01 : To cover the whole body (except the face and hands)
The most basic form of hijab is to cover the whole body, except the hands up to the wrist. Take note that hijab is not only about covering your head with a headscarf, but it's about covering your body too! A hijab isn't complete until both requirements (head and body) are covered.
Related verse from the Quran:
- "... that they (the believing women) should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers..." [ An-Noor 24:31 ]
A proper hijab requires one to wear loose clothes in order to avoid "showing" those beautiful curves! The Prophet (pbuh) has warned us that women who are dressed yet naked (ie: tight-fitting clothes) will receive harsh punishment in Hell (nauzubillah).
Related hadith:
- The Prophet (pbuh) said: "There are two types of people in Hell-fire whom I did not see: People who have with them whips that are like the tails of cow; they strike people with them. And women WHO ARE DRESSED YET NAKED, who are Mumilat (ie: who shake their shoulders when they walk, who draw the attention of those who are looking at them) and Ma'ilat, (ie: they walk in a slanting manner, strutting with a kid on fluidity of motion, so as to attract others)... they will NOT enter Paradise, nor will they smell its fragrance whereas its fragrance would be smelt from such and such distance" [ Sahih Muslim, Book 24, Chapter 26 #5310 ]
Think that headscarf or long skirt of yours is solid enough? Look again, it might be transparent and people are able to see the shape of your hair bun or legs! Whatever material or fabric you put on yourself; make sure they are not transparent!
04 : Wear simple and modest clothes (nothing too showy or too extreme)
Ladies, keep your attire or outfit simple and modest! There's no need to be flashy in order to attract the attention of others! Most importantly, it should be free of anything that may lead to arrogance, self-conceited, pride and riya'. As ladies, we are to display Allah's blessings upon us in our clothing, but do it without going to the extreme of wastage or extravagance.
Related hadith:
- The Prophet (pbuh) said: "He who trailed his garment out of pride, Allah would not look towards him on the Day of Resurrection" [ Sahih Muslim, Book 24, Chapter 8 #5195 ]
"Are you a girl... or a boy?" Is the type of question other people shouldn't be asking when it comes to an individual, and we should avoid it at all costs! Dressing up/ looking as the opposite gender is dangerous to self, as it challenges the pride and it brings confusion to others. So ladies, be proud of your girly self! :)
Related hadith:
- “The Prophet (pbuh) cursed the man who dresses like a woman and the woman who dresses like a man” [ Abu Dawood, 4/86 ]
06 : Be proud of your Muslimah identity and fashion style! (there’s no need to imitate others!)
Why bother dressing up the others (ie: the unbelievers) when you, as a Muslimah, have your own identity to be proud of? By imitating them outwardly, it might lead to imitating them inwardly (beliefs, characteristics). Muslim ladies too, have their own style and fashion to be proud of! :)
Related verses from the Quran:
- The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Be different from the Mushrikin" [ Al-Bukhari, # 4/39 ]
"Fashion is what you buy, Styles is what you do with it"
