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I’m sure I’m not the only one to have noticed but these days the Muslimah seem to have taken on a trend that is more fashion than Islam. There are Islamic principles to follow and this really goes against those principles. I’m talking about the way Muslimahs are wearing their hijaabs, which actually does the opposite of what it is intended for – it attracts attention rather than protect the dignity of a woman. But that’s not the only thing that needs addressing – wearing hijaab with leggings and tight fitting clothes is not what you would imagine the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) to have done. So why are Muslimah of today doing this?
Sadly, our younger sisters are mistakenly thinking that, by wearing hijaab in this fashion, (without thinking about the rest of their attire), they are fulfilling one of their Islamic duties. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to see more and more sisters wearing hijaab. But it’s time we got this right and looked at hijaab in the way the Wives of the Prophet (pbuh) adopted it – they are our role models.
Don’t make Hijaab trendy
The Islamic principles of Hijaab include protecting the dignity of women and saving her beauty for her husband – not for every hot-blooded guy in the vicinity. I think it’s great that more Muslimah are wearing the hijaab but which do you think is better? Wearing hijaab and loose clothing that does not reveal the shape of a woman? Or wearing hijaab and tight clothing, such as leggings, which reveals the shape (and which attracts a man’s attention)?
Above I have drawn two figures – on the right is a drawing of hijaab (with loose clothing), on the left is a drawing of hijaab (with tight clothing). I didn’t want to put an actual picture up of a woman in leggings or tights or jeans, and so this is the best alternative I could come up with. The drawing on the right is the better way to adopt hijaab, not the one on the left. Sisters, reflect on the following:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed.” [Surat Al-Ahzab v59]
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juhubihinna (ie. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers,or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (ie. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. All all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful.” [Surah 24 (An-Nur), verse 31]
Narrated Safiyah bint Shaibah: ‘Aishah used to say: ‘When the Verse: “And to draw their veils all over Juhubihinna (ie. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)” (V24:31) was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their heads and faces with those cut pieces of cloth. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 6, Hadith No. 282]
Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen: men with whips like the tails of cattle with which they strike the people, and women who are clothed but naked, walking with an enticing gait, with something like the humps of camels on their heads. They will not enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance, and its fragrance can be smelled from such and such a distance.” [Sahih Muslim]
Sisters, the evidence above is clear (although there are even more evidences that go into this issue in more detail). For those who still may feel like questioning this, then please do look further inot the issue. But once you realise the evidences, I remind you of the verse in the Qur’an:
“It is not fitting for a believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision. If anyone disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong path.” [Surat Al-Ahzaab v36]
Come on sisters, you’ve already taken one step to wearing the hijaab – now go one step more and do away with the leggings and tight clothing, wear full hijaab and be a real role model for the Ummah. And if you think that wearing hijaab with tight clothes is fulfilling your duty and not attracting men, then why not ask (in a halaal manner) brothers themselves? I am sure they will tell you what they find attractive (you might be surprised).
Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem (in the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)
Alhamdulillah, we In Sha Allah will be graced with another Ramadan; another chance for Blessings; another chance to turn away from sin and foolhardiness.
I make dua that Allah Forgives us and Has Mercy on us. (and I am in need of His Mercy)
I make dua that Allah Forgives me for my arrogance.
I make dua that Allah Has Mercy on me because He Knows my situation better than anyone.
I make dua that Allah Provides for me because He Has Done all my life.
I make dua that Allah Pardons me for I have committed wrong.
I make dua that Allah Puts me in good company because I am weak around weak people.
I make dua that Allah Looks after my family and Brings them into the deen and Keeps them in the deen.
I make dua that Allah Provides me with righteous offspring.
I make dua that Allah Unites the Muslims because we are divided on issues such as Eid and this splits families.
I make dua that Allah Puts Strength into the righteous scholars to stand up to oppression and wrongdoing.
I make dua that Allah Accepts my fasts because I am in need.
I make dua that Allah Accepts my prayers because I am in need.
I make dua that Allah Comforts me because I make mistakes, commit wrong and invite harm upon myself from others.
I make dua that Allah Protects me and my family because no one else can.
I make dua that Allah Allows me to play a part in spreading the deen and doing righteous deeds.
I make dua that Allah Allows my good deeds to outweigh my bad deeds.
I make dua that Allah Grants me Paradise for I am scared of the Hellfire that He Has Created and am afraid of His Punishment.
I make dua that Allah Allows me and my offspring and my family to die as righteous Muslims.
I make dua that Allah Strengthens the Muslim Ummah because we bicker and fight and we are lost.
I make dua that Allah Strengthens me against my weaknesses.
I make dua that Allah Loves me for I am in need of His Love.
I make dua that Allah Mentions me in a gathering better than the world and everything in it.
I make dua that Allah Makes things easy for me because I make things hard.
I make dua that Allah Returns Often to me for I am in need of Him.
I make dua that Allah Blesses me and my family for what are we without this?
I make dua that Allah Provides me a righteous spouse because I need good companionship and its benefits.
I make dua that Allah Grants me Knowledge that I can benefit others with.
I make dua that Allah Accepts my good deeds and Pardons and Forgives my bad deeds.
I make dua that Allah Fixes me and my life for I am broken.
I make dua that Allah Makes me not of those who are ungrateful and proud.
I make dua that Allah Grant me a righteous lineage.
I make dua that Allah Grants me the best in the duniya and the best in the Hereafter.
I make dua that Allah Replaces my anger with peace and calm and patience.
I make dua that Allah’s Mercy on me Overtakes His Anger at me.
I make dua that Allah Grants me an accepted Hajj.
I make dua that Allah Keeps me and mine in good health and in safety.
I make dua that Allah Is Pleased with me for there is nothing better.
I make dua that Allah Grants me to be in the highest gathering because that would be an honour beyond my comprehension.
I make dua that Allah Grants me the ability to explain Islam easily to people, so I can help spread the message.
I make dua that Allah Removes the ills in my heart for I do not wish to wrong others or myself.
I make dua that Allah Looks After my offspring for I am not enough.
I make dua fot reliable transport and a good neighbour.
I make dua that Allah Answers my duas for His is the best Answer.
Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem (in the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)
DO…make intention before the start of each fast.This is obligatory
DO…take suhoor (the meal before fasting starts). The difference between the fast of a Muslim and the fast of others is the taking of suhoor (from Muslim)This is recommended
DO…delay the suhoor to as close to Fajr as possible.This is recommended
DO…hasten to break the fast at Maghrib timeThis is recommended
DO…try to break your fast with dates, as this is a sunnah. If dates aren’t available, break your fast with waterThis is recommended
DO…make a dua at the time of breaking the fast, eg. ‘O Allah, for you I have fasted and on Your Provision I have broken the fast’ [Abu Dawud]‘The thirst is gone, the veins are moisten and the reward is certain, insha’Allah’ [Au Dawud]‘Indeed there is for the fasting person, when he breaks his fast, a supplication which is not rejected.’ [Ibn Majah, al-Hakim]This is recommended
DO…Use a miswak during fasting, as this is sunnahThis is recommended
DO…Exercise patience
DO…Ask Allah for His Mercy and Forgiveness
DO…Engage in Islamic acts of worship and good, eg. Give in charity, be good to your neighbour, show good character
DO…Read the Qur’anThe Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘The best among you is he who learns the Holy Qur’an and teaches it.’From Bukhari & Muslim
DO…Increase your Islamic knowledge
DO…Get rid of any innovated practices from your habits
DO…Make dua to Allah frequently during the day and night
DO…Be generous‘The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was the most generous of men and he was the most generous during Ramadan when Jibreel would visit him every night and recite the Holy Qur’an to him.’From Bukhari & Muslim
DO…Provide something to a person who is fasting, to break his fast‘He who provides something to the observer of fast for breaking the fast earns the same reward as the one who observes the fast, without diminishing.’From Ahmad & Tirmidhi
DO…Pray the night prayer
DO…Practice I’tikaf (seclusion in the masjid) in the last 10 days of RamadanAishah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to perform I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took away his life, then his wives  followed this practice after him.’From Bukhari & Muuslim
DO…Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last 10 days of Ramadan
DO…Give your Zakat-ul-Fitr before EidThis is obligatory
DON’T…Deliberately eat anything during the fast, unless you are not physically able to complete the fast . You are forgiven if you have forgotten you were fastingThis breaks the fast
DON’T…Deliberately drink anything during the fast, unless you are not physically able to complete the fast. You are forgiven if you have forgotten you were fastingThis breaks the fast
DON’T…Deliberatley engage in sexual intercourse during the fast. You are forgiven if you have forgotten you were fastingThis breaks the fast
DON’T…lieFrom Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…SlanderFrom Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…BackbiteFrom Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…Swear or use other bad languageFrom Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…Raise your voice or argueFrom Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…Engage in indecent actionsFrom Bukhari
DON’T…Forget that if you are travelling, you have the option to not fast and make up for that fast later on.Aisha reported that Hamzah Ibn Amr Al-Aslamee (ra) asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah (pbuh) I am a person who fasts often, so should I fast while travelling?’ Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) replied, ‘Fast if you wish and refrain from fasting if you wish.’From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…Fast if you are on your menstrual cycle (women). You must make up for this fast later
DON’T…Deliberately make yourself vomitThis breaks the fast
DON’T…Take injections  or drugs that are used instead of foodThis breaks the fast
DON’T…Delay breaking your fast
DON’T…Smoke or take drugs
DON’T…Worry about the following:
  • swallowing saliva,
  • putting on perfume,
  • gargling water in your mouth and nose for things like cleaning and wudhu,
  • putting eye drops in your eyes
  • putting kohl on eyelashes
  • having a bath/shower
  • tasting food whilst cooking (as long as nothing goes down the throat)
  • bleeding (unless it is menstrual)
These acts do not break the fast
DON’T…Fast on Eid
DON’T…Forget that if you are very ill, you are excused from fasting and can make up the fast later or give fidyah (a compensation to feed people)
DON’T…Forget that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you do not need to fast, although you can if you feel able to and it won’t harm the baby.
DON’T…Worry, it is not a sin to not perform taraweeh. However, praying is of great benefit