Why Pay More Attention to AURAT when the Quran asks us to focus on TAQWA (Righteousness)?

In the ongoing debate about dress code, we may be barking at the wrong tree.

The Quran sets clear guidance on what is the best of clothing. The more Muslims follow the Quran, the more guided we are. When we don’t, we are simply straying away from Allah. We need to be clear on what the Quran wants us to pay attention to, and act accordingly.

The Quran states clearly in the following verse that the best of clothing is dress code of Righteousness. Paying attention to Righteousness is considered a sign from Allah. Paying attention to other than that of Righteousness is considered not remembering Him.

“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.”

Quran 7:26

In another verse below, the Quran equates nobility to Righteousness too. The verse calls out to the entire mankind to judge a person’s dignity, decency, politeness and graciousness with Righteousness. In the sight of Allah, the most noble are those who are the most Righteous. Here the Quran stressed that Allah is the Knowing One and He is the most Acquainted and Aware to the circumstances. Failing to listen to Him may reduce us to be among the ignorant and unaware.

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

Quran 49:13

Semantically, the Quran listed the characteristic of Righteousness in the verse below.

“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who -

·        believes in Allah ,

·        the Last Day,

·        the angels,

·        the Book,

·        and

·        the Prophets

·        and gives wealth, in spite of love for it,

o   to relatives,

o   orphans,

o   the needy,

o   the traveler,

o   those who ask [for help],

o   and for freeing slaves;

·        [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah;

·        [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise;

·        and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle.

Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”

Quran 2:177

Are we then barking at the wrong tree? Why are we then paying more attention to AURAT when the Quran asks us to focus on TAQWA (Righteousness)?

Peace,

Anas Zubedy

Kuala Lumpur