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.