Islam is a religion that only brings goodness and peace to not only an individual but the society as a whole. Hence, we see that Islam only propagates those acts that bring harmony in the environment and discourages those ways that bring hurt or degradation. This country of Pakistan was made in the name of Islam with the main foundation of it being the framework of Islamic teachings. Sadly, as time went on, the main purpose of the creation of Pakistan seemed to have been lost with time.
Today we live in a place where the Islamic scholar are mocked, Islam is criticized and condemned and the Islamic Shari’ah is looked down upon. Many consider Islamic ways to be a shackle for worldly progress and the limits given by Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) are stood against in this day and age. We remember that Islam was the foundation of Pakistan’s beginning for which our families have sacrificed much. Homes were left behind for Islam, yet there are many who are against the very foundation of this country. These are known as the ‘liberals.’ These liberals are out to put down the Islamic value system and call it a “regressive approach.” They call Muslim men and women insular and backward.
This is evident in the approach of liberals who want to run a nation where women are made objects of advertising and billboards. They have thrashed the command for the women to cover themselves in order to sell their products. Where Islam has ensured that women are provided security and safety, they have brought out the women into the markets. What a sad state of affair it is!
Specifically, the veil (niqab) is considered an obstacle against growth and there is a strong movement against it. Those who promote liberalism for women and consider it to be applicable without the covering of women, here is what Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has said about it:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know.
[An-Nur:19]
A revert Hindu author, Kamalaa Daas and had changed her name to Surayya has stated, “The purdah is a bullet-proof jacket for the women.” [1] This becomes a point of contention for those individuals who do not understand the concept behind the veil and then as a result oppose it. These are those individuals who are actually not at peace with themselves and are enslaved to their desires. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has clearly stated in the Qur’an which is also knows as the verse of ‘hijab’ (ayat e hijab):
یا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
[Al-Ahzab:59]
This verse is explained in this manner. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has said:
يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ
bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments.
[Al-Ahzab:59]
Jilbab is a piece of long cloth that is used to cover the body and is other than the clothes that are worn. For example, in the East, it may be the scarf or dupatta. Hence, this outer garment is to be drawn over the face, the chest and the entire body.
Then it is said:
ذٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ
That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.
[Al-Ahzab:59]
This particular part of the verse indicates the attire for a Muslim woman and is an evidence that all Muslim women must observe hijab. Once a woman is covered in the manner described above, it is understood that a boundary has been drawn and so she is not be targeted by any man who is of evil character. They do not become an object of abuse in any way as their purdah protects them from all harm.
The agenda behind movements of condemning the veil and the hijab is nothing but a call for what the West calls ‘freedom.’ The fact of the matter is that all moral decline begins with the lack of purdah or proper covering of a woman as per the prescribed Shar’iah. The covering of the women is the fort that has been given to enhance modesty in a society. It provides a status to women and this is what hurts the Western society. With the moral and societal decline of the West, they are unable to control the chaos that has erupted especially with regards to their youth. The cause of this degradation is nothing but the call for what is termed “freedom.” It is against nature for a woman to step out of her house, stand next to a man in the workplace and perform the same duties. This is a challenge to what Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) has prescribed for the women as a command for them to observe and for men of the society to live by.
Secular people the like of Pervez Hoodbhoy who are “bold” to call women who observe niqab (veil) as “abnormal.” He also says that walking into a class full of women who observe veil is akin to “being in a graveyard.” He finds the women who cover themselves to be prisoners. When these seculars speak of women’s rights, why do they not understand that it is the right of women to choose their attire. Hence, what is evident is the fact that it is not about women’s rights, but rather the reality that this being the command of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) bothers them more. The insecurity of their own action bothers them and their objection is much more deep-rooted.
Through this article, I request the readers as well as the nation, especially women, that we are made objects of advertising, blogs, vlogs, why don’t we respond by our own choices of how we dress. Let’s follow what our Creator has commanded us to do, so those who call it a burden and a form of repression understand the reality of the veil.
As for those who choose to follow the culture of the West and like to call the religious values obsolete, we leave their decision for Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) to decide as He is the one Who is above All Capable. May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) guide us all.
Click here to read the entire article in Urdu
Magazine Al Ikhwa Lahore Pakistan
