WEARING INCORRECT HIJAB IS A MAJOR SIN.

Tabarruj, a term frequently mentioned in Islamic texts, refers to the act of a woman displaying her beauty and adornments in public, which contradicts the principles of modesty prescribed in Islam. The Arabic word derives from "tabarraja," meaning to display oneself or to exhibit one's beauty in ways that attract unwarranted attention.

In the Quran, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala explicitly addresses this concept: "And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance" (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:33). This divine guidance emphasizes the importance of modesty and propriety in a Muslimah's appearance and conduct.

Tabarruj encompasses more than just clothing choices; it extends to behavior, speech, and overall demeanor. When a woman engages in tabarruj, she deliberately draws attention to her beauty through various means, including inappropriate dress, makeup, perfume detectable by non-mahram men, or behaviors designed to attract male attention.

The prohibition against tabarruj is not meant to oppress women but rather to preserve their dignity and honor in society. By adhering to proper hijab guidelines, Muslim women embody the essence of modesty that Islam champions, safeguarding themselves from objectification and upholding their status as respected individuals valued for their character and contributions rather than physical attributes.

Tabarruj manifests in various forms, each contradicting Islamic principles of modesty. Understanding these types helps Muslim women avoid falling into these prohibited practices unknowingly. The categorization of tabarruj extends beyond mere aesthetic choices to encompass behavioral patterns that compromise modesty.

The first category involves improper clothing choices. This includes wearing transparent, tight-fitting, or revealing garments that outline the body's shape or expose parts that should remain covered according to Islamic guidelines. A jilbab that clings to the body, a khimar that reveals the neck or chest, or an abaya that accentuates rather than conceals the figure all constitute this form of tabarruj.

Another manifestation involves excessive adornment. This encompasses wearing flashy, attention-grabbing clothing, sequins, or elaborate designs specifically intended to draw gazes. Additionally, applying makeup, particularly eye makeup and lipstick, when in public spaces frequented by non-mahram men falls under this category.

Behavioral tabarruj includes walking, speaking, or carrying oneself in ways deliberately designed to attract attention. This encompasses using seductive tones when speaking to non-mahram men or adopting a provocative gait when walking. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned against women who walk with a swaying motion to attract attention.

Finally, fragrance-related tabarruj involves wearing perfume that non-mahram men can detect. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly stated that a woman who perfumes herself and passes by men intending for them to smell her fragrance is considered guilty of a form of zina (adultery).

In contemporary society, we witness an unprecedented normalization of tabarruj, where practices explicitly forbidden in Islam have become commonplace even among those who identify as practicing Muslims. This gradual shift has occurred through subtle mechanisms of desensitization, particularly via social media platforms and mainstream fashion trends that market "modest fashion" without adhering to authentic Islamic parameters.

The proliferation of "Muslim fashion influencers" has contributed significantly to this phenomenon. Many such personalities showcase attire that, while labeled as "modest," fundamentally contradicts shariah requirements—featuring form-fitting silhouettes, partially transparent fabrics, or insufficient coverage. Their massive followings inadvertently legitimize these deviations, creating confusion about genuine Islamic dress standards.

Society's pervasive consumerist culture exacerbates this issue by promoting the notion that a woman's worth correlates with her appearance. This materialistic perspective directly contravenes Islamic teachings that emphasize character, piety, and intellect as a believer's true measure. The resultant pressure to appear "fashionable" while maintaining religious identity often leads to compromised standards.

Additionally, the misleading concept of "progressive Islam" has introduced relativistic interpretations of hijab requirements, suggesting that modesty standards evolve with time and cultural contexts. This perspective disregards the immutable nature of divine commandments, which transcend temporal and geographical boundaries.

The amalgamation of these factors has created an environment where many Muslim women unwittingly participate in tabarruj while believing they maintain modesty. This cognitive dissonance represents one of the most insidious challenges facing contemporary Muslimahs seeking to adhere to authentic Islamic principles.

The Muslim fashion industry has burgeoned into a multi-billion dollar market, with numerous brands capitalizing on the demand for "modest" attire. However, many such companies surreptitiously promote tabarruj under the guise of "modern Islamic fashion." These entities warrant scrutiny as they potentially mislead Muslim women about shariah-compliant clothing standards.

Several mainstream "modest fashion" brands market garments that fundamentally contravene Islamic principles. Their collections frequently feature semi-transparent fabrics, form-accentuating cuts, and designs that draw undue attention—precisely what the concept of hijab aims to prevent. Despite their marketing rhetoric about "empowering Muslim women," these brands effectively normalize deviant practices contrary to divine guidance.

Even more concerning are brands that incorporate distinctly un-Islamic elements into ostensibly "modest" attire. The integration of Western fashion aesthetics—such as high slits, plunging necklines partially covered with mesh, or cropped tops paired with high-waisted bottoms—fundamentally undermines the purpose of hijab while maintaining a superficial appearance of coverage.

The infiltration of these compromised standards extends beyond clothing to encompass hijab accessories. Elaborately styled turbans that reveal significant portions of hair, decorative pins designed to draw attention rather than secure coverage, and "part-time hijab" concepts fundamentally distort the religious obligation into a mere fashion statement.

In contrast, genuinely shariah-compliant brands prioritize proper coverage, loose silhouettes, and understated designs that fulfill the fundamental purpose of hijab—minimizing attention rather than redirecting it through "modest" yet eye-catching alternatives.

Within Islamic jurisprudence, sins committed publicly carry greater spiritual consequences than those committed privately. This distinction is crucial for understanding why tabarruj—inherently public in nature—constitutes a major sin rather than a minor transgression. The gravity of public sinning stems from its compounded negative effects on both the individual and the broader Muslim community.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly addressed the severity of public sinning in numerous authentic narrations. In a hadith recorded by Bukhari and Muslim, he stated: "All of my ummah will be forgiven except those who sin openly. It is a part of sinning openly when a man does something at night, then the following morning when Allah has concealed his sin, he says, 'O so-and-so, I did such and such last night,' when all night his Lord had concealed him and the next morning he removes Allah's covering from himself."

This hadith elucidates how public sinning constitutes a dual transgression—the sin itself and the brazen disregard for Allah's concealment. When a woman practices tabarruj, she not only violates the commandment of modest dress but also publicly flaunts this disobedience, potentially normalizing it for others.

The esteemed scholar Ibn Taymiyyah delineated the appropriate communal response to public sinners. He explained: "The one who sins openly and publicly must be rebuked openly and publicly, and there is no backbiting against him. If he manifests evil, it is permissible to mention that evil specifically."

This scholarly position underscores the community's responsibility to address public transgressions rather than maintaining silence under misguided notions of tolerance. Ibn Taymiyyah emphasized that this approach serves both as deterrence and as fulfillment of the collective obligation to enjoin good and forbid evil.

Contemporary Islamic juristic councils have issued numerous fatwas regarding public sinners. These religious verdicts unanimously maintain that exposing public sinners—not for humiliation but for correction—falls under the obligation of nasihah (sincere advice) and amr bil-ma'ruf wa nahy 'an al-munkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil).

The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa stated: "If someone commits sins openly, taking pride in them and showing no shame, then it is obligatory to condemn them publicly and to warn against their behavior, so that people will not be deceived by them and so that they themselves might desist."

A critical misconception among contemporary Muslims involves equating legitimate criticism of public sinners with prohibited backbiting. Islamic scholars clarify that the prohibition against backbiting (ghibah) specifically applies to revealing hidden faults of others. Conversely, addressing openly displayed transgressions constitutes neither backbiting nor unkindness.

Imam al-Nawawi elucidated this distinction in his commentary on Sahih Muslim: "If someone commits bid'ah (innovation) or sin openly, it is permissible to mention what they do openly, but it is not permissible to mention other faults they may have unless there is a legitimate shar'i reason for doing so."

The culmination of these principles establishes tabarruj unequivocally as a major sin. Its public nature—being visible to non-mahram men and potentially influencing other women to adopt similar practices—compounds its gravity beyond a personal transgression to a communal concern.

Islamic scholars categorize sins as major (kaba'ir) when they meet certain criteria: explicit prohibition in the Quran or Sunnah, association with divine curse or punishment, or causing significant harm. Tabarruj fulfills these conditions through explicit Quranic prohibition, association with divine displeasure, and its detrimental impact on individual and communal piety.

At Gamila Muslimah, we recognize our responsibility to provide genuinely shariah-compliant clothing that enables Muslim women to fulfill their religious obligations while maintaining dignity and aesthetic appeal. Our collection of jilbabs, abayas, khimars, and niqabs adheres strictly to Islamic guidelines—featuring loose silhouettes, opaque fabrics, and appropriate coverage—without compromising on quality or affordability.