Youth and Tasattur
Tasattur is an issue that young people need to give importance.
Tasattur, which means to cover the parts of the body that have to be covered and not to show them to non-mahram people, is fard. It is haram and a major sin not to cover the parts of the body that have to be covered.
However, the parts of the body that a woman has to cover are different from those of a man.
Tasattur for a man is to cover his parts between his navel and knees. It is permissible for a man not to cover the other parts of his body. However, what is appropriate in clothing is not to dress contrarily to the common and generally accepted style. Therefore, it is not a common way of dressing to cover the parts of the body between the navel and the knees and to leave the remaining parts uncovered. It is a way of dressing in places like public baths originating from a necessity. The common way of dressing for a man is to cover all parts of the body except the arms feet and head. Strangely enough, it is the women who need to be covered but men are more covered in general.
The parts of the body that need to be covered for a woman are the whole body except the face, hands and feet. In addition, it is not permissible for a woman to wear garments that show the contours of her body. It is necessary for her to wear garments that are not attractive and that are loose.
Why is tasattur especially important during the period of youth?
It is because young people like a fast, active and showy lifestyle. They want to act freely and show their beauties; they do not want to be restricted by rules.
It is observed that many women cover their bodies when they get old because their feelings originating from youth weaken; they have no desire to show their bodies.
A young girl who covers her body and acquires a discipline will be at ease as she gets older. Those who do not act determinedly when they are young might not act seriously and sensitively toward tasattur as they get older.
Let us read the following verses in order to understand the importance of tasattur:
"O prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (al-Ahzab: 59)
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah that ye may attain Bliss." (an-Nur: 31)
As it is seen, a long list of people, most of whom are very close relatives, is given in the second verse in order to state in the presence of which people it is necessary for women to cover their bodies. It does not mean that they can wear short and immodest dresses in their presence; it is also necessary to cover certain parts of their body even in their presence.
The Prophet (pbuh) states the following regarding tasattur:
"Allah is very modest and He covers mistakes. He likes modesty and tasattur. When you have a bath, cover your private parts." (Abu Dawud, Hammam: 1; Witr: 23)
Since tasattur is a definite command of our Lord and since Allah loves those who cover their bodies, it is necessary for us to exert great efforts about tasattur.
Tasattur is fard for everybody but it interests young girls more than others. Our young girls should pay great attention to tasattur because those who obey the rules of tasattur will protect themselves from sins and will obtain double rewards.
The first reward is due to obeying the definite command of Allah.
The second reward is due to doing their best to cover their bodies and declaring tasattur to everybody at a time when it is ignored. A girl or woman who covers her body forms a barrier against those who oppose tasattur and encourages the women and girls who cover or want to cover their bodies.
A girl who covers her body protects herself from evil looks; her tasattur becomes a kind of castle for her. A covered person rejects all kinds of evil intentions with her appearance; therefore, she is always shown respect.
If we are in tasattur, we should pay more importance to it. If we are not in tasattur yet, we should make an important decision soon and obey the command of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh).
If we draw reaction from our family and people around us due to tasattur, it is necessary to show patience. We should not offend them but we should not make any concessions. We should not heed those who condemn and criticize us due to tasattur.
We will enter the grave alone. We will be on our own with our deeds in the Gathering Place, where people will run away from one another. Nothing but our belief and righteous deeds can help us there.
Another important issue is how to apply tasattur. It is necessary to wear loose garments and coats that do not show the contours of the body and headscarves. The name of the garment is not so important as long as it ensures tasattur. It is wrong for those who wear coats and jilbab (burqa) to offend one another. It is necessary for them to tolerate one another and not to quarrel because we have more important things to do.
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