Modern times ushered in new measures and styles of dressing all over the world which influenced men and women, boys and girls of different ethnicity and religion.
But these changes brought about by the improvement of technology have little or no influence on the world of Islam.
While they adopted things like technology and modern health practices, they remained resilient in the areas of dressing.
The rule about dress code extends to men but has a stronger fort with women, who are seen as having delicate bodies.
I am going to look into one of the pieces of dressing in modern times which is jeans/shirts and their place in the dress code of Muslim women, especially girls.
Can she wear jeans and a shirt?
No, she can’t. It is Haram and forbidden by the rules of Islam as dictated in the Shri’ah, for a girl who has reached the puberty stage to dress in that manner.
These rules are sacrosanct and should be respected with diligence, as young girls are seen as future mothers in the Islam community, and as such should be guided in their dressing.
To cancel a girl from wearing jeans and a shirt does not require any amendment even now.
To shed more light on this subject, the rules binding girls from wearing jeans and a shirt are fostered by the rules that a girl who has reached the age of puberty is not allowed to wear clothes that expose her body.
Similarly, Muslims indulged in not wearing clothes that resonate with western society, in which jeans and a shirt are inclusive.
What Ways Should a Girl Dress in Islam?
There are rules, provisions, and dictations about the morality of dressing for females in Islam. Each of these rules prescribes certain pieces of dressing that girls and women in Islam should wear.
There is a motive behind the prescriptions of these dresses, and the idea is to make sure that parts of the bodies which are seen as explicit and delicate are protected.
These are some of the other ways by which a girl of Muslim descent should dress, and they include:
- Hijab.
- Burqa.
- Niqab.
- Jilbab.
- Abaya.
- Khimar.
- Chador.
Hijab
The Hijab is the most popular and common of the clothes meant for Muslim women. It is seen in virtually all the countries where the religion of Islam is practiced and is a common sight for Muslim women, albeit their affiliation with either Sunni or Sunnah.
The Hijab refers to a rectangular piece of fabric, folded and wrapped around the head and fastened right on the lower chin.
It is the overall symbol of modesty in the Muslim circle for women and even girls below the range of womanhood.
The Hijab comes in different colors but has no design or beautification whatsoever on it. It is plain and is meant to cover the head, down to the shoulders of the woman, leaving only a rounded facial space in view.
Burqa
Unlike the Hijab, the Burqa is a veil made from cotton which covers the whole body including the face. The Burqa goes further to cover even the face of the woman leaving only a mesh screen on the eyes for sight.
The Burqa does not also have a specified color as women and girls wear it in any of the colors supported by the Muslim religion.
This piece of dressing for girls and women is a prevalent mode of dressing in the eastern countries of Asia like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.
Niqab
Just like the other clothes which perform the function of covering the face and shoulders, the Niqab does the same thing.
The Niqab is a facial veil that is worn by some women, which shows little or nothing of their eyes. The Niqab is what I call the Ultimate concealer for women, in the world of Islam.
Jilbab
The Jilbab is the substitute for the secular gown for women who belong to the Islam belief system. It is an overall garment with a resemblance to a cloak, which is worn by Muslim women when they are in public.
The Jilbab covers the body from the shoulders down to the ankles of the woman, concealing every other thing in the process.
It is a composition of large fabric which makes sure that the shape or physique of the woman stays hidden.
This piece of dressing can also be worn by girls who aspire to remain decent and modest on the path of Islam.
Abaya
The Abaya is just like the Jilbab, as it also takes the form of a cloak and also performs the same function as the Jilbab.
It is made with a thicker material; a black synthetic fiber, which is often decorated with sequins; or a modest embroidery that does not show of exquisite status of the woman.
This form of dressing can be adopted by Muslim girls all over the world, although it is common in places like the Arab countries of Asia.
The Abaya can be worn from head to toe, and worn alongside a headscarf like the Hijab or a face veil. It has a closure type that can be fastened, to avoid it cutting loose.
Khimar
The Khimar is one of the modes of clothes that are worn by women. It is a headscarf that covers the head and face of the woman.
It is also worn in different colors except those forbidden by Islam. Many people confuse the Khimar for the Hijab, but it differs in its own way.
While the Hijab is long enough to cover the head down to the neck and even the shoulders, the Khimar is longer. It is just a headscarf but is long enough to reach the neck and even the shoulders down to the chest.
The word ‘Khimar’ is derived from the word ‘Khamara’, which when translated means to hide, cover or conceal something.
Hence, its relevance and purpose, which is to conceal the head down to the chest.
Chador
This piece of clothing shares some resemblance with the Niqab, but shows more of the face than the Niqab. It is also a piece of clothing that girls of Muslim devout should dress in.
It also does the purpose of concealing but resembles the Hijab in the rounded face view, which it shows.
The chador goes down to the knees and takes the form of a large, long, cape-like garment. The dressing format is popular among women and girls in Iran.
The aforementioned pieces of clothes are ways by which a girl can dress in Islam, which also puts them in the position of maintaining the rules and ethics that direct women of Muslim devout on how to dress.
They should be followed with diligence and the faith of the Almighty.
What Other Clothes Are Haram in Islam?
Just as the dressing provisions of Islam frown on wearing clothes like jeans and a shirt for women, there are other clothes that are viewed as Haram in the Muslim circle.
To make things clearer, ‘Haram’ as a term is used to identify or refer to things, acts, and attitudes that are against the laws of Islam, as propounded by the Shari’ah law.
The Islamic law makes it sacrosanct that the violation of these laws might attract punishment, which is often in the form of a curse to the defaulter.
The following are some of the other clothes which are regarded as Haram in the Muslim circle.
- Red clothes.
- Western clothes.
- Revealing clothes.
- Transparent or tight clothes.
- Stolen clothes.
- Extravagant clothes.
Red clothes
These are clothes that have been bound as unacceptable by the Shari’ah law as stipulated in the Quran.
The blessed prophet Muhammed (PBUH) made it known that men who wear red clothes are committing Haram.
First, because red clothing is the adornment of women; and also because it is regarded as vanity and should not be worn by a decent man. Women are allowed to wear red, albeit it is forbidden for men.
Western Clothes
This is another type of clothing that is regarded as Haram in the Muslim circle.
Muslims are advised against wearing any piece of clothing which resonates with the unbelievers, and since the western people are originally Christians, it is an utter violation of the Shari’ah to wear their clothes.
Similarly, any Muslim, whether man or woman, who wears western clothes is regarded as an imitator of western tradition and a defaulter of the Muslim way.
Revealing Clothes
Wearing any clothes which expose sensitive parts of your body to the sight of people is regarded as Haram. This rule is a direct instruction to women, because of their delicate nature.
The prophet of Allah Muhammed (PBUH) advised that women should “…draw their cloak over their chest”, and he also admonished that they should only leave their faces and hands open.
Although this rule is mainly for women, it also instructs men to desist from wearing any clothing that shows their private parts.
Transparent or Tight Clothes
It is also Haram in Islam for women to wear clothes that are too tight or transparent. This is so because it is the norm for any clothing worn by a woman of Muslim devout to be able to conceal her beauty.
Therefore, wearing any clothes such as transparent clothes does the opposite of revealing your beauty.
Similarly, tight wearing tight clothes has a way of bringing out in full a woman’s shape and form, which is also bad and regarded as Haram.
Stolen Clothes
It is forbidden for Muslims, either men or women, to wear clothes that are stolen or taken from somebody without their consent. It is Haram and is regarded as an act of violation.
Extravagant Clothes
Muslims are enjoined to be simple and meek in all their dealings, and this also extends to their dressing and conduct. As a result, wearing overly expensive clothes is offensive and regarded as Haram.
What Does the Quran Say About Women’s Clothes?
Most of the regulations which bind dressing for women in Islam are derived from the Quran, as it was pronounced by the prophet (PBUH) of Allah.
However, the Quran stipulates mainly on modesty for women. Modesty for women involves the closure of all their bodies, especially their private parts, which are seen as sacred.
The Quran instructs that the face and hands are only shown. The Hijab is the prescribed dress for a woman, that is endorsed by the Quran.
In the first verse in chapter 24, known as a-Nur (the Light) in verse 31;
“…and not display their beauty except what is apparent, and they should place their khumur over their bosoms…” (24:31).
Also, the Quran mentions the Jalabib in the second verse;
“O Prophet! Say to your wives your wives, your daughters and the women of the believers that; they should let down upon themselves their jalabib” (33:59).
With all these references, it is conclusive to say that the Quran says more about modesty and simplicity regarding clothes for women.
Conclusion
This is where I draw the line on this interesting subject of dress code for women in Islam.
The clothes which have been slated for men are highly forbidden for women, as it violates the code of conduct as stipulated by the Shari’ah.
Also, clothes that reflect the tradition of the western world are also regarded as Haram, simply because they seem to draw a Muslim out of the tenets of Islam.
I have also enlightened you on the clothes which you can wear as a girl of a Muslim devout. If you wear any of these clothes, the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) says that “Allah smiles on the person”.
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