The Importance of Hijab for Women in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
All praise belongs to Allah ﷻ, the Lord of the worlds, Who created mankind and guided them toward what is best for them in this life and the Hereafter. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters,
In today's world, many people view hijab as merely a piece of cloth or a cultural tradition. However, Islam teaches us that hijab is much more than clothing. It is an act of worship, a sign of obedience to Allah ﷻ, a symbol of modesty, and a means of protecting dignity and honor.
A Muslim woman does not wear hijab to please society, follow fashion trends, or satisfy the expectations of people. She wears it because it is a command from her Creator, and every command of Allah contains wisdom, mercy, and benefit.
Allah ﷻ says in the Noble Qur’an:
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity and not display their adornment except what ordinarily appears thereof, and to draw their head coverings over their chests." (Surah An-Nur 24:31)
This verse clearly instructs believing women to observe modesty and to cover themselves appropriately. It demonstrates that hijab is not merely a recommendation but a command from Allah ﷻ.
Allah ﷻ also says:
"O Prophet! Tell your wives, your daughters, and the believing women to draw their outer garments over themselves. That is more suitable so that they may be recognized and not be harmed." (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59)
This verse highlights one of the wisdoms behind hijab: protection, dignity, and recognition as a believing woman who obeys Allah.
The purpose of hijab is not to restrict women but to honor them. Islam elevated the status of women and granted them respect, dignity, and rights. Hijab is part of that honor.
The mother of the believers, , reported that when the verses concerning hijab were revealed, the believing women immediately obeyed the command of Allah without delay. This shows the sincerity of the female companions and their eagerness to submit to the commands of their Lord.
Dear sisters,
Hijab is not only about covering the hair. True Islamic hijab includes modesty in dress, speech, behavior, and interaction with non-mahram men. A woman may cover her head, but if she abandons modesty in her conduct, the spirit of hijab is weakened.
Similarly, Islam commands men to observe modesty as well. Before Allah instructed women regarding hijab, He first commanded believing men to lower their gaze.
Allah ﷻ says:
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity." (Surah An-Nur 24:30)
This teaches us that modesty is a responsibility shared by both men and women.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Modesty is a branch of faith." (Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)
When a Muslim woman wears hijab seeking the pleasure of Allah, she is practicing one of the beautiful branches of faith. Every step she takes in obedience to Allah becomes a source of reward.
There may be challenges in wearing hijab. Some sisters face criticism, mockery, pressure from society, or even opposition from family members. Yet every sacrifice made for the sake of Allah is known to Him.
Allah ﷻ says:
"Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:120)
A believing woman should remember that beauty fades, fashion changes, and people's opinions come and go. But the pleasure of Allah and the reward of obedience remain forever.
Dear sisters, hijab should not be viewed as a burden. It is a crown of honor, a garment of modesty, and a sign of devotion to Allah ﷻ. Through hijab, a woman declares that her worth is not based on physical appearance but on her faith, character, and relationship with her Creator.
Let us also remember that those who wear hijab should avoid looking down upon those who do not. Our duty is to encourage with wisdom, kindness, and compassion. Guidance comes from Allah alone.
May Allah ﷻ grant our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters the ability to observe proper Islamic hijab. May He beautify us with modesty, strengthen our faith, and make us among those who hear His commands and obey them sincerely.
Ameen Ya Rabbal ‘Alameen.
ROMAN URDU TRANSLATION
Auraton Ka Hijab Qur’an Aur Sunnat Ki Roshni Mein
Tamam tareefein Allah ﷻ ke liye hain jo tamam jahanon ka Parwardigar hai. Durood o Salam ho hamare pyare Nabi Muhammad ﷺ par, un ki Aal par, un ke Sahaba par aur un tamam logon par jo Qiyamat tak un ki hidayat ki pairwi karte rahenge.
Pyare bhaiyo aur behno,
Aaj ke daur mein bohat se log hijab ko sirf ek kapra ya ek saqafati riwayat samajhte hain. Lekin Islam hamein batata hai ke hijab sirf libas ka naam nahi hai. Yeh Allah ﷻ ki ita‘at, haya ki nishani, izzat o waqar ka zariya aur aurat ki hifazat ka ek aham hissa hai.
Musalman aurat hijab logon ko khush karne ke liye, fashion ki pairwi karne ke liye ya muashray ki pasand ke liye nahi pehanti. Balkeh woh is liye hijab ikhtiyar karti hai kyun ke yeh us ke Rab ka hukm hai, aur Allah ke har hukm mein hikmat, rehmat aur bhalai maujood hoti hai.
Allah Ta‘ala Qur’an Majeed mein farmata hai:
"Aur imaan wali auraton se keh dijiye ke apni nigahen neeche rakhein, apni paakdamni ki hifazat karein aur apni zeenat ko zahir na karein siwaye us ke jo zahir hai aur apni oadhniyon ko apne seenon par daal liya karein." (Surah An-Noor 24:31)
Yeh ayat saaf taur par imaan wali auraton ko haya aur parda ikhtiyar karne ka hukm deti hai. Is se maloom hota hai ke hijab sirf ek mashwara nahi balkeh Allah Ta‘ala ka hukm hai.
Allah Ta‘ala ek aur jagah farmata hai:
"Ae Nabi! Apni biwiyon, apni betiyon aur momin auraton se keh dijiye ke woh apni chadron ka kuch hissa apne upar latka liya karein. Yeh is baat ke zyada qareeb hai ke woh pehchani jayein aur unhein aziyat na di jaye." (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59)
Is ayat mein hijab ki hikmat bayan ki gayi hai ke yeh aurat ki hifazat, izzat aur waqar ka zariya hai.
Hijab aurat ko mehdood karne ke liye nahi, balkeh us ki izzat ko buland karne ke liye hai. Islam ne aurat ko bohat buland maqam diya hai aur hijab usi izzat ka ek hissa hai.
Ummul Momineen Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها riwayat karti hain ke jab hijab ke ahkam nazil hue to Sahabiyat ne foran Allah ke hukm par amal kiya. Unhon ne kisi qisam ka uzr ya dair nahi ki, balkeh khushi ke saath Allah ke hukm ko qabool kiya.
Pyari behno,
Hijab sirf sar dhakne ka naam nahi hai. Asal Islami hijab mein libas ke saath saath haya, guftagu, rawayya aur ghair mehram mardon ke saath muamlaat bhi shamil hain. Agar koi aurat sar to dhak le lekin apne akhlaq aur rawayye mein haya ko chhor de to hijab ki rooh kamzor ho jati hai.
Isi tarah Islam mardon ko bhi haya aur paak nazri ka hukm deta hai. Allah Ta‘ala ne auraton ko hijab ka hukm dene se pehle mardon ko apni nigahen neechi rakhne ka hukm diya.
Allah Ta‘ala farmata hai:
"Imaan walay mardon se keh dijiye ke apni nigahen neechi rakhein aur apni paakdamni ki hifazat karein." (Surah An-Noor 24:30)
Is se maloom hota hai ke haya sirf auraton ki zimmedari nahi balkeh mardon aur auraton dono ki zimmedari hai.
Rasulullah ﷺ ne farmaya:
"Haya imaan ki ek shaakh hai." (Sahih Bukhari wa Sahih Muslim)
Jab koi Musalman aurat Allah ki raza ke liye hijab ikhtiyar karti hai to woh imaan ki ek azeem sifat par amal kar rahi hoti hai. Allah ke liye uthaya gaya har qadam us ke liye sawab ka sabab banta hai.
Hijab par amal karne mein mushkilat bhi aa sakti hain. Kuch behne mazaq, tanqeed, muashray ke dabao ya ghar walon ki mukhalifat ka samna karti hain. Lekin Allah ke liye ki gayi har qurbani Allah ke nazdeek mehfooz rehti hai.
Allah Ta‘ala farmata hai:
"Beshak Allah nek amal karne walon ka ajr zaya nahi karta." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:120)
Momin aurat ko yaad rakhna chahiye ke husn dhal jata hai, fashion badal jata hai aur logon ki rai bhi badal jati hai. Lekin Allah ki raza aur ita‘at ka ajr hamesha baqi rehta hai.
Pyari behno! Hijab ko bojh na samjhein. Yeh izzat ka taj hai, haya ka libas hai aur Allah ﷻ ki bandagi ki nishani hai. Hijab ke zariye ek mominah yeh paigham deti hai ke us ki qadr o qeemat us ke zahiri husn se nahi, balkeh us ke imaan, akhlaq aur Allah ke saath ta‘alluq se hai.
Saath hi yeh bhi yaad rakhein ke jo behne hijab pehanti hain unhein dusron ko haqeer nahi samajhna chahiye. Hamari zimmedari hikmat, narmi aur muhabbat ke saath dawat dena hai. Hidayat dene wala sirf Allah Ta‘ala hai.
Allah ﷻ hamari maon, behnon, biwiyon aur betiyon ko sahih Islami hijab ikhtiyar karne ki taufeeq ata farmaye. Allah hamein haya se muzayyan kare, hamare imaan ko mazboot kare aur hamein apne ahkam ko khuloos ke saath maan ne walon mein shamil farmaye.
Aameen Ya Rabbal Aalameen.
