Islam and fashion, the art of modesty.

I just love looking at clothes, and how they would look like if i wear it. The fabric, the color, the cutting, all that entices me more to buy it at once. I feel good when i see someone wearing great outfits, i feel like wearing one too. Fashion makes me happy, and who doesn't want to be happy? I might one day design my own wardrobe, when i have the funds and time, insyaAllah.

taken from stylecovered.com *she's an inspiration*

Talking about fashion, i want to steer a bit from the main topic if i may. As all of us know, fashion is important in our daily life, especially in a woman's/girl's life. Who doesn't like to look trendy, or fashion savvy? I do too..
Yet, some of us are forgetting the basic, the most fundamental values when it comes to fashion. In Islam, we learned that men or women, have their respective guidance in how to protect our Aurat.

Islam and fashion don't have to go the opposite way. We can still look our best, even when we follow the Islamic art of covering our modesty.Its just a matter of choosing what's right and what's not. Let's review the fashion mishaps that muslims are doing nowadays, too often i might say.

For men, they should observe that clothes they wear should cover from the navel until their knees. Sadly, we can see nowadays, men wearing pants that cuts right above the knees and showing off their torso, sometimes below the navel, in public. This is not something that respectable women really fancy, we do have lower libidos than men. Maybe to you guys, its not really flashing, but when you decide to wear those shorts during sports activities, or you guys are not sitting properly, well, i'll let you guys think for yourself. And please, no tights, its just plain nauseating.

Now, for women. Since we muslimah have more areas to cover, i'll be talking more here. Let's start from the top, ok?

1. Head: Some people decide to wear scarves, some don't. Let's just talk about those who wear. Basically, the clothes that we wear, should not be transluscent or made from a thin fabric. If it is thin, then we should be using something else to cover our entire head, not just a hairband. The purpose of wearing a hijab, tudung, shawl, selendang etc, is to cover the hair, and neck. If the fabric is too , then we can still see the hair inside, and the nape of the neck, right? People can still see the silhoutte, and we are not really covering it then, right? So, please, find a thicker fabric, or wear anak tudung, or bonnet, to cover the ENTIRE head, covering the area before the hairline, the ears, the neck. And also, please my dear, refrain yourself, from making a bun that are placed high on top or making it really obvious.

Abû Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are two categories among the inhabitants of Hell whom I have not encountered. The first are people who carry whips like the tails of cows and beat the people with them. The second are women, clothed yet naked, drawn to licentiousness and enticing others to it, their heads like the swaying humps of camels – they will neither enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance, though its fragrance can be found to a great distance.” [Sahîh Muslim (2127)]

Suggestions: Instead of the high top bun, just place your hair at the neck area, there are more space there for the hair, isn't it? And also, look for pashmina or thicker fabrics or wear a full bonnet. Its not that hard, right?



2. Body: 2 L's--> Loose and Long. A really simple rule that we should obey as an obedient muslimah. I am also guilty, i don't really wear loose clothes, but i try. Try to wear clothes that cover your bottom/buttock, and also cover your hands until your wrists. And please i beg you, try to cover your chest area. I always see people who wear tudung and long sleeves, but the chest and shoulder are visible. Sorry to say this, but that is such a waste. Islam didn't state that aurat is only about covering the hair, but the only ones that are not of aurat is the hand palm and our face, remember?

"And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings to cover their bosoms, and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to God together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful." (An-Nur: 31)

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as a free respectable MUSLIM women) so as not to be molested. "(Al-Ahzab: 59)

 
So why are you trying to lie to yourself that you've already covered enough? One more, please, do refrain yourself from wearing tight tight clothes. Like stated earlier in the hadeeth, clothed yet naked. When you wear tight pants or tight shirts, all still can be seen, right? Its just like you are spraying color paint over your skin, you aren't really covering what's important.

Suggestions: Longers, thicker fabrics, and loose fitting, such as baby doll dresses, that goes beyond your bottom and aren't tight at the waist, or maxi dresses. Boyfriend shirts are also good. Tunics are great and can be worn as casual or formal wear. Avoid baby tees, they are too small and too short for you.Also, hand socks are not really doing you any good, if they tightly hug your arms.

3. Legs: Please, avoid skinny jeans.If you still insist on wearing your pair of favorite jeans, wear a top that is long enough to cover the crotch area, girls. And try to wear more skirts, its more feminine and fun. Do get your pants and skirts to be below the ankles.

Suggestions: Make your own pair of jeans, its not really that expensive. Make one that are straight cut, and not tight at any part. Wear a reasonably thick fabric. Yes i know its hot, but once you are used to it, it won't bother you at all, and i don't really want to say this, but dear, the Hell's fire are hotter. Better to avoid that, right? Wear socks, the feet also need to be covered. Stripes, checkered, rainbow colored, as long as its not thin, that you can see the toes peeking out. Please, i'm begging you, avoid wearing tights, like the ones they are wearing with dresses nowadays.



You might wonder, why do i care about these things? Well, for starters, we as humans, should remind each others when we're slipping, and when we don't really know what we should do. It is a human right, to know what we are missing. Secondly, i don't have the courage to advice you guys verbally, that's why i write this.
What we have now are made by Allah, what we have now are lent to us for a brief moment. Let's say that you have a precious jewellery, and you let your friend borrow it for a while. How would you feel when you see that the box that the jewellery was once in, was ruined and torned? You would feel mad and sad that your friend didn't appreciate the jewellery, as much as you do, right? So, take care of your body, the most beautiful creation in the world. Cover it, and keep it to yourself. Remember this, every single part of our body has its own beauty, so every single part is sacred. If you do believe in Allah, why won't you adhere to Allah's requests? If  only you realise, you are the one benefitting from it, and not anyone else.

I apologize if my words are harsh, or angers you. This is just a piece of advice, for you and me. I do know that i am not perfect,too. Only we can decide what is best for us. May Allah bless all of us. Amin, InsyaAllah. 

Great websites for the muslim fashionistas out there:

• StyleCovered a-must-go!
• HijabStyle latest fashion on runway 
• Rabia Z where modesty is always in style!
• WeLoveHijab guides on how to look great like in the magazines
• and many more websites that i am also still discovering. Just google "hijab fashion", and enjoy.