Hayaa in Dressing

The Mubaarak lifestyle of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was an embodiment of Hayaa (shame and modesty). From his ibaadat to his eating, sleeping, interacting and even attending the call of nature, every action portrayed the highest levels of shame and modesty. In every dimension of his Mubaarak life, he ensured that the desired degree of Hayaa was never compromised. On one occasion Hazrat Asmaa (Radiyallahu Anha), the respected sister of Hazrat Aaisha (Radiyallahu Anha), entered the home wearing a thin garment. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) disapproved of this type of clothing for the women of his ummah and immediately corrected her. He explained to her that the entire body of a woman should be covered in a manner that together with the cloth being non-transparent, even the shape of the body should not be discernible. (Sunan Abi Dawood #4106)

This lesson of Hayaa, taught with respect by the master (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), was so deeply entrenched in the heart of Hazrat Asma (Radiyallahu Anha) that it remained with her till the end of her life. Hence, it is reported that when she reached old age, her beloved son Hazrat Munzir bin Zubair (Radiyallahu Anhu), after returning from Iraq, sent her a cloth as a gift which was of very fine and superior quality. She had lost her sight, and so held the fabric in her hand feeling it carefully. Then with disappointment she said: “Return the gift to him.” When the cloth was returned to Munzir (Radiyallahu Anhu), he was hurt at this. He came to Hazrat Asma (Radiyallahu Anha) and said to her: “O my mother, the cloth is not transparent! (Hence, it is fine for you to wear).” Hazrat Asma (Radiyallahu Anha) replied: “Even though it is not transparent, however due to it being tight, it will still reveal the shape of the body.” He thereafter bought for her common garments made in Marw and Quhistaan. She accepted them saying, “It is these types of garments that you should give me to wear.” (Attabaqaatul Kubra li ibn Sad, pg. 199)

One can well imagine what will be the response of our beloved Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahaabah (Radiyallahu Anhum) if they were to witness the tight fitting and body revealing clothing worn by the Muslim women of today.