In the name of God, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful (Quran 1:1)
Peace be upon you,
God Almighty reminds in the Quran that He has placed no hardship on us,men
and women both, in practicing Islam - "You shall strive for the cause of God as
you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship
on you in practicing your religion - the religion of your father Abraham..."
(Quran 22:78)
The Quran gives us a clue that women, during the Prophet's time, were not
placed in hardship and were not veiled (hijab) - "Beyond the categories
described to you, you are enjoined from marrying any other women, nor can you
substitute a new wife (from the prohibited categories), no matter how much you
admire their beauty. You must be content with those already made lawful to
you. God is watchful over all things." (Quran 33:52). Clearly, you cannot
admire their beauty if they were veiled. Is it not a historical fact that the
prophet's wife Ayesha took command of the army against Caliph Ali !? How could
she perform that job if she was in veil !?
According to the Quran, the best garment is the "garment of righteousness"
and not the "veil" (hijab) as understood from this - "O children of Adam, we
have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury.
But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of God's
signs, that they may take heed" (Quran 7:26). Obviously, our Islamic scholars
do not take heed from the Quran. They consider "hijab" as the best garment
even though we will find, God willing, later in this article that the word
"hijab" has nothing to do with the dress code for women. Mr. Yusuf Ali
translated the above verse (Quran 7:26) this way - "...but the raiment of
righteousness-that is the best..." ! A question to our Islamic scholar - why
God doesn't say "...but the veil (hijab)-that is the best..." in verse 7:26
above!?
Women shall cover their chest (bosom) and not the face or hair as understood
from this verse - "And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and
maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies,
except that which is necessary. They shall cover (Khimar) their chests, and
shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their
fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands,
their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other
women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or
the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet
when they walk in order to shake and reveal details of their bodies. All of
you shall repent to God, O you believers, that you may succeed." (Quran 24:31)
The Arabic word "Khimar" (not Hijab) in the above verse 24:31 means any
cover. Most of the traditional translations are obviously influenced by so
called hadith attributed to the prophet and take the word "Khimar" as "Hijab"
(veil)! Mr. Yusuf Ali translated the above verse of 24:31 this way -"...they
should draw their "veils" over their bosoms...". The distortion is obvious, the
Arabic word for "veil" is 'hijab" and not "khimar"!
According to Quran, women shall lengthen their garments - "O prophet, tell
your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall
lengthen their garments. Thus, they will be recognized and avoid being
insulted. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful." (Quran 33:59)
A woman may relax her dress code in the following situations - "The women may
relax (their dress code) around their fathers, their sons, their brothers, the
sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, the other women, and their
servants. They shall reverence God. God witnesses all things." (Quran 33:55).
Please note that in case of a male servant we need to refer to the Quran 24:31
mentioned earlier. Elderly women may also relax their dress code under certain
conditions (Quran 24:60).
It is clear from the above verses that the dress code for the Muslim women
according to the Quran is righteousness and modesty and not the veil (hijab)!
The Arabic word "hijab" appeared in the following seven verses of the Quran
which tell us something other than the dress code for women! :
" A barrier separates them (Wa bayna-humaa hijaab), while the Purgatory is
occupied by people who recognize each side by their looks. They will call
dwellers of paradise:"Peace be upon you." They did not enter (paradise)
through wishful thinking." (Quran 7:46)
"When you read the Quran, we place between you and those who do not believe
in the Hereafter an invisible barrier (hijaabam-mastuu-raa)." (Quran 17:45)
" While a barrier separated her from them (Fattakhazat min duunihim
hijaabaa), we sent to her our Spirit. He went to her in the form of a human
being." (Quran 19:17)
" O you who believe, do not enter the prophet's homes unless you are given
permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If
you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do
not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he
was too shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth. If you
have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier (Wa izaa
saaltumuu-hunna mataa-an fasaluuhunna minw-waraaa-i hijaab). This is purer for
your hearts and their hearts. You are not to hurt the messenger of God. You
shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the
sight of God." (Quran 33:53)
" He then said, "I enjoyed the material things more than I enjoyed worshiping
my Lord, until the sun was gone (hatta tawaarat bilhijaab)." (Quran 38:32)
" They said, "Our minds are made up, our ears are deaf to your message, and a
barrier separates us from you (wa baynika hijaabun-fa-mal innanaa aamiluun).
Do what you want, and so will we" (Quran 41:5)
" No human being can communicate with God except through inspiration, or from
behind a barrier (aw minw-waraaai hijaabin), or by sending a messenger through
whom He reveals what He wills. He is the Most High, Most Wise." (Quran 42:51)
The Quran imposes the responsibility on both men and women to subdue their
eyes, and definitely, not to veil the woman (hijab) as understood from this -
"Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their eyes, and to maintain
their chastity. This is purer for them. God is fully Cognizant of everything
they do. And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their
chastity...." (Quran 24:30-31)
Thanks and may God guide us,
M. Irtaza
==============================================================
Adeel Ahmed <> wrote: AoA WR WB:
All was perfect except bit of an "un-parlimentary" language in 1 and 2. Take
care, we are supposed to float it around sisters who dont practice hijab, not
just read and enjoy ourselves.
WASSALAM
Adeel
----- Original Message ----
From: Showkat Ali <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Seeking the path to jannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2006 3:31:25 PM
Subject: Revival-Of-Muslim-Mind:--Top 10 excuses by women who dont wear the
Hijab
Top 10 excuses by women who dont wear the Hijab
Salaams All
This list has been compiled after research and is not intended to offend or
insult anyone. After reading them it is possible to reach ones own conclusions.
As usual please feel free to publish post and circulate as widely as possible.
Comments and feedback would be appreciated as always. Jzk. [EMAIL PROTECTED] com
1. Friends will reject me
The people I hang around with and really tight with none of them wear hijab/
jilbaab and they take the mickey out of those that do. Especially the hijabies
who check out boys and do dirty dancing at college.uni parties. Names like
fundies, molvies, hypocrites and they cover coz they are ugly. If I wear the
hijab then I will lose all my friends and have the piss taken out of me as well.
2. Harm my career
I worked my arse of to get where I am now in my career. I got a big salary,
status and I enjoy the respect I get from colleagues and community. I cant
risk all that for a piece of cloth, besides I would look weird in board
meetings and work parties in the pub and nightclubs. InshAllah when I get
married in my 30s and have kids in my mid 30s, Ill cover as Im supposed to
then.
3. My family are westernised
No one in my family wears hijab, even my grandmother wears bright coloured
stylish clothes. If I were to wear the hijab Id feel strange coz we have
family gatherings where all the women dress in sarees and other revealing
clothes and at our weddings we have a DJ playing bhangra music and we all dance
to bollywood tunes, even my grandmother does a few funky moves on the dance
floor.
4. Non-Muslims will stare
Ive noticed since 7/7 that non-Muslims regard anyone who looks like a Muslim
as a potential terrorist and by wearing the hijab I would attract attention. By
wearing western clothes I get away with non-Muslims thinking Im a Hindu, Sikh
or moderate non-practicing Muslim. Ive even had white guys trying to chat me
up coz they think Im up for it based on the tight western clothing that I wear.
5. Im still young
Im only 27 Ive got my whole life ahead of me. Im still enjoying life, u
know what I mean, flirting with guys,clubbing, hanging out with mates in
shopping centres. When I get married and have kids Ill wear it then
6. I wont get attention from guys
I love the attention I get from guys and the way they look at me u know what
I mean. Im checking out 3 guys at the moment. Ones my age, ones older and one
is older and married. I guess we all need a toy boy as well as a father figure
/sugar daddy. Ill choose one of them, although Ive got a few my age from uni
as back up.
After Ive lived my life to the max and played the field and settled down
then I might consider wearing it, even cover my face coz I dont wanna meet any
of my exs now do I ? Shoot 2 birds with 1 stone, appear pious and avoid hassle
with former boyfriends , great idea, hijab. Jilbab and niqab.
7. I dress modestly
I wear loose modest clothes which cover and hide my curves, I know my hair is
exposed but at least Im more or less covered, better than a lot of girls/women
who dress like tarts.
8. People will think Im a fundamentalist
There is so much in the media nowadays about Muslims getting radicalised and
rejecting western values and becoming fundamentalists. I just dont want people
to think that I am one also. Although I know that the west and its values are
decadent and filthy, I dont think its wise to express this. I pray and fast
etc, I dont need to wear Islamic clothing to be a good Muslim coz Islam is in
my heart.
9. I worked hard to get this figure
After going to the gym and Pilates fro 6 months Ive finally achieved the
hourglass figure which men find attractive. I enjoy the attention I get and
feel attractive. By wearing the hijab/jilbaab I would just be an ordinary woman
in the eyes of men and only religious types with big beards would be interested
in me.
10. When in Rome do as the Romans
We live in the UK and not in a Muslim country so why follow Islam rigidly?
Also compared to non-Muslim women who practically walk around naked I dress and
behave quite respectably.
Whenever I visit back home I wear different clothes coz I dont want people
to think bad of me and my family. One day in my 60s after I have lived my life
I will go to hajj and then become the perfect Muslimah, not now coz I believe
when in Rome do as the Romans.
If I missed any excuses out then add them here or email them to me inshAllah.
www.Islamic- education. blogspot. com
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