesty, and his prophet (praise and peace be upon him).

Lets recall the purpose of the hijab once again. First, it is a reflection

of what Allah ordained. Two, it is a means of protection and security.

Three, it is a source of preservation of the health. Four, it is a symbol of

faith. Five, it purifies the hearts towards the faith. Last, but not least, the

sixth purpose is that the hijab is a form of modernization; an escape from the

age of ignorance. A woman who leaves her home without a hijab and placesmake-up upon her face receives sins for every man that looks at her. Does

any unveiled woman have enough good deeds which will be equivalent to

the acquired sins? Will she be capable to stand before Allah with the way

she exposes herself? Our prophet Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him),

said, all of you shall enter paradise, except for whomever disobeyed me.

Exposing oneself is an act of displeasing the prophet (praise and peace be

upon him). He also said, there will be a woman in my nation, in my

Islamic nation, who will not conceal herself. Curse her! For she (or they) is

condemned. He added, a woman who decorates herself outside of her

own home is like darkness that shall never be approached by light on the dayof judgment. Our dearest prophet explained, the best of your women are

the faithful, the dedicated, and those who conceal themselves. The worst of

them are the sinners, the unfaithful, and the exposed. Those are non-

believers towards Allah. He (praise and peace be upon him) also covered

the subject regarding perfume, he said, any woman who sprays perfume

outside her dwelling and passes by a group of people who smelled her

essence is considered to have committed adultery..A woman who is

decorated and entered a mosque, he became very upset, but continued,

my people, advice your women to restrain from decorating themselves andfrom entering the mosque while in that state, for other nations were cursed

when their women entered holy grounds while decorated. You see my

brothers and sisters, the shameful part about this is the fact that this is

present in the mosques today. It is like a fashion show of who appears to be

more attractive!

At the end my sisters, the necessity of the hijab is all due to Allah

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wanting to have you enter paradise. In addition, His majesty wants to

preserve your health, to protect you from the eyes and words of obscenity.

My dear sisters, conceal your beauty. Do not decorate and expose yourself

in public. Do not take off your hijab! Preserve yourself, do not loose it and

become guilty of sin. Do not remove your hijab, but insist on wearing it; for

in it lies your redemption, your salvation. With it, your hearts will be

purified with faith, and you shall be blessed with the mercy of Allah.

In the end, we ask from Allah to bless this year for us. To bless it so

that it is out of shame and scandal. A good dead never goes undone, a sin

never goes unpunished, and the creator is ever existing, ever lasting. The

creator is immortal! Do as you please, considering that you reap what you

sow. For every action, you should be judged. Our dearest prophet

Mohamed (praise and peace be upon him) said, ask from Allah, praise to

Allah, and be certain that He shall reply.***