Is True Wearing Muslim Women Clothing It's More Expensive?

Is True Wearing Muslim Women Clothing It's More Expensive?

Sister Muslimah from wherever you land. I rejoice because the sisters are pleased to fulfill the obligations of Muslim dress. Of course, I don't want sisters hesitate to do it.

The fashion budget for some families, it could be a big budget. Especially for women who work or daily activity outside the home.

Many people who think that Muslimah dress is expensive and wasteful. That statement may be true judging from the width of the materials used. Because the dress cover from head to toe, layered, too. Not a few among the Muslim women who wear two layers of veil, dress up two to three layers, as well as the skirt of her subordinates. This was also coupled with socks.

Listen to what the fashion experts, if they were asked: "What is the key to dress-efficient?" They often say that the key is the combination. Yes, the combination between the various components of clothing that can be exchanged so it will always seem to look different even though the number of limited collection of clothing. The more components of a fashion, the more possible combinations are generated.

Muslim women clothing fashion turns out to have more components so it will be easier to produce combinations. So you do not need to have a collection of piles of clothing to look different every day. Simply have a few pieces of clothing with colors that are beautiful when combined and match.

The key to saving Muslimah dress are also on the use of accessories and jewelry simple. Muslim woman's dress, because it does not reveal the jewelry out, it could reduce the excessive desire to have jewelry.

Likewise with the make-up and hair salon. This need can spend the budget is not small. Women dressed in Muslim need not go to a salon for hair before attending an important event. Muslim women do not wear excessive make-up when out of the house, because they chose show their beauty only in the beloved husband at home.

A study in western countries proved a Muslim women dress does not require a larger budget than Muslim women do not dress. Indeed, to my knowledge, in Indonesia has not conducted formal research on this. But some Muslim women dress that I know admit it.

Do you not believe? Try wearing it!

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Error in Muslimah Dress/Hijab

Error in Muslimah Dress/Hijab


Clothing that is called or known as "Muslim Women clothing" is not necessarily Islamic, in accordance with the provisions of Islamic Shari'a. We should rejoice, give thanks, Muslimah dress and loved growing Muslim women. Muslim women more and more day wearing a headscarf.

However, it seems unfinished mission of the veil, still leaves a "terrain of struggle". The reason, many Muslim women have not hijab correctly and according to Shari'a. Could be because they wear the hijab simply because it follows the trend, or just make it look un-Islamic, it looks more graceful and beautiful, or simply went along. They were more concerned with the factors of beauty, elegance, stylish, regardless syar'i provisions of the veil, the hijab, or Muslimah dress.

Today many Muslim women fashion models adhere to the principle "an important close aurat". As a result, there are many errors in Muslimah dress, as the following description.

Not Perfect In Closing Aurat

Many Muslim women do not dress completely cover nakedness. There are gaps that show genitalia, but only slightly. According jumhur clerics, women's aurat is the whole body except face and palms.

Genitalia are often revealed in Wrong Muslimah dress
among others:

Neck - Either because of the hijab headscarf is too short or because the wind, must not be visible neck.

Arm - Some Muslim women only use long-sleeved shirt without a decker. Consequently, there is a visible part of the arm when the hand is moved. In fact, from the tip of the shoulder to wrist is included aurat that should not be seen.

Hair - Good hair loose in front, behind, or in the vicinity of the ear, should not be seen.

Legs - Dress higher than the ankle, so there it legs. In fact, leg (all parts), including genitalia that should not be seen. For this, it is recommended wearing a long dress over the ankles, or wearing socks.

Tight
Islam forbids Muslim women dressed in tight. Problem strict limits, Sheikh Al-Albani explains, is said to strict Muslimah dress if it can describe the shape of his body.

It is based on a Usamah hadith. Usamah bin Zaid said: "The Prophet never gave me a thick Quthbiyah dress shirt which is awarded by Dihyah Al-Kalbi to him. Even then I put the clothes on my wife.

The Prophet asked me: Why are not you wearing Quthbiyah? I replied: I gave the dress to my wife. The Prophet said: Tell it to wear behind the clothes in the Quthbiyah, because I am afraid the dress can still describe the form of bones "(Narrated by Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi with sanad Hasan).

Thus, tight clothes is not just clothes that are closely attached to the skin fabric, but also includes clothes that are a little bit loose but still able to describe the silhouette and body shape.

As in several Muslimah shirt, which is widely used today, that there are parts on the hips so that when used can still show curved waist and hips or the silhouette of the wearer.

Included also is strictly contained scarf or tie rubber neck section which when used to describe the shape of the head, neck, and shoulders of the wearer.

An error many also carried out by the jilbaber that already covered a large, it's wearing a jacket out of her headscarf. This causes loss of function of the veil that covers the upper body shape.

Wearing a jacket on the outside of the veil, will show the shape, form sliuet, shoulders, arms, and curved waist of the wearer. The solution, use a super-big jackets and loose, or if you have a jacket that is not great, use in a veil (the veil covering the jacket).

Jilbab Too Short

It's amazing how some of our Muslimah sisters, where he was already aware obligatory to cover the nakedness, but in her heart there is still a desire to accentuate his body parts to make it look beautiful in the eyes of men. As a result, they wear the hijab to the degree necessary, was too short.

Moreover the promotion of "Slang Muslimah fashion" complete with short veils and tight. Sometimes even just along the neck-tie and tied at the neck so that the chest (sorry) not covered by the veil. It is a fatal error in Muslimah dress. In fact, "And let them put her hijab to their chest ..." (Surah An Nur: 31).

Ulama' have argued, a minimum length of the veil is to cover the chest perfectly. But this is not the only means 'enough' along it. Because when the wind, then the chest will be revealed, especially for motorcyclists sisters.

Thus, there is no other option for Muslim women to wear hijab but longer than that. In fact, very good when the veil extends up to calf length or to foot.

Many fashion models are not in accordance with Muslim Shari'a even loved by the Muslimah youth. Apparently, most of them modeled after the artists and celebrities on TV who called fashion such as Islamic dress. Errors of the Muslim women fashion model as viewed from two sides, namely strict and include tabarruj.

Tabarruj
Tabarruj is the behavior of women who showed a jewelry and beauty and everything that must be closed because it can arouse male lust (Fathul Bayan, VII/19).

So, tabarruj not have to show parts of the body including the genitalia. Could be a Muslim women dress that covers the genitals but the clothes are made in such a way that the appealing color combination and knick-knacks that lure men to see the view. "And women don't show off their adornment. "(Surat an-Nur: 31).

Many of these Muslim women student wearing hijab rather wide panhandle to the waist, but wear a jacket and scarf them put in a jacket. Clothing like this is not yet meet the stringent criteria for clothes syar'i - it is the overall shape of the body including the genitalia. By wearing the jacket, the shape of the head, neck, shoulders, arms and chest so it looks.

We hope, hopefully we Muslim women are glorified by Allah, continually improve and maintain the honor himself.

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Two Ayat On Hijab

The Two Ayat On Hijab

1. Surah An-Nur 24 ayah 31

English Translation from Noble Quran by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Ph.D. and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity of 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: they should not display their ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty...."

Roman Transliteration from Yusuf Ali:

"WA QUL LIL MUMINAATI YARDUDNA MIN ABSAARIHINNA WA YAHFADNA FURUUJAHUNNA WALAA YUBDIINA ZIINATAHUNNA ILLAA MAA DAHARA MINHAA WAL YADRIBNA BIKUMURIHINNA ALAA JUYUBIHINN; WALAA YUBDIINA ZIINATAHUNNA ILLAA LIBU'UULATIHINNA...."

It should be noted that the Arabic word khumur (plural of khimaar) which has been translated above in the ayah from Surat an-Noor as veils, means head covers, nor face veils as may mistakenly be supposed. It refers to a cloth which covers all of the hair.

2. Surah Al-Ahzaab 33 ayah 59

English Translation of The Holy Quran by Yusuf Ali

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons...."

Roman Transliteration from Yusuf Ali:

"YAA AYUHA NABIYU QUL LI AZWAAJIKA WA BANAATIKA WA NISAAA IL MUMINIINA YUDNIINA ALAYHINNA MIN JALAABIIBIHINN...."

The ayah quoted from Surah Al-Ahzab further directs Muslim women to put some outer garment over their clothes, and to draw it close around them.

It is a GREAT asset to learn Arabic if it is not our first language. If we don't we have to rely on scholars, people of knowledge, and native Arabic speakers to translate for us. When Arabic is translated into another language it loses some of its meaning...that is the unique beauty of the Quran Majid (Glorious Quran.) I am not saying that we shouldn't rely on these people because of the ayah which says "then ask those who possess the Message (Ahl adh-Dhikr) if you do not know." [Soorah 21, Aayah 7 and Soorah 6, Aayah 43] but only so that you will be able to verify for yourself. “O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with news verify it…” [al-Hujuraat 49:6].

 3. Often times I have asked niqaabi sisters for proof where it says specifically that niqaab is fard or wajib. Nobody ever can answer me. They usually drop the subject or change the subject (usually attacking the person instead of daleel) This does little to back up their position that niqaab is fard. Until this momemt I don't know why it hasn't occurred to me before to ask a scholar who supports niqaab as fard. I will do so in the future and come back to update point number three insha'Allah.

Not all niqaabis believe that this type of veiling is obligatory. Why do they choose to wear it then? The following reasons have been stated: the intention to draw closer to Allah (swt) by pleasing Him; their husbands request it; more hasanat (rewards) for being more modest; living in a muslim land where face veiling is the norm rather than the exception; personal choice because they like it. The latter reason leads me to my fourth point.

 4. Distinguishing between what is MUSTAHABB (encourged/recommended) and what is FARD/WAJIB (obligatory/compulsory) in the SUNNAH(path of guidance from Muhammad saws). The Sunnah has two meanings. The first meaning is in the sense of guidance and examples from the life of the Prophet (saws) There are two subcategories. Wajib is obligatory and naafil is supererogatory. The second is mustahabb, meaning encouraged. If you do it, you will be rewarded but won't be punished for it if you don't. If you neglect something wajib it is a sin and there is punishment for it.

The Prophet's (saw) wives were Mothers of the Believers so what applied to them did NOT always apply to other women in certain cirumstances for instance, after the Prophet (saw) died no man could marry them. Did Aisha (raa) narrate that the Prophet (saw) said niqaab is fard? Did Asma? Did Hafsa? Did Fatima? Is there a Hadith Qudsi that explains niqaab as being fard? If there is a hadith show it to me. Certainly the mothers of the believers veiled their faces and if one wants to strive to be like them (noone will ever be able to hold a candle to them) then masha'Allah.

I just can't shake the feeling that somewhere down the line someone took a special thing reserved for the Mothers of the Believers and turned their obligation into an obligation for ALL women. WAllahi alim. (And Allah knows best) Why do I have this feeling? Because of the following ahadith:

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 22 Narrated Anas: The Prophet stayed for three days between Khaibar and Medina, and there he consummated his marriage to Safiyya bint Huyai. I invited the Muslims to the wedding banquet in which neither meat nor bread was offered. He ordered for leather dining-sheets to be spread, and dates, dried yoghurt and butter were laid on it, and that was the Prophet's wedding banquet. The Muslims wondered, "Is she (Saffiyya) considered as his wife or his slave girl?" Then they said, "If he orders her to veil herself, she will be one of the mothers of the Believers; but if he does not order her to veil herself, she will be a slave girl. So when the Prophet proceeded from there, he spared her a space behind him (on his she-camel) and put a screening veil between her and the people.

and

Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 523 Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet stayed with Safiya bint Huyai for three days on the way of Khaibar where he consummated his marriage with her. Safiya was amongst those who were ordered to use a veil.

Do we have a distinguishment here? The Prophet (saws) manumitted Safiya (raa) as part of her mahr when he married her. If Safiya (raa) was only going to be an amma (slave/lady captive) for Nabi (saws) then she would not have had to wear the veil. But since Nabi (saws) ordered her to wear the veil then her position took on a higher significance, not only would she be known as his wife but she would also be known as Umm Al Muminoon. (Mother of the Believers) "Safiya was amongst those who were ordered to use a veil." Does this sentence imply that all women wore the veil or is it used in the context to distinguish her from others? This guy Anas who narrated the above two was the most one to know about the order of veiling next to Umar (raa) who wanted so bad that an ayah would be sent down from Allah (swt) for the Prophet's wives to start veiling and of course the greatest alima (female scholar) Aisha (raa). Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Number 375 Narrated Anas: I know (about) the Hijab (the order of veiling of women) more than anybody else. Ubai bin Ka'b used to ask me about it...."

Also, I found one other hadith that shows a woman who was not the Mother of the Believers. Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, Number 2482: Narrated Thabit ibn Qays: A woman called Umm Khallad came to the Prophet (saws) while she was veiled. She was searching for her son who had been killed (in the battle) Some of the Companions of the Prophet (saws) said to her: You have come here asking for your son while veiling your face? She said: If I am afflicted with the loss of my son, I shall not suffer the loss of my modesty. The Apostle of Allah (saws) said: You will get the reward of two martyrs for your son. She asked: Why is that so, Apostle of Allah? He replied: Because the people of the Book have killed him.

Is that disapproval from the sahabi men when she came to them with her face veiled? And nabi (saws) did not tell them they were wrong for asking her that. If he disapproved of them criticizing her for wearing a face veil he would have immediately corrected them for he does not forget anything. If it was a fard practice then the sahabi men would not have said anything to her? From what I can understand it is not shown that the Prophet (saws) disapproved of her wearing face veil either. It certainly doesn't specifically say that face veiling is fard. Which must mean she have had a choice right?

 5. Some pro-niqaabis claim that Asma (raa) wore the face veil but where is the hadith that says she did? I have never seen or even heard of it. Not to say it doesn't exist. There has been a limited amount of ahadith translated from Arabic into other languages. I did however find the following hadith concerning Asma (raa) "Aisha reported that Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr, entered into the presence of the Messenger of Allaah wearing thin transparent clothing, So the Messenger of Allaah turned away from her saying : ‘O’ Asmaa, when a women reaches the age of menstruation, it is not allowed that any of her should be seen except this’ - and he pointed to his face and two hands." (Sahih, reported from Abu Dawud and Al-Bayhaqee.)

The pro-niqaabis claim that this hadith is weak. [1] It would make so much sense to make it weak in order to make the order of face veiling more stronger. Some even claim that this hadith is interpretated as an exception for prayer. Ok let's assume this particular hadith is in fact da'if (weak) but we still have these:

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (saws) brought Fatimah a slave which he donated to her. Fatimah wore a garment which, when she covered her head, did not reach her feet, and when she covered her feet by it, that garment did not reach her head. When the Prophet (saws) saw her struggle, he said: There is no harm to you: Here is only your father and slave. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4094.

and

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: Safiyyah, daughter of Shaybah, said that Aisha mentioned the women of Ansar, praised them and said good words about them. She then said: When Surat an-Nur came down, they took the curtains, tore them and made head covers of them. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4089.

and

Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin: When the verse "That they should cast their outer garments over their persons" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads. Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4090.

Commentary from Sheik Al-Albani on the preceding ahadith: Here, the Prophet was waiting for his daughter to cover from her head to her feet, the mother of the believers was praising the women for their understanding and implementation of this verse. If they were wrong, it would have been correction, not praise. Did our great Prophet, himself, not understand? Did his beloved daughter not understand? Did Aisha, the mother of the Believers, who is undisputedly one of the greatest scholars of al Islam, not understand? It is inconceivable that the Prophet and these gre at woman who lived with and learned from the Prophet himself, would understand Islam less than these modern self-appointed scholars of Islam. May Allah guide them and protect us from them!"

 6. That tafsir of the above hadith is from Sheikh Al-Albani, the most respected muhadith amongst all of the scholars! Skeikh ibn Baaz and Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on both) met in Minaa and Sheikh ibn Baaz used to pass all hadith questions to Al-Albani. This is not to forget that Sheikh ibn Baaz himself was an unchallenged imam of hadith.

 7. Men are commanded to observe hijab as well. Hijab of the eyes. They are commanded to look down when they see a woman and if they happen to look at her the first glance is excused but if they follow it with a second one they will be held accountable. If men upheld up their part of the bargain then fitnah will not be so rampant. I ask again as I did in point #2, if it is true that Allah (swt) commanded women to cover everything except one or two eye(s), then why would He order the believing men to lower their gaze?

 8. To sum all of this up, I would like to list the main errors of those who make the face veil obligatory from Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips who translated Ar-Radd al-Mufhim by Sheikh Nasir Ud-Din Al-Albani found in pages 5-20 of the introduction of his book Jilbaab "Al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah", 3rd edition, 1996, al-Maktabah al-Islaamiyyah. Because of its longevity I am only posting the main points so if you would like to view the article in its entirety go to THE FACE VEIL

a. The interpretation of al-idnaa’ in the verse of the Jilbaab to mean “covering the face”. This misinterpretation is contrary to the basic meaning of the word in Arabic which is “to come close”, as is mentioned in authoritative dictionaries like al-Mufradaat by the well-known scholar, ar-Raaghib al-Asbahaanee.

b. The interpretation of jilbaab as “a garment which covers the face.” Like the previous misinterpretation, this interpretation has no basis linguistically. It is contrary to the interpretation of the leading scholars, past and present, who define the jilbaab as a garment which women drape over their head scarves (khimaar). Even Shaykh at-Tuwaijree himself narrated this interpretation from Ibn Mas‘ood and other Salafee scholars.

c. The claim that the khimaar (headscarf) covers the head and the face. In doing so “the face” has been arbitrarily added to its meaning in order to make the verse: “Let them drape their headscarves over their busoms” appear to be in their favor, when, in fact it is not. The word khimaar linguistically means only a head covering. Whenever it is mentioned in general terms, this is what is intended.

d. The claim of a consensus (Ijmaa‘) on the face being considered ‘awrah. Shaykh at-Tuwaijree claimed that scholars unanimously held that the woman's face was ‘awrah and many who have no knowledge, including some Ph.D. holders, have blindly followed him. In fact, it is a false claim, which no one before him has claimed. The books of Hambalite scholars which he learned from, not to mention those of others, contain sufficient proof of its falsehood.

e. The agreement of at-Tuwaijree and the extremists with him to explain away the authentic hadeeths which contradict their opinion. At-Tuwaijree did this with the Khath‘amiyyah hadeeth. They developed a number of comical methods to nullify its implications. I have refuted them all in ar-Radd and one of them in Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah. Some reputable scholars have said that the hadeeth doesn’t contain a clear statement that her face was exposed. This is among the farthest opinions from the truth. For, if her face wasn’t exposed, where did the narrator or the viewer get the idea that she was beautiful?

f. The frequent use of inauthentic hadeeths and unreliable narrations. For example, the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas about exposing only one eye is commonly used by those who insist that women are obliged to cover their faces in spite of their knowledge of its inauthenticity. In fact, one among them also declared it inauthentic. Perhaps the most important of these unreliable hadeeth commonly used as evidence is the one in which the Prophet is reported to have said, “Are you both blind?” They blindly followed at-Tuwaijree and the others in claiming that this inauthentic narration was strengthened by other supportive narrations and that it was evidence for the prohibition of women from looking at men, even if they are blind.

g. The classification of some authentic hadeeths and confirmed narrations from the Companions as inauthentic. The extremists have declared well-established reliable narrations as unreliable and feigned ignorance of strengthening narrations. They have further declared some narrations extremely inauthentic, like the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah concerning the woman who reaches puberty, “Nothing should be seen of her besides her face and hands.” They have persistently declared it inauthentic – the ignorant among them blindly following others devoid of knowledge. In so doing, they contradict those among the leading scholars of hadeeth who strengthen it like al-Bayhaqee and ath-Thahabee.

h. Placing unreasonable conditions. Among the amazing practices of some latter day blind following hanafite scholars and others is that on one hand they agree with us regarding the permissibility of women exposing their faces, because that was the position of their Imaams, but on the other hand they agree with the extremists in opposition to their Imaams. They make ijtihaad (while claiming taqleed) by adding the condition that the society be safe from fitnah to the position of the Imaams. This refers to the fitnah caused by women to men.

These types of errors are astounding!

Conclusion

No matter how we decide to cover we all have one thing in common and that is being a Muslimah in this glorious Din al-Islam (Religion of Islam.) Amongst us Muslim women there is the one who doesn't cover at all because she doesn't think it is obligatory; the one who doesn't cover and is striving to; the hijabi who covers everything except her face and hands; the hijabi who is striving for niqaab; the niqaabi that believes covering everthing is wajib and the niqaabi who believes it is only encouraged. Who is the best? The one that is the most pious. Which one is the most pious? Allahu Alim (Allah Knows Best)!

May Allah guides us all to the straight path, ameen. FiAmanAllah,

 http://www.islamfortoday.com

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Falling And Building My spirits In Wearing Hijab

Falling And Building My spirits In Wearing Hijab

Once when I asked myself, "Why are my friends wear the veil off again?" I stroked his chest and tried to answer the question myself.

A variety of estimates that came to mind. Wearing the hijab does not update, uncomfortable, hot, hard. Maybe that's the reason my friends who were not seen again wear the hijab.

Headscarves in schools is still attached to their bodies. Aurat they are invisible. Looks elegant indeed. But somehow when they are out of school obligation to wear the hijab, the veil which was released just this August. They casually leave the house without a hijab covering their private parts.

I saw my friend wearing a headscarf was a new one, suddenly came out without a headscarf. On the road I met with friends from school, he was the same as my playmate. What about them? Not only my best friend just like that, but most women around me. Why are they so underestimate the hijab? Though clearly emblazoned on the Al-Quran and Hadith. Do they know it?

I've talked with friends in class and they mostly know. "My parents say if you wear hijab do not overdo it, how the pool wearing a veil," said my best friend when he sat down with me. I just said nothing. I'm still not daring to straighten my friend's words. I'm afraid to say a smart ass by my friend. Little courage I can only pray in my heart. O God ends meet servants of science.

Seeing the state of my friends, I began to look in the mirror and remember the experience a little bit when you start wearing hijab. When entered first level secondary school, my father told me to wear the hijab. But what comes out of my mouth, the word "not" I say when my father really wished I was wearing hijab. Given that once I felt like crying. Why did I refuse the request of my father. At that time I already baligh and must wear the hijab. Refusal is supported by my mother. My mother said I was a child not yet ready to wear hijab.

"Please sir do not be too pushy. This child is not ready, "said the mother because the father could not explain in detail why he made me wear hijab and I looked down afraid because his father showed his disappointment as he passed me, and mother. Forgive me father. I have made a disappointed father.

Since the first to wear the hijab have been unthinkable until dad told me to wear it even it is not unthinkable. I still think the veil is complicated, hot, and all sorts of negative impressions about the hijab. Indeed the Koran in the village when I wear hijab when I was always noisy own. Skewed, needles. So that makes her think that I'm not ready to wear the hijab and reject the father's request.

Stepping on the eighth grade, my father often bought religious magazine. Not long ago my dad bought me a Muslim youth magazine and happened to discuss about the hijab khusu columns. Discussion that is lightweight and easy to understand, I became more interested and more convinced that I must wear the hijab. The more often my dad bought me the magazine, the driven spirit to explore the science of religion.

Currently sitting ninth grade I was not wearing the hijab. I was already intending to start wearing hijab, but because I had class 3 and soon graduated junior high, then the mother suggested that I wear the hijab at school entry. Well I followed the advice my mother again. But intentions to wear hijab I still have to make happen.

I tried to leave the house wearing a headscarf. In the beginning I was a bit awkward to wear the hijab. But, I try to persuade myself to continue wearing these precious clothes. Gradually I got used to leave the house wearing a headscarf. I feel safe by wearing this veil. I'm so impatient waiting for the time I entered high school. Because at that time that I began to refine my duty as a Muslim who already baligh.

Even though I already wear the hijab if out of the house. Not to complete it if the school does not wear hijab. Feelings of insecurity are still pushed in my heart that I know wear the hijab is an obligation.

Three years already I had my days in junior high school without a headscarf. Before I knew the ins and outs of the headscarf I was indifferent to appearances. I still wear tight clothes which reveal curves. It sometimes invites negative thoughts of others. Each run was always teased by boys in the street. Maybe this is often experienced by many women who do not wear the hijab. Now that I know of the veil, I immediately throw away the negative thoughts about hijab. Bismillaahir rahmaanir raahim I intend to wear the hijab.

Entering the high school level to wear the veil intentions are perfectly realized. It turns out that wearing the hijab at school a lot too. I'm glad to see my friends at school who wear headscarves. The first time I entered high school I was not so concerned with the friends who sometimes play the hijab because I too was young so to remind my friend is still hampered by a lack of knowledge. Therefore, I kept trying to add science my religion.

When following the congregational prayers in the mosque school, I looked at seniors who are ablution. "Her veil was really big." I looked at brother until she finished her ablutions. Piqued my curiosity again. I go back Elfata magazines and periodicals owned by the father read over and over again until mudeng. Apparently not syar'i hijab. I saw myself in the mirror. What should I do. What should I change my appearance? Yes, I have to wear the hijab headscarf syar'i in accordance with what is stated in the Qur'an and as-Sunnah. I rearrange my scarf and gradually but surely I'm fixing my hijab in line with the increase in adult life.

Three years already I'm wearing the hijab. And within three years, not all the positive changes in myself accepted by the people around me. Often my mother cornered me to dress like school friends and friends playmate. "Child, if you do not wear veils big dong. If you wear a veil mediocre like the other friends. "Many times my mom said something like that and many times I explain to my mother. Sometimes I helped my father to explain it to my mother. But still my mother say that way if I leave the house wearing the veil is pretty wide.

Not only my mother who looked at me weird and stiff. Playmates were also looking at me strangely. Indeed, I experienced changes in both attitude and appearance three years since this was in high school.

Until I wrote this story I still do not feel confident wearing hijab syar'i, with the news about the terrorist who makes my mother cornered me become more frequent. "It's seen on TV nduk women big hood like you. So if you do not wear veils were large will be considered negative as anyone else you know. "I can only keep silent to hear it. I think I'd love to mother rebelling. But I held back, I do not want to make my mother sad. I just let her talk like that because I felt it could not break her heart. I can only pray, pray, and pray that God opens her heart to accept this change in me.

Faith in hijab in trouble again. The more self-confidence sank shortly after seeing my mates dressed today and saw a friend of one organization with which I wear hijab increasingly smaller. I try to jack my self-confidence. I'm sure the veil is also no less cool with today's fashion. My confidence grew slightly to see my friend who dared to take the decision to wear hijab width. Instead he's wider than my head. My friend is also often encourage me "keep istiqomah". This means that I should stay on this road. Being a Muslim is always istiqomah. May God repay my friend here.

Lots of temptation and seduction demon urged me to undress this noble cause. Temptations that ever made me think to take off the hijab. All positive changes are not always accepted by the field. Many challenges must be faced. the istiqomah's always up and down. Sometimes wear a small scarf, jlbab colorful and leotards. O Allah, I regret this in mind. But God is never far from his people who have good intentions. I know that and I'm sure it's because I experienced it.

Subhanallah this hijab is obedience to Allah and His Messenger. Veil 'Iffah (glory). The veil of chastity. Protective veil. Hijab is taqwa. The veil of faith. Hijab is haya '(shyness). Veil ghirah (jealousy). There's no sense of regret or disappointment slightest wear this hijab. Loyalty to the hijab should I paste in the liver.

I'm thankful to have parents who still gives me the freedom to take decisions in choosing this way of life. Although my father did not explain directly.

Thank God through the medium of magazines and articles I get an important lesson that were previously unthinkable. Although hampered by the attitude of my mother who is still not fully accepted this change in me.

But I remain loyal. Until now I thought would never end, never bored and never tired of discussing the headscarf issue syar'i according to Quran and Hadith through any media, because it is lightweight and always the same despite the discussion, it is still difficult to realize. All media propaganda often raised the issue headscarf, but not many people only half-way in understanding the true meaning of the hijab.

Remember, understand, and tie at the heart of God's love towards creatures called women through verse QS. Al-Ahzab: 59 and QS. An-Nur verse 31. This paragraph will always be around the woman's life until whenever;

1. "O Prophet! Tell your wives, daughters and wives of the believers:" Let them stick their head through the body ". That is so they are easier to be recognized, therefore they are not disturbed. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most merciful. "(Surat al-Ahzab: 59).

2. "Say to the believing women. Let them hold their views and maintain their genitals and let them show off their adornment except that (usually) visible from them. And let them put her veil cloth to their chests, and not to show off their adornment except to their husbands or their fathers or their husbands' fathers (law) or their sons or sons of their husbands or their relatives (brother and sister ) or sons of their brothers or sons of their sisters (nieces) or women or slaves of Islam which they possess or the servants of men who have no desire (for women) or children children who do not understand female genitalia ... "(Surat an-Nur verse 31).

My friends who still underestimate the veil, may Allah give way to you. The road to the truth so that they no longer underestimate the hijab. "Keep Istiqomah".

Writer: Eva Khofiyana

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Weighing Of Wearing Hijab

Weighing Of Wearing Hijab

In adolescence and adulthood when a young man, far from Allah, I like to do for fun, disturbing, and tease my friends who wear hijab. At that time are still very few women who wear veils in everyday life. At that time, women who wear Hijab is seen as people who join a particular stream.

At the moment my life began to close with Allah, I just realized how ignorant I was back then. I just realized, that was veiling for women is an obligation contained in the Qur'an. So the hijab (covering genitalia) for women are the same as the order is obligatory prayers, fasting, and worship.

When I get closer to Allah and fight away from all the sinners I've ever done, I really intended it to become Muslim kaffah. After I left the pilgrimage in 1995, and get guidance from my teacher, I intend to leave the conventional bank where I worked until materialized four years later (in 1999) to resign from the conventional banks. Similarly, I want my wife to change the appearance of wearing conventional clothing to be wearing Islamic clothing. But it was not easy to make this happen. My wife is already accustomed to wearing conventional clothing and the environment and their families who are also accustomed to wearing conventional clothes since she was small to be my wife, requiring an uphill battle and length to completely steady wear appropriate Islamic dress.

My wife just ready to get dressed in the hijab sharia after 6 years of returning from the holy land. My wife went to Mecca in 1997 with me still working at the time of conventional banks. Returned from Mecca, my wife is still not ready to wear hijab. He was just able to wear clothing that is quite closed. Various reasons for affirming my wife to not be ready veiled. The main thing not covered is bracing for low self-confidence to wear the hijab. He felt his face is not fit for bejilbab. There are just feeling less each time wearing a headscarf. And in my eyes, my wife added beautiful when wearing the hijab. But he remained confident veiled. But eventually, after a steady intention in the heart of my wife, she succeeded in the third quarter of 2003 to wear the hijab as an everyday clothes to this day.

The reasons are not confident to veiled not only happen to my wife, but also my sister only, and wives, brothers and my brother. However, thank Allah, once they intend to steadily with the encouragement of their husbands, now finally they have used the veil. I am very happy to see pictures of my complete family on Eid last year (1428 H), all adult women wearing the veil in the photo. Photo was the last complete family photo with our mother (3 months after the mother passed away into Rahmatullah). Photo is very different from our family photo in 2002 that almost all the women not wear veils.

On the other hand, many women who already have a full awareness of the veil, but many challenges they face to be able to use the veil in daily life. How many veiled women who want but have constraints because of the workplace that employees can not accept the hijab. They really missed their environment that can receive covered in their entirety.

Experience wife and my brothers are heavy to wear veils because they do not believe either yourself or the environment that do not support, makes me sad whenever I see the official Islamic institution which only covered on the day and working hours only. My personal opinion, really be a pity if 5 days a week and 10 hours in those days because of the demands of work wear veils. And open the veil in public on two other days in a week. How unfortunate that the opportunity has to be able to obey Allah's command is wasted. Why there is still an employee Islamic institutions are unable to use veils only two days a week and several hours on other days, when the environment was supportive. Why are they more afraid of corporate regulation which obliges their headscarves while at work, compared with the fear of Allah's command to cover the genitalia with a veil at all times?

I dunno, maybe I'm too hypocritical because I used to live far from Allah. So when my life closer to Allah, I feel very pity if there are people who have a chance to close with Allah, but do not follow Allah's commandments are kaffah.

Wallahualam bishowab.

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Hijab Reform in Ramadan

Hijab Reform in Ramadan
By ; Amira Alsareinye

Ramadan - the month of spiritual reform. It is the month that I finally decided to wear the hijab. My thoughts were full of worries about what would happen if I began to wear it; I would be recognized as a Muslim everywhere I go. Having grown up amongst non-Muslims whilst living in the west made me afraid to express my culture, because I felt I would not be accepted.

Throughout my school years I experienced different forms of discrimination and intolerance, much of it enforcing my fear to wear the hijab. Senior year came and a feeling of emptiness spread inside me. I thought maybe there was something worldly I was missing out on. I knew I was in need of a spiritual change, and that I must begin to wear the hijab, but I ignored it.

I relied on worldly matters to take the feelings of emptiness away. If only I had known of the Hadith of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) in which he said, "This world is like seawater, the more you drink the more you get thirsty." And let us think, what is the effect of seawater on the one who drinks it? There are elements in it which cause insanity. Indeed, relying on worldly things to quench our thirst and solve our problems will cause us nothing but distress.

Throughout those days at school I knew I was committing sin, and I can even remember a moment where I could feel Allah watching me directly. My heart was saddened, but Shaytan told me to ignore it; he was trying to convince me that this world will provide me with all that I needed. Yet Imam Sadiq's words will always ring true - it will never be enough.

As senior year came to an end I felt as if I was awakening form my slumber; my eyes were finally opening, and regret for my actions consumed me. I began to repent to Allah asking Him to bring me back to His Mercy and Love. I gave up music, and this time seriously considered wearing the hijab. I wanted the emptiness to disappear and my thirst to be quenched.

It was in the month of Ramadan that Allah helped me gain the courage to wear it. He allowed me to meet some very encouraging sisters who impacted my life greatly. I began to observe hijab in the second week of Ramadan, and I knew instantly that this was what my heart had been yearning for.

The day I put it on, not a single person spoke against me for wearing it, and it was then that I realized all my fears were whispers of Shaytan. My friends did not question me, and instead I felt I had gained respect. I fell in love with my hijab.

But putting the hijab on was only the beginning. I soon realized it is not just a piece of cloth on my head, but a spiritual journey to the Almighty; I could feel my love of Allah increasing daily. He soon blessed me to go on Ziyarat to visit Lady Zainab (peace be upon her), and upon my return I found within myself a strong craving to gain Islamic knowledge. I began learning what I did not know, and things I once thought I knew.

Let us make this Ramadan one in which we abandon our sinful ways and ask Allah to help us gain nearness to Him in our hearts. To my sisters who are struggling to wear the hijab: if you sincerely ask Allah for help, while also making the effort to change, He will certainly help you in the best of ways. And to my brothers: do remember to lower your gaze.

This world is only temporary, while Love for Allah is eternal. Love for Him is the best of feelings and the highest form of love, for He wants nothing from us, but everything for us - so let us develop the God-consciousness in our hearts to practice all that He has made obligatory, and guard ourselves from all that He has made forbidden.

http://www.islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/hijab-reform-in-ramadan.html

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Understanding Hijab

Understanding Hijab
By : Masooma Beatty

What does a young woman demonstrate about herself when she dons a headscarf, but ties it so that bits of hair hang out or her neck or chest are not fully covered, and then matches it with make-up, form-fitting tops, skin-tight jeans, bare forearms, bare feet, heavy perfume, nail polish, high-heels and a $200 handbag?

What does a young man demonstrate about himself when he openly eyes women and talks to his buddies about their bodies, shows off in front of the opposite sex, and looks for chances to engage in physical contact with women freely?

Hijab is a state of mind enjoined upon both men and women in Islam. At the heart of its purpose, Hijab is about maintaining or elevating the dignity of every individual regardless of gender and preserving the ability of individuals to feel the natural sense of modesty, the loss of which is a serious spiritual sickness.

There are two overarching principles to Hijab for men and women according to the Qur'an:

1. Lowering your gaze: This means you should avoid looking at, listening to, or otherwise observing anything that damages your natural sense of modesty and shame, as well as anything that causes you to feel temptation to sin or causes attraction toward someone with whom you could not lawfully act on it.

2. Guarding your modesty: This means you should avoid revealing anything about yourself, whether through how you dress, how you speak, what you say or write, or other means, that would cause damage to your natural sense of modesty and shame, or tempt you to sin, or cause you to be attracted to or to attract someone with whom you could not lawfully act on that attraction.

The requirements of Islamic modest dress are based upon these two principles. Dress should be such that it guards your modesty and aids you in lowering your gaze and does not make it unnecessarily difficult for someone else to lower their gaze and guard their own modesty.

The basic requirements for female dress in public are four:

1. Extent:
Everything but your hands and face must be covered. Feet should be covered, as should hair, neck, ears, and arms. Make-up and adornment should be covered, even if that means covering parts that would not otherwise have to be covered. Most scholars say that wedding rings and religious rings need not be covered, but in general, jewelry is adornment and should be concealed.

2. Looseness:
The garments should be loose enough so that the shape of your body from at least the shoulders to the mid-thighs is not apparent. Even for the legs, clothes should not be skin-tight. If the fabric follows your curves, it is too tight.

3. Thickness:
The clothing should be thick enough that the color of your skin and hair underneath cannot be discerned through the fabric.

4. Style:
The clothes should not be of a color, style, or decoration so as to serve the purpose of drawing attention, being adornment, or showing off. Thus, clothes with bright colors, fancy decorations, and expensive fabrics should be avoided. Further, clothes that would be considered as belonging to the opposite gender or to followers of another religion are also excluded. Also, it is improper to be a slave to fashion, spending wastefully for the latest trend, judging and being judged based on style, etc.

Simplicity is better for your soul, mind and body.

Men's clothing requirements are exactly the same as women’s, except for the extent that needs to be covered. Jurists' rulings differ slightly in this matter, but as a general guideline, men should cover from navel to knees at a minimum, although a greater extent is preferable in the presence of women, since a greater area than this can be attractive to the opposite sex.

All four requirements hold in the presence of non-mahrams (unrelated members of the opposite sex). It should be noted that, in addition to people of the opposite sex who are not related to you, some relatives are no-mahram as well, and thus Hijab should be observed in front of them. For example, you need to observe

Hijab in front of cousins of the opposite gender. If you are a woman, you should observe Hijab in front of brothers-in-law and uncles related by marriage rather than blood. And if you are a man, you should observe Hijab in front of sisters-in-law and aunts related by marriage rather than blood.

When in the presence of mahram individuals only, the requirements for Islamic modest dress are different. Except between spouses, who are permitted to see all of each other's bodies, the extent of covering required between mahram individuals is such that all private areas are covered. Looseness and thickness of clothing should also ensure coverage of the private areas. Adornment such as make-up and jewelry are generally permitted, but if the purpose is to attract, it should be reserved to be shared between married couples only. As for style, the requirements about showing off and about wearing clothes of the opposite gender or of another religion hold at all times.

Hijab requirements do not block women and men from doing business or from attending meetings in the same room as long as they are observing Hijab. However, the lowering of the gaze means when in the presence of non-mahrams, one should avoid looking at them in such a way as to be attracted to their bodies, or listening to them in such a way as to be attracted to their voices, etc. And in turn, the guarding of modesty means that one should behave so as not to be trying to attract the opposite sex, or showing off, or discoursing with them in a familiar way or about private topics.

Even the enemies of Islam have recognized that Hijab of men and women gives dignity to humanity and thus empowers those who observe it. This is one of the main reasons that they systematically attack it and try to convince Muslim men and women to abandon true Hijab. Observing Hijab begins and ends with its two over-riding principles – lowering your gaze and guarding your modesty. These two acts are greatly beneficial to you in both this world and the Hereafter – they protect you from hardship, sin, and confusion and they elevate you spiritually – and this is why many people who observe Hijab describe it as being very freeing and something they truly love. Examine your interactions and your wardrobe with these two principles in mind, change anything that is out of line, and you will soon be enjoying the benefits in your own life.

http://www.islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/understanding-hijab.html

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Perfecting Our Hijab

Perfecting Our Hijab
By : Zara Syed

How many of us think we know the meaning of Hijab so well that we could practice proper Hijab, but only if we wanted to? While the Hijab serves as to preserve one's dignity, honor, and respect alongside the safety of one's beauty and chastity, these are all secondary reasons for observing Hijab. The fundamental purpose is that of obeying Allah's orders and striving to become obedient Muslims, so that we may be blessed with the promised rewards. Whatever the situation, sisters in Islam are trying hard when it comes to practicing the Hijab, but are we trying our best?

How many of you have seen a Hijabi smoking in public and thought, "Great, now people will label all Hijabis as smokers"? Now, let us not delve into the Islamic laws behind whether or not smoking is permissible in Islam or that females have just as many rights to engage in such acts as males. It doesn't have as much to do with smoking as with the fact that the Hijab is visibly the "flag of Islam", and as such, our sisters carry a great responsibility. Just to emphasize the weight of this responsibility which the Muslim women carry, we may relate a female's Hijab as having a similar level of importance as a male standard-bearer's role during war. Furthermore, this Islamic responsibility is a combination of two factors: not just the physical Hijab, but also the social Hijab.

The Qur’an reminds us: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that they should not display their beauty and ornaments, except what (ordinarily) appear thereof." (24:31)

We all know that the meaning of Hijab is to be modest. But for some reason, every Hijabi we see seems to have her own interpretation of modesty. Hijab is a fundamental element of the Islamic faith, universal amongst all Muslims irrespective of the differing schools of thought. Despite this, the women in Islam are incapable or choose not to maintain a universal – or at least a similar – context when it comes to the physical Hijab. Sure, Hijab is not a "uniform", and Hijabis need not be marching around in exactly the same garb so that people think the sisters are forming some kind of Hijabi military base at the local community center, but a little uniformity and attention to the "modesty" aspect of Hijab would be nice.

While it is natural for the so-called "Hijab Revolution" to have taken place recently, especially with the number of Muslims increasing in the West, there seems to be no "standard" with the Hijabis. This often leads to the Hijab aspect of Islam coming off as a "cultural" aspect rather than a religious one. Worse yet, due to the excessive differences among Hijab practices both physical and social, unfortunately our entire religion may come across as having no "standard" with an excessive amount of flexibility that lets individuals suit Islam to their own convenience.

An analysis of the Hijabi population will depict the variety of the Hijab methods practiced with the utmost differentiation when it comes to tightness, colors, sizes, and styles of Hijab. On one hand we have the fully-covered yet fully-colored Abaya Hijabis, and on the other hand, we have the Hijabis with clothes so tight (or see-through, for that matter) that if they wore a t-shirt, they would probably be revealing less.

We also see those Hijabis who are covered well yet leave their bangs hanging out, or the very decently-dressed sisters with faces which are so immensely covered in make-up that their Hijab defeats the purpose of the abovementioned verse of the Qur'an, which is instructing women to not display their beauty in public except for that which is natural.

With the recent trends of Hijabi Runways, we see models on the catwalk dressed in the latest fashion clothing with a tiny little covering over their hair. Where is the value of Hijab in a catwalk if the purpose is to establish one's character and self-respect on everything but their physical appearance? While it is necessary for the sisters to dress appropriately to their lifestyle contexts and careers, sometimes the mind can't help but wonder if the idea of "blending in" but within the limits of proper Hijab is negated by the idea of "We wear Hijab, but still have a passion for fashion."

Having a good sense of fashion doesn't attribute any negative aspects to a person's character, but if this fashion sense equates to beautifying one's self and displaying oneself such that our sisters appear to be physically appealing even while in Hijab, then something is very wrong with that type of Hijab.

The idea is not to point fingers towards the Hijabis and annoyingly peck at those areas where they falter, but rather to highlight to our Muslim sisters that the way we practice Hijab heavily affects the way non-Muslims interpret Islam as a whole. Not only this, but if there is fault in the way Hijab is being practiced, then the reward from God will also be likewise. Proper Hijab does not just consist of a tiny headscarf; rather, it can only be achieved when also combined with the maintenance of Islamic methods of social interaction.

One could argue that Muslim males should be just as cautious as women, and agreeably, they must! But it is a woman's physical Hijab factor which, when intertwined with the social Hijab factor, forms a special combination which makes her responsibility towards portraying Islam much more delicate and unique.

The social Hijab is basically the way a female presents herself, behaves, and interacts with others in public. Looking back at the example of our sisters smoking in public, it is vital for Hijabis to maintain good manners while in the presence of others, because the truth is, Hijabis are judged by society based on their actions too. As women are being constantly judged by society, they deserve every right to demand respect.

A few ways by which sisters can obtain respect from society is by being particularly careful of the way they interact in mixed gatherings with the opposite gender. More than often we see sisters in brilliant Hijab; however, the way some sisters joke and spend time with non-mahrams can only hint that a bit of flirtation (which leads to forbidden actions) is flying in the air. However, we also do have the overly-friendly sisters who do not intentionally act the way they do around non-mahrams, yet they need to realize that intentions aside, there may be room for improvement in their Hijab practice while in the company of men.

Going right down to the bone of what "good behavior" is, all we need to do is that the next time we are in public, we must stop and remember that Allah is watching us. If we remember this reality that our Lord is monitoring us at all times, there will be a guaranteed immediate improvement in our social Hijab. Out the window will go all the gossiping, coarse language, and disrespect towards elders and others, not to mention the flirting and excessive joking.

Admirable are those sisters who manage to establish such respect and dignity for themselves amongst non-Muslims that without having to explain the "rules" of our religion, people who interact with the Hijabi are able to grasp her character through non-verbal vibes and act accordingly while in her presence. For example, when someone uses a bad word around a Hijabi and there is an awkward silence, people stop what they are doing and look at the Hijabi with embarrassment and mumble an apology. Or when there is ill talk about another person behind their back, and people realize that a Hijabi is present, the topic is quickly brushed off. This is the type of dignity and respect that Islam believes women must command and deserve from society.

While the world seeks to establish identity through attractive clothing and glitzy appearances, without giving much importance to behavior, morals, social conduct, and self-respect, it is absolutely imperative for us Muslim women to maintain both the physical and social Hijab in such a way that reflects its true purpose and as a result of which we can proudly stand before our Lady Fatima Zahra and Lady Zainab (peace be upon them) on the Day of Judgment without regrets.

http://www.islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/perfecting-our-hijab.html

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Why Wear the Hijab?

Why Wear the Hijab?
By : Zara Syed

So you're a non-Muslim and have no idea why the oddball hippie and/or possibly emo girls have started dressing like nuns. All right, we'll give you some credit. We know you don't live under a rock, so the minute you see a woman wandering in the shopping mall with a scarf covering her hair, you think: Muslim! (Or if you're easily persuaded by the media, you're probably thinking more along the lines of the T word which has more or less become our nickname since 9/11, although we assure you we have no more idea than you do about where bin Laden is currently hiding.)

Still feeling a bit weird, nervous, and of course awkward for even being in the same mall, let alone walking close to or talking to this covered lady, you discreetly observe her from a distance and watch her every move – you know, just to make sure she's pulling out your favorite brand of tissues out of her purse.

She comes your way and you try eavesdropping on anything and everything that comes out of her mouth. Surprisingly, the scarfed woman seems relatively sane and politely spoken. Hey, she isn't so bad after all!

Okay, so now we have established who Muslim women are: school-goers, stay-at-home mums, your child's kindergarten teacher, your neighbor's babysitter – basically, ordinary women! Yet the questions remain unanswered: why do these women conceal their bodies and hair? Isn't showing off our beauty and attracting others towards ourselves the norm? What about on hot days, don't these girls pass out when the sweltering heat accumulates all around their heads? Has anyone ever seen their hair? Oh no, how do they shower with that thing on?!

Literal Meaning of Hijab

The word Hijab literally means a curtain or veil and is best understood by exploring the Islamic concept of modesty. Muslim men and women are required to be modest while mingling with unrelated members of the opposite gender. The content of our speech, the way we communicate, the way we laugh and joke around, our behavior and social etiquette in general should all be transmitted to the other party in a way that attracts the least amount of the wrong form of attention. Additionally, we are required to "lower our gazes" and respect other men or women by not eying them from head to toe (i.e. checking them out). Similarly, the physical Hijab establishes healthy distances of physical contact (not even a handshake with the opposite gender!). Lastly, this modesty must also be manifested in the way we dress.

In order to appear modest, Muslim women are required by their faith to observe the most visible form of the Hijab in public – the headscarf to cover our hair and full-length clothing to conceal the shape of our bodies. Non-Muslims often ponder how it is possible and why a woman would ever voluntarily want to conceal what every other woman takes pride in revealing – her beauty. From a very long list, presented below are the most common reasons why Muslim women observe the Hijab.

To Please Our Creator

Muslims recognize God Almighty as the grand creator and supreme authority over the universe, and hence the religion He has sent – Islam – is a complete way of life for us. Accordingly, Divine law is followed at all times, and submitting to God's commandments is in itself a form of worship. After telling Muslim men to lower their gazes, the Holy Qur'an reminds women: "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that they should not display their beauty and ornaments, except what (ordinarily) appear thereof." (24:31) In line with this Qur'anic verse, we do not display our beauty simply because it is the command of our Lord!

Taking a Stand against Female Exploitation

Since the beginning of time, women have always been exploited. Known for our gentleness, delicateness, and beauty, women are often used as mere objects to attract men or sell products and services. Unfortunately, today a woman's physical beauty is likened to a man's trophy, to be shown off to the whole world. In an interview with former rapper "Napoleon" from Tupac Shakur's band, the OutLawz, revert Mutah Beale said, "The music industry is where they really exploit and degrade women. We'd pay them a hundred bucks to strip for our music videos, and they'd do it!" Sadly, women have become well accustomed to this routine and also take pride in displaying their beauty. But what Muslim women realize is that our beauty is sacred and certainly not for any random man to gawk at for pleasure.

A Source of Protection

If there is any good in impressing random men with our beauty (intentionally or unintentionally), then surely we would all know about it. Despite all the technological advancements in 2010, our moral values continue to plummet. One in six girls in the United States is sexually assaulted by the time she is 18. According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in 2007, over 12 thousand women were sexually harassed. This means at least one woman is sexually harassed in the workplace every 20 minutes. (It is noteworthy that the majority of incidents are not officially reported, and these statistics are probably grossly understated.) Of course, it is the men who are to be blamed for harassing women, yet the woman who fails to realize that dressing in a way which is so strikingly appealing (particularly when working in a male-dominated environment) is only asking for trouble is part of the problem as well. Regardless of where the blame lies, there is only one way by which a woman can guard herself against such evils, and that is why Hijabi women conceal their beauty in public as much as possible.

Preserving Our Beauty

Regardless of age or marital status, every female loves attention and being cared for. For most women, satisfying that need comes from compliments of others in private and public. Muslim women who conceal their physical points of attraction in public only seek that attention from their loved ones in private. The logic behind this practice is almost convincing enough to experiment.

Basically by covering up, we demand self-respect from the public, as we do not allow ourselves to be judged based on our beauty (or the lack thereof). On the other hand, our families provide us with the respect and honor we deserve as they realize that we are not letting strange men take a bite of our beauty by way of exposing ourselves, but rather, we are limiting the right to enjoy our beauty to our husbands. In addition, a Muslim woman's Hijab allows the husband the honor of having a wife who finds him worthy enough to preserve herself only for him. In return, he provides her with all that extra attention that every woman desires. This also satisfies the man's natural instinct of admiring a woman's beauty, and thus he has greater motivation to avoid "checking out" random women and to lower his gaze, as his wife doesn't allow herself to be ogled at and admired by other men either. Often labeled as "jealousy" by so-called Western "relationship experts", this kind of respect and preserving oneself solely for one's partner is actually the key to lifelong marital happiness and success.

To Be Judged for Our Worth, Not Our Appearance

Often labeled as oppressive, many fail to realize that the Hijab truly empowers every female with the ability to control how she is treated and respected in society, her safety, and who deserves to see her beauty, all while making a statement against female exploitation. A woman who observes the Hijab is freeing herself of society's immoral and disrespectful expectations of her. A female who conceals her beauty has granted herself the power to say to the world "You know what? Everything about me besides my beauty should matter to you." If wearing miniskirts, low-cut tops, head- turning heels, and layers of makeup in public is the expectation without which a woman in incapable of stepping outside her house, then we have two very different definitions of liberty and self-respect.

All human beings demand respect, and why should we women be treated as mere objects valued or devalued for our beauty or the lack thereof? Why should we let all random and strange men (whether we are friends with them or not) be the judges of our attractiveness? Shouldn't we preserve ourselves for only those who deserve us?

And that is why Muslim women observe the Hijab.

http://www.islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/why-wear-the-hijab.html

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My Hijab Story ( Kaneez Fatima )

My Hijab Story
By: Kaneez Fatima

Growing up in the "secular" society of the United Arab Emirates, there was usually no concept of Hijab. The little that did exist was solely for cultural purposes. The local girls adorned themselves with beautiful and transparent sheilas, through which one could easily make out the effort and time that went into the complicated hair styles. Naturally, it would also help to attract the right sort of men, from the right sort of families.

The importance of prayers, fasting and other pillars of Islam had always been stressed upon during my upbringing, but the ideology of Hijab was somewhat lost. I remember thinking to myself during many nights in Muharram, why was the Hijab so important to the household of the Prophet (peace be upon him)? No one in my family wore it but we were all fine and happy. "Who will marry this poor girl? The mother should've been a little responsible" was a discussion that once ensued from my family members after distant relatives had come to visit, whose women all observed Hijab. Yet as much as it was denounced by members of my own family, there was this attraction I felt towards the Hijab that I still perhaps cannot explain. I couldn't help but marvel at the innocence that poured from those who wore it.

While that visit by the Mohajjabah relatives (as we had come to acknowledge them!) was still fresh in my mind, a weekend religious school opened its doors to the children of the Shi'a community of Abu Dhabi. It was just two hours, twice a week, and my Mum had me along with my two younger sisters enrolled at once.

It was a different world in there. My teachers all wore beautiful scarves that covered their entire head, ears and neck. They walked around gracefully in their long coats, abayas and chadors – self-assured, self-righteous and so confident. I was never judged or reprimanded for not covering my hair and we had open discussions about the practicality, limitations, pros and cons of wearing the Hijab in today's modern and overly Westernized society.

A change had soon begun to take place. I remember huddling together with my sisters at night talking about Hijab when Mum thought we were asleep. It usually came down to, "Yeah, we'll wear it someday... when Mum allows us." By that time, my Mum was a full-time Hijabi, yet why she chose for her daughters not to do the same came down to one word: society. There was the all-important issue that surfaced each time the issue of Hijab propped up: No one marries a girl who isn't beautiful, and you don't look half as beautiful in a scarf as you do without it.

The defining moment came soon after this, as I sat at a restaurant table with family, bored as always with the adults talking about things a child has no concern for. And then I saw it. A woman with long, silky, beautiful hair, like that seen in shampoo ads, walked up the counter as the gazes of the men nearby followed her from one end of the restaurant to the other. I felt her discomfort from where I was sitting, and it was then that something clicked. It may have been coincidence, or something that was bound to happen as a result of attending the weekend religious school, or perhaps a bit of both. But I felt Divine intervention and to this day I wonder if things would have followed the course my life has taken had this not happened. When we got back home I picked up my Mum's scarf, my hands quivering with excitement and uncertainty – yet I felt fully resolute that I had to do this. And just like that, I put it on, walked up to my Mum and said "I'm doing this." To my surprise she was extremely supportive, and my sisters joined in as well!

Things didn't get much easier once I joined the "Mohajjabah Club", although school was somewhat less of an obstacle as I went to an all-girls school. As much as I wanted to wear the Hijab, I cannot deny feeling a little embarrassed about appearing different. At that time I did not even know how to wear the scarf properly! Usually the scarf would go in one direction and I'd be going the other; it was a struggle. At the same time I was experiencing the natural changes a girl goes through at the age of thirteen, and was very insecure about my self-image. I was tall, wore a big pair of round glasses and thick silver braces and quite uncomfortable with the whole idea. I knew I wanted to do this, but I just wasn't looking as graceful as any of my teachers and others I had seen, and not at all like the women on Al-Manar! I would take off the scarf on major family events like at weddings. At parties too, I would go in wearing the scarf but somewhere in the midst of the enjoyment, it would disappear. I knew what I was doing was wrong, and the acute sense of guilt was undeniably there.

A tiny voice inside my head would constantly nag me, making me feel even more uncomfortable and inadequate. I wanted to look good, and the Hijab wasn't helping, but somehow I didn't look or feel any better without it. Instead I felt more insecure and self-conscious.

My extended family was not much help either. We were labeled as extremists by most, who would claim "Hijab is of the mind" as "Islam cannot be so oppressive." I used to get extremely emotional with these kinds of remarks thrown at me as I knew the Hijab was not oppressive. It was liberating and had become my gateway to freedom.

I was forced to defend the Hijab, and it was only then that I felt I understood the true significance and beauty of the philosophy that I was subscribing myself to. I grew increasingly confident, more self-assured. For the first time in my life I felt that I was being taken for who I am, my abilities and talents – the person within. With this new-found self-confidence, I began to take part in social and communal activities without shying away from offering all that I could. I did not even notice that by doing this alone I was in some way showing my community that the Hijab is not a hindrance and that one can do everything alongside it, if not more.

Over the years I saw a transformation within my family and community as a whole. Alhamdulillah – and I say it with immense pride today – there isn't a single girl in my family who does not wear the Hijab. A Hijabi is no longer looked down upon as being someone who has given up great opportunities in life to live in confinement and oppression.

By the grace of Allah, I was fortunate enough to find a life partner who appreciates and values the Hijab I wear. I don't know what I would have done had he been the opposite, as it takes great faith, resolve and will-power to struggle against one you recognize as your partner in life.

My wedding created somewhat of an uproar in my community. We decided I would be a Hijabi bride; although the event was segregated, we knew that there will be people who would take pictures from their mobiles, and uncles, brothers and husbands may come and go for various reasons. I wasn't going to risk my Hijab on what was to be one of the most important days of my life. I wanted my wedding to be like the one you dream of – one which is blessed by Lady Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her), attended by the Imam and with Allah's countless blessings showered from the heavens upon the bride and groom.

"This is your wedding day!" "You could just not wear the scarf on this special day and just look pretty." These were some of the comments I received on my wedding day. But with my Hijab I did feel pretty, and I did feel like a princess. I knew I looked beautiful and I enjoyed the milestone the way I wanted to. It also set a precedence amongst the girls in my community, as one wedding after another, there were Hijabi brides who wanted to ensure they did it right on the first day of their new lives. It rings true, you take one step towards Allah and He takes a thousand steps towards you, making everything so much easier.

* - Kaneez Fatima is a graduate of London School of Economics, from where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Business. She is currently working with PressTV and is a student of Islamic philosophy in Tehran.*

http://www.islamicinsights.com/religion/religion/my-hijab-story.html

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Olympics and The Hijab

Olympics and The Hijab

By: Masooma Beatty

On August 8, the Italian news agency Adn Kronos International (AKI) reported that the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, Sayyid Ahmad Elmalhoda, strongly criticized that a female had carried the Iranian flag during the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. The flag was carried by Olympic rower Homa Hosseini. According to the article, Sayyid Elmalhoda said, "To make a woman march with the flag of the Islamic Republic in Beijing is pure heresy and shows total disobedience of the laws mandated by our spiritual guides. To make this woman march means to openly declare war to our religious values. Whoever is responsible for this unforgivable act, he should know that this gesture constitutes an obstacle for the appearance of Mahdi."

To our knowledge, no one has contacted Sayyid Elmalhoda for verification or clarification of his statement, but the report has caused discussion and controversy in some Shia online forums. Some people thought the objection might be related to Homa Hosseini herself, because a Google image search produces several pictures without Hijab. But the translation of the alleged statement suggests the issue that Sayyid Elmalhoda objected to is a woman carrying the flag of the country.

In response to the controversy, many people asked scholars for their opinion of the situation. All the replies reported in the forums indicated that the scholars did not find objection to the participation of any of the Iranian women in the Opening Ceremonies, saying that their Hijab was appropriate and that a woman carrying the flag in this context was permissible. It was suggested that their participation had been approved in advance by authorities in Iran.

Many people still want to know if the report is indeed factual, and if so, what was the basis for the Mashhad prayer leader's strong statement. Is there really a valid issue in the Shari'ah about a woman being a flag bearer? We know that in war, the flag bearer is usually a male, and that in various ceremonies developed for Muharram observances, some cultures reenact the flag bearing of the battle of Karbala. This is always a male, in accordance with the history.

If a woman being a flag-bearer in a ceremony for the Olympic Games is to be considered an impediment to the return of the Imam of Our Age (may Allah hasten his reappearance), then what of the Olympics Games themselves? Many people enjoy the games as a peaceful venture of elite competition and goodwill. Reality shows there is a darker side to the Games – a history of violent politics, doping, child abuse, removing people from their homes to build arenas, and much more – all for the idolatry of the medals and what they symbolize in the global arena.

Michael Phelps and other great Olympic athletes are being hailed as heroes and good role models. But one thing is missing from the overall spirit of the Olympics that prevents it from fully achieving its generally noble or harmless ideals. While many athletes make their own personal prayers as they prepare to compete, by and large the intention of the competition from the ancient beginning of the Games to the present is missing "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah). The extreme absorption into the sport that is necessary to produce an elite athlete, absent a purified intention, is possibly a form of Shirk (polytheism).

If we continue to analyze the Olympic Games in light of the flag-bearing controversy, another issue closely behind it is the role of the Muslim woman in sport. The Islamic scholars for the most part seem to approve of female participation in sports, provided proper Hijab is observed. Iran has made some great strides for female participation in sport. Earlier this year, a new park was dedicated in Iran entirely for women, and it is not the first of its kind. An outdoor venue for women to run, swim, play volleyball, relax, and walk freely without Hijab is a wonderful thing. And there are also indoor sport facilities in Iran for Muslim women that rival the men's. But in general, Muslim women all over the world are forced to choose between observing proper Hijab and not exercising and enjoying sport, or observing proper Hijab while struggling to find ways to be physically active that are not too uncomfortable or impractical, or simply taking off the Hijab to achieve their athletic potentials and enjoy good physical exercise.

Why do we see so few Hijabi athletes at the Olympics? It seems that most women who observe Hijab do not achieve elite levels in athletics. There are many reasons for this, not all of them bad. But if the complaints of many Muslim women hold any bearing, there is a disparity that the Muslim communities need to address.

http://www.islamicinsights.com/news/opinion/olympics-and-the-hijab.html

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New and Cool Hijab Styles

New and Cool Hijab Styles

By : Marziya Kaka

Ever seen an interesting Hijabi style and have always wanted to try it out but just don't know the technique – the proper covering of the neck, the invisible pin right on the side of the scarf, and let's not forget the symmetrical corners all set up right? Well, I have, and after much wondering and stealing side glances, I simply asked. So today, I will share what I have learnt.

Style No.1: The Traditional Square Scarf

Just fold into a triangular shape and wear it. There are some hardcore Hijabis who will wake up half an hour before the alarm rings to iron their scarf so when worn, it is straight like a needle.

Style No. 2: The Long Rectangular Hijabs (Shellas)

Pashminas and Dupattas can easily be converted into Shellas, but the trick is to make sure you don't look like you have a swollen thyroid problem on your neck. Quick tips on the Shella: Fold the Shella a little bit before wearing it, as it gives a softer appearance of your face. Do not push your Shella/scarf all the way to the back of your forehead; rather, pull the sides a little bit more forward so that if you have a round face, it actually makes it look longer.

Style No. 3: The Cap and Scarf

Many online stores have light cotton caps in different that look like bandanas that can be worn before you wear the Hijab. These caps really help if you are wearing a transparent Hijab or, in this case, if you want to coordinate different colors in your Hijabs to match your outfits. Simply wear the cap and then wear the Shella in a different color, making sure one side is longer than the other. Wrap the Shella around your head, and pin the end on the side of your head.

Style No. 4: The Palestinian Style

(Since the majority of Palestinians who I have met seem to wear it this way.) Wear your Shella and make sure one side is longer than the other side. Pin the Shella at the back of your head, then pull over the longer side and wrap it around your neck and over your head. Pin it with a Hijabi pin. This style works really well if you have a Shella that has fringes on the end.

Style No. 5: The Creative Style

Okay, so let's say you want to be risky for the day, and apart from going way over the speed limit, you want splashes of color in your style too. Well, here goes. Wear a different colored cap, for instance, black. Then take two Shellas – red and black – and wear them over the hat and pin both of them together under your neck. (Make sure the red is on the bottom so that it contrasts with the black hat and Shella). One of the Shellas has to be longer on the side that will be going over your head. Wrap the bottom Shella over your head, and pin it on the side with a small pin. Then wrap the longer Shella and pin it with a cute Hijabi pin. If the longer Shella has fringes on the end, it will look more fun.

(Note: you can also double layer the Shellas without the cap, and instead use one solid scarf and one multicolored scarf.)

Just like everything else in life, practice makes perfect. Wear it in front of your friends and family and get their opinion, and after all, everything comes down to what you are comfortable in. So dress right and go out there and represent!

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