Q: I am a twenty-five-year-old girl. Five years ago, I put on the Hijab (veil), as I believe in Allah, His Messenger, the Day of Recompense and the torment that awaits the sinner in the Hereafter. I constantly remember the moment of death. You can not imagine how frightened I become when I remember the day when I will die, because occasionally I do things that do not please Allah. I want to be a pure believing girl whose relation with Allah is based on deep Iman (Faith) and obedience. How can I achieve that? I want to ask: Is it permissible for a girl to correspond with (Part No. 26; Page No. 298) a young man through what is called "acquaintance section", or listen to religious songs performed with the company of modern musical instruments? Why should the pilgrims wear such clothes while performing Hajj?

A: First: It is not permissible for you to correspond with a young man who is not your Mahram (spouse or permanently unmarriageable relative), for such relation stirs Fitnah (temptation) and leads to evil and corruption.Second: You are allowed to listen to religious songs if they do not contain words that exceedingly praise anyone beyond his status, or propagate lies or utterances of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship).Third: Allah orders us through His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) to wear Izar (garment worn below the waist) and the upper garment while performing Hajj and `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) for a wisdom that is only known to Him. It is for this reason that we should obey Allah's orders in the hope of getting the reward, whether we know the wisdom behind the religious ruling or not. However, some scholars mention that by wearing this kind of garment the pilgrim remembers how people will stand on the Day of Recompense when they will all be gathered in the same place without anything distinguishing between the rich and the poor. Thus, this kind of dress deepens the sense of humility and equality in the pilgrims' souls.We ask Allah to guide us all to success and make us steadfast in adhering to the truth until we meet Him!May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.