ARAK DAN STATISTIK KEBURUKANNYA

Menurut statistik rasmi di United Kingdom, Alcohol-related crime adalah seperti berikut :-



* Hampir 45 - 46 % kejadian jenayah, mangsa meyakini bahawa penyerangnya di bawah pengaruh alkohol (arak).

* Angka tadi naik kepada 58% dalam kes serangan oleh individu yang tidak dikenali.

* 39% keganasan dalam rumahtangga melibatkan alkohol (arak)

* Hampir sejuta serangan ganas yang berlaku dalam tahun 2007-2008, dipercayai dilakukan oleh mereka yang sedang mabuk atau separa mabuk.

(Source: British Crime Survey 2007/08)



Manakala di Russia pula, sekitar 72 % kes pembunuhan adalah berkait dengan akibat minuman arak. 42 % pula kes mati bunuh diri hasil dari arak. Menurut Prof Nemtsov, Russia kehilangan (mati) rakyatnya seramai 500,000 ke 750,000 akibat arak. ( sumber )



Tanpa had dan kawalan berkesan, lebih menggerunkan di UK statistik menunjukkan 30% kanak-kanak berumur 11 hingga 15 tahun turut minum arak sekurang-kurangnya sekali seminggu.



Selain penyebab jenayah, arak juga turut memberi impak amat buruk kepada kesihatan.



Seorang doktor di London memaklumkan purata umur pesakit dari kesan arak adalah berumur 20 ke 30 tahun, sebelum ini biasanya mereka yang berumur 50 tahun ke atas sahaja yang kerap ke hospital akibat arak. (rujuk)


Dilaporkan oleh organisasi kesihatan, di United Kingdom jumlah penduduk yang dirawat akibat penyakit dari kesan minuman arak bertambah dua kali ganda sejak sepuluh tahun lepas.



Secara purata rakyat Britain 'menelan' arak sebanyak 9.6 liters arak keras dan tulen secara tahunan, ia lebih dahsyat dari Russia yang mencatatkan 8.7 liter sahaja. Sedangkan Russia diwartakan sebagai negara yang terbanyak ‘peminum arak' sebelum ini.



Hasil dari petikan statistik ringkas ini, adakah masih terdapat pemimpin yang begitu ‘TIDAK BERTANGUNGJAWAB' sehingga sanggup mempertahankan penjualan arak dengan MELUAS tanpa kawalan dan hanya beriman dengan ‘kawalan diri'?, disamping membawakan hujjah hak kebebasan individu, bangsa, agama tertentu dan hak syarikat?.



Sebenarnya, membenarkan penjualan arak adalah satu pencabulan hak bagi majoriti masyarakat Malaysia yang lain, kerana ia mendedahkan individu lain dalam keadaan bahaya sebagaimana yang berlaku di UK, Russia dan lain-lain negara aktif arak.



HUKUMAN MINUM ARAK DALAM ISLAM



Dalam Islam, arak itu sendiri adalah haram atau dilarang. Sama ada minum sedikit atau banyak adalah sama sahaja larangannya. Demikian juga dadah. Sabda Nabi s.a.w

ما أسكر كثيره فقليله حرام
Ertinya : Apa-apa yang banyaknya memabukkan, maka sedikitnya juga haram ( walaupun belum memabukkan) ( Riwayat Ahmad, Tirmizi, Abu Daud : Ibn HIbban : Sohih )



Ayat al-Quran dan hadis berkenaannya terlalu banyak dan amat biasa kita baca. Islam mengakui wujudnya manfaat kecil dari arak tetapi manfaatnya adalah berdiri di atas kehancuran pihak yang lain. Sama seperti judi, yang menang sememangnya gembira namun ia menang di atas kekalahan pihak yang lain.



Firman Allah swt :

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا



"Mereka bertanyakan kepada kamu tentang arak dan judi, katakanlah (kepada mereka) pada kedua-duanya terdapat dosa yang besar dan kebaikan kepada manusia, dan dosa pada kedua-duanya lebih banyak dari kebaikan" (Al-Baqarah : 219)



Lagi Allah menegaskan :-

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنصَابُ وَالأَزْلاَمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ



Ertinya : Hai orang-orang yang beriman, sesungguhnya (meminum) khamar, berjudi, (berkorban untuk) berhala, mengundi nasib dengan panah, adalah perbuatan keji termasuk perbuatan setan. Maka jauhilah ( DIHARAMKAN) perbuatan-perbuatan itu agar kamu mendapat keberuntungan ( Al-Maidah : 90)

Terbukti secara teori dalam ilmu Islam dan realiti dari statistik yang diberikan, arak adalah salah satu punca utama jenayah, selagi ruang dan peluang dibuka seluasnya selagi itulah manusia akan melakukan kesalahan mabuk.



Kerana itu nabi menyebut :-

الخمر أم الخبائث


Ertinya : Arak itu adalah ibu kepada kejahatan ( Hadis Hasan : Albani ; Silsilah Ahadith As-Sohihah, 1854)


Gunakan kuasa dengan tepat dan adil, selaras dengan perjuangan kamu. Adil dalam konteks arak adalah mengharamkannya dalam penjualan bebas.



HUKUMAN SEBAT BAGI PEMINUM ARAK



Bagi sesiapa sahaja yang bertanya dari kitab mana, dan buku mana, sumber mana diambil hukuman sebat bagi peminum arak, jawapannya adalah seperti berikut, tindakan mengenakan sebatan bagi peminum arak adalah diambil dari kumpulan hadis-hadis Nabi yang cukup banyak, antaranya :-



1) Hadis Nabi :

إذا شربوا الخمر فاجلدوهم , ثم إن شربوا فاجلدوهم , ثم إن شربوا فاجلدوهم


Ertinya : Apabila mereka minum arak, sebatlah mereka, dan kemudian jika mereka minum lagi, sebatlah mereka dan kemudian jika mereka minum lagi, sebatlah mereka ( Riwayat Abu Daud)



2. Hadis Nabi :

أن النبي أتي برجل قد شرب الخمر , فجلده بجريدتين نحو أربعين


Ertinya : Nabi telah didatangi oleh seorang lelaki yang telah meminum arak, lalu telah disebatnya dengan dua pelepah tamar sebanyak 40 kali (Riwayat Muslim) [1]



3. Hadis Nabi

كان يضرب في الخمر بالنعال والجريد أربعين


Ertinya : Sesungguhnya dipukul (sebat) bagi arak (peminum) dengan kasut-kasut dan pelapah tamar sebanyak 40 kali (Riwayat Muslim) [2]



4. Hadis Nabi :-

أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : جلد في الخمربالجريد والنعال , ثم جلد أبو بكر أربعين فلما كان عمر ودنا الناس من الريف والقرى , قال : ما ترون في جلد الخمر؟ فقال عبدالرحمن بن عوف : أرى أن نجعلها كأخف الحدود , فجلد عمر ثمانين


Ertinya : Sesungguhnya Nabi s.a.w merotan (sebat) dalam kes arak dengan pelepah tamar dan sepatu, kemudian Abu Bakar ( di zaman pemerintahannya) juga menyebat dengan 40 kali sebatan, di ketika pemerintahan Umar, beliau meminta pandangan orang ramai dari kampong dan desa lalu berkata : Apa pandangan kamu berkenaan sebatan bagi peminum arak?, lalu Abd Rahman Auf berkata : Aku berpandangan kita menjadikannya hudud yang paling ringan (merujuk kepada sebatan qazf) [3], maka Umar membuat keputusan untuk menyebat dengan 80 kali sebatan ( Riwayat Muslim dan Abu Daud)[4]



5. Athar sahabat

قال علي : جلد رسول الله في الخمر أربعين , وأبو بكر أربعين , وعمر ثمانين , وكل سنة وهذا أحب إليّ


Ertinya : Berkata Ali r.a : Rasulullah menyebat peminum arak 40 sebatan, Abu Bakar juga 40 sebatan, Umar menyebat 80 sebatan, semuanya adalah sunnah, dan ini ( merujuk kepada 40 sebatan) adalah lebih aku sukai. ( Riwayat Muslim ) [5]



6. Hadis Nabi

أن رجلا رفع إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد سكر ، فأمر قريبا من عشرين رجلا ، فجلدوه بالجريد ، والنعال


Ertinya : Seorang lelaki dibawa ke penghakiman Nabi s.a.w kerana telah mabuk (minum arak), lalu Nabi s.a.w mengarahkan sekitar 20 orang lelaki untuk menyebatnya dengan pelepah tamar dan sepatu ( Al-Bayhaqi)[6]



Jika dikatakan, itu semuadari hadis, maka apakah pula dalil al-Quran yang menyuruh? jawabnya adalah

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ



Ertinya : Kami turunkan kepadamu Al Qur'an, agar kamu menerangkan kepada umat manusia apa yang telah diturunkan kepada mereka dan supaya mereka memikirkan ( An-Nahl : 44)



Maka itulah tugas hadis nabi yang bersumber dari kata-kata, perbuatan dan perakuan baginda Nabi s.a.w yang menjadi penjelas kepada Al-Quran.



PERBEZAAN TASFIRAN ULAMA



Ulama telah bersepakat bahawa mesti dijatuhkan hukuman bagi peminum arak, sama ada ia minum banyak atau sedikit. Namun ulama berbeza pandangan dalam sekurang-kurang dua perkara iaitu :-



1) Adakah hukuman sebatan ke atas peminum arak adalah dalam kategori hukuman hudud atau hanya ta'zir.



Kebanyakan mazhab seperti Hanafi, Maliki, Syafie meletakkan hukuman sebat ke atas peminum arak sebagai hukuman hudud.



Namun demikian, sebahagian ulama lain seperti At-Tabari, Ibn Munzir, As-Syawkani, Ibn Qayyim, Al-Qaradhawi, Al-Uthaymin menganggapnya sebagai ta'zir semata-mata, yang mana ia terserah kepada hakim untuk menentukan jumlah sebatan dan keperluan untuk menyebat atau tidak.



Menurut Al-Qaradhawi, ia terbukti sebagai ta'zir kerana wujud pelbagai dalil yang menunjukkan :-



a- Jumlah pukulan berbeza mengikut keadaan peminum. Ada yang dikenakan 40 kali dan ada yang dikenakan 80 kali. Sifat hukuman hudud adalah tetap, namun ini berbeza-beza menunjukkan ia hanyalah dari hukuman ta'zir, yang terserah kepada kebijaksanaan hakim menentukan jumlahnya.

b- Dalam salah satu hadis yang tesebut di atas, Abd Rahman Auf r.a mencadangkan kepada Umar agar diletakkan hukuman yang paling rendah berbanding hudud, ini menunjukkan hukuman ini adalah ta'zir kerana menurut majoriti ulama, hukuman ta'zir tidak boleh melebihi hudud.

c- Cara penjatuhan hukuman juga berbeza, ada yang disebat menggunakan sepatu, ada yang menggunakan tangan, baju dan sebahagian lain menggunakan pelepah tamar[7]. Tidak mungkin hukuman ini dari jenis hudud jika sedemikian kerana hukuman hudud semestinya fixed atau tetap jumlahnya.

Berdasarkan penelitian terhadap dalil dan perbincangan para ulama yang panjang lebar dan mendalam, secara peribadi saya cenderung kepada hukuman ini adalah ta'zir dan bukan hudud. Wallahu'alam.



2) Jumlah sebatan yang perlu dikenakan.



Dalam hal ini, para ulama terbahagi kepada dua kumpulan :-

Pertama : Mazhab Hanafi, Maliki, At-Thawry dan Hanbali : Sebatan sebanyak 80 kali sebatan sama ada lelaki atau perempuan.

Kedua : Mazhab Syafie : 40 kali sebatan sahaja. Namun jika hakim mendapati kesalahannya berat, hakim boleh menambah sehingga 80 kali sebatan, dan lebih dari 40 sebatan itu dikira sebagai ta'zir , manakala 40 sebatan yang awal adalah hudud.



BOLEHKAH PESALAH TIDAK DISEBAT?



Ia bergantung kepada mazhab mana yang dterima pakai oleh Mahkamah Syariah Malaysia, hakim dan negara Malaysia.



Jika Hudud



Jika kesalahan meminum arak diterima sebagai kesalahan hudud sebagaimana pandangan mazhab Syafie. Pesalah tidak boleh dielak dari hukuman sebat tadi kerana hukuman sebat dikira sebagai hak Allah swt. Hak Allah perlu didahulukan dari sekalian hak makhluk dan sesuatu itu termasuk dalam hak Allah apabila kemudaratannya meluas dan umum, seperti zina, riba, murtad dan sebagainya. Namun pelaksanaan hukuman hudud ke atas seseorang pesalah, boleh ditangguh berdasarkan keperluan tertentu.



Dalam kategori ini, semua pesalah walau kali pertama[8] melakukan kesalahan, akan dihukum kerana mudarat ke atas masyarakat umum.



Jika Ta'zir



Jika kesalahan ini dianggap dari jenis Ta'zir, maka hakim mempunyai kuasa untuk mengampun sama ada atas alasan ia kesalahan kali pertama, ia seorang yang lemah, ia seorang tidak sihat dan sebagainya. Demikian menurut mazhab Syafie.



Justeru, sebelum dikritik keputusan hakim, bincangkan terlebih dahulu mazhab mana yang ingin diikuti di Malaysia, khususnya dalam konteks hukum minum arak ini.



SEJAUH MANA SEBATAN INI ADIL?



Pertama



Jika ia benar-benar hudud dan termasuk dalam hak Allah swt, tidak layak manusia yang hina untuk mempersoalkan tentang keadilan, kerana Allah swt sentiasa adil walau menghumban sesorang manusia ke nerakaNya. Allah tetap adil walau Dialah yang menyesatkan sekumpulan manusia dan memberi hidayat kepada sebahagian yang lain. Kerana apa adil? Kerana piawan adil Allah tidak sama dengan manusia yang dicipta. Keadilan Allah adalah kerana dia yang mencipta kita, dan Dia berhak untuk menentukan apa sahaja yang diinginiNya. Jika kita merasakan Allah tidak adil menyesatkan sekumpulan manusia, maka individu tersebut perlu memulangkan nyawa yang Allah berikan kepada mereka dan beredar dari galaksi ciptaan Allah swt ini ke sebuah alam ciptaan sendiri.



Kedua



Sebatan ini, tidak zalim sama sekali kerana ia bukan bertujuan menyakitkan seperti sebatan ekor pari yang menghakis kulit, daging dan sampai ke tulang. Sebatan ini hanyalah untuk pengajaran, seperti denda cikgu kepada muridnya, ibu kepada anaknya atas tujuan mengajar, atas asas belas kasihan dan bukan dendam kesumat dan ‘geram' memukul.



Hasilnya, pelbagai displin sebatan telah ditentukan dalam hukum Islam iaitu [9] :-

•Tidak boleh dipukul wajah dan kemaluan.[10]
•Alat yang digunakan mestilah tidak besar, bukan tongkat yang besar, ia adalah seperti dahan dan ranting sederhana sahaja.
•Tidak diharuskan si pemukul mengangkat tanganya melebihi paras ketiaknya, atau tidak boleh terlihat bawah lengannya semasa mengangkat pemukul, dan pukulan tidak terlalu menyakitkan, tidak pula terlalu perlahan.
•Yang diangkat adalah sikunya sahaja dan bukan lengan.
•Lelaki disebat secara berdiri, wanita secara duduk.


Adakah jenis pukulan yang sebegini pun dianggap zalim? Jika demikian guru-guru sekolah, ibu bapa, suami memukul, adalah lebih zalim kerana hukumannya tidak dibicarakan di mahkamah.



Bagi saya, jika hukuman sebegini pun masih zalim, tentunya yang menuduh ia zalim itu akan jadi lebih zalim kerana bercakap dan mengkritik tanpa ilmu.



Ketiga



Sejauh mana pula adilnya orang luar seperti Tun Dr Mahathir dan yang lainnya, mempertikaikan hak seorang hakim dalam membuat keputusan?.

Bukankah sang hakim lebih berhak menentukan hukuman yang paling adil disebabkan beliau berada sepanjang sesi perbicaraan dari kedua-dua belah pihak, mendengar pandangan kesemua pembela dan pendakwa. Justeru, adalah TIDAK ADIL bagi orang di luar mahkamah untuk mengkiritk sewenangnya keputusan hakim, sedangkan mereka tidak mempunyai gambaran sebenar di sebalik sesebuah kes. Mungkin sahaja, si pesalah sendiri redha dan ingin hukuman dilaksanakan. Justeru itulah keadilannya.



Keempat



Bukankah keputusan hakim patut dihormati sebagai menunjukkan autoriti badan kehakiman dari sebarang gangguan luar?. Kita kerap mendengar di mahkamah civil bahawa sebarang keputusan mahkamah tidak boleh dikritik terbuka sama ada di dalam mahkamah atau diluarnya, kerana akan termasuk di dalam kesalahan ‘menghina mahkamah' (contempt of court), lalu mengapa pula pihak yang kurang maklumat di luar ini dengan senang dan mudah mengkritik keputusan mahkamah Syariah?.



Kelima



Di dalam Islam, adil atau tidak bukan terletak pada logik aqal manusia semata-mata, namun adil yang sebenarnya adalah melaksanakan apa yang diperintahkan oleh Allah swt dan baginda Nabi s.a.w. Kalau dalam konteks kes ini, pesalah juga telah bersedia menjalani hukuman tersebut sebagai satu proses kesedaran dirinya. Adilkah kita mempersoalkan hak pesalah untuk mendapat hukuman.?

WHY HIJAB IS NECESSARY? (Hijab in islam)

Until the Imperialists invaded Muslim Countries and the Muslims started mixing with non-believers, all our Muslim women walked in this world with great respect and dignity. The non-believers were finding it very difficult to come anywhere near the border of our Muslim sisters purity. The Hijab (Islamic dress for women) did not only protect them from those evil eyes of non-believers but also gave them freedom and independence from being misused by them.

The non-believers planned to destroy their barrier through removal of Hijab (Hejab, Hijaab) and unfortunately, many of our sisters, without realizing what shame and destruction they were bringing to themselves, removed the Hijab (Muslim Veil) and exposed themselves.



When imperialists invaded China, they were not faced with Hijab but were confronted with other obstacles and the Chinese refused to co-operate with them. In order to crush this resistance, the imperialists flooded China with opium and made it available to the Chinese free of charge. Once the Chinese were addicted, free distribution of opium ceased and it was given only to those who fulfilled their demands.

Removal of the Hijab had exactly the same effect. At one time, you were independent and lived with dignity, but now you are nothing but a slave of your evil desire and behave worse than a Kafir (infidel). By removing your Hijab (An Act of Faith), you have destroyed your faith. Islam means submission to Allah (SWT) in all our action. Those who refused submission cannot be called Muslims. Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur'an: "And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! So that you may be successful." Holy Qur'an (24:31)

Also, Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) says: Modesty is the symbol of faith and whoever has no modesty (Hijab), has no religion.

There are many sisters who have failed to understand the actual meaning of Hijab.

To observe proper Hijab is to dress up oneself modestly and appropriately covering all parts of body except face and forearms, without showing one's figure or curves and without using any sort of make-up.

Allah (SWT) has given equal rights to both men and women; He forbids either sex claiming supremacy over the other.

Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur'an: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." Holy Qur'an (49:13)

Hijab is one of the righteous deeds and it is a sign of honor and equality with men and stands as a shield of protection against evil man.

The woman in Islam is bestowed with respect and honour and a Muslim gives great importance to his wife. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) Hadith says the best of you are those who are best in resting their wives.

The status of wife is so respectable that she is not bound to do any house-hold work unless she does it willingly and with affection; but if her husband forces her to do any work; he will have to answer to Allah (SWT) for his conduct. Also, she is not bound to earn and maintain the house of her husband. Her work shall always conform to the laws of Islam (Shariat). Unlike the Western world, the Muslim wife is a queen in her husband's house. The first thing a husband does for his wife is to provide a servant and a cook according to his ability and when she becomes a mother, she receives greatest respect from her husband. Contrary to this, is considered a sin by Allah (SWT).

One of the most common phrases in Islam is the 'Paradise lies at the feet of the mother'. And Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur'an: "And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word." Holy Qur'an (17:23)

Allah (SWT) has given great impedance to women and for that reason He orders their children to address them in terms of honor.

What kind of dignity a non-believer has by the way; they conduct their life and expose themselves. They have removed the shield of protection, that modesty of Hijab and left themselves unprotected and that is the cause for the assault, which takes place once every ten seconds in rape and murder around the world. But those true Muslims who observe proper Hijab are protected from such assaults and not one ease or this type is ever heard of.

Moreover Hijab also gives the women an air of authority, dignity and respect, which a non-believer can never claim to possess. Only those who are well behaved can expect admiration and high esteem from others and definitely, those who try to attract men can never be called a well-behaved person.

Those who reject Hijab and wish to attract men are suffering from inferiority complex. They believe men are superior and in order to overcome this feeling, they use their feminine charms. But why should a Muslim woman have such a feeling when she is fully aware of her equality with men?

Hijab, therefore, has such benefits as a guard against any assault, equality with men, air of respect and honor and most important of all, obedience to Allah (SWT) which is equivalent to blood of martyr. Hijab requires women to avoid any sort of attraction to men.

We have many Muslims sisters who are more concerned to please themselves and their non-believer friends than Allah (SWT). Let us not forget the purpose of our existence, which is to cultivate love and affection for Allah in our heart and not for anything else. How can we create that love when we disobey Him? Adoration and affection come from the heart and those who truly love Allah (SWT) will not do anything contrary to this.

Some of our sisters come up with the excuse that the non-believers laugh at them if they observe Hijab and they feel degraded. They may laugh for a little while but after some time, they will have no choice but to respect the Muslim women observing Hijab for their discipline and principles which could not be shaken by their little laugh.

Let us not forget the famous phrase: He who laughs last laughs the longest.

A Muslim sister lives for the future and not for the day; we can all look forward to be in Heaven for believing and obeying Allah (SWT).

Hijab is one of the commandments of Allah (SWT). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that those women who do not observe proper Hijab are blatantly defying the commandment of Allah (SWT). Ahlul Bayt (as) suffered hardships and offered unparalleled sacrifices to bring original Islam to us. Discarding Hijab puts their sacrifices in vain. And the pleasure of Allah (SWT) is the greatest bliss. But for those who disobeyed, what punishment is awaiting them but Hell-Fire!

What successful women have to say about Hijab (Islamic dress for women)?
It is amazing the way things changed overnight when I started on with Hijab. I can feel the extra respect coming my way. People take me more seriously; friends at college think it looks very neat and smart, and I feel protected and confident when I step out. Dr. Mrs. N.Z.Vakil (Medical Student)

The most important thing about Hijab is that it gives you an identity of a Muslim. Moreover, it is another way of obedience to Allah's (SWT) command. People often gives me due respect which I would have not got without a Hijab. Traveling among men has become easy for me as it makes me feel safe and protected. It also gives me a lot of confidence and last but not the least this has brought me one step closer to Allah (SWT). Therefore, I consider Hijab as a blessing from Allah (SWT) and I thank him for His blessing. Reshma Qazi (Arts Student)

The Angel of Death, Azrael (Ezra'il) said: "Obedience to Allah's (SWT) Commandments is better than compassion to the earth". Initially I felt I would be looked down upon in society, but after wearing Hijab, I realized that people do not give you as much importance as you feel they should. The nearness, which I felt to Allah (SWT) by obeying His commandment, is beyond expression. Moreover wearing Hijab has created an aura of respectability in my environment and has enabled me to remember Allah (SWT) more often. Mrs. S.A. Vakil (House Wife)

I feel that at present when demoralization is increasing in the society, every woman should wear Hijab, It is the only thing which protects a woman and makes her feel secured. Shenaz. F. Raj (College Student)

In the modern society of today, a woman has always been looked upon as just another sexual object for the men. Why should one display one's beauty for unwanted eyes to feast upon? The Hijab protects a woman's honor and doesn't arouse unwanted passion from the opposite sex. I feel if the women were to universally adopt the Islamic code of dressing (Islamic dress for women); the rate of incidences of eves teasing, molestation, rape, etc. would be negligible. Wearing the Hijab gives me more confidence in myself as a woman and it doesn't obstruct me in any way in my profession. Mrs. Salva I. Rasool (Graphic Designer)


The stylish coat can be worn in many different patterns; it loosely falls from the shoulders and reaches the knees. A loose long coat falling from the shoulders and reaching the ankles can also be worn with a scarf covering all the hair. The scarf can also have a veil attached to cover the total face (Niqab). A scarf covering the hair fully, can be worn along with a loose shirt falling till the knees as trousers. (Hair should not be seen from below the scarf). This Hijab commonly known as the "Chadar" is a single piece of material which falls from head and is draped on the shoulder. A scarf too can be worn inside it, to cover all the hair.



Hijab (Hejab, Hijaab): Hijab (Islamic dress for women) supplement
Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur'an: "Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between! If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)." Holy Qur'an (21:16-17)

The above verse amply emphasizes the seriousness with which Allah (SWT) created this world and everything that exists therein, including the human beings. Allah (SWT) created us for a specific and important purpose and it is the duty of every Muslim to lead a disciplined life, realizing the seriousness of this purpose.

Human beings must distinguish themselves from animals by decent and disciplined behavior. But how many of us take this life with the seriousness it deserves? All of us originated from one father and one mother and belong to one big family, but it is unfortunate that many of us live without any sense of collective responsibility. We are one community and the action of one-person will not only reflect on other individuals but also the whole community.

In no other religion in the world is human life to be considered to be so sacred that one man's murder is considered to be the murder of the entire human race, and whoever saves a life it is as if he had saved the lives of all mankind.

Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur'an: "For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men." Holy Qur'an (5:32)

When Allah (SWT) commanded our sisters to observe Hijab, it was because of the universal damages that would be caused by refusing to observe it. It is not a matter of individual behavior, as many people may think. A woman going out exposing her charms attracts men, which sets off a chain of undesirable events, causing lot of harm to several people. Thus, the indecent behavior of one person affects the community as a whole. Although the person, who originally caused the damage, is to be blamed for all the consequences, other members of the community are also responsible to some extent for allowing such a thing to happen. Therefore, it becomes a collective responsibility of all of us to ensure that such damages are not caused.

For example, some people were sailing in a boat, which they jointly owned when one of them stated making a hole in the place which was allocated to him in the boat. When others tried to stop him, he argued that it was his part of the boat and he was free to do whatever he wished. But if he was allowed to continue, the boat would sink and all of them would be drowned.

Discarding Hijab will harm not only one's own self but also millions of others. Exposure of physical charm of our women may destroy many homes and cause innumerable rapes and murders for which we all are responsible.

It is pertinent to relate one of the several heart-breaking stories caused by discarding Hijab: A young innocent man, who saw the photograph of an attractive woman, was immediately infatuated by her physical charm. Unfortunately, he had neither wealth nor position to get closer to her. To fulfill his desire, he though of getting money quickly by any means and resorted to stealing.

Finally, he ended up in prison for robbing a few people and killing one.

Who is to be blamed for all the consequences but the person who caused them? Had that woman observed Hijab and refrained from displaying her attractions, these crimes would not have taken place.

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said that on the Day of Judgment, such people would be brought forward for trail on charges of quasi-crimes in which they had a share of responsibility. They would plead that they did not commit those crimes, but then they would be told that they removed their Hijab and attracted this person, which made him indulge in those crimes.

Allah (SWT) states in Holy Qur'an: "Except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much, and defend themselves after they are oppressed; and they who act unjustly shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back." Holy Qur'an (26:227)

Liberation or Sexploitation
Look at the glossy cover of any magazine or advertisements on TV and newspaper, you will find that most of these advertisements have scantily dressed women in alluring poses to attract the attention of men. This proves that the Western society considers woman only as a sex symbol.

The liberation of women in Islam is far superior to Western liberation as it allows women to live with respect, dignity and equality in society.

Equality does not mean aping and behaving like men or dancing to their carnal tunes; that would be an act of inferiority in the face of one's own femininity.

A truly liberated woman always dresses decently and modestly. A true woman will never degrade her body and sell her dignity to the highest bidder. No woman is truly liberated if she is still the slave of her wayward conscience, bodily lust or infidelity.

However, in Islam, women, whatever their role as mothers, wives, sisters or daughters, command respect and have a constructive role to play in society. The Hijab itself gives an aura of freedom to the womankind, facilitating their movement and protecting them from provocation and wanton greed of the human wolves. Removal of the Hijab makes you vulnerable to the lust of men.

By removing your Hijab, you have destroyed your faith. Islam means submission to Allah (SWT) in all our actions. Those who refuse submission cannot be called Muslims.

What is Hijab? (Hijaab (Muslim Veil), Hejab (An Act of Faith), Islamic dress for women)
There are many sisters who have failed to understand the actual meaning of Hijab. Hijab technically means covering. Islam desires the preservation of social tranquility and familial peace. Hence, it asks women to cover themselves in their inter-actions with men, whom they are not related to.

Why is Hijab necessary? (Hijabs, Hijab Pictures, Hijab Girls, Hijabi Fashion)
The dangerous consequences of the Western culture of nakedness and permissiveness are before us. We should think twice before blindly trying to imitate Western life-styles.

How should women observe Hijab correctly?
Basically, the dress of ladies should cover the whole body except the face and hands (i.e. palms and fingers). Hair should not be exposed because Islam considers it as half of the total beauty of women. The Hijab could be of any form and color, a one-piece chader or a three-piece ensemble, as long as it is not tight fitting and does not attract people's attention.

Baseless objections against Hijab

Hijab seeks to imprison women: Those who feel that Hijab imprisons women should refrain from living in houses because it is nearer to a prison than Hijab.
Hijab subordinates women: In fact, culture, which promotes nakedness, takes people nearer to the culture of animals. Wearing the Hijab, on the contrary, liberates women from the trap of Western fashion and maladies. It gives them greater, rather than less freedom and mobility.
Why only women? Science has confirmed that visual stimulation plays a predominant role in the physiology of men compared to women. The fact that the sex-industry in the West is targeted towards the male-market confirms it.
Victims of Ridicule: Some of our sisters come up with the excuse that the non-believers laugh at them if they observe Hijab and they feel degraded. They may laugh for a little while but after some time they will have no choice but to respect the Muslim women observing Hijab for their discipline, which could not be shaken, by their little laughs.
Let us not forget the famous phrase: The one who laughs last laughs the longest.
Beauty is meant to be appreciated: True! But only by the husband. Hence women who truly love their husbands would never wish to be seen in public without Hijab.

What are the disadvantages of discarding Hijab?

Becoming an easy target of anti-social elements.
Causing great stresses, insecurity and suspicion in the minds of husbands, ultimately disturbing the familial harmony.
Instigating young people to deviate towards the path of lust and immorality.
Giving rise to cases of divorce, adultery, rape and illegitimate children.

What are the advantages of observing Hijab?

Confidence in social participation as human being and not as sexual commodity.
Guarding one self from the lustful looks of men.
Not diverting people's attention from constructive social work.
Improving the moral character of the society.
In conclusion, women can achieve true dignity and experience true emancipation by observing Hijab and not by discarding it.

Hijab (Modesty) is also for Muslim Men
"Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do." Holy Qur'an (24:30)

To cast down one's glance, means not to look in a fixed way, not to stare. The sentence means, "Tell the believers not to stare at or flirt with women."

Allah (SWT) has given equal rights to both men and women; He forbids either sex claiming supremacy over the other. Allah (SWT) states in the Holy Qur'an: "The most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you." Holy Qur'an (49:13)

1,900 raped every day in America
Washington: Nearly 1,900 women are raped every day in America, according to a study released on Thursday that paints a much grimmer picture than US Justice Department figures announced earlier this week.

The National Victim Center, which promotes the rights of victims of violent crime, said 1.3 adult women are raped every minute and 683,000 US women are raped each year, based on a survey of more that 4,000 women, including 579 rape victims.

One in eight adult American women has been raped, bringing the total of rape victims to at least 12.1 million, it said.

The survey indicated that 61 per cent of all rape cases involve women under 18 and that 29 percent of all rapes occurred when the victim was less than 11 years old. Reuters (Source: MID-DAY Bombay 25-4-92)