Purpose of covering Awrah

The evidence from Al-Quran and al-Hadith clearly indicates that the issue of covering aurat is primary (qati'e and usul). In addition it is also one of the main sins advocated by Shaitan because exposing the aurat could lead to various other sins; zina (illegal sexual intercourse), pregnancy due to zina, killing of child from zina, divorce due to adultery and many more. Al-Qur'an renders evidence that Shaitan advocates exposure of aurat as its main strive:

فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ لِيُبْدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُورِيَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْآتِهِمَا

"Then Shaitan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts..." (Al-A'raf: 20)

In summary, among the main purpose Islam advocates the covering of aurat for both man and woman are as folowing:-

a)       To differentiate between man and beast.

Allah SWT said in Al-Qur'an:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا

"O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves and as an adornment." (Al-A'raf: 26)

It is clear from the above ayat that covering of aurat is ordained to every human being (children of Adam). Those who refrain from the order has clearly outcast himself from the category of children of Adam and descend into the category of beast that does not have the ability to follow Allah's enjoinment to cover aurat. 

b)       To protect woman from being molested

This is clear as per my explanation above according to Surah Al-Ahzab ayat 59.

c)        As an attire or identification for Muslim.

In Surah Azhab ayat 59 Allah SWT said:


 ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ
« ... That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women)...»

The above ayat elobrates that covering the aurat is an emblem of a Muslim.  Allah SWT also said:

وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ 

"And anyone who honours the symbols set up by God  [shall know that] verily, these [symbols derive their value] from the God-consciousness in the [believers'] hearts " ( Al-Haj : 32 )

d)        Sign of profesionalism.

We could observe today that a number of organizations and restaurants prescribe certain dress code to its employee and guests to ensure high standards of professionalism. For example, it would impossible to find someone wearing slippers in the courts or offices in Putrajaya. All of them need to comply with the dress code ordained by their organization to show professionalism. Compare this with the owner of a grocery store that does not need to maintain any professionalism and could wear any attire he wants. 

Islam as a professional way of live is also complete with its guidelines that cover every aspect of life; from private acts (going to the toilet) to administration of the country and economy. Nonetheless, Islam would not prescribe guidelines that are irrational and cause hardship to its followers. Therefore, the dress code in Islam would by no means cause nuisance to Muslims. Conversely it provides professionalism to those who embrace the guideline. 

e)       As a trial from Allah SWT to test the takwa of Muslims.

This is clear as Allah elucidates in Al-Quran that:


الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
"...Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed." (Al-Mulk: 2)

Women and Awrah

Women’s Awrah

Women's awrah is a more complicated issue and it changes according to the situation, for my opinion, the awrah of women is more complicated as she is the adornment of this world and should be observed carefully:

In ritual prayer:  A woman should cover her entire body excluding her face and her hands from the wrist to the base of the fingers. She should also cover part of her forehead and the area under the chin. A woman should cover her hair and body while performing the ritual prayer, whether she is praying in presence of her husband or she is praying alone in her chamber, as the basis for covering in prayer is different from the basis for covering in front of people.

In front of her husband: There is no restriction in Islam on what body parts a woman may show to her husband in private. The husband and wife can see any part of each other’s body especially during sexual intercourse.

In privacy: It is recommended that a person cover his or her sexual organs even when alone in private. There are exceptions such as when taking a shower or going to the toilet.

Among other women: The awrah of a woman amongst other women is the same as the awrah of men (from her navel to her knees). awrah in front of non-Muslim women is a point of debate. Some scholars say that women should cover all but the hands and face, while according to the most preferred opinion, a Muslim woman can reveal in front of a non-Muslim woman as much as she would in front of other Muslim women.

In front of male children: If the child understands what the awrah is, then it is not considered permissible for a woman to uncover her awrah in front of him.

In front of non-mahram men:  There is a difference of opinion on which body parts a woman should cover in front of men who are not her mahram. In the contemporary world, most Muslims hold that entire body of the woman, except her face and hands, is part of her awrah, so those are the parts of her body that must be covered during prayer and in public settings.

What is Awrah?

Awrah or Awrat (Arabic: عورة‎) is a term used within Islam which denotes the intimate parts of the body, for both men and women, which must be covered with clothing. Exposing the awrah is unlawful in Islam and is regarded as sin.

The term as it is used in the Quran shows awrah as confined neither to women nor to the body. The Quranic text reveals the use of the term in various passages Surah An-Nur and Surah Al-Ahzab.

Meaning of Awrah in Al-Quran

The below verse is about privacy as the Quranic text states concerning underage boys:

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِيَسْتَأْذِنكُمُ الَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحُلُمَ مِنكُمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ۚ مِّن قَبْلِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُم مِّنَ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِن بَعْدِ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ ۚ ثَلَاثُ عَوْرَاتٍ لَّكُمْ ۚ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ جُنَاحٌ بَعْدَهُنَّ ۚ طَوَّافُونَ عَلَيْكُم بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ

"... and let those among you who have not yet come to the age of puberty ask your permission (before they come to your presence) on three occasions; before the morning prayer, and while you put off your clothes for the noonday (rest), and after the late-night prayer. (These) three times are of privacy for you, other than these times there is no sin on you or on them to move about, attending (helping) each other."(An-Nur:58)

Another passage in the Quran that uses the term awrah, is in Surah Al-Ahzab where it is mentioned twice in the same segment and concerns fleeing from battle.

وَإِذْ قَالَت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَا أَهْلَ يَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَارْجِعُوا ۚ وَيَسْتَأْذِنُ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمُ النَّبِيَّ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوْرَةٌ وَمَا هِيَ بِعَوْرَةٍ ۖ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلَّا فِرَارًا

It states: "A group of them ask the Prophet for leave, saying, “Our houses are awrah", even though their houses are not awrah. Their intent is to flee the battle. "(Al-Ahzab:13)

In this case, the term awrah means "vulnerable".

There is another context that relates the story of creation of Nabi Adam and Hawa in the Jannah. In these two instances, the term saw’ah is used as an equivalent to awrah.

The text states:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا

"O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed dress upon you to cover your nakedness...".(Al-A’raf:26)

Another word which almost has the same meaning of awrah, is the word farj or furuj.

وَالَّتِي أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهَا مِن رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلْنَاهَا وَابْنَهَا آيَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.(Al-Anbiya’:91)

And,

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ

And they who guard their private parts,(Al-Mukminun:5)

 Another quote concerning covering the awrah is:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters, and the believing women, to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies. That will be better that they should be known (as respectable woman) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Ahzab:59)

While, in the Hadith

((Awrah refers to anything which can be easily harmed just like a bare or exposed place. Therefore it becomes clear that the body of a woman is referred to as vulnerable because it is like a house which contains no walls and can be easily harmed and must be covered with the appropriate clothing))

Thus, in the phraseof "Islam is the way of life" can be shown on the meaning of Awrah itself. Awrah is not only confined to the awrah that must be preserved but it also include many things such provided in Quran and hadith as above. Waallahua'alam, 

akhlak toward parents:)

A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allah mentions that human beings must recognize their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; 

Allah Says (what means):

 "And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] 'uff' [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: 'My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'" [Quran 17:23-24]

The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allah reminds children to recognize and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allah says what means:

 "And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…" [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]

 

Although Islam recognizes both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadith of the Prophet :

It was narrated by Abu Hurairah that a man came to the Prophet and asked him: 'Who is most deserving of my close companionship?' He replied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”

Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allah, having respect for one's parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu 'Abdur-Rahmaan 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood narrated the following: 

"I asked the Prophet : 'Which deed is the most beloved to Allah?' He replied: "Prayers performed on time." I then asked: 'Which one is next?' He replied: "Goodness to parents." I then asked: 'Which is next?' He replied: "Jihad in the path of Allah."

Islamic teachings on the Importance of Parents

Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. - Quran 17:23

In Islam it is obligatory for us to show kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents. The position of parents, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities, have been addressed in Islam in great detail. In fact kindness and obedience is so strongly emphasized that God has linked showing gratitude to one's parents with showing gratitude to God -

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. (31:14)

Sadly we are living in a time where children speaking disrespectfully to their parents and about their parents, is the norm rather than the exception. However Islam places great emphasis on respectful and considerate behavior to even our enemies, so to not uphold the obligations laid down by God to our parents is actually one of the major sins.

In the Quran
 
Let's see what  the Quran says about Parents. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear God (2:02) 

Treat parents with honour & speak to them graciously & with humility

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say:  My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. (17:23)

Be grateful to parents but do not obey them if they strive to make you associate things with God 

...Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, then will I inform you of what you did (31:15)

These verses make it clear that we must honour our parents, appreciate their sacrifices and efforts for us, and do our best for them. This is required regardless of whether they are Muslims or not.

Be good to parents and everyone else who you meet

Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;- (4:36)

If the Quran tells us to be good to a stranger how can we even think of disrespecting our parents?

Hadiths
 
Let's see what Prophet Muhammad said about parents in the authentic Hadiths. Whatsoever the Prophet gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, refrain from it. - Quran 59:7

Disobedience to parents is a major sin

Anas narrated from Prophet Muhammad about the major sins. He (Mohammed) observed: Associating anyone with God, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance. (Muslim)

One of the dearest deeds to God is being good & dutiful to parents

Narrated 'Abdullah: I asked the Prophet "Which deed is the dearest to God?" He replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times." I asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents"...(Bukhari)

Being dutiful to parents is one of the keys to enter Paradise

Abu Huraira reported Prophet Muhammad as saying: Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust. It was said: God's Messenger, who is he? He said: He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (because he has been undutiful to them). (Muslim)

Acts of kindness we can do for our parents after their death

While we were with Prophet Muhammad,a man of Banu Salmah came to Him and said: Apostle of God is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death? He replied: Yes, you can invoke blessings on them, forgiveness for them, carry out their final instructions after their death, join ties of relationship which are dependent on them, and honour their friends. (Abu Dawood)

The High Status given to Mothers

A man came to the Prophet and asked him for permission to join a military expedition. The Prophet asked him if he had a mother, and when he replied that he had, he said, "Stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet." (Ahmad)

Shaykh Ibrahîm Ibn Sâlih Al-Mahmud writes:

Treat your mother with the best companionship, then your father; because paradise is under the mother's feet. Never disobey your parents, nor make them angry, otherwise you will live a miserable life in this world and the hereafter, and your children will treat you likewise. Ask your parents gently if you need something. Always thank them if they give it to you, and excuse them if they do not, and never insist on a matter if they refuse to give you something. (Al-Mahmoud, How to be kind to your Parents, p.40)

It is related from Talhah ibn Mu'âwiyah as-Salamî who said:

I came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I want to perform Jihad in the way of Allah. He asked, "Is your mother alive?" I replied, "Yes." The Prophet then said: "Cling to her feet, because paradise is there." (at-Tabarânî).

مقابلة التي اجريت بين الاساتذة والطلاب

 

لماذا يا النساء

OTHER ISSUES:

SCOPE 1: (WOMEN & FASHION)

Surah An-Nur 24: 31

This verse basically had laid down certain principles/regulations that had to be observed by women so that they can be a good Muslimah. However, if we can see nowdays, women tend to lure themselves to the latest trend/fashion that had been much influenced by the Western lifestyle compared to observe and fulfill their obligations towards Allah. . However, we must understand that Islam never prohibit women from following such latest trend/fashion so long as it is accordance with the Islamic teachings. That’s mean what Islam prohibit is not “WHAT YOU WANT TO WEAR” as women are allowed to wear anything so long as it is in line with Syariah and Islamic teachings.

SCOPE 2: (WOMEN & AKHLAK)

 

As we can see there is hadith by which the Prophet had expressly said that the most number of person in the Hell is women. WHY?? It is not because due to the fact that they are women but due to their attitude and behavior  that basically had led them to enter the Hell. However, we also know that  women also can be said as person who can easily enter the Paradise provided that they complied with the Syariah of Islam. Thus we can say that as long as they follow the teachings of Islam, no doubt,  they will be saved from the Hell. As we can see that women basically had been rested upon them certain strict obligations compared to man that must be observed by them such as in term of ‘aurah’. The women must realize that Allah had not make something without reasons behind it. As His command upon women to observe their aurat too,there must be wisdom behind it. That's why, the women must obey such command by Him to ensure that they can be such a good Muslimah. Let us think about it!!

وقف دموعهم، يا نساء

(METRO)Tuesday: 20 MAC 2012 (27 Rabiulakhir 1433H)

Siti Nur Fatihah Mahadi, 15,was said to be walking towards a cell phone shop in Taman Tas near here on Sunday, accompanied by siblings Siti Nurul Aishah and Mohd Shami Aiman, both aged 11, when a car driven by a woman, drew alongside the trio. A man who was seated in the rear passenger seat, grabbed the form three student of Sekolah Menengah Pandan before the vehicle sped off in the incident about noon, according to her siblings. However, the story revealed she was staged her own abduction before she was found at her boyfriend's house in Kampung Merchong on Tuesday night
                           

  (KOSMO)Friday: 23 MAC 2012 (30 Rabiulakhir 1433H)

Nornabila Mat Yaacob, 15 years old, had been found after missing for three days after going out from the house with her friend to shop nearby. However, she was claimed for missing after that before had been found at her boyfriend’s house, 26-year-old, who is married with a child,. After being missing about three days, her mother was successfully found her after calling her boyfriend to ask for her location.  

(KOSMO) Sabtu: 10 MAC 2012 ( 17 RABIULAKHIR 1433H)

Nurul Zakiah Hidayah Azman, 17 years old, had been reported to be missing after going out from the house on 14 February 2012. She was claimed to run out from the house with his boyfriend named Samer Khan after knowing him about three weeks. Her family after realizing about her missing then lodged a report but had retracted back such report after Zakiah had returned home after had been missing