It is undeniable that numerous Muslim sisters in various walks of life have begun to wear the hijab.  Not only in Malaysia, but in neighboring countries such as in Southern Thailand and Indonesia, more women are starting to wear the hijab. According to statistics, more than 70% of Muslim women in Malaysia consistently wear the headscarf. This is surely a positive phenomenon among Muslim women. Not only that, many Muslim women celebrities are also consistently wearing the hijab even during acting or singing. This is an indication that Muslim women are becoming more conscious and aware of the obligation to cover their awrah.

To attract youngsters in particular to wear a headscarf, a variety of fashions for the hijab have been created and designed in order for them to not be seen as old-fashioned. This phenomenon has resulted in several hijab styles booming the market and these are considered the latest fashion trends. It began to initiate after the organization of the Islamic Fashion Festival in Malaysia. The festival, run by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Prime Minister of Malaysia, was held at the Sporting Club, Monte Carlo on August 9, 2010. Rosmah delivered a speech at this festival where among her words were, "This Malaysian-Inspired festival has made ​​the journey of a thousand miles here to Monaco. As Patron of the IFF, I am most honoured and privileged to be here in Monaco, an international capital of luxury fashion that has inspired the creations of many fashion designers around the world." The year 2014 has also seen the organization of several hijab festivals. Among them were the World Hijab Festival Malaysia 2014 (19-20 April) and the Kuala Lumpur International Hijab Fair (13-15 June). Various fashion styles were displayed with the premise that Muslim women can still appear stylish and beautiful even though their whole body is covered up.

In addition, there is also a type of fashion where Muslim women wear the hijab but with tight clothing. This is popular in countries such as Indonesia. However, after receiving objection from various parties such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), this fashion is now being rejected in the country. Unfortunately, recently this fashion has spread to Malaysia and hence influenced the adolescents there.

What is worrying is the fact that wearing the hijab has now merely become a fashion item to be displayed and seen as beautiful.  This is evident from the hijab fashion shows which are similar to other fashion modelling shows. Wearing the hijab for some is no longer accompanied by a feeling of devotion to God Almighty. This is a trap set by the Kuffar in misleading and distorting Muslims from the right path. They have planned countless tricks so that this Ummah becomes diverted and unaware of the actual Shariah laws.

The beauty myths that linger until this day are nothing but propaganda of the Western Capitalists to pursue their Capitalist agenda. For capitalism, the end justifies the means, regardless of the method and way, as long as the end results generate profit, it is allowed. Even women are made as objects to be displayed and boost the sale of products. Capitalism created beauty as a symbol of self-confidence, progress and modernity. Thus, in line with that perception, the capitalist devotees introduced the ‘Muslim women image' to meet the requirements of instincts and religion.  They promoted the idea that Muslim women could beautify themselves publically and keep up with the latest fashion trends while also covering their heads.

The rising numbers of Muslim women and girls adopting the hijab is indeed a positive phenomenon. However, unfortunately the understanding of the Shariah rules regarding covering of the awrah and the public dress of the woman has been misled. It is compulsory for a Muslim to carry out all of his/her actions only for the sake of Allah (swt) and in complete accordance to His proscriptions, because the true purpose of life is to worship Him (swt). Allah Almighty says:

(وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ)

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." [TMQ Adh-Dhaariyat: 56]

Covering the awrah is part of worship because of abiding to Allah's orders. This is a form of obedience to God. Therefore, when the Command of God to cover a women's body except her hands and face is clearly stated, a Muslim is not entitled to argue, look for other alternatives, invent, or distort the purpose or detail of this order.

Thus, for the perfection of this act of worship, Muslim women must know the correct way of covering the awrah as commanded by Allah (swt), the types of clothing that is acceptable according to the Islamic texts, and the purpose of covering the awrah such that the execution of this compulsory order is not distorted.

Allah (swt) has specified in Surah An-Nur a list of limited people whom the woman is allowed to reveal parts of her body beyond her face and hands:

وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ فْلِحُونَ

"They should not show their Zeenah (charms) in public beyond what may (decently) be apparent thereof; hence let them draw their head-coverings (khumur) over their necks and juyub. And let them not display (more of) their charms to any but their husbands, their fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons, their husbands sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their womenfolk, their concubines, such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, or children that are as yet unaware of women's nakedness; and let them not swing their legs (in walking) so as to draw attention to their hidden charms." [An-Nur: 31]

A women's awrah therefore is her entire body except her face and hands. Her neck and hair is awrah in front of an ajnabi man (non-mahram (a man to whom marriage is permitted)), even a strand of hair. In other words, she has to cover herself from head to toe except for her face and hands. This is in line with Allah's order in his Holy Quran:

(وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا)

"...not show their Zeenah (charms) in public beyond what may (decently) be apparent thereof." [An-Nur: 31]

Other evidence which indicates that the whole of a woman's body is awrah except for her face and two hands is the Prophet (saw)'s saying,

«إِذَا عَرَكَتِ الْمَرْأَة لَمْ يَحِلّ لَهَا أَنْ تُظْهِر إِلَّا وَجْههَا، وَإِلَّا مَا دُون هَذَا»

.وَقَبَضَ عَلَى ذِرَاع نَفْسه، فَتَرَكَ بَيْن قَبْضَته وَبَيْن الْكَفّ مِثْل قَبْضَة أُخْرَى,

"When a young girl begins to menstruate, it is not correct that anything should be seen of her except her face and hands up to the wrist."

Islam has also obligated for the woman a public dress code which is the khimar (headscarf that covers the hair, neck, and the opening of the garment on the chest) and the jilbab (a one piece outer garment that covers her home clothes, is loose, and drapes down to the floor). Allah (swt) says in Surah Al-Ahzab,

(يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزۡوَٲجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يُدۡنِينَ عَلَيۡہِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّۚ)

"Oh Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (Jalabeeb) all over their bodies." [TMQ Al-Ahzab: 59]

In addition, Islam has prohibited the concept of ‘tabarruj' - the beautification of the woman in the presence of non-mahrem. This includes the wearing of make-up or tight clothes that reveal the shape of the body. Allah (swt) says in Surah Ahzab,

(وَلَا تَبَرَّجۡنَ تَبَرُّجَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ ٱلۡأُولَىٰۖ)

"...and do not keep exhibiting your beauty and decorations like what used to happen in the Jahiliyyah period (before Islam)." [Ahzab: 33]

And Allah (swt) also says,

وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ اللَّاتِي لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍ وَأَن يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُنَّ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

"And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing." [An-Nur: 60].

This verse states that a women who has reached beyond menopause is prohibited from showing her adornment which is tabarruj.  So a young lady, who has not yet reached menopause is definitely constrained by the same prohibition.

Apart from making sure her clothes are not transparent or tight and that she is not wearing jewelry that attracts non-mahrem men, she is also not allowed to go out while wearing perfume that can be smelt by passersby. The Prophet (saw) said,

«أيما امرأة استعطرت فمرت على قوم ليجدوا من ريحها فهي زانية»

"Any woman who wears perfume then passes the crowd in order for it to be smelled by the crowd, she is considered committing adultery." [Hadith of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari]

Indeed, every Muslim woman should be aware of her responsibilities in abiding to the Orders and Prohibitions of Allah (swt). It is important to also know that a women's awrah is not just her hair but her entire body except her face and hands. As Muslim women, we must understand fully the detailed requirements of the dress-code defined by the Shariah and obligated by our Creator (swt), as well as the prohibition of tabarruj. Ultimately, covering the awrah and the dress of the Muslim woman must be based upon faith (iman) and obedience (taqwa) to Allah (swt) alone. It must be aimed solely at securing Allah (swt)'s Pleasure and not on the basis of human rights or beauty.

Written for The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Sumayyah Amar

Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir