A Question About Hij'ab

Answer:
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh

As
Muslims, we are very fortunate to be the followers of such a deen which
is complete and comprehensive. In our daily lives we ought to be
vigilant of falling into the traps of shaitaan. A person at every given
moment should be aware of obeying every single commandment of Allah
Ta’āla more so in today’s times keeping in mind the amount of fitnah
that has befallen us.
The aspect of hijāb is considered to be
something of the past. It is such a delicate and renowned issue at this
present moment throughout the world.  There are so many people for it
and at the same time so many against it. Nevertheless, it is the duty of
every Muslimah individual to uphold and revere this outstsanding
practice of Islam. Furthemore, the aspect of hijāb all boils down to
modesty and shame. The most important thing is to conceal ones body from
those who have been prohibited to glance at any woman no matter what
type of garb is adorned.
Modesty is a noble characteristic which
should be adopted into every aspect of life. Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

إن مما أدرك الناس من كلام النبوة ، إذا لم تستحى فافعل ما شئت

"Indeed, surely people will come to know the words of prophethood. If you do not have shame, then do as you wish.”
(Sahīh Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Pg. 183, Dār Al-Fikr)

الحياء من الإيمان والإيمان فى الجنة والبذاء من الجفاء والجفاء فى النار

"Modesty
is from Iman, and Iman leads you to Paradise. Shamelessness is from
futile things, and futile things lead you to the fire of Hell.”
(Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, Pg. 21, HM Saeed)

Allah
Ta’ala says in the Quran “Oh Nabi, tell your wives and your daughters
and the women of the believers that they should draw down their jilbābs
(outer covering) over them’’ (33:59)
This command is addressed to the
women of the ummat until the day of judgment. Ibn Masūd and Ibn Abbās
(Radhi yallāhu anhum) states that this verse refers to covering the
entire body including the
face.                                                                
(Sahīh mukhatasr ibn kathīr, Vol. 3, Pg. 1458-1459 Dār as Salām)
Umme
Salama (Radhi yallāhu anha) was asked regarding the interpretation of
this verse, she replied, This verse was revealed regarding the Ansāri
women who were seen wearing long black garments”
Hijāb essentially
requires that women not appear infront of strange males without proper
covering (hijāb). This has been an established practice amongst all the
Ambiyā (Alayhimus salātu wa salām) , Sahāba (Radhi yallāhu anhum) and
all righteous people.
The essence of hijāb is that the body is
concealed with such a covering that does not expose the figure or shape
of the body and it should not be done with such clothing that clings to
the body. If the shalwār khamees fulfills these criterias, then it will
be perfectly normal to wear it considering ones self to be in a state of
hijāb.

And Allāh Ta῾āla Knows Best
Wassalāmu ῾alaykum

Ml. Ebrahim Desai,
Student Dārul Iftā

Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dārul Iftā, Madrasah In῾āmiyyah