Dear counselor,

I’m wearing what I call “moderate Hijab”, that’s to say, I wear “relatively” tight jeans, and sometimes a bit tight tops, but my hair is fully covered and I almost don’t wear make up at all. Is there such a thing called moderate Hijab?

Frankly; I cannot give up showing a glimpse of my beauty at least indirectly. It’s not that I fear comparison or anything of the kind, it’s just that I still, even after wearing the Hijab, have a strong need to feel beautiful. How can a girl, of any age, totally give up such a need; feeling beautiful- Isn’t that part of our Fitra?

Is there such a thing called moderate Hijab? And if my Hijab described hereabove is not to be called so, then what is moderate Hijab?!

Kindly bear in mind that I live in California.

Thanks in advance.

Sara. D. Y

Answer offered by nswer by: Dr. Gharib Muhammad Khalil Dept. of Islamic Studies in English Faculty of Languages and Translation Al-Azhar University Cairo, Egypt

Salam sister,

I commend your care to fulfill the commands set by Allah, and seeking guidance to help you do so.

Islamic law has a section that is dealing with penal code, setting different punishments for certain sins affecting the stability of the state or negatively influencing relations amongst people. However, before punishing a perpetrator, Islam sort of blocked all kinds of means leading a person to indulge in a sinful act. For example, committing adultery or fornication, considered major sins in Islam that entail a severe physical punishment depending on the marital status of the perpetrator- Islam, classifying such acts as  major sins that bring Allah’s wrath upon a person, prohibits all introductions that may lead up or facilitate such sins and committing them. Thus, a man staying in privacy with a woman is prohibited in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Let a man stay not in privacy with a woman who is not Halal for him.”

Also, Muslims are asked to lower their gaze so as not to be infatuated with the other gender. Allah says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts, that is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent”

Similarly, softening one’s speech is another means that may attract the other party’s attention and consequently lead to Haram acts. Allah (Glory be to Him) addresses the wives of the prophet saying:

“Wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner”.

Another measure Islam takes before setting the punishment and for which a woman is held responsible dressing modestly; coverng the body and refraining from purposely wearing outfits that would be allure or seduce men in whatever way. A woman’s body, with the exclusion of the face and palms, should be covered with clothes that should meet certain conditions. These conditions are:

1. The Hijab must be covering the whole body. 2. It should not be transparent in a way that displays what is underneath it. 3. It must be loose enough so as not to reveal what it is supposed to be covering. 4. It should not be attractively colorful or else it will be a means of beauty in itself.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) referred to women who fail to meet these conditions, as being clothed, yet naked since the Hijab is of no use. Regretfully a lot of women of nowadays seem to have confusions regarding the original purpose of Hijab, and thus fail to dress properly. It seems that their understanding of Hijab is just covering the hair while emphasizing other beauties in different ways, such as wearing tight pants and emphasizing the face beauty using make-up. This is completely against the wisdom behind the enactment of Hijab in Islam which is preserving chastity. May Allah (Glory be to Him) guide us all to the right path, Ameen Dr. Gharib Muhammad Khalil Posted on: June 4, 2011