Woman is a symbol of honor, dignity, and modesty.
Woman is Allah Almighty's most beautiful and magnificent creation. If she is a mother, Paradise is placed under her feet; if she is a daughter, she is called a blessing; if she is a wife, she becomes a source of peace of mind. The Holy Quran has described the status of women with honor and respect, and Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ said: The best among you is the one who is best to his family. Islam has not imprisoned women but has given them honor, protection, and status. Modesty and veil are part of this honor, not a burden.
The purpose of education is not just to get a degree but to distinguish between good and bad. If education does not create a sense of morality, modesty, and responsibility in a person, then that education is incomplete. The job of educational institutions is not just curriculum education but also character building. If the media, dramas, and social platforms present immodesty as fashion, young minds are affected, but the real responsibility lies with the upbringing of the home. It is the duty of parents to teach both daughters and sons modesty, etiquette, and dignity because a daughter will become a mother tomorrow, and a mother is the teacher of the entire generation.
Dress and Islamic Teachings The basic purpose of dress in Islam is to cover the body and maintain dignity.
It is stated in the Holy Quran that believing women should not display their adornment except what is apparent, and they should draw their veils over their chests. This command is not to take away anyone's freedom but to purify the society. It is not forbidden to do fashion, but fashion that highlights the body, invites gazes, and spreads immorality in the society is against Islamic teachings. Beauty is also in simplicity. Dignified dress, dupatta or scarf, loose-fitting dress are all part of a beautiful style. Honor is not in showing the body but in character and morality. When the Holy Quran describes your dignity in such a reasoned and detailed manner and talks about your veil, then who has given you the right to do as you please, to wear whatever you want, to make the dress incomplete and call it a modern model.
I still remember when a girl from Iran topped the country in engineering in Iran, when she was given an award, a journalist invited her and asked, how do you feel when you have achieved such a big degree? She said, I am a million times grateful to the Creator of the earth and heavens who made me capable of this. The journalist kept asking her questions, one question he asked suddenly, you have achieved such a big degree but you are still in a veil and full purdah, while you should show yourself to everyone, meaning you should not veil. Then she said that when man was unconscious, he used to be naked, when he learned consciousness, he started wrapping leaves on his body, when more consciousness came, he started wrapping wool, then more consciousness came, he started wearing sackcloth, when more consciousness came, he started covering himself more, and now so much consciousness has come to man that everyone is seen covering themselves, then she finally said that when I was unconscious, I used to live without a veil, now that I have become conscious, I have now fully covered myself, then the whole veil is a requirement of my consciousness, which tells that I have become conscious, not unconscious, this is the requirement of my education.
Media and Social Impacts What is shown on the media these days often presents the Western lifestyle as ideal, but we must remember that our standard is the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ, not the characters of dramas and films. If we incline our daughters towards such clothes just to show them as modern, which are outside the Islamic limits, then this is not wise. Being modern and adopting immodesty are two different things.
The Method of Reform However, one thing must be remembered that reform does not come from hatred, abuse, or violence. Speaking ill of a woman or girl, talking about beating or thrashing is against Islamic teachings. Islam has taught respect for every human being.
If corruption is seen in the society, then the solution is this
1 Strong religious education at home,
2 Talking to daughters with love and wisdom
3. Teaching sons to lower their gaze and respect women.
4. Awareness of the negative effects of the media.
5. Becoming a practical example yourself.
Daughters of Islam The daughters of Islam are those who acquire knowledge, improve their character, and make modesty their ornament. They can become doctors, engineers, teachers, but with their identity and dignity. A woman is neither worthy of taunts nor ridicule, she is worthy of respect. The real struggle should be that the society becomes pure, the eyes become pure, and both men and women recognize their limits.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to honor our sisters and give our sons the correct Islamic education and purify our society, Ameen Ya Rabb Al-Alameen, by the grace of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
*✍️Mutallem Al-Jamia Al-Ashrafia✍️*