Discussions about hijab are almost always political or sexual. But what about its spirituality? After all, it is part of a religion…
This Q&A is a follow-up to the post Behind the Veil lives a thriving Muslim Sexuality. The author wishes to remain anonymous, but can be reached upon request.
Question
Could you please elaborate on the spiritual aspects of hijab for a relatively new Muslimah?
I admit that I myself am woefully ignorant of many of the spiritual aspects of hijab that you mentioned.
From my experience, even in conversations with other Muslims, the issue of hijab is almost always raised within a context of sexuality, not spirituality. My primary reason for wearing it, as many women in the article said, is that “when I wear my headscarf or chador, people relate to me as an individual, not an object; I feel respected.”
–
Answer
There is a lot to talk about regarding the spiritual side of modesty, so I’ll try to keep it brief.
1. Modesty is an expression for one’s love for Allah and seeking his forgiveness.
In the Quran, 3.31, Allah instructs the Prophet to tell us “If you love Allah then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins.”
One of the greatest traits of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was his remarkable level of modesty. By following his example, we establish our love for Allah and open ourselves to receiving His love and forgiveness.
2. We draw nearer to Allah through ascending through levels of modesty.
When we talk about modesty, we must understand that there are levels.
A. There is the obligatory level, which is the most beloved to Allah, because all of the other levels build upon that level.
Allah says in a hadith Qudsi: “The most beloved thing to Me that a person can do to draw nearer to me is doing that which I have made obligatory upon him.” (Hadeeth Qudsi 25)
The obligatory level consists of being modest in public by concealing one’s ‘Awra (the legally-defined private areas of the body) and refraining from all forms of sexual deviance.
B. One higher level of modesty consists of being modest in private, in your own household with your family and even with yourself.
The Prophet’s modesty at home was at such a high level that, although they had healthy marital relationships, his wives didn’t look at his private parts. nor did he expose himself in such a way. This is narrated in a hadith of ‘Aisha: “I never looked at the Prophet’s private parts and never saw them.”
C. Then, the levels of modesty continue to strengthen until we become modest with the Jinn and the angels.
This modesty can strengthen so much that, as one scholar said, “the unseen will become like the seen,” such that you become so aware of the angels’ presence that it will be as if you see them plainly.
A person can become so conscious of his modesty with the angels that the angels will become shy of him! This is a level the companion Uthman b. ‘Affan reached.
The Prophet encourages us to observe this level of modesty in a hadith: The Prophet said, “Didn’t I forbid you from nakedness? Didn’t I forbid you from nakedness? There are beings [angels] that never leave you in the day or night, except when you are engaged with your spouse or when you are using the bathroom, so lo, be modest with them, and lo, be honorable with them.”
We are even advised to be modest with the jinn as well, even though we generally don’t see them. This is achieved by creating a spiritual veil between us and them when taking our clothes off by saying, “bismillah aladhi la ilaha illa hu”, as indicated in hadith. The translation of it is: “In the Name of whom there is no god other than Him.”
D. And finally, and most importantly, the highest level is being in a constant station of modesty with Allah at all times, even when we are asleep, and even in our dreams.
This level is affirmed in a hadith, when, one day, the Prophet told the people to cover their ‘Awrah (legally-defined private areas of the body) from everyone except their spouses, they asked, “what if we are alone, o Messenger?” He replied, ‘Allah is more deserving of your modesty than the people.”
3. The more modesty and shyness we have with Allah, the more shyness Allah will have with us.
He will refrain from punishing us because of this. We know this because the Prophet mentioned a man who was shy with Allah, and hence Allah was shy with him. And Allah’s shyness is manifested by saving us from his punishment and answering dua.
4. Hence, modesty and faith are linked.
As believers, we cannot increase our faith without increasing our modesty. If one increases the other increases.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Modesty and faith are linked, if one of them increases the other will increase.”
Similarly, if our modesty decreases our faith will decrease. Hence the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Modesty and faith are linked, once one of them is taken away, the other will follow.”
Modesty is such an important part of Islam that Islam is almost defined by it. Hence, the hadith, “Every religion has a outstanding attribute, and the attribute of Islam is modesty.”
5. In light of this, it must be said that the hijab is only one part of the multi-dimentional state of modesty.
Moreover, hijab is only a partial, yet fundamental, part of the spiritual station of modesty. In a broad sense, modesty encompasses our speech, our eyes, our movements, even our thoughts, as well as our dress. Yet, we must note here that without practicing physical modesty, spiritual modesty can not increase. Hence, outward modesty is vital to one’s spiritual growth.
This is why the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever doesn’t have modesty with Allah in public will not have modesty with Allah in private.”
And regarding the topic of the hijab, it is said that the Prophet said, “A woman that removes her veil outside of her home has removed the veil [of modesty] between her and Allah.”
6. Conclusion
So the hijab, in all of its components, is a vital part of a woman’s relationship with Allah. It serves as a doorway that leads to many spiritual openings and secrets. In fact, it plays such a profound role in a woman’s relationship with Allah that Allah explicitly mentions that the Virgin Mary’s adorning of the hijab was a prelude for the immediate arrival of Prophet Jesus, peace and blessings be upon them both:
Mary, Mother of Jesus (Maryam, Umm ‘Eesaa)
Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
She took up a Hijab (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.
She said: “I seek refuge from thee to (God) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear God.”
He said: “Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.
These are just some of the spiritual aspects of modesty. As with all spiritual stations, they can only truly be realized by experience. Words can’t do justice to these realities.
–
Wow! thank you so much for this much needed clarification! This is one of the best explanations of hijab that I have received since taking my shahadah. I now seek to increase my understanding of spiritual modesty. Allah knows best!
(Hadeeth references were not provided, but are familiar to the blogger.)
–
Related Posts
Behind the Veil is a thriving Sexuality.
Bikini vs. Burqa: Which one’s right?
Hijab Success Stories
Sociology of Gender: the Hijab
qãhırıï 
ASA, Garb does not equate with non-sexuality. I don’t go along with the veil and hijab in warm climates.
Well I hold you in too high an esteem to argue, but there are those who hold a different opinion (from your 2nd sentence) and they have their evidences, etc.
By the way, I am so thankful to Allah everytime the wind make my long black hair fly or when it gets wet under the rain. Alhamdulillah you make me feel alife and so connected to all your creation!
Oh mi hermano! I just go the answer here to my question about what should be a modest dress for a muslim woman! So, never mind to answer me. I can see now you are a pro-hijabi:
“And regarding the topic of the hijab, it is said that the Prophet said, “A woman that removes her veil outside of her home has removed the veil [of modesty] between her and Allah.”
During all your archeological and sociological studies you never saw that the veil was worn during the time of the Prophet (most probable from a byzantine influence) to mark a social distinction between a high-class lady and a lower class or a slave (as the same Caliph Umar forbade the muslim slave women to wear it in order not cause a social shock)? Did you notice the Qu´ran clearly stay “to draw the cloaks over the bossom” which denotes the veil was worn before but here the Qu´ran just wanted that style to look more modest? Where you live the Ayat that says the best dress a believer can wear is “garment of righteousness”?
Dime algo, do you honestly believe if all women in this planet would become muslim tomorrow, all of them have to put a piece of clothe on their head so Allah won´t remove the veil between Him and them? After spending so much time studying and doing research as you state in your blog, do you really believe that?????? Wow!
Mi hermano, no creo que estamos peleando el mismo enemigo. Al enemigo que yo peleo muy pocos son los que me acompañan 😦 y definitivamente tu te quedaste en el camino.
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested… ”
(Qur-aan 33.59)
The phrase “believing women” indicates that the matter of veiling is a matter of faith. There is a difference between a Muslim/Muslima and a Mu’min/Mu’mina, illustrated by the following verses:
The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, “Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, ‘We have submitted our wills to Allah,’ For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones.
(Qur-aan 49.14-15)
A Muslim does not have to believe, and, of course, no one has to be a Muslim. If a woman chooses to believe, then this is what she does, as 33.59 goes on to indicate, that her faith be recognizes. As such, everything regarding veiling is a matter concerning believers, those who have reached that state. It’s every women’s option to investigate. It’s any women’s choice to believe. It doesn’t apply to everyone else because they are neither ready nor capable of it.
And, last but not least, veiling elevates and re-inforces a woman’s status as a woman. That is the practical side of the issue. Science confirms that when a male human sees a females body, a biochemical reaction similar to observing an object takes place. Mira: Bikinis Make Men See Women as Objects, Scans Confirm
But like I said, it’s up to her. There is no punishment or penalty in Islamic law for not wearing hijab, because it is above the level of Islam (basic, general affairs) and in the realm of eemaan (faith).
What I’m trying to say is that, whatever a woman chooses to wear is none of my business. Let your hair fly. I’m too busy minding my own business:
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.
(Qur-aan 24.30)
Anyway, there was a lot of discussion about this awhile ago: Bikini vs. Burqa. You can read more there if you want.
It is clear that body, face and hair covering was practiced at many times and places by women before and contemporary with Prophet Muhammad (sA’aws). I have heard that it was because of Byzantine influence, but I have never found this, because the claim has never been presented along with evidence, so I always disregard it. Now if you want some real history, the Arabs around Makka (at least) were once followers of the religion of Ibraaheem (Abraham), and his son Ismaa’eel (Ishmael), who married into one of their tribes. (This does NOT mean that Ismaa’eel is the father of all Arabs- that’s a ridiculous claim). And Islaam is not difference in essence than the revelations before it. So the fact that the Arabs may or may not have been practicing forms of covering is not a surprise, as there were still remnants of the religion of Ibraaheem left, though mixed with polytheism. This is a more likely reason than the Byzantine influence which is unlikely to have stretched beyond the territory of the Ghassanid Arabs of Syria, or the Persian influence which did not extend beyond areas of Arabia adjacent to Iraq and the Persian Gulf. All 3 areas are far from Makka and were surrounded by Arab tribes for whom Makka, not other places, were the religio-political center. Therefore, Makka was the center of its world. It did not exist as a periphery of other polities and cultures.
Further, the claim that it was a sign of status for high class women is ironic in light of the fact that in today’s Muslim countries, it is the women who cover who are considered lesser and backwards, and the elites generally do not veil. (This is personal observation from visits to those countries as well as viewing broadcasting for those countries. I can provide references upon request.) Of course, things may have changed in 1400 years, so I am only saying this as a point of further research, not a proof.
Anyways, this is all neither here nor there. I didn’t see the point you were trying to make with all this. I’m just pointing out misconceptions and points for further research, if you’re interested.
The Qur-aan didn’t want or say anything. Allaah said what he wanted to be in the Qur-aan. Allaah chose modesty for the males and females of his believers, and those who do not believe are free not to choose that. As for me, I am not “pro-Hijabi”. To you be your way, to me be mine.
A veces el enemigo se parece a un hermano
y a veces, tu hermano se parece a un extraño
Pingback: Behind the Veil lives a thriving Muslim Sexuality | qãhırıï
Pingback: Bikini vs. Burqa: from my Facebook wall | qãhırıï