"The Hijab Issue..."
|
|
"The Hijab Issue..." |
|
|
First let me state that this is NOT a true story. This is however my understanding of today’s women and some of the issues that pressure them from wearing the Hijab. As such, I have written this tale to express my feelings on the issue to make it easier to put across to the readers. Here's the tale… There was this girl who was very versed in her religion. She studied hard and she was doing well in most aspects of her life. She did not do one thing however, that is to wear the Hijab. Not for lack of knowledge or encouragement, but simply because it was inconvenient for her at the time and she wasn't ready. She advised her Muslim companions that she does everything else, prays, goes mosque, etc. But she didn't wear the hijab. She had many reasons, good ones she thought. She wasn't knowledgeable enough in Islam to wear it. She wasn't dedicated enough yet. She didn't want to commit to it before understanding it and all its issues fully. But she knew that the Hijab was compulsory upon her... Two years passed. She finished school. She continued to pray. She continued to observe her religion. She dedicated herself to her work, her mosque and her family. But she still continued to claim it wasn't time yet. She wants to have a career first and many prominent businesses don't like such clothing. Most guys are intimidated by it. She fears she would lose her individuality and independence. But she knew that the Hijab was compulsory upon her... Three more years have passed. She is doing very well in work. She still takes the time to pray, go to mosque, assist her friends and family. She is again gently reminded of the hijab, the intention she made to wear it and its importance to her Islam. She states that she has time. She is still young and enjoying life. Her friends once again remind her of its importance. She grows frustrated and gets defensive. “I go to mosque right? I pray don’t I? I keep my fast in Ramadan right? I even wear the shalwar at Muslim functions!” Besides she says, the job she has worked hard in for the past three years requires a uniform dress code and the hijab would hinder her ability to advance to better positions at work as the management wouldn’t be comfortable with her wearing it due to all the negative thoughts in the world about Islam. She needs to keep advancing herself at work to have a comfortable future and the hijab would bring her difficulties. She has to think of the future after all… Some days later she died in a tragic car accident… She stood before God and he notes all of her good deeds and praises her dedication to her prayers and kindness to her family. Then he asks her one question. Why didn’t she wear the hijab? The strong answers she had for her friends and family, she couldn’t say them to the almighty with such conviction. She whispered and mumbled half hearted responses… for before god, she was ashamed that she had no real excuse or reason… The almighty passed his judgment upon her. For her lifetime of good deeds and dedication, she would be granted paradise. However, before she could enter, she must, for the five years she neglected his law, spend the next fifty years in the hellfire, to purge the sins of neglect of this law. Only then would she attain paradise… She bowed her head in acceptance… and was led away to her fate… The End… Whatcha Think? Now that you’ve read the story, please allow me to frustrate you a little with some hard facts.
I mean seriously now, I know it wouldn’t be easy, but with a deal like that, I’d walk blindly (for our religion) without a walking stick (question or doubt) across a busy highway at night (this world). Nice analogy huh? LOL. ****************************************** Ok, I have covered the simple reasons. Lets talk more complex now. Here are some actual surahs that deem the Hijab compulsory: (Qur'an) Surah 24, verse 31: "And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husband, fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, etc...." (Qur'an) Surah 7, verse 26: "O children of Adam! We gave indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful." (Qur'an) Surah 33, verse 53: "And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen (curtain), that is purer for your hearts and their hearts." The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Allah , Most High, is heaven, is Ha'yi (Bashful), Sattar (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's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her." The Hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed, there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad). The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes" ( This was a forecast made by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). So please cover up sisters. It will benefit you now, as well as in the hereafter Insha Allah). It is said oh sisters of islam, that 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. ********************************* Phew, Tired Yet? I know this is a lot of reading, may the Almighty praise you and bless you for this simple effort. I’m coming to the end, I PROMISE! * The following is quoted from the book "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Understanding Islam" (By Yahiya Emerick):- "Women have a slightly different dress requirement (to men). The idea is that women are so alluring to men that males may judge them only by their looks or may try to accost them to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothes so that their full beauty is concealed. (Of course, the Qur'an tells men and women to lower their gaze and not to ogle each other). Women do not need to wear their veil (head-covering) and loose clothes at home or when only women or family members are present. Proper dress for Muslim females includes: * A veil to cover the hair (called a hijab). * Loose-fitting clothes. * Long pants or a dress to the ankles and a shirt, gown or blouse that covers to the wrists. * Excessive makeup and perfume are frowned upon. There are some customs that different Muslim women follow that are not required in Islam. These include wearing a veil over the face (niqab), wearing an all-enveloping robe called a burqa, and wearing socks and gloves. These women seek a greater level of piety and thus try to conceal from male view as much of their bodies as possible." ************************************** Ok, I’m tired, how bout you? I think this is enough information for now. Hope I didn’t bore ya! And I hope, even if this doesn’t convince you that you would have at least read it all out and thought over these facts seriously. I don’t expect you to decide anything from this. I don’t even expect you to consider the hijab because of this. All I do request humbly of you, is that you look this series of articles over seriously, and think about what Islam really means to you, and how high a priority you want to make it in your life. And I want you to think what your fate might be if you died tomorrow… or the day after… and what you think HE might say when you stand before him… and what you might say when he asks you about your Islam… Assalam U Alikum! |
|
Asim Wajad Ali |
|
(a brother in Islam) |