THE QUESTION OF HIJAB: SUPPRESSION ORLIBERATION?

"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 itis 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 has told them to do so.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters andthe 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..." (Qur'an 33:59)
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. An Iranian school girl is quoted as
saying, "We want to stop men from treating us likesex 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." A Muslim woman who covers her head is
making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her willknow
that she is a Muslimand 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
somewho claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual
discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (S)
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 hijabis the
modest covering ofa Muslim woman. The question now is what is the
extent of the covering? The Qur'an says:
"Say to the believing manthat they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah
is wellacquainted 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..."
(Qur'an 24:30-31)
These verses from the Qur'an 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 coverthe hair, the neck
and the bosom.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style ofdress 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 guidanceand rulings: first,
the Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the
traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who was chosen by Allah to be
the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the
Prophet:
"Ayesha (R) reported thatAsmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to
the Messenger of Allah (S) 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 outergarment is not
necessary.Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be
thick enough so as not to showthe color of the skin it covers or the
shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (S) 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) Anotherrequirement is
an over-all dignified appearance. The clothingshould 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 (S) 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 Westerndress 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.

The Virtues of Hijab

1.An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and tohis prophet (pbuh),
Allah says in the Qur'an: `It is not for a believer, man orwoman, when
Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an
option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His
Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).
Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze
(from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts
(from illegalsexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment
except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw
their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).
Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous
predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include
the hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the
hands and face must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is
preferable for women to cover their whole bodies.
2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a
manifestationfor chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet!
Tellyour wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to
draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is
most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59).
In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the
apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her.When the cause of
attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in
the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of
attraction. Allah(swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their
outer garments andexpose their faces and hands reminding, however,
that is still better for them to keep their modesty.
3.The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of
the hijab: `And when youask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything
you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts
andtheir hearts.' (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and
women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the
hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more
pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of
fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the
ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:
`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of
hypocrisy orevil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with
desire, but speak in an honorable manner.' (S33:32)
4.The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said:"Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii
(Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr
(Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who
takes off her clothes in other than her husband'shouse (to show off
for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "The
hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kindof action committed
there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).
5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: `O children of Adam! We have bestowed
raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc)
and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness,that is
better.'(S7:26). Thewidespread forms of dresses in the world today are
mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the
woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to
safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a
manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah
(righteousness).
6.The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the
believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers
to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet
(pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to
visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly
dressed:"If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the
dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then
enjoy it."
7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Eachreligion has a
morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND"Bashfulness is from
belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the
natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.
8.The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in
the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or
daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man
to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight
MUSLIM man has Gheerahfor ALL MUSLIM women Inresponse to lust and
desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind
that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of
sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheerain men. Islam considers
Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter
or any other Muslim womanmust be highly respected and defended.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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Bride-Price / Dowry for a poor man

One day, a woman came to see the Prophet of Allah [PBUH= Allah's
blessings and Peace be upon him] and said: "Oh!Messenger of Allah! I
do not have a husband and I want to be a good wife; i give myself to
you."
The Messenger of Allah [PBUH] kept silent for a long while.
Suddenly, a man who was present stood up and asked if the woman would
accept him for a husband.
The Messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: "Do you have anything to give her
as a dowry."
The man thought and said: "I have half of my cloth," and indeed he was
wearing a single cloth around him.
"If you give her part of this cloth, you will have nothing to wear
anymore; it will become her possession. Find something else." Since
atthis time the followers ofIslam and the Prophet himself [PBUH] were
poor, the man thought again a long time and declared: "No, I do not
possess a thing to give her."
The Messenger of Allah then told him: "Go to your house and look for
something, even if it is an iron ring."
The man departed and came back a while later, and declared: "I looked
everywhere, but I did not find anything to giveher as her dowry."
After reflection, the Prophet of Allah [PBUH]said: "Did you learn some
of the Qur'an?"
"Yes, I have learned by heart so-and-so Surahs [chapters of the Qur'an]"
The Messenger of Alah [PBUH] therefore declared: "Teach her what you
know of the Qur'an, and this will constitute her dowry."
The couple felt contented with what was proposed, and they got married.

The miracle at the spring of Tabuk

During the year of Tabuk, they went out with the Messenger of Allah
[PBUH=May Allah bless him and grant him Peace], and the Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) prayed Dhur and 'Asr together.
Then he said,"Tomorrow we will meet, Insha Allah, at the spring of
Tabuk. Do not go there until well into the morning. You shouldnot
touch the water until i arrive." We all agreed and, the day after, we
all gathered at the spring of Tabuk. But,when we got there, two men
had already reached it before us and the spring was dripping with very
little water.
The Messenger of Allah [PBUH] approached and asked them: "Did you
touche this water?" Theysaid: "Yes, we did.""Take water with your
hands from the spring little by little until you have collected a
small amount in something." When this was done, theMessenger of Allah
[PBUH] washed his face and hands on it. Then heput it back into the
spring and the spring began to flow with abundant water, and thepeople
began to draw water from it. Then he said [PBUH): "If you live long
enough, you will see this place full with gardens."

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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