Which Hijab? The Original of the Ninth Century
Or the Modern of Late Twentieth Century
Or Neither
This article http://blog.islamiconlineuniversity.com/the-hijab-fashion-industry-its-place-in-islam/ …is suggested by Dr. Bilal Philip on the Twitter with a question: "Can both Hijab and fashion have a place in Islam?" "We don't need to resort to Hijaab Fashion Posts to look beautiful" is well written and informative paper. However it raises some questions and comments. It is not very clear what is meant by "Hijab". Is she referring to the original Hijab
recommended unanimously by all the Four Schools of Jurisprudence of Sunni Islam. According to the eminent scholar Maulana Mufti Mohammed Shafi in his classical exegesis Ma'aariful Quran this hijab starts with segregation of the genders. Women to stay in and take command of the house and home. If they have urgent reason to step out then they must cover themselves from head to toe in long, flowing loose garment; preferably only one eye should be exposed. Imam Abu Hanifa considers covering the face as optional; later Hanafia scholars called it optional but recommended. The other three schools regard the veil as compulsory. This original description of Hijab has been eroded in bits and pieces over the centuries till its final metamorphosis in the late twentieth century. This modern "hijab" refers only to a headscarf. Nothing else is required. A girl in skinny jeans and a short shirt is regarded as "hijabi" if she has a scarf on her head. I wonder if the article by Ms. Sana Gul is referring to this modern "hijab" which in my humble opinion has no basis in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh). It is mainly a geo-political phenomenon of the 1970's as a way of self-profiling to distinguish"us" from "them" - West, Americans etc. The media is very eager to show these "Muslim nuns" on the screen whenever it needs to depict Islam. It is a product of and propelled by the very justifiable sentiments of the Muslim Ummah against the territorial and now cultural and economic colonialism of the West.
I would agree it is difficult to reconcile fashion with both these types of hijab. But hijab is not a dress code. It is not about a chador or a headscarf. The hijab as designed by our Shari'ah demands a certain level of modesty, decency and shyness in our dress, behaviour and movement. The details depend on the time, location, occasion and the audience. Ms. Sana states "Isn’t it actually pulling us away from the basic message of hijab, which is covering ourselves in a way that is not attracting attention?" In this day and age a burqua or headscarf positively attracts attention. Anyhow that is besides the point. The basic message of our Shari'ah is clear: Do Not look suggestive, seductive or erotic as this leads to "fitna". As far as I can see our Shari'ah has no problem if our sisters, wives and daughters look pretty and attractive and behave gracefully.
