Is The Hijab Restrictive???

I remember a time, not too long ago, when a Muslim sister once asked me:-

"I don't understand...why must a Woman restrict herself so much by covering herself in Islam? She can't swim properly wearing all that clothes, what about sports and other recreational activities ?"

Yes...it is true that covering your head and wearing so much clothes, does cause us women deprivation of enjoying certain sports and recreational activities. But the only reason for this, is that the world hardly has things like 'WOMEN'S SPORTS CENTERS' where Muslim women can go and swim comfortably without the khimar (head covering). Swimming may be a problem, but things like football, soccer, cricket, ping pong, tennis and the like have never stopped me :wink:

In the case of swimming though... if you don't have any direct family members with a pool, with whom you can schedule with to give you some privacy, so that you don't have to wear the khimar when you swim, then remember this...

"Our life here in this world is short...are you absolutely going to be stricken with boredom if you are deprived of swimming? Who exactly do you want to please? Do you want to please God (for a short time) in this life so that you can be reunited with Him in Jannah and swim all you want or fly or whatever?? Or do you want to take off the hijab (which he has commanded you to wear) and be condemned to hell for all eternity? It really is simple when you think about it?"

Some Muslims cannot accept the hijab...but please do not let yourself fall into this trap... It is not a good road to go down AT ALL!!!

I am a female member of Youth of Islam, and I do all the sports!!! I wear hijab to play all the sports, like running, football, tennis, ping pong, swimming, aerobics, cycling, etc... But maybe, the reason people find it hard to do these things, is because of the way they tie the hijab... if you want some tips on how to tie the hijab, there are some hijab designs in the 'Youth of Islam' website, under 'Women in Islam' or you can write to me personally at concernedyouths@youthofislam.com.

"May Allah (swt) continue to guide and lead us