The Question of Hijab: Suppression Or Liberation?

The Question of Hijab: Suppression Or Liberation?

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 it is 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 and the 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..." [Noble Quran 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 like sex 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 will know that she is a Muslim and 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 some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 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 Hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Quran says:

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted 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..." [Noble Quran 24:30-31]

These verses from the Quran contain two main injunctions:

A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and

the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress 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 guidance and rulings: first, the Quran, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:
"Ayshah reported that Asma' the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asma'! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not properthat anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to theface and hands." [Abu Dawud]
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 outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) 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]
Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should 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:

Women must not dress so as to appear as men.

"Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" [Bukhari]

Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.

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 Western dress 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.

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BEAUTIFICATION AND ADORNMENT

BEAUTIFICATION AND ADORNMENT :
Author unknown

The Qur’an lays down the code of conduct for women in the following words:
And play your role by being in your houses and do not keep exhibiting your beauty and decorations like what used to happen in the Jahiliyyah period (before Islam). (33:33)
Abu Bakr al-Jassas says in explaining this verse, “This verse points out the fact that women are ordered to play their role in the house and are forbidden from loitering outside of their houses.”
It was revealed when the Muslim ummah was being formed in Madina as an example for the coming generations of Muslims. It sought to put an end to the Jahiliyyah practices of the pagan Arabs.
‘Umar radi Allahu anhu remarked: “By Allah, we did not give any position to women in the Jahiliyyah period until such time that Allah sent His command in respect of them and apportioned for them the role that was to be theirs.” (Muslim)
Under this apportionment women were given the role of making their own homes the centers of their attention rather than going about exhibiting their physical charms and worldly possessions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the following type of women constitute one of the categories of the dwellers of Hell: “Those women who seem naked even when dressed and those who walk flirtingly and those who plait their heads like the humps of camels, thus inviting people’s attention, will not enter Paradise nor will they smell its fragrance even though its fragrance can be smelt from a very long distance.” (Muslim).
[If we look at this hadith closer- "who seem naked when dressed" and apply it to ourselves. Meaning, we must not wear clothing that show the shape of our bodies such as tight fitting skirts, pants, or jackets. what is the point of wearing hijab when a man can see the shape of our body?
The hadith also says "those who walk flirtingly". This needs to be looked at even closer because the way we dress these days "walking flirtingly" may not be intended. The invention of high heels goes all the way back to the history of european fashion. High heels were originally developed for men, so that their gait would seem flirtatious. It then carried onto women, whose purpose was for the women to have a "flirtatious gait", precisely HOW women DO walk on high heels. Sheikh Uthiemeen has ruled wearing of high heel shoes as undesirable for health reasons as well as its deceptive outcome of making the woman look taller than she really is.]
Islam, however, does not prohibit beautification (zinat) on the part of women as long as it is not done in a way that injuriously interferes with the limbs or the body OR is displayed outside the home.
In ancient times there were many kinds of defacement practiced on the bodies of men and animals, partly on account of superstition or pagan custom and partly on account of the craze for fashion and display. Examples of this were tattooing, sharpening or spacing the teeth, shaving or plucking the hair, wearing hair pieces, etc. Many of these practices still survive and are, in fact, getting more and more refined. Since all these practices change or seriously interfere with the natural creation of Allah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed those who indulged in them for the purpose of mere beautification.
One report says, “The Messenger of Allah cursed women who tattooed, and those who got themselves tattooed, those who engaged in sharpening the teeth (as a mark of beauty) and those who had their teeth sharpened.” (Bukhari and Muslim) The Messenger of Allah cursed women who had spaces made between their teeth in order to increase their beauty, thus changing the creation of Allah.
A third report says, “The Messenger of Allah cursed the women who plucked hair and those who were employed to pluck the eyebrows.” (Abu Dawud)
This method of beautification would include the modern practice of shaving the eyebrows and then painting on new ones, or shaving certain hair and leaving the eyebrows to look like two inverted crescents. However, if a woman has some obtrusive hairs on her face which are a problem and embarrassment for her, she may remove them. When ‘A’ishah was approached by the young wife of Abu Is’haq who wished to remove her facial hairs in order to look beautiful for her husband, she advised her to do so. (Reported by atTabarani) Imam alNawawi opposes removing the hairs on a woman’s face because he considers the practice similar to plucking hair.
A fourth report says: ”A’ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed women who wore hair pieces and the women who aided in this practice.” (Bukhari) This method of beautification would include the modern practice of wearing wigs. It consists of using a plait of one woman’s hair or artificial hair and joining it to another woman’s hair with the object of making the woman’s hair appear very long and beautiful.
Mu’awiyah, while holding a plait of such hair in his hands during his address to the Muslims, castigated the ‘ulama: “Where are your learned men gone? (meaning why did they not stop women from using such hair) I heard the Messenger of Allah stop them from using this.” He also said, “Undoubtedly the Israelites destroyed themselves when their women adopted such things.” (Bukhari)
The Shari’ah also requires women to abstain from displaying their “decorations” except to a restricted circle of people. The Qur’an says: 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 save to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical desire, or small children who have no sense of sex; and that they should not stamp their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O believers! Turn all together towards Allah, that you may attain bliss. (24:31)
Thus, the following people fall in the exceptional category to whom decorations can be displayed by a woman: Her husband. Her father, including maternal and paternal grandfathers. Her husband’s father. He is also like her own father. Her son, including grandsons from her son’s side or her daughter’s side. Her husband’s son by another woman, provided that he is staying with her, and she is looking after him as her son. Her brother, whether full, consanguine, or uterine (that is to say, real or step). Her brother’s son. Her sister’s son. Muslim women of good character. Her female slaves or servants. Children who have not yet developed sexual feelings. Her uncle, whether paternal or maternal.
It is noteworthy that the above verse of the Noble Qur’an does not mention uncle, but uncle is included in the exceptional category on the basis of a tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet said, “The uncle (maternal or paternal) is of the same degree as one’s father.” (Muslim)
Let us here give a little more consideration to the women to whom another woman is permitted to display her finery. These are the women with whom she has blood or family relations. It should be borne in mind that the foregoing Qur’anic verse implies only women of good character. Other women who may not be well known to her or who are notorious for their evil ways or who may be of doubtful character are excluded from this permission, because contact with them might easily lead to disastrous results.
That is why the ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu wrote to Abu ‘Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, the Governor of Syria, to prohibit the Muslim women from going to the baths with the women of the Ahl al-Kitab (the People of the Book). (At-Tabari, Ibn Jazir) According to Ibn ‘Abbas too: “…a Muslim woman is not allowed to display herself before the women of the unbelievers and non-Muslim poll-tax payers (Ahl al- Dhimmah) any more than she can display herself before other men.” (At-Tabari).
This distinction between women on grounds of character and religion is intended to safeguard Muslim women against the influence of women whose moral and cultural background is either not known or is objectionable from the Islamic point of view.
It is important to note that permission to display zinat does not include permission to display those parts of the body which fall within the female satr. Thus zinat covers decorations, ornaments, clothing, hair-dos, etc. that women are by nature fond of showing in their houses.
The Shari’ah further requires a woman not to stamp on the ground while walking, lest her hidden decorations should be revealed by their jingle, and thus attract the attention of passers-by.
“O you who believe! Do not enter the Prophet’s house until leave is given you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation; but when you are invited, enter; and when you have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys the Prophet. He is ashamed to dismiss you, but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when you ask his womenfolk for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen; that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that you should annoy Allah’s Apostle, or that you should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is an enormity in Allah’s sight. (33:53)
This view seems to get support from a tradition of the Prophet in which he said: “…a woman who freely mixes with other people and shows off her decorations is without light and virtue ” (At-Tirmidhi)
Hence we may conclude that no Muslim woman should display her zinat (decoration) before others intentionally, but she is not held responsible for something which cannot be helped e.g. her stature, physical build, gait. etc. nor for uncovering her hand or face when there is a genuine need to do so and without any intention of attracting men. In such cases it is the responsibility of Muslim men not to cast evil glances at women with the intention of drawing pleasure from them. The Qur’an ordains: Say to believing men to lower their eyes. (24:30)
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What Is Hijab ?

What Is Hijab ?  (A Most common Question Of all People)

Hijab is not a piece of cloth on your head. It’s a way of life.

Just because some of the sisters have their head covered, they think that the requirement of Hijaab is fulfilled. They don’t realize that wearing a Hijaab requires much more than just covering your head.
Actually, if you think about it, Hijaab is the way you talk…..the way you walk….the very way you carry yourself. In fact, Hijaab is an attitude in itself. Its a whole way of life.
Allaah says:
 “And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty (zeenah) except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you believers, in order that you are successful.” (Surat-un-Nur: 31).

If it is see-through, its Not Hijab.

You cannot use chiffon or other see through material to cover your hair and body. Everything should be covered and the color of the skin underneath should not be visible.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment as a gift. He gave it to Osamah b. Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife. When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that he gave it to his wife.

The Prophet then said to Osamah “ask her to use a “gholalah” under it (the garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.” (Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)

(The word gholalah in Arabic means a thick fabric worn under the dress to prevent it from describing the shape of the body).
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Our Mission

The Main Theme or mission is to aware Muslims Or Non-muslims Women that Hijab is Important to there Life.We also want to give rights to women.

Hijab:
The headscarf worn by Muslim women, sometimes including a veil that covers the face except for the eyes...

Women should stand up for Hijab And Wear Hijab :

This mission can only be accomplished with the help of women from all around the world. They have to stand for themselves and for other women who cannot  get access to the modern communication media. This involves the following steps:

1. Change yourself, choose a life of respect and honor, choose a life with Hijab.

1. Spread the word to your friends, colleagues and others around you. Use technology and communication media for something positive, something that can really change some one’s life
2. Motivate people around you and the people who don’t have access to media and awareness for adapting Hijab, the right thing, a source of respect and honor.

How to Motivate People Around You :

Motivating others is simple if you are inspired and truely wish to try for a positive change in society.

• A man who is inspired towards Hijab can advise his mother, sister, wife or daughter to use Hijab. He can actually start a change from his own home. Then he may advise his friends, colleagues and relatives to convince their women to start using Hijab. 
• A women can play a role better then all, as she can start by changing herslf first by adopting Hijab and then start convincing your mother, sister, sisters in law. friends, colleagues and your neighborhood.

See, if you truely want a change then how easy is to start. So why wait? Start it today, start from your own home, from yourself and let’s build a healthy and peaceful society together.

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