Holepuncher
16-11-05, 08:38 PM
Ms. Fatime Haque, who will attend the University of California at Berkeley in the fall, is one of a growing number of young Muslim women who have adopted the covering their mothers rejected. Her decision to cover herself, which she made in her freshman year, was nuanced and thoughtful. "I noticed a big difference in the way guys talked," she said. "They were afraid. I guess they had more respect. You walked down the street and you didn't feel guys staring at you. You felt a lot more confident." Her parents were surprised but said it was her decision. "The scarf draws the line," said Ms. Alhadi, the daughter of a Singaporean mother and Indonesian father. "It's already a shield. Without it everything comes to you and you have to fight it yourself."
Courtesy: Patricia Leigh for The New York Times
Karen Allen, a 28-year-old scheduler for Sky TV from Stoke Newington, has enjoyed a relatively smooth transition period. She converted to Islam last June and soon started wearing the traditional headscarf or hijab. 'When I first started wearing the 'hijab' to work, there were a few jibes about Afghanistan and stuff, but people are fine now. They say things like: "That's a nice one you're wearing today."
Courtesy: London Life
"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe 'HIJAB' (covering the head and the body) because Allah(swt) has told them to do so.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qurân 33:59)
In other words, a Muslim woman observes 'Hijab', so everyone knows that she is a Muslim and that this covering leads to the virtues that can be expected from her - truth, honesty, kindness, justice, etc. and that's what she expects from them in return.
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality.
"Wearing exposed garments makes a women dumber, and the more intelligent the women, the more noticeable and longer lasting will be her effect on the society. The ability to perform even the most mundane intellectual tasks plummets the more a woman reveal. A woman wearing revealing attire quite simply cannot think straight. If you are wearing short and tight fitting clothes, then part of your brain is continuously monitoring everyone else around you." (Psychologist Rob Bracey in The London Observer 26-Jun 2000 edition)
An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "I don't know why all the western media and their women are trying to give a stereotypical view to all Muslims. Well I am sorry to say that I am a Muslim and live in a Muslim country but I have not yet gone through all those atrocities described by the countless articles published as a sympathy gesture for Muslim women in the media. Islam is a great religion and if anyone wants to study it they should do so on their own and not get their ideas from the newspapers and biased books. Just because I choose to have respect for myself and not prance around half naked like a bimbo or go dancing in clubs, doesn't mean that I'm not a liberal woman. Please! Gimme a break! We want to stop men from treating us girls primarily as showcase objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks."
Now consider this, in a Counseling Article on Teen Advice, the writer deals about the issue of subtle harassment of girls/women which occur on almost daily bases in schools, colleges and at workplaces. Titled as, 'The butt remark dilemma', the girl is advised on, 'how to cope if someone makes a remark about a part of her anatomy'? The list of advises given to such victimized females range from out rightly ignoring the people who are giving such nasty remarks to informing them of their constitutional rights given under Title IX of the 1972 Education Act which states that sexual harassment is illegal in schools/ colleges of USA.
“ I mean...does it take a genius to advice such girls, to wear modest, non-body hugging clothes, that do not enhance or accentuate their anatomy? Am I being too dumb to even suggest this to the girls as the minimal first line of defense against such rogue majority of males who consider such comments thrown out casually as a form of 'appreciation of female beauty' meant to be lapped up and enjoyed by all females irrespective? “
A Muslim woman who covers her head and wear loose clothing, is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.
The question of 'hijab' for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet(saw) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.
The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of 'hijab' is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qurân says:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qurân 24:30-31)
These verses from the Qurân contain two main injunctions:
1. A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
2. The head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qurân, the revealed word of Allah(swt) and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) who was chosen by Allah(swt) to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet(saw):
"Aisha(ra) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah(saw) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." (Abu Dawood)
The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad(saw) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim) Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:
1.Women must not dress so as to appear as men. "Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet(saw) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
2.Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
3. The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.
Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to 'hijab'. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public.
Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.
For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.
http://www.guidedones.com/metapage/women/Hijab.htm
Posted on behalf of Miss Ebony
Courtesy: Patricia Leigh for The New York Times
Karen Allen, a 28-year-old scheduler for Sky TV from Stoke Newington, has enjoyed a relatively smooth transition period. She converted to Islam last June and soon started wearing the traditional headscarf or hijab. 'When I first started wearing the 'hijab' to work, there were a few jibes about Afghanistan and stuff, but people are fine now. They say things like: "That's a nice one you're wearing today."
Courtesy: London Life
"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe 'HIJAB' (covering the head and the body) because Allah(swt) has told them to do so.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qurân 33:59)
In other words, a Muslim woman observes 'Hijab', so everyone knows that she is a Muslim and that this covering leads to the virtues that can be expected from her - truth, honesty, kindness, justice, etc. and that's what she expects from them in return.
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality.
"Wearing exposed garments makes a women dumber, and the more intelligent the women, the more noticeable and longer lasting will be her effect on the society. The ability to perform even the most mundane intellectual tasks plummets the more a woman reveal. A woman wearing revealing attire quite simply cannot think straight. If you are wearing short and tight fitting clothes, then part of your brain is continuously monitoring everyone else around you." (Psychologist Rob Bracey in The London Observer 26-Jun 2000 edition)
An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "I don't know why all the western media and their women are trying to give a stereotypical view to all Muslims. Well I am sorry to say that I am a Muslim and live in a Muslim country but I have not yet gone through all those atrocities described by the countless articles published as a sympathy gesture for Muslim women in the media. Islam is a great religion and if anyone wants to study it they should do so on their own and not get their ideas from the newspapers and biased books. Just because I choose to have respect for myself and not prance around half naked like a bimbo or go dancing in clubs, doesn't mean that I'm not a liberal woman. Please! Gimme a break! We want to stop men from treating us girls primarily as showcase objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks."
Now consider this, in a Counseling Article on Teen Advice, the writer deals about the issue of subtle harassment of girls/women which occur on almost daily bases in schools, colleges and at workplaces. Titled as, 'The butt remark dilemma', the girl is advised on, 'how to cope if someone makes a remark about a part of her anatomy'? The list of advises given to such victimized females range from out rightly ignoring the people who are giving such nasty remarks to informing them of their constitutional rights given under Title IX of the 1972 Education Act which states that sexual harassment is illegal in schools/ colleges of USA.
“ I mean...does it take a genius to advice such girls, to wear modest, non-body hugging clothes, that do not enhance or accentuate their anatomy? Am I being too dumb to even suggest this to the girls as the minimal first line of defense against such rogue majority of males who consider such comments thrown out casually as a form of 'appreciation of female beauty' meant to be lapped up and enjoyed by all females irrespective? “
A Muslim woman who covers her head and wear loose clothing, is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.
The question of 'hijab' for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet(saw) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.
The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of 'hijab' is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qurân says:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qurân 24:30-31)
These verses from the Qurân contain two main injunctions:
1. A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
2. The head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qurân, the revealed word of Allah(swt) and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) who was chosen by Allah(swt) to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet(saw):
"Aisha(ra) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah(saw) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." (Abu Dawood)
The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad(saw) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim) Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:
1.Women must not dress so as to appear as men. "Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet(saw) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
2.Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
3. The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.
Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to 'hijab'. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public.
Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.
For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.
http://www.guidedones.com/metapage/women/Hijab.htm
Posted on behalf of Miss Ebony