Modesty and Chasteness

The females of the first era (of Islam) gave a lot of sacrifice to spread Islam. History testifies to this fact. For example the first person to accept Islam was a female, namely Khadija Bint Khuwaylid (May Allah, the almighty be pleased with her). The first person who was martyred as a (so called) punishment for accepting Islam was a female, namely Sumaya bint khabat (May Allah, the almighty be pleased with her). The cause of hadhrat Umar Ibn Khattab (May Allah, the almighty be pleased with him) accepting Islam was his sister, Fatimah Bint Khattab (may Allah, the almighty be pleased with her). These chaste females were the true beacons of light of Islam. They knew the true value of Islam and its teachings. They constantly did what they could for the elevation of Islam.

What is the state of females today? In an environment full of anti-religious indications, corrupted with a modern mentality, acclimatised to not veiling, wearing tight, translucent or in some cases even transparent clothes to attract onlookers, wearing high heel shoes so that whilst walking others know of her presence, speaking in a sweet tone to be seductive, showing off and becoming accustomed to excessive spending is the female of today. With the ease of the whole world at the fingertips, walking freely and bear headed in front of ghayr mahram[1] is the habit of a female today. Even if she will have a scarf she will put it around her neck- why? So her face and hair are clearly visible. Is this what Islam teaches? Is this the protection Islam gives to a female?

No, not at all! Islam is a religion that reflects on nature and environment- a religion that takes in to consideration all aspects of a human’s life. Islam likes that a lady spend her life with modesty and chastity. Hence the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentions:

الحياء شعبة من الإيمان

“Modesty is a branch of faith”
(Bukhari,Hadith no:9)

Nevertheless, in the society there is another picture- a picture of those females who stay veiled. They know the importance of modesty. They know and value the teachings of Islam. They personify the saying of the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

الحياء لا يأتي إلا بخير

“Modesty only brings good”
(Al-adab-ul-mufrad, The chapter on modesty,hadith no:1312)

Umar Ibn Khattab (may Allah, the almighty be pleased with him) once said: “My lord concurred with me in three things. One of those things where that I said to the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) good and bad people come in your service/ to you, if you can tell the mothers of the believers (i.e. wives of the Prophet) to do purdah[2]……… At that very same moment Allah, the almighty revealed the verse regarding purdah”. The order of purdah was given by Allah, the almighty and his beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore females must act upon the rulings of purdah.

Only if we could set ourselves right and think properly. Allah, the almighty gives respite to us. But when we transgress the limits of guidance and go in to the boundaries of deviation then Allah, the almighty seizes us- and the seizing of Allah, the almighty is drastic and severe.

I pray that Allaah make all sisters understand the true meaning of modesty, make them modest and appreciate the true teachings of Islam which are an epitome of chastity...
Aameen summa Aameen...