“And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful” {Surah Nur-Ayah 31}

“O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And Allah is ever Forgiving, Gentle.”{Surah Ahzab-Ayah 59}

Hijaab or Purdah is the Islamic concept and system of modesty and shame. It has its outward (dhaahiri) as well as inward (baatini) dimensions just as all the other ahkaam (laws) of the Shariah. Without the baatini (spiritual or inward) aspect, every law becomes an empty ritual, devoid of vitality and true effect.
In the present era, while many females have adopted the outward dimension of hijaab, they are bankrupt regarding the inward aspect. Their hijaab is restricted to partial body-concealment with types of dress which do not measure up to the standard demanded by both the inward and outward dimensions of hijaab. The cause for the defective outward display of hijaab, lies in the defective inward state. In other words, there is no true hijaab and purdah – no real modesty and shame – in the heart which is the base or the source of hijaab.
MODESTY
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Hayaa (modesty or shame)
is a branch of Imaan.”
[narrated by Muslim(pg47 qadeemi)]

The receptacle in which Imaan resides, is the heart. Just as the source of Imaan is the heart, so too is the heart the repository of all the lofty attributes of Imaan. As long as there is no true hijaab in the heart, there will be no true hijaab on the body. The outward dimension of hijaab will then be a deceptive facade to hoodwink or befuddle either oneself or the people.
TO PURIFY
According to the Qur’aan Majeed the purpose of Hijaab is moral purification and protection against immoral elements. By means of Hijaab,Allah Ta’ala has provided a wonderful safeguard against all agencies of moral turpitude. However, if Hijaab is bereft of its rooh (its inward dimension)—i.e. it is confined to an outward display. then it will not serve the divine purpose for which it was ordained.
TRUE PURDAH
True purdah is possible only if there is khauf (fear) of Allah Ta’ala in the heart. When there is khauf of Allah Ta’ala in the heart of a Muslim female, she becomes the embodiment of hayaa (shame and modesty). Her natural attribute of haya will glitter with a Noor which is bestowed to her by Allah Ta’ala. The lesson of true Purdah can be adequately gained from Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anhaa), the beloved daughter of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
CONCEALMENT
Once when Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) asked her: “What is best for women?” She spontaneously responded: “That no male sees her nor does she see any male.” So elated was Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) with this apt response that he commented: “Faatimah is a piece of my flesh.” In other words, her opinion on this issue was in complete agreement with Rasulullah’s (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) opinion. She said exactly what Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had on his mind.
HER CONCERN
Her modesty was of such a lofty and pure standard that she felt greatly concerned even with the type of purdah to be observed for her dead body. It should be understood that a dead body is not a medium of fitnah. On the contrary, it is a medium of fear and a reminder of Death. Furthermore, the body of a woman is draped in five large sheets which conceal the form of the body thoroughly. Yet she was obsessed with a fear that non mahram males would see her dead body. It was precisely for this reason that she had made the wasiyyat that her enshrouded body be covered with a Purdah of date palms and that she be buried in the middle of the night with no man other than her husband, Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) being present.
A LESSON
Our sisters and mothers should take lesson from the advice and style of the Purdah of Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha). They should understand the great importance of modesty in Islam and dress in a manner which does not defeat the very purpose of wearing a hijaab. At the same time,they must ensure that their actions, conduct and character is in accordance with the inward dimension of hijaab. May Allah Ta’ala bestow hidaayat upon us and grant us the tawfeeq to adopt the true meaning of hijaab,both inwardly and outwardly.Aameen.