Page 60 - Zeal and Enthusiasm in the Qur'an

Zeal and Enthusiasm Described in the Qur’an

a believer of good character is defined as a person who finds
pleasure in prayer, who performs the worship of his Lord well, and
who obeys Him in secret.
In addition to the commandments Allah has revealed to all
Muslims, there are also those He has revealed to Muslim women.
One distinguishing feature of Muslim women is their care over the

measure of modesty in clothing and their covering their heads.
Muslim women have observed this obligation with great fervor and
scrupulousness in all ages. The verses concerning covering the
head in Surat an-Nur were revealed in the period following the
Hegira:

Safiyyah bint Shaybah said: "When we were with A'isha (may Allah
be pleased with her), we mentioned the women of Quraysh and
their virtues. A'isha said, 'The women of Quraysh are good, but by
Allah I have never seen any better or more strict in their adherence
to the Book of Allah than the women of the Ansar. When Surat al-
Nur was revealed (...that they should draw their veils over their
bosoms...) their menfolk went to them and recited to them the
words that Allah had revealed. Each man recited it to his wife, his
daughter, his sister and other family relatives. Every woman
among them got up, took her decorated wrapper, and wrapped
herself up in it out of faith and belief in what Allah had revealed. …"
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surat an-Nur, "The Rulings of Hijab")
A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "When Allah revealed
the verse: 'and to draw their veils all over their bosoms,' they tore
their aprons and covered themselves with them." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir,
Surat an-Nur, "The Rulings of Hijab")
In the time of the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him
peace), Muslim women immediately obeyed Almighty Allah's com-
mandment, and experienced a great enthusiasm and desire to do

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