dress code in islam

[samina]

after reading the article on dress code on this website i was satisfied and decided to go by this particular dress code
but now i am totally confused after reading this particular article on the following website quranicteachings.co.uk
now i seriously dont know what to do i personally feel tht wearing a scarf and handling it is quite a problem for me because i want to learn dancing and martial arts i dont think i will be comfortable for me to handle the scarf since i have tried it already once
please to all the brothers and sisters on this forum
advice me regarding this issue

following is the article on the subject

The purpose of the veil

The purpose of the veil can be derived from the following verses of the Quran

3332 Do not be soft in your speech (in a way that may excite men to feel an eager desire for you or lust after you), lest in whose heart is malice (and is devoid of soundness and rectitude) should be excited to feel a desire for you or lust after you.

3333 Do not show or display (fineries or ornaments or) beauties of your form (or countenance) that may excite a mans lust

Two key terms used in 3332 and 3333 underscore the whole purpose of veil. The first key term used in 3332 is takhdaAAna bialqawli" , which means to speak in a way that may excite a man to feel an eager desire or lust after you. The key term used in 3333 is tabarrajna tabarruja , which means to show or display (fineries or ornaments or) beauties of your form (or countenance) that may excite a mans lust. This explains the entire purpose of veil which is to take upon such a disposition and attire that may not excite men to feel an eager desire or lust for women and vice versa.

The details of the veil for women are given in the following verses

24/31 And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their chastity and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them spread their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having any desire or need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! So that you may be successful.

One of the key phrases in the above verse is,

walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna,

which means

Women should put their KHUMUR on their JUYOOB

The word KHUMUR is the plural of KHIMAAR which is a noun. The root of the word is KH-M-R which means, to cover, conceal or hide, or veil.

According to the following dictionaries, the word KHIMAAR is used for a particular type of veil that is used to cover head

• Taj-el-Uroos

• Al-Mufradaat fi Gharib-ul-Quran

• Lisaan-ul-Arab

• Lughat-ul-Quran by G.A. Parvez

• The Dictionary of Quran by Abdul Manan

• Lanes Arabic English Lexicon

There are many different words for veils in Arabic. HIJAAB and NASEEF both mean veil in general sense. Moreover, RIDA, IZAAR, MIQNAA, MILHAFA, all are different kinds of things used to cover the body or wrap on the body. But Allah has used specifically KHIMAAR here and has not said

Women should put their HIJAAB on their JUYOOB

Women should put their NASEEF on their JUYOOB

Women should put their RIDA on their JUYOOB

But Allah has specifically used the word KHUMUR and said

Women should put their KHUMUR on their JUYOOB.

This means that women should spread the veil, with which they cover their heads, on their bosoms .

The covering of the face has nowhere been enjoined upon women in the Quran. Quran says to men, whichever among women you like you could marry them (43). Beauty is one of the aspect of women that affects the liking or disliking of a man. This also has been alluded to in the Quran (3352). It is stated about the Nabi (PBUH) that he could not marry again, nor could he bring any more wives to replace the present ones no matter how much their beauty appeals to him (3352).

Another point to consider is that if concealing the face had been necessary, then why were men directed to keep the eyes downcast? It may be argued, that when it is directed that 'Zeenat' be concealed, then as the face is the more prominent place of beauty, it should be hidden first. However, the Quran itself enjoins Cover your adornments except those parts which remain open inevitably (2430), and it then describes method of covering which does not include the face but bosoms.

Having said that, it cannot be over emphasized that there must never be the slightest gesture, which can arouse any wrong expectations in the mind of the opposite party, because Allah always knows about the dishonest glances and intentions (4019). The aim of all restrictions and regulations is the making of character. Lewdness or immorality does not only refer to wrong doings concerning sexual intercourse, but the thought or desire of wanting to do so also comes under it, because it basically affects character.

33/59 O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments; this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Jalbab is a loose outer garment/cloth that is worn over one's clothes when going out. Khimar and Jalbab are mentioned in the Quran to be used for the purpose of veil. However, the cut and style of these can be adapted to the social mode as long as it serves fully the purpose of the veil as elucidated in the Quran.

[Wakas]

peace samina,

You may find the following article interesting
http//www.islamstudie.dk/familie_koen.shehzada.htm

One comment I'd make on the article you quoted is that "hijab" is not used to mean an item of clothing, thus its unlikely al-quran would use the word as an item of clothing as the author suggests "Women should put their HIJAAB on their JUYOOB ".

Wakas

[samina]

thank you for the link brother acually the article which u posted is very long and is related to other women issues as well we will stick to the issue of dress code only

following is the material from the link on dress code for others to see

WHAT IS THE BEST DRESS ?

"O Children of Adam ! Surely We have sent down to you a garment that would cover your shame and be a good vesture. And the garment of Piety <taqwa> that is the best. That is from the Ayat (Signs) of Allah that they may take reminder." (726)

Above verse says that the best dress is the garment of "taqwa" or piety. Before wearing any physical garment we should adorn ourselves with the garment of "taqwa" as without it we become prone to the vile intentions of satanic people. (see 727)

INGREDIENTS OF WOMENS DRESS IN PUBLIC
The areas of body which are to be covered by women in public, are mentioned in 2431. Allah informs us through His messenger

"And say to the Believing Women,to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. And they should not display their adornment <zinatahunne> save what is apparent therefrom. And they should place their covers <khummerehenne> over their bossoms. And they should not display their adornment except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands or their sons or the sons of their husbands or their brothers or their brother's sons or sister's sons` or their women or those whom their right hands posses or Those under their authority other than skillfull men or small children who are not aware of women's nakedness. And they should not strike their feet so as to make known what they hide of their adornment. O Believers turn you all together to Allah so that you may be successful."(2431)

From the above verse the following points are derived

1. Women have two types of "zeenah" i.e. beauty and adornment.

(a) "ma zahara minha" What is already apparent from their adornment and beauty.

(b) "ma yukhfaina min zinata hunne" That which is hidden from their adornment.

2. She is to cover her whole self publicly except those areas which are apparent from her adornment. <ma zahara minha> These areas are the exposed areas which if covered will restrict daily work and have to be uncovered for performing ablution. (see 56). The other type of <zeenah> or adornment of a woman identified in the above verse is that which has been called as "ma yukhfaina min zinata hunne" That which is hidden from their adornment. This type of adornment is the one that becomes apparent when a woman strikes her feet or walks. Allah has ordered that this type of adornment be covered at all times. Thus the dress should be loose enough so as not to reveal the shape and features of the body which get obvious when the woman strikes her feet or walks.

3. They are to place their covers or shrouds over their bosoms.<wa le yazribanne be khummureheene a'laa jyuub'ehenne> In Sura 3359 they are also ordered to bring over them their over garments <jalabeeb> while going in public

"O Nabi! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they bring their over-garments nearer to themselves (while in public); this will be more proper, that they may be recognised, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (3359)

In public she is to take "Jilbaab" or over garment over herself according to above verse.

4. With her bosoms covered well, and dress loose enough so as not to reveal her hidden adornment, she is to maintain this type of dress in public in front of all relations. The only exceptions are

Husband
Fathers (Includes Grandparents as well).
The Fathers of their husbands.
Their sons.
The sons of their husbands.
Their brothers.
Their brother's sons.
Their sister's sons`.
Their women.
Those whom their right hands posses. (i.e. those who were freed from some tyrannical rule and are now under the care and guardianship of believing men and women)
Those under their authority other than skillful men.
Small children who are not aware of women's nakedness.

[el-Aziz]

Hey Samina!

First of all, I'd like to say I encourage your hunger for knowledge.

Second of all, there's one problem with the assertion of khim?r being a veil and it is to be lengthen onto the juyoub. This is because it never says anything about the head cover to be extended from its currant place, the verse explicitly says to cover (the verb is D-r-b, never meaning "extend" in the Qur'an) the juyoub.

Let me put it this way...if I ask you to place a shoe upon your knee (for whatever reason), would you put on a pair of boots that would extend all the way up to your knees? Would that justify what I asked you to?

regards,
St?phane

[burhan]

peace Samina

Have you reached a conclusion on this subject?

[unknownuser]

Salaam Samina,
In verses 3332 and 3333 you forgot to include the WHOLE verses which read
3332 (Free-Minds) O wives of the prophet, you are not like any other women. If you are righteous, then do not speak too softly, lest those with disease in their hearts will move with desire; you shall speak in an honourable manner.
3333 (Free-Minds) You shall settle down in your homes, and do not be about like the olden days of ignorance. You shall hold the contact-method, and contribute towards betterment, and obey God and His messenger. God wishes to remove any affliction from you, O people of the sanctuary, and to purify you completely.

These verses apply to the wives of the prophet Muhammad (who are not like other women).
However, striving to be as the wives of the prophet who may have been a degree above other women could be considered an admirable quality.

[JHamza]

Salaams
Thanks for the link..From what I read from the article the Quran implies that women should cover themselves entirely,except for the face,and hands and hair,especially in public(2431)..and that they should wear clothing that is loose fitting so as not to be to revealing (4019).

Two key terms used in 3332 and 3333 underscore the whole purpose of veil. The first key term used in 3332 is ?takhdaAAna bialqawli" , which means to speak in a way that may excite a man to feel an eager desire or lust after you. The key term used in 3333 is ?tabarrajna tabarruja? , which means to show or display (fineries or ornaments or) beauties of your form (or countenance) that may excite a man?s lust. This explains the entire purpose of veil which is to take upon such a disposition and attire that may not excite men to feel an eager desire or lust for women and vice versa.

By the 2 above verses,it is clear that women are to not intice men by seductive talk and by they way they dress.So its their responsibility to dress and act Modest...Not mens.And yes I know its mens responsibility to not allow themselves to have such thoughts,but this doesnt nullify the responsibilty of Women to dress correctly as Allah wills it.
Im not saying that women should all dress like women in the middle east,but they should honor Allah and dress appropriatly,as well as men also.

Thank you again for the link..I was on the edge concerning this issue,now I realise the truth..

I cant remember where I FOUND THIS but its useful also

THE BEST GARMENT, FIRST RULE
"O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed."
This is the BASIC rule of DRESS CODE in the Quran. This is the first rule in WOMEN DRESS CODE in Islam.

SECOND RULE, COVER YOUR BOSOMS
The second rule can be found in 2431. Here God orders the women to cover their bosoms whenever they dress up. But before quoting 2431 let us review some crucial words that are always mentioned with this topic, namely "Hijab" and "Khimar"

THE WORD "HIJAB" in the QURAN
"Hijab" is the term used by many Muslims women to describe their head cover that may or may not include covering their face except their eyes, and sometimes covering also one eye. The Arabic word "Hijab" can be translated into veil or yashmak. Other meanings for the word "Hijab" include, screen, cover(ing), mantle, curtain, drapes, partition, division, divider.
Can we find the word "Hijab" in the Quran??
The word "Hijab" appeared in the Quran 7 times, five of them as "Hijab" and two times as "Hijaban," these are 746, 3353, 3832, 415, 4251, 1745 & 1917.

None of these "Hijab" words are used in the Quran in reference to what the traditional Muslims call today (Hijab) as a dress code for the Muslim woman.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
While many Muslims call "Hijab", an Islamic dress code, they completely ignore the fact that, Hijab as a dress code has nothing to do with Islam and nothing to do with QURAN.

In reality "Hijab" is an old Jewish tradition that infiltrated into the hadith books like many innovations that contaminated Islam through alleged Hadith and Sunna. These in reality, came from Jewish origin. Any student of the Jewish traditions or religious books will see that head cover for the Jewish woman is encouraged by the Rabbis and religious leaders. Religious Jewish women still cover their heads most of the time and specially in the synagogues, weddings, and religious festivities.
Christian women cover their heads in many religious occasions while the nuns cover their heads all the time. This religious practice of covering the head was established from traditions thousands of years before the Muslim scholars claimed the Hijab as a Muslim dress code.

The traditional Arabs, of all religions, Jews, Christians and Muslims used to wear "Hijab," not because of Islam, but because of tradition. In Saudi Arabia, up to this minute most of the men cover their head , not because of Islam but because of tradition. Thank God this tradition has not been counted as Islamic dress code yet.
North Africa is known for its Tribe (Tuareg) that have the Muslim men wearing "Hijab" instead of women. Here the tradition has the hijab in reverse. If wearing Hijab is the sign of the pious and righteous Muslim woman, Mother Teresa would have been the first woman to be counted.
In brief, hijab is a traditional dress and has nothing to do with Islam or religion. In certain areas of the world, men are the ones who wear the hijab while in others the women do.

Mixing religion with tradition is a form of idol-worship, because not knowing (or not trying to find out) what God asked you to do in His book, the Quran, is a sign of disregarding God and His message. When tradition supersedes God's commandment, the true religion takes a second place. God never accepts to be second, God has to be always the FIRST and to HIM there is no second..

THE WORD "KHIMAR" in the QURAN
"Khimar" is an Arabic word that can be found in the Quran in 2431 While the first basic rule of Dress Code for the Muslim Women can be found in 726, the second rule of the DRESS CODE FOR WOMEN can be found in 2431. Some Muslims quote verse 31 of sura 24 as containing the Hijab, or head cover, by pointing to the word, khomoorehenna, (from Khimar), forgetting that God already used the word Hijab, several times in the Quran.

Those blessed by God can see that the use of the word "Khimar" in this verse is not for "Hijab" or for head cover. Those who quote this verse usually add (Head cover) (veil) after the word Khomoorehenna, and usually between ( ), because it is their addition to the verse not God's.

Here it is 2431;
"And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, (with their Khimar) and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty.
They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed." 2431

Here is Yousuf Ali's translation, but the word KHIMAR was put back in place instead of (veils), so the verse would look as it should have been before adding Ali's own interpretation
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments ... that they should draw their KHIMAR over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands.." Y. Ali's translation, with the word khimar put back in place.

"Khimar" is an Arabic word that means, cover, any cover, a curtain is a Khimar, a dress is a Khimar, a table cloth that covers the top of a table is a Khimar, a blanket can be used as a Khimar..etc. The word KHAMRA used for intoxicant in Arabic has the same root with Khimar, because both covers, the Khimar covers (a window, a body, a table . etc.) while KHAMRA covers the state of mind. Veil is also a type of covering.
In 2431 God is asking the women to use their cover (khimar)( being a dress, a coat, a shawl, a shirt, a blouse, a tie, a scarf,a veil . . . etc.) to cover their bosoms, not their heads or their hairs. If God so willed to order the women to cover their heads or their hair, nothing would have prevented Him from doing so. GOD does not run out of words. GOD does not forget.

God did not order the women to cover their heads or their hair. He was not waiting for a Scholar to put the words for Him.

The Arabic word for CHEST, GAYB is in the verse (2431), but the Arabic words for HEAD, (RAAS) or HAIR, (SHAAR) are NOT in the verse. The commandment in the verse is clear - COVER YOUR CHEST OR BOSOMS, but also the fabrication of the scholars and most of the translators is clear by claiming- cover your head or hair.

The last part of the verse (2431) translates as, "They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies." The details of the body can be revealed or not revealed by the dress you wear, not by your head cover.

Notice also the expression in 2431, "They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary." This expression may sound vague to many because they have not understood the mercy of God.
Again God here used this very general term to give us the freedom to decide according to our own circumstances the definition of "Which is necessary". It is not up to a scholar or to any particular person to define this term. God wants to leave it personal for every woman and no one can take it away from her.

Women who follow the basic rule number one i.e. righteousness, will have no problem making the right decision to reveal only which is necessary. The word "zeenatahunna" in this verse refers to the woman's body parts (beauty) and not to ornaments and decorations as some people interpret it or translate it.

At the end of the verse, God told the women not to strike with their feet to show their "zeenatahunna". You do not need to strike your feet to show your ornaments but the way you strike your feet while walking can expose or shake certain parts of the body that do not need to be emphasized.

Accepting orders from anybody but God, means idol-worship. That is how serious the matter of Hijab/ khimar is. Women who wear Hijab because of tradition or because they like it for personal reasons commit no sin, as long as they know that it is not part of this perfect religion. Those who are wearing it because they think God ordered it are committing Idol-worship, as God did not order it, the scholars did. These women have found for themselves another god than the One who revealed the Quran, complete, perfect and FULLY detailed to tell them they have to cover their heads to be Muslims.
Idol-worship is the only unforgivable sin, if maintained till death, 448.

THIRD RULE OF DRESS CODE FOR WOMEN
The first regulation of DRESS CODE for Muslim women is in 726, the second is in 2431 and the third is in 3359.
"O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall LENGTHEN their garments. Thus, they will be recognized and avoid being insulted. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful." 3359
In 3359, God sets the other regulation for the dress code for the Muslim women during the prophet's life. Although the verse is talking to the prophet which means this regulation applies to the time of the prophet, just like the order in 492, the description fits the spirit of Islam, and can teach us a great deal.
If you reflect on this verse and how God ordered the prophet to tell his wives, his daughters and the wives of the believers to lengthen their garments, you would understand the great wisdom of the MOST WISE, the MOST MERCIFUL. In this verse, God, DELIBERATELY, (and all the TRUE believers know that everything GOD says, does, or did is DELIBERATE) said, tell them, to lengthen their garments, and never said how long is long.
God could have said tell them to lengthen their garments to their ankles or to their mid-calf or to their knees, but HE DID NOT. He did not, OUT OF HIS MERCY, not because HE FORGOT as God does not forget. God knows that we will be living in different communities and have different cultures and insists that the minor details of this dress code will be left for the people of every community to hammer for themselves.

It is clear from the above verses that the DRESS CODE for the Muslim women according to the Quran is righteousness and modesty. God knows that this modesty will be understood differently in different communities and that is why He left it open to us to decide for ourselves.
Decide, after righteousness what is modesty. Modesty for a woman who lives in New York may not be accepted by a woman who lives in Cairo Egypt. Modesty of a woman who lives in Cairo, Egypt may not be accepted by a woman who lives in Saudi Arabia. Modesty of a woman who lives in Jidda in Saudi Arabia may not be accepted by a woman who lives in a desert oasis in the same country.

This difference in the way we perceive modesty is well known to God, he created us, and He put NO hardship on us in this great religion. He left it to us to decide what modesty would be. For any person, knowledgeable or not to draw a line and make conclusion for God about the definition of modesty is to admit that he/she knows better than God. God left it open for us and no-one has the authority to restrict it, it has to stay open.
RELAXING THE DRESS CODE

In the family setting, God put no hardship on the women, and permitted them to relax their dress code. If you reflect on the verses, 3335 and 2460, you will see that God did not give details of what this relaxation is, because every situation is different. A woman may relax her dress code in front of the four-year-old son of her brother but not as much in front of the 16 year old son.
"The women may relax (their dress code) around their fathers, their sons, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, the other women, and their (female) servants. They shall reverence GOD. GOD witnesses all things."
"The elderly women who do not expect to get married commit nothing wrong by relaxing their dress code, provided they do not reveal too much of their bodies. To maintain modesty is better for them. GOD is Hearer, Knower."

DRESS CODE FOR THE MOSQUES (MASJIDS)
"O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately; Surely, He does not love the gluttons."