On 'jilbab'

On 'jilbab'

From Pikiran Rakyat

Commenting on the so-called jilbab lontong (Mr. Asep Ridwan used this term in a recent letter to the editors in Pikiran Rakyat), this is some kind of explanation about the correct jilbab (female headwear that exposes the face but not the ears, neck or hair), meaning the one recommended by hadiths.

The following is a quotation from the hadiths regarding the jilbab: "Indeed, those grouped as members of hell, namely those women who wear clothes but are naked, who tend to be engaged in immoral acts and attract others to commit immoral acts, they will not be allowed to enter heaven and will not smell even its aroma." (HR Muslim)

Perhaps the above quotation is hard to understand. What is meant by "women who wear clothes but are naked"? Aren't we wearing clothes in order not to be naked?

According to Dr. Yusuf Qardhawi, this refers to women who wear clothes that do not fulfill the requirements of syariah (Islamic law), such as wearing very thin, transparent dresses, or clothes that are too tight so people can see their bodies, or wearing clothes that do not cover those parts of the body that must be covered so no one will have thoughts of raping a woman or seducing her or doing something negative to her. To the best of my knowledge, some other hadiths also say women must not wear very thin and tight clothes, that women's clothes should cover the breasts and shoulder, and so on.

Regarding the jilbab lontong (tight jilbab), should anyone want to wear the jilbab, make sure it not only covers the head and hair or simply follows the current fashion, but wear the jilbab with the intention of truly obtaining God's blessing.

DARIS EFFENDI

Bandung