10. HIJAB IN ISLAM

10. Hijab in Islam ~ 230 ~ The Prophet has condemned men who imitate women and women who imitate men.194 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.195 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.196 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…”197 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 non-believers in prayers, funeral prayers, sacrifice, food, dress, etiquette, etc.198