The Law of Tabarruj for Women in Islam

As a Muslim, it is advised for us to always put to broaden our knowledge of Islam to become a faithful follower and istiqamah in Islam. One of the laws that are needed to be understood is the law of tabarruj for women in Islam. 

What is tabarruj? And how does it apply?

Read below!

The meaning of tabarruj in Islam is explained by Al-Qurthubi narrated:

وَالتَّبَرُّجُ: التَّكَشُّفُ وَالظُّهُورُ لِلْعُيُونِ، وَمِنْهُ: بُرُوجٌ مُشَيَّدَةٌ. وَبُرُوجُ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَسْوَارِ، أَيْ لَا حَائِلَ دُونَهَا يَسْتُرُهَ

Tabarruj meant to show or be seen your awrah to the eyes of others. For example: ’buruj musyayyadah’ (a sturdy wall), or the word: ’buruj sama’ (stars), which means there is no barrier under to cover its beauty. (Al-qurtubi Tafseer)

Tabarruj is an act that is prohibited in Islam for its a sign of mudharat, as how Allah explained in the verse:

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى

“And stay in your houses, and do not Tabarruj yourselves like the Tabarruj of the times of ignorance,…” (Quran Al-Ahzab: 33)

Ibn Jauz has narrated the above verse as said:

First, Abu Ubayd

التبرُّج: أن يُبْرِزن محاسنهن

“Tabarruj: is when a woman exposes her adornment (in the presence of her non-mahram)”

Second: Az-Zajjaj

التبرُّج: إِظهار الزِّينة وما يُستدعى به شهوةُ الرجل

“Tabarruj is showing the awrah and everything that is inviting to men’s (non-mahram).” 

Based on the verses above, then it is clear to us that we are advised to avoid the act of tabarruj for the better. Like an over-applied makeup, wearing tight garments, transparent or clear, showing awrah, etc.

If we want to apply makeup and adorn ourselves, then we shall do it in front of our husband, for it is the responsibility as a wife.

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Forms of Tabarruj in Islam

What are the forms of tabarruj in Islam? There are:

• Using Hijab unsuitable to Islam’s law

التبرُّج: إِظهار الزِّينة وما يُستدعى به شهوةُ الرجل

“and the believing women to draw their veils over them.” ( Al-Ahzab, 33: 59)

• Showing adornments

وَلاَ يُبْدِيْنَ زِيْنَتَهُنَّ إلا لِبُعُوْلَتِهِنَّ أو آبائِهِنَّ

“and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, ” (An-Nur, 24:31)

• Wearing perfume

And the verses regarding women’s perfume is written below:

“and the woman who wears perfume and then passes by a gathering is such and such.” (i.e., she is an adulteress)” (Al-Hakim, 3947)

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• Wearing syuhrah clothes

Syuhrah clothing is a type of clothing that different from how Muslim women generally dressed. The women who wear this type of clothing tend to think highly of herself so she appears to be more stylish and modern than the rest.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: 

“‘Whoever wears a garment of pride and vanity in this world, Allah will clothe him in a garment of humiliation on the Day of Resurrection, then set it ablaze.’” [Ibn Majah, 3607]

There is a short passage explaining the law of tabarruj for women in Islam. Wishing we all have broadened our knowledge to get Allah’s blessing. Aamiin.