In the Qur’an, Allah reminds us:

“Say to the believing men to lower their gazes and guard their chastity,” (Q24:30)

“And say to the believing women to lower their gazes and guard their chastity, and let them not display of their charm – except what is apparent.” (Q24:31) Commenting on the phrase, “what is apparent”, Ibn `Abbas, the famous Companion and the Qur’an analyst, said, “It means face and hands.”

Another verse in the Qur’an has Allah (S.W.T) reminding us:

”O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Al-Ahzab: 59)

A strong Prophetic Sunnah or Hadith relates Prophet Muhammad cautioning Asma’, the daughter of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with both of them) on the dress-code for women:

”O Asma’! Once a girl reaches puberty, nothing of her body may be seen (by non-mahrams) except this and these, (he pointed to his face and hands while saying so).”

The Qur’an therefore reminds us thoroughly of our responsibility as a Muslim woman with regards to her fashion sense when in the presence of non-Mahram men. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) too demonstrates the importance of modesty that should be found in the etiquette of Muslim women. It does not mean that sisters should not look somewhat “fashionable”.

Islam is beauty and it encourages beauty but not lustfullness. We can be very corporate as much as we can without losing our identity as  Muslims. Every Muslim whether male or female is an “ambassador” of Islam. We truly represent our religion when we walk out of our homes.

So, we have to comply adequately with the dress code in Islam to be able to represent the religion very well. We have to show what Islam truly is, if we follow the Islamic standards and not society’s standards. If you go out of your home to work with your flowing gown, drawing your veil or hijab, and you are clean, why should anyone raise eyebrow? You just have to be yourself and close your ears to whatever anybody says about your Islamic dressing.

Hajj: Sokoto secures accommodation for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

The Sokoto State Government said on Wednesday that it had secured decent and convenient accommodation for its Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Muktari Mapia, a  member of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Agency, told newsmen in Sokoto that the facility was secured for the 6,450 prospective pilgrims expected to perform this year’s Hajj.

Mapia said the board had taken steps to address the issue of Maharam (Male escort) which prevented some Nigerian pilgrims from performing last year’s exercise.

He said that a mobile clinic would be set up in all the residential areas to address the healthcare needs of the pilgrims.

The member explained that the measure was part of the agency’s commitment to ensure the smooth conduct of the Hajj.

Mapia said that massive enlightenment campaigns would be intensified to sensitise the pilgrims to methods of performing the Hajj rites properly.

We want our intending pilgrims to know the dos and don’ts of all the Hajj rituals while in the holy land,” he said.

World famous preacher, Zakir Naik storms Lagos

The world famous orator on Islam and comparative religion, Dr Zakir Naik, will be in Lagos this weekend.

The international preacher is coming on the invitation of the Islamic Platform of Nigeria. Naik arrived Nigeria a few days ago.  He was at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja last Saturday, where he moved to Lagos to discuss ‘Similarity between Islam and Christianity’’ at the Sky Pavillion, Adebola House, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, the following day.

Today, Friday 14th June, Dr. Naik will discuss “Religion in the Right Perspective,”  while on On Saturday, 15th of June, he is expected to deliver lectures on “Salat, the programme towards Righteousness”.

Insha Allah, on Sunday, 16th  of June, the scholar will discuss “Media and Islam: War or Peace.”   The event comes up at the Mainbow of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at 10am to 1:30pm daily.

Dr Zakir Naik founded the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai (Bombay), India. Naik says he was inspired by Ahmed Deedat, an Islamic preacher, having met him in 1987. Naik is sometimes referred to as “Deedat plus”, a label given to him by Deedat himself.

Naik says that his goal is to “concentrate on the educated Muslim youth who have become apologetic about their own religion and have started to feel the religion is outdated.”

NASFAT holds conference

All the branches in Lagos Zone 1 of Nasru-llahi-l-Fatih society of Nigeria will gathere at the Ibeju-Lekki branch for the second quater of its conference taking place tomorrow.

The one-day event which holds at Teslimat Elemoro Central Mosque, Ibeju-Lekki will attract key officers of all the 18 branches in the zone to discuss various issues that affect the islamic organisation as well as issues ralating to the forthcoming Ramadan activities.

The Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Taofeeq Adeseun said the conference starts at 10am prompt.

Insecurity: Prayers are complementary to efforts —Ansar-Ud-Deen

By Abdallah el-Kurebe

The Northern States Council of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria has observed that fervent prayers would contribute in bringing about peace as the nation continues to face security challenges.

The Society stated this during its 6th Triennial Congress, which held at Sultan Maccido Institute in Sokoto recently.

According to the Chairman of the Northern States Council of the Society, Ibrahim Adebayo Yusuf, “The security situation in the country is indeed a cause for worry for all, particularly the north,” he stated adding, “We have never stopped praying for peace to reign as it is only in an atmosphere of peace that development can take place. We shall continue to fervently pray for peace, and believe that Allah in His infinite wisdom, will answer our supplications.”

Delivering his paper titled, “Religious Tolerance as a Means of Achieving Peace and Unity,” Dr. Isa Muhammadu Maishanu, quoting from the Qur’an stated that since all prophets brought the message of God, adherents of all religions must learn to tolerate each other.

“Allah instructed us not to prefer one prophet above and over the other. All of them were prophets from God; they brought a single message of ‘There is no god but Allah,” he said.

Represented by Commissioner of Police, Shuaibu Gambo and State Director of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mallam Jibril Danmalam, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed D. Abubakar and Director General of the DSS, Mr. Ita Effiong, respectively concurred, adding that solving Nigeria’s current security challenges is a collective responsibility.

Commending the Society for striving tirelessly to entrench peace, unity and the socio-economic progress of the nation, the IGP said: “Religion should also be used as a tool for bringing  harmony and peaceful coexistence and not for any destructive purposes.”

The DG of the DSS said “All well meaning citizens need to contribute towards overcoming these challenges in Nigeria and the specific ones in the north. Everybody has something to offer in this direction so that Nigeria will record the required level of sustainable peace, unity, security and socioeconomic transformation.”