We all know about the story of Adam and Eve approaching the tree in Paradise and becoming naked because they weren't supposed to approach the tree..even people of other faiths know this common story. But why did they feel shameful when their private parts became exposed?
During todays lecture I attended, Noman Ali Khan gave us interesting details about this story, he brings Surat Al-Araf to our attention, the story of Adam and Eve and how they had shame because their clothing was removed, and the emphasis of clothing.
He says (not exact)
Allah explains the agenda of the shyatn in tricking Adam and Eve..
"Then Shaitan (Satan) whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals."-7:20
The shytans tactic is to get you to sin through a slow process. Just like Adam & Eve, he will come to you multiple times with waswas (his evil whisperings) until he gets you to do the wrong.
So he made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called to them, "Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy?" -7:22
Allah did not teach Adam and Eve the charcstertic of alhaya-modesty or shame...it was naturally instilled in them because as soon as their private parts were exposed they felt shameful and their natural reaction was to cover.
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. 7:26
Allah says in this very aya, the word "Labaas" which means clothing (I never knew that!).
The shyatn doesn't want you to cover, he wants you to be shameless, and naked. The shyatns attack of shame is what he started as the door to all evils. When shame is gone, evils come.
Make a connection to today's largest industry:pronography
Who makes up pronography ? Shameless naked people.
What does pronography lead to? You can answer that yourself.
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. 7:26
There are two types of clothing :you have to wear clothing, and clothing of "tawaqa-righteousness which Allah descirbes as the best. Once we lose our clothes, haram-disobedience begins to occur.
Shytans attack of shame was the start of evil. The lose of shame opens the doors to evil.
O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments (clothing), to show them their private parts. Verily, he and his tribe see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayatin (devils) Auliya' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not. 7:27
Allah is warning us not to fall into the same trap as our parents-Adam and Eve.
The surah continues to talk about how we should dress. There are many parts of the dress descried including, cleanliness, and simplicity-not excessive.
O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters. 7:31
Read more of the surah..http://quran.com/7
Also while I writes this on the Iqraa channel the show Ask Me A question is on and someone asked how should we dress in non-Arab Countries. The sheikh basically said we must wear clothing that is culturally acceptable in the country you live in. You dont have to make yourself stand out in a weird way, you can be conservative and still dress in a way that is acceptable where you live.For an example when you go to Madinah, the male will dress in the white thowb,it would be werid to wear jeans. Or in Africa if you dress in all black, it would be werid, because they wear bright colors, but in Dubai women will wear all black abaya and it is the cultural norm. In America you also dress in a way which is accepted, but dont forget Islamic teachings. He said sisters can wear jeans but he emphasize lose, and he says it twice.
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