hijab- oppression or freedom?

The topic of hijab, or headscarf, is a big one. Many non-Muslims have the idea that women are forced to wear it by their husbands or fathers or some domineering male in their life. They view the hijab as a sign of oppression. First, let me ask you this. Do you see the habit, worn by nuns in the Catholic religion, as oppressive? Or what about women of other religions such as menonites, and amish? They too have head coverings. For some reason, these women are looked upon with respect for their dedication to their religion. Muslimahs are either looked upon with pity, or scorned for being 'extremists.' Why is it that any other religion is accepted

and tolerated to have women cover their hair, yet not acceptable for Islam's women?

Before explaining why we cover... I have to explain that as Muslimahs we aren't called just to cover our hair, but our bodies as well. Our clothes must be loose, covering all but our face and hands (although it is considered best to cover them as well) not bright colors which attract attention. We shouldn't wear makeup, jewelry, or perfume in public because this beautifies and attracts attention. It shouldn't be see-through. Men also have guidlines for their clothing. It should cover the area between the naval and the knee, be loose, not see-through, not silk, and not showy. Men also aren't permitted to wear gold, and must grow their beard.

The reason muslimahs wear the hijab and cover, is because Allah has ordered us to do so in the Quran. "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..." Quran 33:59

Allah decreed this for us so that we as women are valued for what is on the inside (our thoughts and our character) and not judged by our body. We all know the saying 'if you got it, flaunt it.' When you think about it, that's a very disturbing way of thinking, yet it's accepted, and practiced by many women. How sad that women feel the need to suceed in all aspects of life by their body image. Dressing up, wearing make-up, jewelry, tight clothes that show off one's best assets... this is all done everyday. Society is teaching men it's acceptable to look at a woman's body, to judge her based on her shape first. Where's the respect? "In our society, women are subtly encouraged to pay attention to superficial concerns- looks, appearance, physical attractiveness- and the vanity and narcissism that accompany them. While many people are obsessed with outward appearances, the covered woman is taught by Islam to cultivate a beuty that is far more than skin deep - that of her character, manners and morals. Thus, she is liberated from wasting her time and energy on achieving outward beauty, knowing that it's what is in her heart that will make her truly beautiful." 'From My Sisters' Lips' by Na'ima Roberts pg. 126

"How could I have any self-respect if I found myself, once again, batting my eyelashes or deliberately choosing to wear a pair of trousers becasue they made me look absolutely ravishing? Indeed, I remember thinking to myself, You've grown to rely on your looks in this way for so long- how much respect do you really have for yourself? I had long thought the practice of judging women according to their measurements totally unacceptable (which is why I was dead against beauty contests!) but hadn't we, in our own way, been part of such a system? Beautiful women the world over have an unfair advantage and an easy ticket to social success... The first effect that the hijab seemed to have on us was to encourage modesty- in dress and in conduct. After a lifetime spent showing off our clothes and our bodies, we suddenly felt shy to flaunt ourselves in public. The hijab reminded us of the standards of behaviour that were expected of us as Muslim women. When it came to the opposite sex we no longer felt comfortable having conversations that were too personal or familiar and the hijab made flirting a definite no-no." 'From My Sisters' Lips' pgs. 110 & 111

There are regulations for both genders. Being modest is not just for women. In the Quran, Allah says "Say to the believing men 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 they do. 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 must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers (father-in-law) their sons, their husbands' sons (step-sons) their brothers or their brothers' sons (nephews) or their sisters sons or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..."Quran 24:31-32
In this way both genders are held responsible and it's their duty to be sure to maintain high standards of purity, shyness and modesty.

Here is a statement from a sister in the UK; "Sometimes I watch a guy walk past a girl and he'll turn back and look at her legs or her chest and I just think, I would hate that to happen to me. It doesn't appeal to me, it's not flattering. I can't understand how that can make a woman happy. To me, it's nicer when a Muslim brother passes by me and looks down. To me, that is more respectful than someone whistling at my legs."

As I've mentioned in my previous blog, women in Islam are held in high esteem, deeply respected, and greatly appreciated. Allah has called for women to increase this respect by respecting themselves and the bodies He gave them.

Our beauty is something special. By keeping it guarded and hidden, we elevate the significance of our relationships with those close to us, especialy our husbands. Think about it. Isn't it backwards that we dress up for strangers at work, or the grocery store, or the restaraunt, yet the second we get home we're quick to wash the make-up off, and change into the most comfortable pair of sweatpants and old, oversized, tshirt? What message is being sent to the man of your life? That the looks and glances of strangers is more important than his? Islam protects unwanted attention from strangers and strengthens marriages through public modesty.

Freedom is defined as "the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint; exemption from external control, interference, regulation; the absence of or release from ties, obligations." Muslimahs are free from the demands of physical perfection called by society. Our importance and relevance in our environment is based on the truly import... our intelligence and character. Our desire to obey and please God exceeds the need to fit in or blend in with what society has ruled as acceptable. In this way, we are free. I hope the next time you see a Muslimah, or any religious woman covering and being modest, you smile and it makes you happy to know that there is someone who is dedicated to pleasing her Lord over the people of the earth.

Conversion for men?

I'm not sure why, but there seems to be an assumption that a woman who wasn't raised in Islam has converted because of a man. The underlying implication is that she is doing it for the man, and not for God. To me, this is insulting. A woman isn't smart enough to make decisions that affect her entire life on her own? And I'm not just speaking of her life here on earth, but her eternal life after death. She needs a man for guidance and purpose? I want everyone to understand and think logicaly about this. First of all, Islam isn't just a 'lip service' religion. What I mean by that is, true muslims that are sincere in their worship and are dedicated to their religion can't just say 'I'm a muslim' yet live their everyday life the same as non-muslims. Islam is a complete and total way of life. We pray 5 times a day at all hours. Tell me, if someone were only in a religion because of another human, do you think it would be possible for them to wake up before dawn everyday to pray? Don't you think that would get old and the novelty would wear off after a while? What about fasting? Do you think it possible for someone to fast for an entire month (during daylight hours, which can be up to 15-16 hours depending on the season) for another human being? Second of all, so what if a woman was introduced to Islam by a man? That doesn't mean she is in love with him or is going to marry him, or is following the religion for him.

As of 2004 there was about 1.2 billion muslims on the earth, with 3-5 million of them from the U.S. (There are about 1.9 billion Christians on the earth.) Unfortunately, it's hard to get an accurate statistic of exactly how many are converts and how many are women. Some statistics say that for every 1 man that converts 4 women convert. If the majority of women were converting for the purpose of a man, think of all the muslim men there would have to be in the world. This isn't the case, as the population of women outnumber the men, some statistics say as high as 8:1. Watch this to see one Christian group's opinion on how Islam is rapidly spreading across the world.

What draws women to Islam isn't the love of a man. It's the love of their Lord. The truth of the religion. The beauty and reality of worshiping and serving the One and Only God. The peace in living out our purpose on earth, which is to worship and obey Allah, in order to gain entrance into Jennah (heaven) for eternity.
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions. Quran 4:69

These are the limits [set by] Allah, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment. Quran 4:13

Women in Islam

One of the biggest issues in Islam that is HUGELY misunderstood is the role of women. I will do my best not to make this too long as there are tons and tons of examples of how women are to be treated.

First of all, I feel I need to say this: yes, there are examples of women being mistreated in 'Islam.' I used it in quotes because unfortunately, its hard for people who aren't muslims to know the difference between cultural customs, and true Islamic religious practices. There is sometimes a fine line between what is the religion and what has been passed down over generations as traditions of culture. The only way to know for sure is to read the Quran, study the hadiths (teachings) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to know the religion. We've all heard the horror stories of women being abused, mistreated, and experiencing horrific ordeals in their life. I am sorry for these sisters of mine, and pray for peace and justice in their life. But PLEASE be assured that any practices or anything done to harm, abuse, or mistreat a woman IS NOT ISLAM. I need to say that again... any practices or anything done to harm, abuse, or mistreat a woman IS NOT ISLAM. Unfortunately there are misguided men out there who aren't strong in their deen (religion) and only claim to be muslims because this is the religion of their families. It's like any religion... you have those who truly practice and follow the teachings, and live it... and you have those who claim it but don't live it.

That being said Islam often refers to women as Diamonds of the Deen (religion) or Diamonds/Jewels of Islam. We are to be treated equaly and to be given our rights. There are no forced marriages in ISLAM. (Notice I said Islam, unfortunately there are forced marriages in the world, I'm not denying it. BUT it is NOT Islamic!!) At the time of the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) it was customary to kill newborn daughters and Islam ended this. There are soooo many ayats (verses) in the Quran about women. Here are just a few:
"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good." Quran 4:19
"Women have the same rights (in relation to their husbands) as are expected in all decency from them, while men stand a step above them." Quran 2:228 (Men stand a step above them refers to the economic duties a husband has to his wife in Islam. He is to work and provide for her a house, food, clothing, all her needs. In Islam, a man is to share his money, but a women's money is her own to do with as she wishes. Her husband has no claim to her money. This also refers to the protection a husband is responsible for toward his wife.)
"Dwell with your wives in kindness for even if you hate them, you might be hating someone in whom Allah has placed so much good." Quran 4:19
"The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise"Quran 9:71 This is proof that a marriage is to be a partnership with Islam (the obedience of Allah) in the center of the marriage.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also had many teachings and hadiths reguarding women in Islam. Here are a few:
The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. [Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396]

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asking:
O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (pbuh) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (pbuh) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? The Prophet (pbuh) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (pbuh) say, Your father. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

A famous saying of the Prophet (pbuh) is: "Paradise is at the feet of mothers." [In An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad]






As you can see, Islam holds women in high reguard. Wives, mothers, and daughters are to be cared for, protected, cherished, loved and valued. Woman are encouraged to be as educated as they desire. Attending schools, universities, etc. are highly encouraged. Working is optional. If the woman enjoys working, then of course she can. The stereotype of the domineering husband who locks his wife in the house making her a Cinderella-type servant is not acceptable or accurate in ISLAM. Consider this example of the diamond/jewel of Islam. Anyone owning a precious gem is careful with it. Keeping it guarded, and safe from scratches and chips. It gets polished, admired and well cared for. Please click here to see many more examples of women in Islam.