Covering as Recognition

Quran verse about outer garments

Want to know what Allah said about outer garments of women in Islam? Read Quran verse about outer garments.

اعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

 Al-Ahzab 33:59

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَٰبِيبِهِنَّۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

My reflection on this Quran verse

This Saturday I was in Wal-Mart on the weekend. I hate to go Wal-Mart on weekend but I had to. It was written in my fate alhamdolillah because Allah wanted to teach me something alhamdolillah. I was waiting in the cashier line along with my beautiful family. I saw a old aged couple next to me in line. I was overhearing the conversation the cashier had with the couple. Cashier asked the couple how long they were together. The man said for 42 years. The cashier asked if they were married 42 years. The woman said they were married for 12 years only but they knew each for 42 years. The cashier was so impressed by their being together for so long. Cashier even wished them that they stay even longer together.  Then our turn came. The cashier was a very interactive kind lady. But she didn't talk anything to us. So I was thinking why is she not getting impressed with us and why didn't she ask us how long we were married while we had three kids as well. So I went ahead and shook hands with this lady alhamdolillah and asked her how is she doing. She said good. And then she asked me if I was ready for Ramadan. I was thinking in my mind how come these people know so much about our religion and we don't know anything about theirs. And the next thing she said "for me avoiding morning coffee is the most difficult thing" and I was thrilled to know she was a Muslim. That was the last thought that could touch my mind that she could be a Muslim because she was wearing western clothes. And I felt bad why I went on dressing and why couldn't i think she could have been muslim. Anyway we talked more and we left the store and I kept thinking about her. I thought why she recognized I was a Muslim. And I realized I had my outer garments alhamdolillah and my girls had head covering and now I understand why in this ayah of Soorah Ahzaab, outer garments is mentioned and Allah told that is it for their recognition. And Subhan Allah, something almost simlar happened yesterday as well. Alhamdolillah. Our whole family was sitting in our car at the gas station. And a man came to fill the gas and he said assalam o alaekum meaning “peace on you”, Muslims greet each other with. And I was again thrilled to know he was a Muslim. I was thinking if my husband was driving alone, could that gas station man still recognise that my husband was a Muslim. Most likely not, unless my husband was reading or listening Quran or making a visible zikr in front of him. He recognised us as Muslim because I had my outer garments and my girls had head covering alhamdolillah. And we were recognised. Alhamdolillah. I also realize that the outer covering I have is not the outer covering the wives of the Prophets had at that time. I was thinking even if had just the head covering I would still be recognized as Muslim because nowadays head covering is a symbol of recognition as well. But Allah said the outer covering was a symbol of recgnition. May Allah give us the courage to have the knowledge of correct definition of outer covering and May Allah give us the courage to wear that correct kind of outer covering. Ameen. Also this Quran verse reminds that this command for all believing women and not just Wives and daughters (may Allah be pleased with all of them) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).