'Project Hijabi': The Muslim Fashion Label Part 1

About some two and a half years ago, in 2010, I was hooked into watching Project Runway. The TV show was a good watch that explored various creative ideas pertaining to putting dresses together, using unique materials to do so, and the spirit of cut-throat competition.
It came as a slight shocker to see one of the contestants drape a black fabric over himself and call it 'Taliban fashion' in one of the episodes. I also came across Nina Garcia's statement on Muslim fashion which was very impressive. On being asked whether practicing religious women can also be fashionable, she described how covering up for modesty does not imply dressing like a paper bag. Her idea is that fashion, in contrast to its tainted image of today, is the concept of being trendy without compromising your lifestyle. Next, a couple of years later the world saw a Muslim girl participate in Project Runway!
I chose to write a fashion article for Habibi Halaqas and called it Project Hijabi: The Muslim Fashion Label. Fashion has a very tainted image and the minute somebody says fashion, the Haram Police may just spring into action to explain the do's and don'ts for a Muslim woman. And so, I introduced the real definition of the word clarifying itself being permissible religiously. I mentioned the mixture of immorality into the deal such as "ideas of physical exposure, sexuality, beauty, politics, drug abuse, homosexuality, and inappropriate imagery" which ruin the show.
The first concept that I chose to describe was that of the Hijab. It goes beyond the basic head wrap, all the way to covering the Sunnah dress code, attitude, and lifestyle of a Muslim woman. I discussed the basic dressing protocols of the Hijab that are the covering of awrah (compulsory to-be-covered body parts) before non-mehrams, avoiding imagery and symbolism, abstinence from following other religions' styles, avoiding luxurious dressing, and ridiculous fashion statements.
In reference to Nina Garcia's interview for Hijab Trendz, the article discusses the confusion between being religious conservative and fashion-forward. Even opera gloves are conservative, but very fashion forward.
The world has a misunderstanding about Muslim women being deprived of the wonderful fashion brands of clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics. The article sheds light on the freedom of choice Islam has allowed but within modest ladies-only gatherings, and how no limits are set on how a woman displays herself before her husband. So it is only a fool's tunnel vision when they perceive that Muslim ladies have nothing to do at Victoria's Secret.
The Muslim Fashion Label itself is a good read, I suggest. I have included in it the rules that the garment must follow and which dressing styles comply with these rules. Some unacceptable dressing forms can be revamped successfully to be worn modestly with the right fusion of dresses and accessories.
There is a Part 2 to this article, insha'Allah, which covers other aspects of the fashion industry that have an impact on Muslims. Stay tuned ...

Muslimah's Wardrobe

In Islam a woman has been considered a prestigious individual of the society; she is the golden asset of her family, an ensemble of respect and esteem. That brings an automatic responsibility for guarding chastity. The Muslim code of conduct prescribes that a woman should not be a public exhibit and her charms should be hidden - preserved to be shared only with her husband. Sounds fair? Yes, it does. Every Tom, Dick and Harry should not enjoy the sight of how beautiful a woman is.

The delicate feminism and gentleness that Allah has provided to a woman are blessings. She has been blessed with a responsibility to please her husband and make a family with him. If she chooses to appear "pretty, hot & tempting" for someone other than her husband, it is similar to being the Devil's accomplice.

The blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) said: 

“There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen: men with whips like the tails of cattle with which they strike the people – meaning wrongfully and aggressively – and women who are clothed yet naked, and walk with an enticing gait.” (Sharh Al-Nawawi 'ala Saheeh Muslim 17/191).

When planning wardrobes, the skimpy (tight) options should be eliminated. The main objective is to hide the 'awrah (body parts that are to be hidden). The 'awrah criteria are more relaxed before mehrams, i.e. men a woman cannot marry, e.g. a brother or father. But this clearly does not mean that a woman transforms into a swimsuit model  in front of mehrams. Body-fit clothing should be avoided before mehrams as well, because fitnah can take birth in the most pious of hearts. Shaytan is just hovering over our shoulders to find the best moment to strike.

There is NO ruling on covering yourself up in front of your husband. So you can stop nagging about not being able to shop at Victoria's Secret or the like. There is a REASON they call the fancy lingerie a SECRET. Discussing such ideas is considered a taboo - but I feel it needs to be said because a very uptight image of the Muslimah is being communicated to the world ... as if she is a no-fun woman. A Muslimah is everything! In a HALAL way that is. She may choose to be as 'pretty, hot & tempting' as she wants but only for the ONE man she is made for from the heavens. 

Some women choose to ignore the strict commandments of the preservation of modesty. Their dressing styles are revealing and skimpy! Show's on! There are young girls who do not realize the importance of hijab or safeguarding their 'awrah. 

Wearing a body-tight T-shirt and a capri trouser is not permissible and just because it hides your flesh and bones doesn't mean that it suffices. In clear words, ladies, do NOT reveal the shape of your limbs and parts to the world! Phew! That was REQUIRED to be said. 

There are several other Haraam fashions we could pick on. The churidaar pajama under the pishwaaz is not okay - the shape of your legs is on a world exhibit! Those sleeveless blouses or waist-open sarees are not going to help. Sleeves won't burn your skin and a saree blouse could very well be longer to cover your waist. Capri pants are skimpy AND they show your ankles! WEAR ALL OF THIS AT HOME! Not out on the streets or in front of your non-mahrams.

I think we have the general idea about 'coverage' ...? Let's move on.

There is also loads of instruction about extravagant clothing (Libaas-ul-shuhrah). mmhmm, you're not going anywhere with that $300 Versace or Armani whatever. You cannot choose clothes to build up a status symbol. This is the beauty of Islam, it cares for the feelings of those who look at you and cannot afford to dress themselves up so lavish. 

Allah's messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "He who wears libaas ul-shuhra in this world will be dressed in humiliating clothes on the day of judgment." (narrated by Ahmed & Abu Dawood, confirmed sahih by Al Albani in Sahih Al-Jami' 6526

Isbaal is also forbidden i.e. wearing your clothes so long that they drag below the ankles - that too is a sign of pride. Recall the old movies? The kings have these cloaks that are trailing off on the ground for yards and yards. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Isbaal (wearing one’s garment below the ankles) may apply to the izaar (lower garment), the shirt or the turban. Whoever allows any part of these to trail on the ground out of arrogance, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Judgement." (reported by Abu Dawud, no. 4085, and al-Nisaa’i, no. 5334, with a saheeh isnaad

Colors also play a part in dressing mannerisms. There are encouraged (mustahabb), makrooh (disliked) and haraam (forbidden) colors for both men and women. 

BLACK
Black, I feel, is a beautiful color. Afterall, the Ka'abah is shrouded in black and gold! It is permissible for both, men and women. The prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) used to wear a black turban and a cloak.  
At one time, prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) preferred giving a black garment from an offering of clothes to a Muslimah, Umm e Khalid. It had green or yellow markings on it which he described as good (sannah). 
It is purely innovation (bida'ah) to consider black as a color of death, grief, or bereavement. The innovation comes from Christians who consider black to be a negative color symbolism. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen said (Fataawa Islamiyah, 3/313): “Wearing black at times of bereavement is a false symbol that has no basis. At times of bereavement people should do what is commanded in Islam, which is to say ‘Innaa Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ajirni fi museebati wa’khluf li khayran minhaa (Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. O Allaah, reward me for my calamity and compensate me with something better than it).’ If a person says this with faith and the hope of reward, Allaah will reward him for that and will replace what he has lost with something better.” He also said: “Allocating certain clothes for mourning is an act of bid’ah (innovation) in our opinion, and because it could indicate that a person is discontent with the decree of Allaah.”

Ever seen the black pirate flag? It is the Black Death symbol - of mutiny as well.

WHITE
It is a prestigious colors and angels are said to be shrouded in it.  
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Wear your white clothes, for they are the best of your clothes, and shroud your dead in them.’” (Reported by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz (p. 82)). White is also the preferred colour for men’s ihraam (special garments for Hajj), which consists of an izaar (lower garment) and a rida’ (upper garment). 

RED 
It is the color for Muslimahs, basically, for it is beautiful and is considered as vanity. Any garment dyed PURELY red is forbidden for men. Combinations can be worn e.g. if a garment is striped red and black or etc. Why? There are several suggestions. For one, non-Muslim men wear pure red e.g. the people at the Vatican and etc. Two, it is an imitation of feminism. 

FAST FACTS
1) A woman should not imitate a man in dressing & a man should not imitate women - so the gentlemen who adore wearing dupattas around their neck at mehendis (following the Indian tradition) should reconsider. 

2) Silk is NOT to be worn by men for it is for the women - so gentlemen, try buying Halal ties and shirts next time - read the labels for silk.

3) Clothes with graphics of living beings are forbidden

I thank Allah for blessing me with new clothes and I pray that He keeps me and all Muslims and Mulimahs on the righteous path by dressing beautifully, modestly and Halal. May we all stay far, far away from tabarruj (haram display) and carry ourselves gracefully and elegantly all the way to the Hereafter where if in paradise we shall be dressed in the finest of silks and velvets, inshAllah, Ameen.