A woman may indeed wear a long skirt and a scarf, but if she flirts constantly, then she can't be really described as wearing the Hijaab (Indeed clothes should be long, loose and not see through, after which any style of clothing is applicable). The whole idea involves conducting oneself with dignity at all times (that means running for the bus and boisterous behaviour in public is not a good idea!!). As previously mentioned, the Hijaab depicts a statement, and that is something one should be continually aware of. It identifies you as a Muslim, and ultimately people will judge Islaam by you, and that is a heavy responsibility!! Yet sisters, we must also be thankful that by wearing the Hijaab, we go a long way in fulfilling our duties of Da'wah. Curiosity prompts people to question us, giving us the opportunity to show the non-Muslims the beauty of our religion. O.k., so we may get the stares at times (to which one rapidly becomes immune), but it is amazing how many are sincerely interested, oh and not to forget the redoubtable old British ladies on the Tube ("Oh I do like your headdress, my dear!!!").
Hijaab isn't meant to restrict you from doing the kind of things you want to do, it is a blessing because it makes us check our behaviour continuously, preventing us from doing the things that Muslims shouldn't be doing anyway. Anything (with the blessings of the Almighty, is possible) -studying, working etc. etc. -provided it is within the bounds of Islaam (Halaal).
Sometimes, however the decision to wear the Hijaab can become extra complicated through external pressures, notably family and friends. Unfortunately, even some Muslims nowadays look upon the Hijaab as being too "extreme", and the like and when these attitudes come from members of your family then the decision becomes all the more difficult. Speaking from experience, things do change, because ultimately, you are doing this for Allaah (s.w.t), and he will make it easy for you, by "softening" the hearts of those that may not be all that encouraging. Eventually they themselves will want to follow you because deep down they know that it is the right thing to do. If that doesn't help, then this should convince you:
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said : Allaah the Almighty says: " I am as my servant thinks I am...If he draws near to Me a hand's span, I draw near to him an arms length; and if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes walking, I go to him at speed."
On the other side, it is important to ascertain the motive for wearing the Hijaab. If you are thinking of wearing it to please your husband, to impress people at the mosque, or just as a change, then please think again. Hijaab (as with everything else) is to please Allaah (s.w.t) only, any other motive will not sustain that conviction.
A word also to our brothers; Hijaab may seem to be merely a woman's issue, but that is not so. Muslim men have to follow a dress code too, no matter if it isn't as extensive as for women it still exists! The men, like women, should also wear loose clothes -so no tight fitting jeans please!! Their attitude to all women should also always remain respectful and business like, as the women's attitude to men should be.
Finally, all of the above pales in significance to the words of our Creator (s.w.t): Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. (Al -Qur'ân, ch.24:30-31)
British Muslim girls are learning about fashion design while connecting with their faith.
Faith and Fashion is workshop that encourages Muslim girls to create and learn about Islamic dress and modesty.
All 20 girls taking part in the program attend Islamic schools around London. The program offers them the chance to express personal reasons for wearing hijab and meet others who are interested in Islamic dress and fashion.
Sophia Tillie is a 28-year-old convert to Islam who runs the workshop. She discusses how scrutiny over the burqa has caused the diversity in which Muslim women choose to dress to be overlooked.
The reason I set up Faith and Fashion was to create a safe space where we could look at why some Muslim women have chosen to interpret some verses of the Koran to support the burqa and by opening up that space that allows opportunities for other choices and other interpretations.
Like women of other faiths, Muslim women take time for study circles away from the mosque. They gather at each other’s homes, read and discuss a chapter of the Qur’an. Muslim Voices had the chance to sit in on one of those sessions recently. After their study was over the women – who chose to remain anonymous – talked about what their religion, what their faith, means to them.
“It means everything,” the woman who hosted the study circle said.
One of the key points the women discussed was just how to best express their faith. For several of them taking up hijab – dressing modestly and wearing head coverings – was an important step.
“I spent a good amount of time not doing the hijab,” one woman said, “but I was praying all the time, so that helped me—it pushed me to do it. I didn’t want to do it first because I wanted to be like everyone else. But I didn’t really feel at peace with myself until God guided me, I took the decision, and that was it.”
Their faith, however, goes beyond the hijab. It represents a deeper commitment to “understanding that Muslim means one who submits to God in a peaceful way,” another woman said. “In Arabic it comes from the word salam, which means ‘peace’ and tasleem, which means ‘submission’.”
One common misperception about Muslim lives is that duty to submit to Allah makes them somehow less than men. Which leads to the idea they are all oppressed and looked down upon but these women have a different view. They mentioned that there are some places where Muslim women aren’t treated well, but that mistreatment isn’t exclusive to Islam. One woman saying that every culture has these problems.
“If there are people who misuse power to abuse women in the name of the Koran or the Bible, or whatever, that is definitely wrong,” she said. “But everyone knows that; even the people who do this. I think deep down everyone knows this, and this knowledge of deep-down knowing this is given by God.”
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