News:
On 22nd June, 2015, it went viral in main newspapers including in social medias regarding the country’s gymnast, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi who was largely criticized because of the sportswear that she wore in the SEA Games in Singapore recently. The fit suit for gymnastics worn by Farah is actually not a new suit, but it became polemic when it was said to be too revealing and showed the shape of the athlete’s genitalia.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) re-emphasized their stand regarding ‘aurat’ where according to them the Quran did not mention hair specifically as a part of a women’s ‘aurat’. The perception that the ‘aurat’ of a woman consists of all her body parts except her face and hands come from the hadith narrated by Asma Abu Bakar. Hadith is a collection of words attributed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
“SIS is of the opinion that hair is not part of a woman’s ‘aurat’. In fact, the Quran has never mentioned hair as being specifically a woman’s ‘aurat’. “When reading Surah an-Nur (24:31) on covering one’s modesty, it is important to understand the context of when the verse was introduced,” the women’s rights group added. SIS said that the verse which states that women should “draw their khimar (head covering) over their bosoms” was made in reference to the culture of 7th century Arabia, in which women traditionally already wore the khimar.
The Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin has also emphasized in his Twitter account that nobody has the right to judge Farah who has contributed gold medals to the country. Farah’s actions are only qualified to be judged by the Almighty alone and Khairy asked for people to not disturb her.
Comment:
The ‘aurat’ of a women in front of unrelated man, who is not her mahram is her whole body. This is taken from the text from al-Quran which states:
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا
“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof”
(an-Nur 24:31)
The phrase ‘that which [necessarily] appears thereof’ (meaning ‘that can be seen from her’) is her face and her hands. This is the limitation of her ‘aurat’ in front of unrelated men (not her mahram). In the verse above, Allah سبحانه وتعالى ordered women to hide their adornments and forbade it from being shown. Allah did not give any exception, except what is usually seen (face and hands). Thus, the scholars have distinguished views about the definition of what is usually seen and its measurement. For example, the great Sahabah of Rasulullah ﷺ such as Ibnu Abbas (ra), stated in interpreting ‘what is usually seen’ is eyeliner and ring, meaning what can be seen is the area where eyeliner and rings are worn that is the face and hands. That is what has been emphasized by Ulema tayi’bien such as Said bin Jubair, Atha’, Auza’I and others. However, Ummul Mukminin Aisyah (ra) [the Mother of the Believers- Aisha] Qatadah and others came of the conclusion that bracelets are adornments that can be seen. Therefore, the area where bracelets are worn that is at the wrist is allowed if there is no ‘fitnah’.
However, without in-depth studies, SIS boldly tried to interpret this verse alone and denied the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Not only SIS, but also thousands of Farah’s supporters condemned a few parties which criticized Farah’s actions. In fact, the Youth and Sports Minister Khairi Jamaludin also supported Farah’s actions who has contributed gold medals for the country’s contingent.
This is the danger and poison that has been brought by capitalism on the basis of freedom of actions. Capitalism – which is currently being implemented by the West and other Muslim countries – indeed stands on three main principles. Firstly- separating life affairs from religion. Secondly- making profit as the benchmark in actions and everything. Thirdly- measuring happiness by fulfilling materialistic profits alone. These three concepts have produced the Western civilization with capitalism as its ideology. Thus, it is not surprising if the glitters of gold in the SEA Games is prioritized compared to prioritizing the Islamic Shariah. According to them, the Shariah can be thrown in the dustbin anytime as long as they get to fulfill all the demands of capitalism.
These are the traps created by the capitalist on the basis of freedom for women. Women are viewed as honorable if they can contribute to the country, regardless be it in aspects of economy, politic or social. Women’s dignity are worthless compared to the material profit that can be obtained. Women are easily exploited for materialistic benefit.
O Muslims, it is time to realize the snares and traps of the West and the devil. They will never stop in misleading the Islamic Ummah. Let us return to the Islamic Shariah and reject the Kufr systems that have been implemented upon us. In the Holy Quran, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has stated which means
وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلاَ النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ
“And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.”
(al-Baqarah 2:120)
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Sumayyah Ammar
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir