Celebrating ‘Hijaab Day’
Question:-
Kindly advise on the Shariah perspective on the so-called ‘World Hijab Day’, which women globally celebrate on 1 February. I understand it was started by a Bangladeshi woman in the United States .Others joined on the bandwagon, thus making it a great celebration. There are high teas and other events organized in various parts of South Africa to commemorate this day. Is this permissible Mufti Sahib?
Answer:-
Wearing of the Hijaab is an injunction of the Quraan Sharif. The Quraan Sharif categorically states, “And when you ask the wives of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam for anything, then ask them from behind a curtain (without seeing them).” [Verse 53 – Surah 33.]
This is the verse of Hijaab which was revealed in the 5th year of Hijri in the month of Dhul Qa’dah. This verse indicates that all the limbs of the body should be totally covered which includes the face and palms. [Re:- Adillatul Hijaab Pg.251]
In verse 59 of Surah Ahzaab, Allah Ta’ala states, “O Nabi! Tell your wives, your daughters and the women of the Mumineen (that when they leave their home due to necessity) they should draw down their ‘Jilbaab’ over themselves.”
Under this verse, Ibn Katheer Rahimahullah has written (quoting a number of Sahaabah and Ta’bieen) that Allah Ta’ala has commanded the women of the believers, if they leave their home due to some necessity, then they should cover their faces from above their heads with a Jilbaab, in such a manner that they expose only one eye. [Ibn Katheer pg.569 Vol.3]
These verses clearly indicate towards the compulsion of Hijaab. As Muslims, we should only be concerned with pleasing Allah Ta’ala and His beloved Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and at no stage should we be concerned about the Kuffar. We have the most perfect way of life which we should fully abide by, irrespective of whether the Kuffar accept it, or not. In fact, the Quraan Sharif states, “The Jews and Christians will never be satisfied with you until you follow their religion.” [Re:-Surah Baqarah, Verse 120]
Nazma khan, who we understand is the initiator of ‘Hijab Day’, doesn’t even understand the reasoning behind wearing a Hijaab in Shariah. Her article states, “Hijabs are fun to wear because they come in a range of colours and styles.” Since when is Hijab worn for fun and fashion? In this command of Allah Ta’ala lies great protection for women. If women are going to be donning different colours and styles as is the norm in our societies, then perhaps they will be attracting men more than turning them away.
She further states many Muslim women prefer to wear a Hijab as a means of promoting cultural solidarity, whereas this is a divine command of Allah Ta’ala and has absolutely nothing to do with cultural solidarity.
Finally, the ladies celebrating ‘Hijaab Day’ will be donning the Hijaab for one day only. This means that, the same ladies who were promoting the ‘Hijaab’ on that day, will be parading the streets thereafter without Hijaab. This is pure mockery of Deen. In conclusion, Hijaab day is a mockery of our Deen initiated by some individual who doesn’t even possess the correct understanding of Deen. Since this event has nothing to do with our Deen, we should disassociate ourselves from such an event.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 07 Rajab 1444 / 30 January 2023