The Virtues of the Scarf

The Virtues of the Scarf

1. An act of obedience The scarf an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur'an: ﴾It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.﴿ (S33:36). Allah also said: ﴾And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna﴿(S24:31).

2. The Scarf is chastity Allah (subhana watala) made the adherence to the scarf manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says: ﴾O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.﴿ (S33:59). In the above Aayah there is evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.

3. The scarf is of Purity Allah (swt) had shown us the wisdom behind the legislation of the scarf: ﴾And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts﴿ (S33:53). The scarf makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the scarf, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by scarf) and thus the prevention of seduction (evil actions is very much manifested. The scarf cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts: ﴾Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.﴿ (S33:32).

4. The scarf a Shield The prophet (pbuh) said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet (pbuh&hh) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her." The prophetic tradition demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

5. The scarf is of Righteousness Allah (p.b.u.h) says in the Qur'an: ﴾O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better﴿(S7:26). The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however, the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwa (righteousness).

6. The scarf is of Belief or Faith Allah (swt) did not address His words about the scarf except to the believing women. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to "the believing women''. Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

7. The scarf is of Bashfulness There are two authentic prophetic traditions which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is Bashfulness; AND Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in the paradise". The scarf fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

8. The scarf Zealousness The scarf fits the natural feeling of Zealousness, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Zealousness is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Zealousness for ALL MUSLIM women. In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of scarves destroys the Zealousness in men. Islam considers Zealousness an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.