Wearing Hijab whether she believes in it or not

18-5-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

Can a person wear a Hijab when she doesn't believe in it? (as in: forced by her parents) And does she receive reward?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Allah Makes it compulsory on the woman to wear Hijab. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.),…}[24: 31]. In fact, Hijab has obvious advantages not only for the individuals but also for the society. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed….}[33: 59]. Since Allah The Almighty, The Wise is the One Who orders the Muslim woman to wear Hijab, then she must abide by His Orders unconditionally. It is known that the person who does not fully abide by the Orders of Allah is not a complete believer. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision…}[33: 36]. Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.}[4: 65]. The Muslim woman who wears Hijab but is not convinced of that faces a great danger not only in her religion but also her faith. Indeed, it is Allah Who Commands the woman to wear Hijab. So, how can she not be satisfied with it? The person who insists on committing a given sin will be held account for that sin even if he does not do it. If this woman intends to give up Hijab as soon as she can do so, then she is sinful as deeds are subject to intentions as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "The reward of deeds depends upon the intention" . Scholars state that the good acts and the bad ones are related to the intention. Wearing Hijab is a good act and its reward depends on the intention and giving Hijab up is a sin and its punishment depends on the intention behind it. Allah knows best.