Dowry

instance where Fatimah (the Prophet’s daughter) expressed her disapproval of a dead woman being wrapped in such a shroud as might display her body as being a woman’s. He writes: “See for yourself how the dearest daughter of the Prophet considered the use of such a cloth detestable as would not properly drape feminine parts of a dead woman’s body. Certainly such a garment for a living woman would be far worse.”11 The fifth condition of hijab is that the garment should not be perfumed (while going out). There are many traditions forbidding women to wear perfume while going out. After quoting four traditions, he writes: “Ibn Daqiq al-’Id writes that in this hadith a woman is forbidden to go to the mosque wearing perfume, because it stimulates carnal desires in men. So when it is forbidden for women wearing perfume to go to the mosque, their use of perfume when they go out shopping, or for any other purpose, is all the more sinful. AlHaythami writes that going out wearing adornments and perfume is a major sin, even if it is done with the husband’s permission.”12 The sixth condition of hijab is that a woman’s garments should not resemble those of men. Here is one of the traditions he has quoted to this effect: The Prophet has condemned men who imitate women and women who imitate men.l3 From this tradition the writer comes to the conclusion that a garment which in most parts resembles those of men is not permissible for women, even if it covers her adequately. 14 The seventh rule of hijab is that it should not resemble that worn by non-believers. Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani says that any similarity to non-believers must be avoided, in matters of worship, festivals and dress. I5 The Qur’an states this briefly, but the sunnah provides the detail. One of the verses of the Qur’an on which he bases this argument states that it is “so that they may not be like those who were given the scriptures before this…”16 He quotes Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Kathir who construe this verse as meaning that imitation of non-believers is not allowed in Islam. Then he quotes the tradition in which the Prophet forbade adopting the ways of nonbelievers in’ prayers, funeral prayers, sacrifice, food, dress, etiquette, etc.17 The eighth rule of hijab is that a woman’s garments should not reflect worldly honor. Here is a hadith to this effect: One who wears the mantle of fame in this world will be made to wear the robe of dishonor in the hereafter. 18 His concluding remarks are: “The garment should cover the entire body of a woman except the face and hands, and should not become an attraction in itself. Neither should it be thin, nor tight. It should not accentuate the body. It should not be perfumed or resemble those worn by men or non-believing women. It should not suggest fame.”19 THE TRANSLATOR’S VIEWS