‘’Oh! Prophet tell your wives, and daughters and women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veil) all over their bodies……That will be better that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever-often forgiving and Merciful.’’ Q 33:59.
We live today in a world where fashion trends keep changing. These changes happen so often that you really must have not just a lot of money but also lots of wardrobe space to keep up with them! In fact, just trying to be 'on top' in terms of fashion is enough to tire you out. As young adults or teenagers, it is normal to have some interest in looking trendy. But look around you these days and you'll see that what goes for trendy to most people does not appear decent not only to the Muslim but to any right thinking and morally upright person.
Would I be wrong to say that those short flared skirts. And tight-fitting tops with all sorts of shocking messages printed on them are not encouraged for Muslim girls? What about the tight pairs of trousers that goes all the way down to the ankles but show the entire figure? Or should we rather talk of the ones that end at the knees? Now, don't get me wrong! There is nothing wrong in being trendy. We just have to be sure that we appear decent at all times.
In other words, making a fashion statement should be done in moderation. At least we all know of the 'Gipsy skirts' that are normally ankle length and loose fitting. These can go on equally loose-fitting and lovely shirts. The idea of this article is not to give a lesson on various styles of clothes in vogue but to simply say that you can look and feel good within the acceptable Islamic standards and at the same time go with the flow of fashion. Note also that you do not have to be indecent to be trendy. There is a lot of beauty not just in simplicity but indecency!
A point of great importance is the fact that you are often judged by your appearance. People often tend to assess your character by your dressing. A lot of people feel 'that skimpily dressed girls are likely to have loose morals and be displaying some 'goods' for sale. The same goes for boys who dress scruffily in the name of fashion; they are mostly seen as being irresponsible!
Allaah says:
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and women of the believers to draw Their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Q 33:59.
What words can be better than those of Allaah? Decent dressing (especially one completed with the Hijab) gives respectability to a girl, lady or woman. A good example of this can be seen in our market places where some men freely drag women all in the name of inviting them to buy their wares.
It is very rare for such a plight to befall a woman in Hijab because such men accord their dressing some respect. What happens however to girls in the so-called trendy Outfits we see these days? They become the object of ridicule especially when they actually show off parts of their bodies. They are laughed at and insulted, Some people who feel that they have overstepped the bounds of decency even attack and harass them just to teach them a lesson.
We should never give into pressure from our mates or allow them to make us feel left out just because we dress the way of the Muslims. Remember that 'the Muslims are the people of Paradise!' Remember also that it is best to keep the company of the righteous at all times because they help us to remain on the right path. May Allaah assist us not only to always see what is right but to do what is right(Amin).
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited