The Virtues of Hijab

There are many virtues and benefits to the Hijab both spiritually and physically. First and foremost it is an an act of obedience to Allah and to Rasulullah (SAW), Allah says in the Quran: "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(Sura # 24 ayah #31)." And we must obey Allah (swt) and his Messenger in all matter as Allah (swt) says in the Quran"It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (Sura #33 ayah #:36). To futhur understand the importance of hijab we se this hadith of Aisha (RAA), the wife of Rasulullah (SAW), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."
Allah (SWT) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity, modesty and a protection against being raped and molested as Allah (SWT) says: "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested." (Sura #33 ayah #59). From this ayah we see that the hijab is a protection for the woman and has been ordered to protect the woman from being molested and being made in sex objects. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty. And all this is in place to protect and the society and to keep it pure. as we see from this next ayah Islam wants to stop the problem before it starts as Allah (swt) says "And when you ask them for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts." (Sura # 33 ayah #53).Now we see if we followed these guidelines it would cut down the rate of women raped and molested. Imagine if every followed these divine laws there would be no more sexual harrasment and molestation of women. The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested). The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts! As Allah (swt) says in the Quran "Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner." (Sura #33 ayah #32)

Allah (swt) says in the Quran "O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc.) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better. "(Sura # 7 ayah #26).The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).

Rasulullah (SAW) said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (modesty) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)." Rasulllah (SAW) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

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Warning against leaving the hijab
Sahih Muslim Book 23, Number 5310:
Narrated AbuHurayrah:

Rasulullah (SAW) said: Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and made their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas it odour would be smelt from such and such distance.

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