How do Muslims go about choosing a spouse?
Question: Do Muslims date? If they don't, how do they decide whom to marry?
Answer: "Dating" as it is currently practiced in much of the world does not exist among Muslims. Young Muslim men and women (or boys and girls) do not enter into one-on-one intimate relationships, spending time alone together, "getting to know each other" in a very deep way before deciding whether that's the person they will marry. Rather, in Islam pre-marital relationships of any kind between members of the opposite sex is forbidden.
Why?
The choice of a marriage partner is one of the most important decisions a person will make in his or her lifetime. It should not be taken lightly, nor left to chance or hormones. It should be taken as seriously as any other major decision in life - with prayer, careful investigation, and family involvement.
How do potential spouses meet?
First of all, Muslim youth develop very close friendships with their same-sex peers. This "sisterhood" or "brotherhood" that develops when they are young continues throughout their lives, and serves as a network to become familiar with other families. When a young person decides to get married, the following steps often take place:
The young person makes du'a for Allah to help him or her find the right person.
The family enquires, discusses, and suggests candidates from among the network of people that they know. They consult with each other to narrow down potential prospects. Usually the father or mother approaches the other family to suggest a meeting.
If the young couple and their families agree, the couple meets in a chaperoned, group environment. Umar related that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Not one of you should meet a woman alone unless she is accompanied by a relative (mahram)." The Prophet also reportedly said, "Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan is the third among them." When young people are getting to know each other, being alone together is a temptation toward wrongdoing. At all times, Muslims should follow the commands of the Qur'an (24:30-31) to "lower their gaze and guard their modesty...." Islam recognizes that we are human and are given to human weakness, so this rule provides safeguards for our own sake.
If the couple seems compatible, the families may investigate further - talking with friends, family, Islamic leaders, co-workers, etc. to learn about the character of the potential spouse.
Before making a final decision, the couple prays salat-l-istikhara (prayer for guidance) to seek Allah's help and guidance.
The couple agrees to pursue marriage or part ways. Islam has given this freedom of choice to both young men and women - they cannot be forced into a marriage that they don't want.
This type of focused courtship helps ensure the strength of the marriage, by drawing upon family elders' wisdom and guidance in this important life decision. Family involvement in the choice of a marriage partner helps assure that the choice is based not on romantic notions, but rather on a careful, objective evaluation of the compatibility of the couple. That is why these marriages often prove successful in the long-term.
Women's Aurat : What has Happened?
SOURCES FROM=http://www.zaharuddin.net/
One day I was giving a talk to a group of professional Muslimah. The topic of a Muslim lady held in custody for dressing indecently in a nightclub was a hot issue back then. Consequently, there was a discussion on woman's right to wear any attire she likes, including indecent outfits. During the talk, I therefore took the chance to ask a few simple questions to the audience:
"Why would a woman wear indecent attire in public? For example short skirts with tight or see-through dresses?"
Some of them started to share their opinions. Nevertheless, as too many were talking at the same time; I could not hear any clear responds. I therefore asked for a representative to share her opinion. A lady stood up and answered confidently:
"To look beautiful of course..." She responded with a bashful smile.
"Perhaps to whom is this beauty being addressed?" I probed further.
"Of course to the males ustaz, and maybe to other women too...." She continued.
"In that case, if a man is attracted to the beauty and would like to touch the "beautiful" parts he saw, would that be allowed then?" I asked to test.
"Certainly not...That is considered as a sexual harassment ustaz" she replied with poise.
"I see. Then, don't women feel that wearing indecent attires and displaying their beauty is also a form of sexual harrasment to the males?" I contested.
"Erm...how would that be the case ustaz?" They asked with a puzzle.
"Just imagine, when a man looks at a woman displaying her thigh for example, he may be sexually aroused. If he could not channel his sexual desires, isn't that a form of harrasment to him? That's why I say, a woman wearing indecent attires in public is a sexual harrasment to the surrounding males...."
The crowd was silent, analyzing what I had just said.
"Just like a hungry cat being lured with fresh fish in front of it. If you don't give the cat the fish, it will be annoyed and may even attack the person enticing it," I added.
"Nonetheless, one has to bear in mind that not all cats will act like described above; only those starving wild cats will. The same goes with males; not all males fail to control their sexual desire when looking at indecently dressed women although there are still many out there who fail to do so." I continued.
"The indecently dressed woman may not be harrased because she was in public and the surrounding does not allow for him to fulfill his desires. Consequently, this wild cat would find other victims to channel his desires. Small innocent children may become his target. In this state of mind, a woman properly covered, a small child or an old lady would not make much difference to the starving wild cat. As long as the timing and the place are right, he will try to get what he has desired for with force." I explained in detail. The audience was nodding, agreeing with me.
In fact, let us think together; do women truly believe that if they are in the presence of the Prophet SAW today, he would be smiling? If not, what is the possibility for them to obtain the syafa'at of the Prophet on the Day of Judgment? It is very true that an indecently dressed woman, due to her appealing appearance, may get man's attention. This pleasure, however, is only temporal and fake. In fact, it would not, in any event, add to any value to the eternal life we will traverse after death, except for a more severe punishment. In reality, the way the righteous Arab women who cover themselves properly today may perhaps serve as an indication to the type of attires being worn by Muslimah during the time of the Prophet, which was, without a doubt, pleasing to the Prophet SAW. Don't women nowadays, love to please the Prophet as well?
IS IT TRUE THAT COVERING AURAT CAN PROTECT A WOMAN FROM BEING HARMED?
A lot of professional Muslim women today and those with insufficient Islamic knowledge do not like to discuss about this topic and they don't even believe that covering aurat could prevent harm from inflicting them. Some is even of the opinion that covering the aurat is a form of oppression that the males have enforced on woman. I have always come across with this argument presented in the mass media.
In reality, as a servant of Allah SWT and the follower of Rasulullah SAW, we are taught to always come back to Al-Quran and Al-Hadith to obtain assurance about the permissibility of a matter. Regarding this, Allah SWT said:-
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
"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 free respectable women) so as not to be molested. "(Al-Ahzab: 59)
Jilbab is a dress (of similar width to ‘baju kurung') worn by women to cover their bodies. Syeikh Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi explained that when some women during the Jahiliah period left their houses, they loved to display some parts of their beauty such as the chest, neck and hair until they were being harrased by those wicked men who like to commit zina. Then, the above ayat was revealed commanding the Muslim women to extend their jilbab so that the parts that could lead to fitnah will be covered. In this way, they would be identified as women who are protected (‘afifah). As a consequence, they would not be molested.
Therefore, the main reason (‘illah) for the above ruling is to prevent Muslim women from being molested by wicked men. Attires that display women's beauty or women walking and talking in a seducing manner could arouse a man's sexual desire. Such behavior is an indirect invitation to the male for teasing and molestation. (Adapted from kitab Al-Halal wal Haram fil Islam with modification)
WOMEN'S OBJECTION
"Well, nowadays even women who wears veil is raped and even worse they are sometimes strangled to death using their veil. Furthermore, even children is raped and killed. This means, veil or hijab is no longer relevant as a protection to women ustaz. What do you say?"
The above point is the common objection of women today when the topic of aurat is discussed.
"Have you ever felt angry in your life?" I asked to counter argue.
"Of course...but what is the connection ustaz?" They asked back looking very confused.
"Usually when someone is very angry, would they be able to evaluate the consequences of their action? For example, when someone is annoyed by the cry of a baby, they may even kick the small baby, push the child down the stairs or stuff the child's face with a pillow to stop the annoying noise. After a few seconds, the person may be conscious of what he or she was doing and regret their action."
"The same applies to bad desires. When a person is controlled by their wicked desires, he would not look at the attire or the age of his victim. As long as his desires are fulfilled, any victim would do. That's why even women that cover their aurat properly, a child, an old lady or someone's wife could fall victim of a rapist. Prono magazine, VCD, websites and novels of course has contributed its role to increasing rape crime lately." I explained at length.
"Then, why did Al-Quran say that wearing hijab could prevent women from being molested?" They asked full of curiosity this time.
"If we observe the above ayat, it was prescribed to all women. Thus, if most women does not abide by the ruling and wears indecent attire, then the hijab could no longer prevent molestation. Indirectly, the ayat is explaning that women as a whole is responsible towards the safety of other women by properly observing the requirements to cover their aurat." I explained.
If a woman is planning to wear indecent attire, she should bear in mind that she may be jeopardizing the safety of another woman because she has activated the sexual arousement of a male.
CAR POOL TO MASJID
One day I car-pooled with office colleagues to the masjid in Kuala Lumpur to perform Friday prayers. When we arrived at a traffic light near the Golden Triangle, suddenly a few friends in the car was very excited and was wistling and teasing... "Uii....look at that....peh....that's tempting..." Then a friend reminded them:
"Astaghfirullah...what are you guys doing....ustaz is here with us." They concurred and said "Sorry we forgot...that's why it's good to bring ustaz along...at least he could remind us."
You can guess what they saw right? Alhamdulillah I did not see anything because I was busy going through various questions that flooded my cellphone. When I asked what happened, they shyly admitted that they were looking at KL women, Chinese and Malays alike, with their mini skirts at the Golden Triangle.
Just imagine how these guys must have felt. They were on their way to the masjid, however they were still aroused looking at indecent women along the way. Are these guys wicked?
"Eee these men are just despicable. How can they be so such a chauvinists? Hopely our husbands are not like this." Maybe most woment would be thinking like this after reading the above scenario.
However, be aware ladies that this is the biggest challenge for the males' out there. Women, that's YOU, with all the beauty that Allah SWT has granted, is a test for the men, as prescribed in Al-Quran:
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاء وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ
ALLURING unto man is the enjoyment of worldly desires through women, and children, and heaped-up treasures of gold and silver
This ayat clearly says that men's main desire is towards women. The Prophet SAW also said:
ما تركت فتنة أضر على الرجال من النساء
"I did not leave a fitnah after me that could bring more harm to a man except woman" (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 7/11, Chapter Zikir & Doa)
MOCKING AN ISLAMIC RULING?
I still remember, at my former office, some of my colleagues if they accidently looked at indecent women, they would always say, "The first look is not sinful right ustaz?" It's sad to ponder upon the condition of Muslims today. Due to ignorance, they do not feel guilty to mock Islamic rulings regarding important matters such as looking at the aurat of a non-mahram.
A hadith: "From Jarir bin Abdullah, he said: I asked Rasulullah s.a. w. about looking at (women's aurat) accidently. Rasullullah said: Withdraw your look!" (Narrated by Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Daud and Tarmizi) - which means, Do not look at it once again according the Prophet's hadith to Sayyidina Ali r.a.
No one should mock any Islamic ruling or anything relevant to the ruling. The Prophet SAW said:-
ان العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة ما يتبين فيها يزلّ بها إلى النار أبعد مما بين المشرق والمغرب
"Verily a servant that says something without realizing the ruling or impact of his saying, then his words may cause him to be tossed in hell as deep as the distance between east and west." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, Chapter Hifdz al-Lisan, 11/256, no 2988)
WOMEN'S INACCURACY REGARDING AURAT
I usually take about an hour to travel from Puchong to Jalan Sultan Ismail before arriving at my office. Along the way, back and forth, I could witness how the understanding of Muslim women today, regarding the need to cover aurat, is very inaccurate. I list several mistakes that are commonly practiced by Muslim women today regarding aurat:
ERROR 1: Aurat is ONLY about covering the hair.
ERROR 2: Wears hijab with short sleeve T-Shirt.
ERROR 3: Wears hijab with slitted skirts.
ERROR 4: Wears hijab with tight and transparent blouse that reveals body parts that lures a man.
ERROR 5: Wears very loose hijab that causes the hair to be visible.
ERROR 6: Wears hijab only in the office. Not at home or around the mall.
ERROR 7: Wears hijab but the end of the hijab is pulled up revealing the chest.
ERROR 8: Wear a hijab that is made of transparent material that causes the hair, neck and chest to be visible.
Some women believe that covering the aurat is only about covering the hair. This is totally inaccurate as Allah mentioned in Al-Qur'an:
وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husbands' Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, or children that are as yet unaware of women's nakedness (An-Nur: 31)
The meaning of khumur (veil) is anything that is used to cover the head. Meanwhile ‘juyub' (the plural form of jaibun) is the curvature of the breast that is not covered with cloth. Therefore every woman must cover not only their head but also their chest including their neck and all other parts that may lure a male.
According to Syeikh Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi, the adornment mentioned in the above ayat refers to anything that is worn to beautify oneself; either natural beauty like face, hair and body; or man made beuatification like dress, embellishment, make-up and others.
In the above ayat, Allah commanded women to conceal the adornment without any exemption. The only exemption was "what is apparent". The scholars therefore have differences in opinion about the meaning and extent of "what is apparent".
For example, Ibnu Abbas r.a, one of the great companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) interpreted "what is apparent" as eyeliner and ring. Anas Bin Malik is also of the same opinion. Therefore, the body parts where the eyeliner and the ring are worn (i.e. the face and the palms) would also be considered as apparent. This also the opinon of the Tabien like Said bin Jubair, 'Atha', Auza'i and others.
However, Ummul Mukminin Aisyah r.a, Qatadah and a few others considered bracelet as something apparent. Therefore, the wrist (place of wearing a bracelet) is also considered as apparent if it does not cause any harm (fitnah). Regarding the limit from the wrist to the elbow, it is still under discussion among the scholars; therefore it is better to cover parts between the wrist and the elbow.
According to Syeikh Al-Qaradawi, make up (eye shadow, blusher, lipstick, nail polish etc) worn by women today does not fall under the category of "what is apparent". These make up although is worn on the face but it is excessive and could not be worn except inside the house. The purpose of women applying make up today is to beautify oneself and attract people's attention. Therefore, it is clearly haram to wear such make up outside the house.
In my opinion, it is best for a Muslim woman to conceal her adornment to her best ability including her face if possible, especially if she has a beautiful appearance. This would help minimize the widespread of social problems occurring in our society today.
وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ
"...And not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers" (An-Nur: 31)
All the above mentioned is unanimously forbidden by the scholars. The ruling is directed towards Muslim women where they are not allowed to reveal any adornments on their body like embellishment of the ear (earing), embilleshment of the hair, embellishment of the neck (necklace), embellishment of breast (curvature) and embellishment of the leg (calf and "bangle"). They could reveal all these to the males (non-mahram). Only the face and the palms could be revealed.
Evidence (dalil) from al-Quran and al-Hadith clearly forbid women to wear attire that is made of transparent material that reveals their skin or tight attire that shows their body shape. Most importantly the attire should not reveal luring body parts such as the breast, the thigh and others.
In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, Rasulullah s.a.w. said:
"Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: (1) people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people (unjust rulers); (2) the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make others incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance" (Narrated by Muslim).
The women are said to wear attire but is still naked because they do have cloth on their body but it does not cover the aurat because it is transparent and exposes their skin; like the wearing of many women today. (Al-Halal Wal Haram Fil Islam, Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi)
‘Bukhtun' is a type of camel that has a big hump. Women's hair looks like the hump of a camel when it is pulled and tangled over their head. Although the hadith was revealed thousand years ago, the Prophet s.a.w. was able to warn us of what would happen now. Today there are various saloons that set hair for women with millions of fashion and sadly men are the hair setter at most of these saloons.
Prohibition to wear transparent clothing
Saidatina Aisyah r.a narrated that her sister Asma' binti Abu Bakar entered the house of the Prophet s.a.w wearing attire made of transparent material that showed her skin. The Prophet s.a.w turned away from her and said:
"Hai Asma'! Verily when a woman has achieved puberty, she should not reveal her body except for this and this - showing the face and the palms." (Narrated by Abu Daud)
Although there is a weak narrator in this hadith, it is strengthen by many other hadith that allows revealing of the face and the palms if it does not bring any harm (fitnah). Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi explained that looking repeatedly at a man or woman (besides their aurat) without any desire is halal. (Al-Halal Wal Haram Fil Islam)
ERROR 9: Wears hijab but rides the motorbike revealing their calf.
It was narrated in hadith that:-
"Allah blesses women that wears trousers (inside their garment)" (Narrated by Al-‘Uqayli, Dar Qutni from Abu Hurairah, Musannaf Abd Razak, no 5043; Kanzul Ummal, no 41245).
According to Imam Mujahid, this hadith was narrated when a woman fell from her ride in front of the Prophet s.a.w and his companions. Her garment hoisted and the Prophet s.a.w turned away his face. The companions then told the Prophet s.a.w that the woman wore trouser inside her garment. As a response, the Prophet s.a.w complimented the woman and metioned the above hadith. (Al-Bayan wa At-Ta'rif, Ibn Hamzah al-Husyani, 3/ 252, no 1831)
Using the same hadith and according to the Mafhum Mukhalafah method in the study of Usul Fiqh, Allah then condemns women that do not wear trousers (inside their garment) when riding their transport.
ERROR 10: Cover the aurat perfectly but enchants her voice when interacting with man. This includes singing and nasheed. It is not suitable for a woman to do da'wah via nasheed because the moment a woman gets on stage with her glamorous attire to perform nasheed, thousand of men's eyes get focused on her. We do not know where exactly the men are looking. Her enchanting voice also melts the heart of the listner and may arouse desires of some men although the woman only sings words praising God.
Al-Qur'an prohibits woman from enchanting their voice when interacting with man. Allah SWT said: "...Then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire; but speak in an honourable manner." (Al-Ahzab: 32)
PURPOSE OF COVERING AURAT
The evidence from Al-Quran and al-Hadith clearly indicates that the issue of covering aurat is primary (qati'e and usul). In addition it is also one of the main sins advocated by Shaitan because exposing the aurat could lead to various other sins; zina (illegal sexual intercourse), pregnancy due to zina, killing of child from zina, divorce due to adultery and many more. Al-Qur'an renders evidence that Shaitan advocates exposure of aurat as its main strive:
"Then Shaitan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts..." (Al-A'raf: 20)
In summary, among the main purpose Islam advocates the covering of aurat for both man and woman are as folowing:-
a) To differentiate between man and beast.
Allah SWT said in Al-Qur'an:
"O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves and as an adornment." (Al-A'raf: 26)
It is clear from the above ayat that covering of aurat is ordained to every human being (children of Adam). Those who refrain from the order has clearly outcast himself from the category of children of Adam and descend into the category of beast that does not have the ability to follow Allah's enjoinment to cover aurat.
b) To protect woman from being molested
This is clear as per my explanation above according to Surah Al-Ahzab ayat 59.
c) As an attire or identification for Muslim.
In Surah Azhab ayat 59 Allah SWT said: « ... That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women)...»
The above ayat elucidates that covering the aurat is an emblem of a Muslim. Allah SWT also
said:
وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
"And anyone who honours the symbols set up by God [shall know that] verily, these [symbols derive their value] from the God-consciousness in the [believers'] hearts " ( Al-Haj : 32 )
d) Sign of profesionalism.
We could observe today that a number of organizations and restaurants prescribe certain dress code to its employee and guests to ensure high standards of professionalism. For example, it would impossible to find someone wearing slippers in an international convensyen at PICC, Putrajaya. Nor could we come across employees of PETRONAS wearing slippers at their office in the twin towers. All of them need to comply with the dress code ordained by their organization to show professionalism. Compare this with the owner of a grocery store that does not need to maintain any professionalism and could wear any attire he wants.
Islam as a professional way of live is also complete with its guidelines that cover every aspect of life; from private acts (going to the toilet) to administration of the country and economy. Nonetheless, Islam would not prescribe guidelines that are irrational and cause hardship to its followers. Therefore, the dress code in Islam would by no means cause nuisance to Muslims. Conversely it provides professionalism to those who embrace the guideline.
e) As a trial from Allah SWT to test the takwa of Muslims.
This is clear as Allah elucidates in Al-Quran that: "...Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed." (Al-Mulk: 2)
DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
I always come across with this expression and I believe you are the same. The following are the words of those women who do not cover their aurat who always claim to posess pure and kind hearts although they are wearing indecent outfits which reveal their aurat.
"Even women who put on hijaab commit crime nowadays, indulging in adultery, free-mixing and a lot more" A woman share her thought.
"In fact, we too are well-behaved, we do not bother others, we do not backbite and we stay away from bad things" The woman added.
Is it a sound argument? Is it true that the external appearance does not matter in Islam? Some of them are even one step ahead in their arguments that they reason with the meaning of an authentic hadith of the Prophet, which is:
"Verily Allah does not look at your physical being, your outer appearance nor your wealth, but He looks at your heart and your deeds" (Narrated by Muslim).
I feel sorry and dishearten looking at those who when arguing, easily throw out hadith in supporting their whims; indeed, they only utilize Islam in the matter that bring benefits to them.
An employee was caught playing game during working hours by his employer while he has yet to prepare the document requested by him. The employer thus said, "How are you going to excel in your carreer if this is your attitude towards work."
The employee responded, "You may see me outwardly as playing games but my heart is sincere and I performed my duty excellently."
Do you think that the employer believe in what his employee had said? Does Allah consider one's heart as pure and good through disobeying His commandments?
Indeed, something is only regarded as pure and good by measuring it with the scale of Allah and His Rasul, and not merely with the scale of our minds. If we refer to the scale of Islam, the Prophet SAW had said which means:
"Beware, in the body there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound and if it is corrupt the whole body is corrupt, and hearken it is the heart" (Narrated by Muslim)
Based on this hadith, Islamic scale necessitates that the purity of one's heart is apparent in its first stage, which is one's actions. It means that when one's actions always transgress against the commandments prescribed in Islam, it signifies the filth of one's heart. On the other hand, if the external actions submit to the commandment of Islam, thus it should be considered as good in the first stage, which is the external scale of lay people. Nevertheless, the second stage, which is whether one's intention is for seeking Allah's pleasure or for things such as showing off, we should leave the judgment only to Allah.
Therefore, we can judge a book by its cover in certain cases, such as in the case when the fundamentals of Islam are being transgressed; the cover is consequently reflecting what is inside the heart of a person.
Judging based on that which is apparent, does go along with the hadith:
إنما أنا بشر , وإنكم تختصمون إلىّ , ولعلّ بعضكم أن يكون ألحن بحجته من بعض , فأقضي بنحو ما أسمع , فمن قضيت له من حق أخيه شيئاَ فلا يأخذه , فإنما أقطع له قطعة من النار
Which means: "Verily I am only a human being, and you always presented arguments for me to solve. It may be that some of you are better in presenting argument than others. Therefore, I give out rulings based on what I have heard only. He, for whom I have made a ruling that violates the rights of the other party (due to the lack of skill of the person in presenting argument), does not take it. For verily, it will be for him a slice from the slices of hellfire" (Narrated by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidzi and others; Refer Naylul Awtar, 8/632, no 3920).
This hadith clearly shows that a judge in Islam will give a ruling based on the information and the evident proofs presented to him. Similarly, in the case of covering aurat, if one reveals the aurat, it is a sign of transgression against Allah's commands. Thus, how would it be possible for this kind of heart to be perceived as a sound heart in Islam?
Women should realize that when the aurat is not covered properly, every single man who looks at it will be held accountable for every single gaze. The woman, on the other hand, is not going to be held accountable for that one sin merely; rather she will be held accountable for all the gazes from men that fell on her aurat. Just imagine how sinful she is for revealing the aurat only in one day. This is based on the Prophet's word:
من سن في الإسلام سنة سيئة فعليه وزرها ووزر من عمل بها من غير أن ينقص شيئاً
Which means: "Whosoever initiates a wrongdoing, upon him are a sin and the sin of every single person who does it without his sin being reduced even a little..." (Narrated by Ahmad and others-Authentic)
Included in the meaning of intiating is that someone intiates the revealing of her aurat in that day causing the man who looks at her to be held accountable. In fact, the woman herself is sinful for every single eye that sets on her aurat. Would this type of heart be considered as pure? After mountains of sins had rusted it?
Verily Allah is All Just and the Most Merciful. Rush towards Allah's love and mercy by obeying Him. For those who are hardhearted, no words can be shared except; be certain that Allah is true, His Rasul is true, and Paradise and Hellfire are true. If believe in them, why are the actions speak otherwise?
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
SOURCES FROM=http://www.zaharuddin.net/
*Government in Islam
The government in Islam is not only concerned with raising the standard of living, providing goods, services and facilities for achieving a decent life; but also with helping people elevate their souls as well as their bodies. It secures promising future in this world and winning the Hereafter. This can never be found except in Islam, and this is an honor which is only gained by true Islamic governments.
Sheikh Mohamed Al-Ghazaly
The government in Islam is not only concerned with raising the standard of living, providing goods, services and facilities for achieving a decent life; but also with helping people elevate their souls as well as their bodies. It secures promising future in this world and winning the Hereafter. This can never be found except in Islam, and this is an honor which is only gained by true Islamic governments.
Sheikh Mohamed Al-Ghazaly