Secrets; I Tried To Keep Us Together, You Were Busy Keeping Secrets

The Key to Paradise

Imagine: There is a path to Paradise and as we move along the path, with the very first step we find a huge signboard on which the following is written: "Hijaab...the key to Paradise." Naturally, in order to gain entry to Paradise, we have to know the merits and characteristics of Hijaab (Islamic covering).

Hijaab fosters piety

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.} [Quran 7:26]

It means that Allah The Almighty sent two types of clothing: clothing that covers your 'Awrah (private parts) and clothing that adorns and beautifies you. The clothing of righteousness is the best. In other words, religious prudence and fearing Allah The Almighty provide the best clothing that man can adorn himself with. That is because inner purity is better than outer beauty, and the best clothing of man is obedience to his Lord. There is no good in the one who disobeys Allah The Almighty.

Hijaab purifies the heart

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):{And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran 33:53] It was narrated on the authority of 'Aa'ishah that 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab said, "O Messenger of Allah, when righteous and dissolute men [both] may enter upon your wives, it would be better to order them to be veiled." On this occasion, the verse of Hijaab was revealed, {And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran 33:53] This verse proves that Hijaab is a barrier between the desires of the souls and temptation of the hearts. It cuts the aspirations of those who have diseased hearts. So, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet.} [Quran 33:32]

Hijaab generates bashfulness

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said: "Bashfulness is part of faith, and faith leads to Paradise." [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh] There is no doubt that Hijaab makes the woman realize her value in Islam and encourages her not to do anything against the obligations of Islamic ethics and appearance.