Hijab: a Must, OR a Choice?
Written by Haitham Sabbah on 26. June 2005, 1605hrs // Part of Haitham Sabbah's adventure in Culture, Human Rights, Islam, Regional, Religion // Other posts by Haitham Sabbah
One of the reasons I’m writing about this topic today, is this comment by Gladwyn, which clearly implies unclear understanding of Hijab in particular and Islam in general.
Hijab has been the subject of much controversy and debate, especially since the French government decided to ban hijab and other religious “symbols” from public schools. Everyone wants to know what’s hijab all about? Is hijab a matter of choice or not? Do Muslim women get forced to wear the hijab? How do the non-Muslims view the Muslim women? Why does the West see The Veil as symbol of oppression of women, making them invisible, anonymous and voiceless? Is the Headscarf symbol of Islam only, or does it have any roots in Judaism and Christianity? What’s the origin of The Veil?
A lot of question, I know. Most if not all were answered over many debates and on many occasions, however, since many of the visitors here are from western background, it is important for me to try to answer some of these questions again, and I’m sure many others will have a different opinions.
But before we talk about hijab, it has to be made clear first that Muslim women in the Muslim world today do not receive the noble treatment described by Islam! (This is a shocking statement, someone might say. I mean you don’t expect a person to defend some Islamic symbol, yet criticize his Muslim society. But one has to be fair!).
Anyway, the vast differences among Muslim societies make most generalizations too simplistic. There is a wide spectrum of attitudes towards women in the Muslim world today. These attitudes differ from one society to another and within each individual society. Nevertheless, certain general trends are discernible. Almost all Muslim societies have, to one degree or another, deviated from the ideals of Islam with respect to the status of women. These deviations have, for the most part, been in one of two opposite directions. The first direction is more conservative, restrictive, and traditions-oriented, while the second is more liberal and Western-oriented.
The societies that have digressed in the first direction treat women according to the customs and traditions inherited from their forebears. These traditions usually deprive women of many rights granted to them by Islam. Besides, women are treated according to standards far different from those applied to men. This discrimination pervades the life of any female: she is received with less joy at birth than a boy; she is less likely to go to school; she might be deprived any share of her family’s inheritance; she is under continuous surveillance in order not to behave immodestly while her brother’s immodest acts are tolerated; she might even be killed for committing what her male family members usually boast of doing; she has very little say in family affairs or community interests; she might not have full control over her property and her marriage gifts; and finally as a mother she herself would prefer to produce boys so that she can attain a higher status in her community.
Back to Hijab. Let us shed some light on what is considered in the west as the greatest symbol of women’s oppression and servitude, Hijab, the veil or the head cover. Hijab is derived from the Arabic word hajaba, which means to conceal or to prevent from being seen. The garb must be loose and opaque and must be worn, whenever the women either leaves the house, or whenever male visitors not belonging to the family are received. Only the hands and face may, according to the prophet Mohammed, be visible, but this point is rather controversial. Some also choose to cover these parts of the body, but more often than not this is the result of the personal choice of the individual woman.
Ok then. But, is it true that there is no such thing as the veil in the Judaeo-Christian tradition? Let’s set the record straight.
According to Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Brayer (Professor of Biblical Literature at Yeshiva University) in his book ‘The Jewish woman in Rabbinic literature’, it was the custom of Jewish women to go out in public with a head covering which, sometimes, even covered the whole face leaving one eye free. He quotes some famous ancient Rabbis saying,”It is not like the daughters of Israel to walk out with heads uncovered” and “Cursed be the man who lets the hair of his wife be seen….a woman who exposes her hair for self-adornment brings poverty.”
Rabbinic law forbids the recitation of blessings or prayers in the presence of a bareheaded married woman since uncovering the woman’s hair is considered “nudity”.
Dr. Brayer also mentions that “During the Tannaitic period the Jewish woman’s failure to cover her head was considered an affront to her modesty. When her head was uncovered she might be fined four hundred zuzim for this offense.” Dr. Brayer also explains that veil of the Jewish woman was not always considered a sign of modesty. Sometimes, the veil symbolized a state of distinction and luxury rather than modesty. The veil personified the dignity and superiority of noble women. It also represented a woman’s inaccessibility as a sanctified possession of her husband. It is clear in the Old Testament that uncovering a woman’s head was a great disgrace and that’s why the priest had to uncover the suspected adulteress in her trial by ordeal (Numbers 5:16-18).
The veil signified a woman’s self-respect and social status. Women of lower classes would often wear the veil to give the impression of a higher standing. The fact that the veil was the sign of nobility was the reason why prostitutes were not permitted to cover their hair in the old Jewish society. However, prostitutes often wore a special headscarf in order to look respectable. Jewish women in Europe continued to wear veils until the nineteenth century when their lives became more intermingled with the surrounding secular culture. The external pressures of the European life in the nineteenth century forced many of them to go out bare-headed. Some Jewish women found it more convenient to replace their traditional veil with a wig as another form of hair covering. Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue. Some of them, such as the Hasidic sects, still use the wig.
What about the Christian tradition? It is well known that Catholic Nuns have been covering their heads for hundreds of years, but that is not all. St. Paul in the New Testament made some very interesting statements about the veil:
“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head” (I Corinthians 11:3-10).
St. Paul’s rationale for veiling women is that the veil represents a sign of the authority of the man, who is the image and glory of God, over the woman who was created from and for man.
St. Tertullian in his famous treatise ‘On The Veiling Of Virgins’ wrote, “Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church, you wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers…”
Among the Canon laws of the Catholic church today, there is a law that require women to cover their heads in church. Some Christian denominations, such as the Amish and the Mennonites for example, keep their women veiled to the present day. The reason for the veil, as offered by their Church leaders, is “The head covering is a symbol of woman’s subjection to the man and to God” : The same logic introduced by St. Paul in the New Testament.
From all the above evidence, it is obvious that Islam didn’t invent the head cover, but Islam endorsed it. The Quran urges the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty and then urges the believing women to extend their head covers to cover the neck and the bosom “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty……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; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms….” (24:30,31).
The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear:
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested” (33:59).
This is the whole point, modesty is prescribed to protect women from molestation or simply, modesty is protection.
Thus, the only purpose of the veil in Islam is protection. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil of the Christian tradition, is not a sign of man’s authority over woman nor is it a sign of woman’s subjection to man. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil in the Jewish tradition, is not a sign of luxury and distinction of some noble married women. The Islamic veil is only a sign of modesty with the sole purpose of protecting women, all women. The Islamic philosophy is that it is always better safe than sorry.
In fact, the Quran is so concerned with protecting women’s bodies and women’s reputation that a man who dares to falsely accuse a woman of unchastity will be severely punished, “And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations)- Flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors”(24:4).
Compare this strict Quranic attitude with the extremely lax punishment for rape in the Bible
“If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives” (Deut. 22:28-30).
One must ask a simple question here, who is really punished? The man who only paid a fine for rape, or the girl who is forced to marry the man who raped her and live with him until he dies? Another question that also should be asked is this: which is more protective of women, the Quranic strict attitude or the Biblical lax attitude?
Some people, especially in the West, would tend to ridicule the whole argument of modesty for protection. Their argument is that the best protection is the spread of education, civilised behaviour, and self restraint. We would say: Fine but not enough.
- If ‘civilization’ is enough protection, then why is it that women in North America, dare not walk alone in a dark street - or even across an empty parking lot?
- If Education is the solution, then why is it that a respected university like University of Essex has a ‘walk home service’ for female students on campus?
- If self restraint is the answer, then why are cases of sexual harassment in the workplace on the news media every day?
A sample of those accused of sexual harassment, in the last few years, includes: Navy officers, Managers, University professors, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and the President of the United States!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the following statistics, written in a pamphlet issued by the Dean of Women’s office at Queen’s University:
Something is fundamentally wrong in this society. A radical change in the society’s life style and culture is absolutely necessary. A culture of modesty is badly needed, modesty in dress, in speech, and in manners of both men and women. Otherwise, the grim statistics will grow even worse day after day and, unfortunately, women alone will be paying the price. Therefore, a society like France which expels young women from schools because of their modest dress is, in the end, simply harming itself.
It is one of the great ironies of our world today that the very same headscarf revered as a sign of ‘holiness’ when worn for the purpose of showing the authority of man by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of ‘oppression’ when worn for the purpose of protection by Muslim women. (Friday khutbah by Sherif Muhammad. Kingston, February, 1995)
The orthodox Muslim woman does not perceive the veil as inhibiting or oppresive. On the contrary. The veil guarantees her the full respect of the surroundings, and thus must be considered a privilege rather than a burden.
The dignity of the wife or the daughters, or the dignity of any Muslim woman, for that matter, must be respected and protected. The western entertain the erroneous notion that the veil represents a compulsion from the husband and the religion. But women wearing veils, on the other hand, normally radiate devotion towards their religion. They have chosen the veil as a clear demonstration of their Muslim identity.
Forcing anyone to do something against their own will is against Islam. There is no demand of compulsion in the Koran. On the other hand, every human being should see it as a religious duty to act out of a clean heart.
Of course there may be families where the woman is forced, for instance to stay at home. But that does not imply that doing so is Islam.
Last but not least, across the Muslim world, from high-end fashion stores in Dubai to more economic ones in working-class Cairo, women shop for a range of Islamic garb from stark black abayas in feather-light chiffon or heavy cotton, to exquisitely embroidered gallabeyas - or long flowing gowns - and ornately beaded and sequined hijabs.
The diversity ranges from the gallabeyas and abayas with scarves of the Arab world to the chador or manteau (coat) and russari (scarf) of the Persian world to the chuni or wispy fabric accompanying the shalwar kameez in the Indian subcontinent to an assortment of veils and burqas worn in Muslim Southeast Asia and Africa.
They all fall under the rubric of the hijab, a term loosely, if not always accurately, employed to denote loose clothing topped by a headscarf.
But within Islam, the issue of veiling is a subject for considerable debate. Some Islamic experts say the text is open to interpretations, which has accounted for the diversity of veiling traditions across the Islamic world.
“Although the Koran does call upon women to cover their heads, the measures change from tradition to tradition. The burqa in particular, is part of local traditions in different parts of the world. While the Koran does not obliterate the need for hijab, Muslim women have a choice based on their circumstances. But Koranic injunctions definitely call for modesty in dressing.”
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June 26th, 2005 at 5:17 pm
Haitham, that is indeed a great post. I agree with you on a lot of the arguments you made, save for the comparision of societies in regards to sexual assault.
I don’t believe that Arab men are any better, especially those opressed by religious figures such as in Saudi Arabia. I lived there my entire life as you know, and the viel there is so misused/misunderstood that women do not dare to step outside the house.
I know many girls personally and have heard of so many stories about rape, sexual assault, and misconduct that the statistics of Canada shy away in comparision.
I know that this is not to be generalized, for as everyone knows, the Levantine countries are very safe for women.
June 26th, 2005 at 5:58 pm
Thanks for the great post Haitham!
What a concidence, I was thinking of writing about Hijab in the Arab Muslim countries. Wearing a veil is choosing to obey Allah-swt-, I believe its about choosing the right path.
June 26th, 2005 at 6:33 pm
Roba, I agree with you regarding Saudi. As I said, it’s a matter of tradition and culture from a place to another.
On the other hand, regarding the statistics, the argument here is, “if the best protection is by spreading of education, civilized behavior, and self restraint as the west says.” Then why it is not working in the west? Clearly that is not enough protection.
SC, the more the better. Please if you have more, or you can shed more light on any part, please do so and “ping” this post
June 26th, 2005 at 11:25 pm
Veiled Women: Discriminated against in MUSLIM Coun
An old yet remains up-to-date observation: decent clothes are heading towards extinction. Veiled or not veiled such clothes are so much for modesty but for a veiled woman, you need to wear at least 3 peices of clothes only as a top.
June 27th, 2005 at 12:36 am
Thanks for the great Post… I always find myself defending Isalm.. and now you clearly have given me evidence and arguments that hat Hijab exists in other religions as well, not only Islam… However, I am not very sure how i feel about Hijab to be honest.
1-It fascinates me that the Quran left this specific issue among others for contravecy.. I mean Allah SWT Can say directly cover your hair and that would make it definitive, but He chose not to say this and leave it open for Muslim interpretations… I mean in the Ayat that you indicated, it states clearly to cover the bossom, but there is not one Ayat in the whole Quran that says cover your hair. The only women who were directly ordered to cover are the women of Alrasoul SA3WS so people know who they are… God could very easily have said All muslim woman cover your hair.. but He chose not to.
2- I agree with you on the topic that islam Endorsed Hijab and did not invent it… but we have to remember something very important, in our culture men also cover their hair with “7ata” or “Kufieh”, or “Shmagh” and as you said this gives an indication of nobility. This is because of the hot weather in our area…and although the Quraan did not say cover your hair for men or women, our traditions indicated this and it became a symbol of Islam… actually historical evidence says that Hijab was imposed on women in Omar bin il Khatab time, and in Christianity by Saint Paul. Please correct me if I am wrong.
3- I also agree Hijab became a symbol of islam, and many women around the world wear the hijab as defiance to the hypocracy of the world or defiance to their position in their countries of immigration… such as Turks in Germany or North Africans in France rather than to comply to the rules of Isalm… Many of the turks i have met would be wearing so much make up and very sexy clothing but still cover their heads, the same i have seen in my university in Jordan, and i saw it very exagerated in Saudi! and the same all over the world. Obviously i am not to generalize, but this attitude makes me a bit afraid that even us muslims use Islam for different reasons and not always the right reasons….
June 27th, 2005 at 2:40 am
I agree with some of your statements and this is indeed a great post, however I must refute Madas last statement. True wearing the Hijab is a choice and that choice belongs to each individual who bears that right. Whether she decides to wear makeup or what others may find as seductive clothing along with it, is not for other individuals to judge. Regardless of our fears. We as human beings are to take responsibility for ourselves, each doing as best we can with our level of consciousness. We should be mindful of others and their choices even if we do not agree. With that said I also believe that throughout time the Hijab has and will continue to take on many roles and many faces. Whether it is in the fashion sense or with various religious interpretations. I think that is the natural law of things. They evolve and change with time as well as with and without scrutiny. There is no doubt the history behind wearing the veil exists but where it will be in the future has yet to come.
June 27th, 2005 at 8:32 am
Madas, I’ve been thinking about that Aya myself but tell you what, forget about the so called controversary and forget also about the Ijma3 of Muslim schoolars on that women should cover their hair, everytime I think about it I reach to the same conclusion, common sense says we need hijab don’t you think?
June 27th, 2005 at 9:30 am
I just finished reading a book titled “Conference of the Books: the Search for Beauty in Islam”, its not about hijab, but it has some relevant information, I think its worth the read, if not for the content in it, for improving our english language.
I don’t think hijab is a must or God’s orders. Modesty is, hijab is not. Why? I think you have to do the research on your own! I will be happy providing some insights.
Regards,
Maraya
June 27th, 2005 at 11:50 am
Just came accross your blog and I think its very good, keep up the good work.
June 27th, 2005 at 3:06 pm
Great post Haitham. Lots or work put together for that one. It is interesting that the hijab is one of the things in Islam that really is left up to the woman 100%. There is no punishment in The Qur’an or hadith listed for women who do not wear it.
My wife does not wear the hijab, although she knews she should. When she lived in Saudi she wore the niqab because if she didnt she would be harassed by the men or the mutawa. Interesting to note that the religious police were just as likely to give you their phone number than punish you for not covering right. Not very religious at all.
Islam is all about intention. If women are forced to cover and do not do so of their own choice, they get no reward for doing so. Look at Saudi Arabia. They are forced to cover, yet the seond they leave Saudi airspace on the plane they loose the niqab and emerge in the latest fashionable miniskirt or skin tight dress.
abusinan.blogspot.com
June 27th, 2005 at 3:36 pm
SC, can you please explain the common sense? Just out of curiousity…
June 27th, 2005 at 4:44 pm
SC, I have thought a lot about this topic for years actually, I am a very modest person naturally in the way I dress,I am not comfortable otherwise, maybe it is because of growing up in the middle east, where we have no choice BUT to be modest. My idea of wearing the hijab is to divert attention, but this differs from one culture to other. Wearing the hijab in one culture makes people look at you with respect, so they won’t look at you, and in other cultures makes people look at you with fascination, or surprise, or whatever…which causes people to stare at you.. I remember once in a city in Europe.. there was one lady who was wearing the hijab, and every single person in that city knew who she is and where she lives, and everything about her… and it made me feel trully sad.
June 27th, 2005 at 4:45 pm
SC, I have thought a lot about this topic for years actually, I am a very modest person naturally in the way I dress,I am not comfortable otherwise, maybe it is because of growing up in the middle east, where we have no choice BUT to be modest. My idea of wearing the hijab is to divert attention, but this differs from one culture to other. Wearing the hijab in one culture makes people look at you with respect, so they won’t look at you, and in other cultures makes people look at you with fascination, or surprise, or whatever…which causes people to stare at you.. I remember once in a city in Europe.. there was one lady who was wearing the hijab, and every single person in that city knew who she is and where she lives, and everything about her… and it made me feel trully sad. Anyway, this is a matter of belief, and each person is responsible for their own beliefs.
June 27th, 2005 at 5:04 pm
I think it is important to note that not everyone who wears hijab is modest. We have seen women here wearing hijab and skin tight jeans, or hijab with cleavage showing. We were at a halal shop here once and saw a beautiful woman, Khaleji, wearing a very colourful hijab/abaya, her face very made up, and perfume that could have been smelled in the business next door.
Of course you then have what I call the hijab “nuss-nuss”(half and half) because it is hijab, and it isnt. The hair is sticking out of the back, out of the front, ears with earrings are showing. Often this is a person wearing the hijab more out of culture than religion.
None of the above is modest and none of it, I would think, conforms with Islamic teachings. My wife, who doesnt wear hijab, is much more modest in her manner of dress than many women who wear hijab.
June 27th, 2005 at 5:24 pm
Haitham, wonderful wonderful post, thanks a lot. I’ll cross-post it coz it’s worth the read and it’s exactly what many were asking about and I used to reply to each one on their own blog, but this is way much better
A quick reply to our friends’ comments up there:
Roba: the misapplication of people results in forming some kind of tradition that complicates our lifestyle, and this is what gives Islam and its rules a bad name. Islam is against force & complications, it is meant to make life easier and simpler (deen yosr) not (deen 3osr).
Mariam: many things were provided clearly in Quran but were not stated as orders because Islam is a religion that provokes thinking and choosing taking the difference in time and surrounding. Concerning Hijab, the following ayah clearly states that a woman must wear a hijab:, “….and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…” (Qur’an 24:30-31)
Which means: the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom. In other words Hijab is not a choice but a must, yet what’s left to be a choice is the style of hijab. There is no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing to wear, as long as it meets the following requirements: covering everything but the face and hands; looseness; thickness (not to show the body); not flashy; modesty; and be feminine.
If the hijab doesn’t meet all these requirements it is no hijab no matter what, which brings me to the comment of Abu Sinan as well, the application of some girls doesn’t mean this is hijab. Hijab must meet all requirements.
As for SC, I totally agree with her, although I -unfortunately- do not have the courage and strength to take the step of wearing hijab, but I hope I will soon, and I’m pro hijab with all my heart.
In our time men are on the hunt for girls, mostly judging by looks, who’s hot, who’s sexy…etc, and women are on the hunt for men, both driven by desire, and both being slaves for how they look to satisfy others. Even when a woman says: I want to look good for myself, she’s lying, she does it to impress, and by impressing she feels good about herself.
Hijab doesn’t forbid pleasure, but it offers pleasure in the right relationship and right track. Hijab doesn’t make women weaker but stronger and forces others to look at her inside and respect her mind. No matter how hard people try to prove that a woman can make men listen to her without focusing on her looks, don’t believe them .
There’s nothing better than a clean society with the right kind of freedom that offers respect to each member.
June 27th, 2005 at 9:03 pm
Interesting discussion!
madas said: I mean in the Ayat that you indicated, it states clearly to cover the bossom, but there is not one Ayat in the whole Quran that says cover your hair.
I agree. But lets read this Aya again:
“…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…”
Now, it looks we all concentrated on the “veils over their bosoms” part, but we missed one part before, which is “that they should not display their beauty”, and we missed one part after, which is “and not display their beauty.” See the original text in Arabic (I’ve added it above).
Now, my question (and I’m not trying to draw anyone to a conclusion), should the hair be considered as part of the woman’s beauty? If Yes, then it should be covered. If not, then it’s not necessary to cover the it. Don’t you agree?
The same goes to all other parts of the body! We should ask, does it reveal some part of the woman beauty? If yes, cover it. If No, don’t cover it.
Do I sound like a sheikh today
June 27th, 2005 at 9:18 pm
The only reason the bossom was specifically mention is that in the Middle East at the time of the revelation there was a custom of keeping the breasts bear. Those specific words were meant to address that reality.
As to the hair, as a man I will tell you that a woman’s hair is one of the most attractive things about her.
June 27th, 2005 at 9:32 pm
I thought so too
June 27th, 2005 at 10:10 pm
Exactly my point… it is a personal matter of taste and interpretation, you consider woman’s hair is the most beautiful feature in her, i consider her face is… other people my consider other parts of her body… God left this for us to decide on and gave us the choice, and each person choses what is good for them. I dont want to go into this contraversial discussion, because eventually people do not change their beliefs so easily… I believe in one thing though, Quran is good for all times and all people… and for it to be good for all people, people have to be comfortabe with their own faith and their own way of worshiping God. because no matter what, no matter how good people know you… only God knows why people make their specific choices. and as it is said “kul wa7ad 3ala Dinoh Allah yi3eenoh” with this thought I leave you with God.
June 27th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
madas, I agree with the part of choice, but don’t agree with part where you say “you consider woman’s hair is the most beautiful feature in her.”
I see this part as a matter of controversial discussion because of the fact that the Aya is saying “zenatahuna” (which is translated as beauty).
Now, there is two parts:
1. “should not display their beauty.” Every part of the human body is a beauty by itself. If it was not taken care of, that’s an exception, not the rule. Therefore, it means that God is asking woman to cover their beauty, regardless.
2. “except what ordinarily appear thereof.” The face, unless a woman choice to cover it (Niqap). But “ordinarily” in the Arabic version means what is usually appearing, which I understand as what is usually needed to “appear” like the face, but not the hair.
So, “beauty” in the Aya is not a personal matter of taste and interpretation anymore.
I hope I cleared my point?
BTW, I’m not trying to change anyone’s beliefs. Just trying to understand the two sides of the story!
PS. For the one who asked me by email if my wife wears Hijab, Yes she does. No I didn’t force her, she was like that even before we got married. She told me that that was her choice, and I respect that. On the other hand, she is a better Muslim than me, if you know what I mean
June 28th, 2005 at 12:09 am
why the hijab
http://research.umbc.edu/eol/MA/index/number3/nieuwkerk/karin_4.htm
Classic Islam defines the wifely duties in terms of women’s obligation to provide sex over and above their obligation to reproduce and mother (2). Women cannot refuse to perform the conjugal duty (Naamane-Guessous 1990: 194) (3). They should fulfill this duty so as to prevent men from committing illicit intercourse. Yet, this also protects themselves against their husbands marrying a second wife. Only women who know how to please their husbands are capable of assuring their attention and support.
The powerlessness of women can potentially be inverted if they manage to seduce and ensnare men. Orthodox scholars acknowledge this danger and since men are primarily created to worship God, they warn against female seduction and particularly against attachment to women. God requires the believer’s total love and all of his capacity for emotional attachment: “Emotional attachment divides man’s heart, and Allah hath not created man with two hearts within his body” (Quran Surah II: 165).
Mernissi argues that implicitly in the religious discourse women are feared for their disruptive potentials. Women are capable of creating fitna (4) chaos provoked by sexual disorder (Mernissi 1975: 4). According to the implicit religious discourse, both sexes have an active sexual nature and female desires should be gratified as well. If women are not sexually satisfied they create fitna by enticing other men than their husbands. Hence: “The virtue of the woman is a man’s duty. And the man should increase or decrease sexual intercourse with the woman according to her needs so as to secure her virtue” (al-Ghazali in Mernissi 1975).
The need to satisfy the female desire and the difficulties men have in fulfilling this duty is the topic of the erotic discourse (Sabbah 1984). The erotic discourse is an extension of the implicit theory and deals with female desireas mirrored in men’s thought. It is an attempt by religious scholars to counsel the believer in the righteous conduct towards sexual desire. The orthodox discourse mainly focusses on the strong male desire, the implicit theory recognizes the active sexuality of both sexes, and the erotic discourse is chiefly centered on the aggressive nature of female passion. Female desire is active in the implicit theory, but it becomes aggressive and threatening in the erotic discourse. In the erotic discourse there is thus a reversal of roles. Men are impotent and weak whereas women’s passion is insatiable. They resort to cunning, qaid, in order to reach their sexual gratification. Yet, despite the difference between these constructions of gender and sexuality, it is striking that they converge in their definition of women as primarily sexual beings. The female body is highly sexualised. Whether the female body should be confined and covered, or unleashes its aggressive sexuality, in both cases the sexual aspect of the female body is cardinal (5). Women cannot refuse to perform the conjugal duty (Naamane-Guessous 1990: 194) Whether women passively try to keep their legal husband’s attention through being desirable or actively seduce other men, in both cases their sexual dimension is central. In both discourses the female body is reduced to the sexual aspects.
………….
its actually a very perverted view of women, seen a moving vagina
June 28th, 2005 at 7:13 am
Hide Your Women
Conservative values from every corner of the globe!
Jihad and virgins in paradise for one side, Chivalry and Armageddon for the other! And what hijabs, purity rings and White House internships have to do with the price of milk! (just follow the link…)
June 28th, 2005 at 9:42 am
Yep getting really interesting, well again I guess no one got my point, in the ayah, the word “khomorehenna” , i.e. veils, and veil is what is worn to cover the head including the hair, in some cases even the face, but since there came a hadith showing that the face should not be covered, we know the veil in the ayah basically stands for the head & hair & bosom. Let’s remember that language plays a big role in Quran, and the vocabulary used is a part of the meaning.
You know the problem is the fact that many go for an interpretation that suits their own interest and liking, I don’t mean people here in this discussion but in real life, I used to do that too, but whoever wants to really see the real meaning of the ayah will have no problem understanding it.
Aysha, I agree that women could be a source of sexual chaos in certain situations, but Islam stressed the fact that men are an equal source of chaos just like men, and that’s why both have to follow certain rules in their lifestyle and the way they’re dressed.
Again, Hijab is for both men and women, both have their own rules to follow, both are told to follow these rules to guarantee protection for both in the first place and for society as well. It’s not meant to be a restriction, nor a complication, but a means of having comfort and protection, reflecting modesty and cleanliness. This is what hijab (for both men and women) is all about.
And hey Haitham, you’re not sounding like a sheikh, being close to your religion, whatever it was, knowing it well, and sticking to it is one of the most wonderful and impressive things in life
June 28th, 2005 at 9:45 am
Hijab… a Must, OR a Choice?
One of the reasons I’m writing about this topic today, is this comment by Gladwyn, which clearly implies unclear understanding of Hijab in particular and Islam in general. Hijab has been the subject of much controversy and debate, especially…
June 28th, 2005 at 9:50 am
Roba, anything in a woman will drive men crazy especially hair. We’re no angels, men are no angels. Even if we’re going to ignore what Islam has said about the relationship between men and women in which a woman’s voice might drive men crazy and move their desires, by looking at things around me I can see how everything else didn’t work! man’s rules on earth did not prevent adultery and rape, men (and also women to be fair) are turning into sex addicts, not to mention sexually frustrated individuals. You might say well who said those who wear hijab are protected? and I have to agree with you they are not fully protected due to the environment we live in, in which not all women wear decent clothes to start with, early marriage is not possible, sex appeals are everywhere…etc
But in the end, we’re held responsible for what we do individually, you cover your hair and wear proper clothes, talk in low some-what firm tone so that you’ll be doing your best.
Eman, I loved what you said about distraction and not to focus on looks and appearance. This is one good reason why I think women need to wear hijab. Don’t we women say we want men to look at our minds first?
June 28th, 2005 at 12:43 pm
Added a poll at the end of the post. The objective is not to reach a conclusion or changes someone’s belief as said before, but just to see what does the majority thinks?
Update: Poll closed. Results end of post…
June 29th, 2005 at 10:47 am
Excellent article Haithem. I think the Quraan verse is very clear specially “…so that they should be known and not molested”(33:59) it answer what kind of hijab is good for women.
There is many hadith from Sunnah too like :
It was narrated from Ayshah Umm Al-momeneen that Asmaa, the dauther of Abi-Bakr Al-seddeeq appeared to the prophet Muhammed PBUH, wearing a thin cloth, he declined to see her (moved his head), and said ” O Asmaa, when the woman reached the menstruation age, it is not accepted to see something of her, except this and this ” .. and He indicated to his face and hand , recorded by Abu-dawod, in Nail Al-awatar (98/6 Al-bany Al-Halaby)..
There is another one maybe someone can help me to remember it, talking about Ayshah Umm Al-momeneen doing hajj with the prophet (PBUH) and she said that when a non-mohrem come near them she cover her face.
I think the origin of many idiologies that refuse Veil (Hijab) came from wrong beliefs that began with pictures showing Adam and Eve nude (just image google for Adam and Eve)! While Quraan explained that they were not :
(Surah Ta-Ha - verse 121)”Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their covering…”
hijab, from the Islamic view, has no negative effects at all against the freedom of woman nor her general movement no in her participation in progress and making life around her active. It gives woman her personality and raises her position in society.
People deal with a modest woman, dressed in Islamic hijab from the point of view that she is a human being. For a woman without hijab, people generally deal with her from the point of view that she is a human being but through her femininity and through what she stirs up in men by her exposed body. Therefore, Islamic hijab will remain a weapon against affliction, distress, fluidity and abuse.
Haitham Its better if you added in the poll “Hijab for muslim woman is …”
Since generally its always a choice between heaven and hell (we can’t say MUST for a non muslim).
June 29th, 2005 at 2:02 pm
I’d like to add a bit of context from the Christian scriptures, if you don’t mind. These verses are instruction for proper worship in a church setting, not life in general. The verses from 1 Cor. continue “Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?…if a woman has long hair it is a glory to her, FOR HER HAIR IS GIVEN TO HER AS A COVERING. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.” Just a point.
It may seem that the OT biblical take on the rape of a virgin is lax, but the rape of a married woman (or betrothed woman who called for help) was always punishable with death. If a virgin girl was foolish enough to go where she was unprotected - knowing the consequences - marrying her abuser could keep her from the more severe consequences of foolishness. Sounds like the root of honor killing was in Judaism.
St. Paul instructs women’s character not to be known by adornment, but by good works. IMHO women of East and West have gone way beyond what should be acceptable public outer wear. We have an obligation to dress in way that doesn’t make men think “sex” but so all can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in women without having to possess her sexually. But it doesn’t mean we have to wear a hijab. I think the hijab actually stimulates men to wonder what is underneath, especially, as some have mentioned, when hair is teasingly left out, perfume is choking others, and make-up is extreme. Modesty (and seductiveness) is an attitude more than clothing.
Remember in the stats you quoted that “rape” in the West isn’t defined by bodice-ripping violence. It can cover semi-consensual sex that a girl doesn’t really want but can’t be bothered to stop the guy. Just having a person make sexual comments can be defined as “abuse”. There are different boundries in the West. I feel much more “abused” here than in the West. The staring, the rude comments, the groping, (I’ve even had guys run up and take my picture, what is that???) even if I cover my hair and wear a hijab (I have tried it, even tho a Christian - it attracts MORE attention). I can’t wear anything on my face but a frown for fear of appearing inviting.
I’d say you men have an obligation to stop sexualizing women who aren’t your wives as much as women do to dress against the cultural norm of today. Jesus Christ said that to lust after a woman in your heart makes you just as guilty of adultery as the act. Maybe a topic for another day.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:03 pm
Thanks Haitham for your interesting posts. This is just another good example.
I have to admit I didn’t place my vote, because I don’t think of it as a “Must” nor a “Choice”, I would rather say it is an “Attitude” or more of a “Lifestyle”.
Wearing the veil itself, is just a phase that each one is expected to reach at a different stage in his/her life.
Hijab should start from the inside, and it would then reflect on the outside gradually, until the person reaches the stage where he/she would want to wear more modest clothes.
Faith should start from the inside and then reflect on the outside.
If you do it the other way round, you are most likely to offend your religion by giving a bad image of it.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:06 pm
kinzi,
Thank for the comment. One quick note though. I wonder which Bible version you are reading from. You mentioned the verse that asks the question “…Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?” but you didn’t continue the next verses that answers that question. Anyway, let’s read three different version of the bible and pay a close look at the context of each (source of Bible(s) from http://www.bibleontheweb.com/):
King James Ver reads:
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 17
King James Revised Std. Ver reads:
For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) 10 That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels. 11 (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.) 13 Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God. 17
Darby Ver. reads:
For man indeed ought not to have his head covered, being God’s image and glory; but woman is man’s glory. 8 For man is not of woman, but woman of man. 9 For also man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man. 10 Therefore ought the woman to have authority on her head, on account of the angels. 11 However, neither [is] woman without man, nor man without woman, in [the] Lord. 12 For as the woman [is] of the man, so also [is] the man by the woman, but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman should pray to God uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you, that man, if he have long hair, it is a dishonour to him? 15 But woman, if she have long hair, [it is] glory to her; for the long hair is given [to her] in lieu of a veil. 16 But if any one think to be contentious, *we* have no such custom, nor the assemblies of God. 17
Reading these verses very closely, it compares the hair with the veil, not as a replacement of the veil. As it say’s, it is shame on man to cover his head (in case he has a long hair), but not for a woman. Her hair is a pride that covers her head, just like the veil that covers the woman head.
…will add my comments to the other parts later today!
June 29th, 2005 at 11:50 pm
I loved the debate about hijab and the many opinions that were expressed with respect to those who disagreed. I am writing my master’s thesis about the symbolism attached to hijab in Morocco and Algeria, post-independence. I agree that there are religious roots to hijab, and that its actual physical manifestation tends to vary considerably based on culture. I also agree that the symbol is not always indicative of the religous significance as in the case of those who wear hijab, but do not dress modestly otherwise. Or those who wear hijab but may not necessarily be chaste. Lots of interesting things to think about! thanks!
June 30th, 2005 at 12:07 am
Well, Haithim, good for you! I read New King James, a little easier to get around the English. I left those verses out as my kids were clammering for lunch and my point was made in the first and last - that the whole topic was for church, not life. I’ll get out my commentary and start looking more closely; it has been a controversial topic. (BTW, I always write with a positive attitude, so don’t read what I write with sarcasm or anger colored in. Also, I’m on a plane in a acouple hours, so it’ll be a couple days before I can respond to what you write. Blessings!)
June 30th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
Thank you kinzi.
There is not sarcasm or anger here. It is pleasure to discuss such topics with open mind.
Have a safe trip!
July 4th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
I think your article is very written. One notice: please we do not say Koran says. Allah says.
Quran does not speak. Quran is Kalamo Allah.
Anyway. Your article is very nice.
July 8th, 2005 at 12:58 am
This is a wonderful, wonderful post mashallah. I loved reading every bit of it and I agree with everything you said 100%..keep writing like this, the world needs more posts like this one! Thanks again…
July 11th, 2005 at 3:45 pm
Hi
Was just wondering y the old lady has to wear hijab if it is a sexual thing.The baldness,grey & falling hair still attractive.The sagging bosoms & the wrinkled face still attractive to seduce a man.Well out of habit I suppose.Old habits die very hard.She too runs to the back door to hide from the stranger & shouts at stranger males who stares at her.
July 11th, 2005 at 9:10 pm
Actually, older ladies are not required to wear hijab. Most do so out of habit.
July 11th, 2005 at 11:51 pm
Sorry! What did you say Abu Sinan? Where did you bring that statement from? I’ve never heard of such thing!
July 12th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
I have heard that from many sources, both here and the Middle East, although not “religious sources,” so it certainly could be wrong.
July 20th, 2005 at 12:39 pm
Hi Haithim, back again. So, just so reiterate my point, is that that context was for covering of hair for purpose of prayer, not modesty nor everyday attire. When I come to God in prayer, on my knees in submission, my hair covers my face. Since the first act of prayer for us as Christians is adoration, then confession, after that can I lift my face, uncovered and cleansed to see my Saviour’s face without shame.
Women need to much more careful in wearing an internal hijab, as one mentioned above. A heart that is humble,pure and choosing not to seduce with inner attitudes will have a body clothed appropriately. The Bible talks about being clothed with humility.
So what about a man’s responsibility? I would think that mental self-control is a large part of every man’s personal jihad. My husband has a harder time with his thought life here in Jordan than in the US because a seductive spirit (even those wearing a hijab!)just reeks from so many young women! The Bible speaks much more often and strongly of men’s minds than it does of women’s clothes. And Jesus said that if a man looks upon a women desiring her, he is guilty of adultery. Pretty strong words…maybe look that one up and write about it?
July 20th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
Men are required to lower their eyes and avert their gaze. Interesting to note that in one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, Ethiopia, women are required to wear hijab in church and are not even allowed in the church during their menses.
July 21st, 2005 at 8:27 am
But do they? A controlled mind, focused on the characteristics of God, can handle having eye-contact and relationship with the opposite sex without sexualizing.
I’ll have to learn more about the Ethiopians, but it wasn’t so among the Copts, another ancient community. The community that Jesus walked among had public and private meetings where women were present and participants in serving.
July 23rd, 2005 at 2:16 am
well abu sinan these women you are talkin about are called sisters they wear a scarf that is much like a hejab thats beacuse they are really religous and they cant get married or have kids,so y ai am new here hope u guys visit my blog and write something,and visit my websit too.salam 4 all.
July 23rd, 2005 at 2:18 am
my website is paligurl.tripod.com,make sure you visit it i just made it new.
July 23rd, 2005 at 3:58 am
dear brother n sistrs hijab is A MUST…!!
July 23rd, 2005 at 4:01 am
no one can say tht hijab is a choice..ya if a person hates islaam then afcourse he is the one to say so..plzz stop spreading such dagerous ideas n dont let the devil mislead us..plzz if u want to preach islaam then 1st u must learn auhtientic things ..n say acording the quraan n sunnah..only then ull b able to preach islaam in the right way..
July 23rd, 2005 at 10:46 am
Dont tell me this.Man definetly looks at at womens chest for sure.
So how much the mind can control depends.Harmones & stuff especialy when one is at teens.
Moreover y does a women have a low cut or openings at the prompt places.Well………
better to be dressed modestly.
July 23rd, 2005 at 5:02 pm
Zaratul, God is big enough to help a man control his eyes and mind. It is just that very few choose to ask His assistance. He desires purity in both sexes.
How about remembering that this immodestly dressed girl is God’s precious creation, and someone else’s daughter and sister? Have you read the ancient wisdom of King Solomon in Proverbs? There is MUCH written about how to avoid women who show disrespect to men in dressing immodestly.
I have found no matter how modestly I dress (even with a scarf and no skin showing but hands and feet, nothing stops the leering looks. And I am old enough to be a grandmother in your culture. So I implore you as xaalto, seek the power of God. Just so you know, I often approach young girls in a friendly way and ask them to change their habits of dress
July 24th, 2005 at 8:45 am
Well,tats the reason God ask the women to cover her bosom.Have u heard the proverb prevention better than cure.So do women want to give a chance in the first place by dressing immodestly.There r people in this world a high percentage who are hypocrites.So everybody is not going to think hey,she is someones daughter.I wont look at her Bosom but up there in the sky & read verses in the scriptures to divert my attention.
I am 100% sure that leering looks certainly less compared to when women dress provacatively.By the way its a good job that u r approaching young girls & asking them to change their dress habits.Just out of cuirosity wat was the response.
July 24th, 2005 at 7:31 pm
A very well-researched piece on the veil in Islam and in general.
I have to say that I myself do not believe that it is compulsory for Muslim women to wear the veil, yet I do not criticize nor discriminate against any who choose to do so.
I congratulate you on your clear, concise and organized thought and the manner through which you present it.
I also strongly belief that any edict, of any religion, should not be forced upon the people… even if it is a “fard”. Islam, and other heavenly religions, have given people the choice between “right” and “wrong”. It is not our place to judge and sentence them. (Im not saying you or anyone else here has done that, just sharing my view.)
Kudos to you for an amazing piece.
July 25th, 2005 at 8:22 am
Zaratul, since in this culture men are the source of authority, I believe the responsibility rests with men first.
In response, the young girls respond very graciously. I usually ask them what there mothers and fathers think, and whatever holy book they ascribe to says. Then I appeal to that authority structure and ask them to honor those in authority over them. I ask them if they would like to marry someday, and that out of respect for that future husband, to cover up a bit (and that men they attract with their body will not make the best husbands, that bodies get bigger later and he may not be faithful). I also tell them that they are much too valuable to be displayed so completely, they are worth more than they think they are. sometimes I ask them if they think their role models on TV and music have happy lives, really.
I am not as gentle talking with young men who leer.
July 25th, 2005 at 11:00 am
Kinzi,It is not what u believe, but what the belief u belive says & r u following it as simple as that.Its not only for women but for men too.Those who leer should be punished & those who flaunt should be punished as well.The responsibility is on both genders in the eyes of GOd.GOD knows best.
July 25th, 2005 at 12:29 pm
Amen, God always knows an does what is best, but it was He who put women under the authority of men. Fathers and mothers are allowing their daughters to leave the home dressed like this. Hopefully both leerers and flaunters will receive correction and avoid punishment.
July 30th, 2005 at 12:12 am
good article , keep going ,but i just wanna add one thing
there is no choice in these kind of orders,hjab, drinking … they were very clear in quran, sunnah and we must believe it and take it without dicuss it
July 31st, 2005 at 6:08 am
Hi. I’m Catholic, went to Catholic school. I never met Muslim people until recently. I heard how many people misinterpret the Holy Koran, that women are subjects of men, and that is why they wear the hijab. I guess I associated the hijab with that, and that is why I have not given it as much respect as it deserves. It was not until I got cat-called, which never happens, especially when wearing long, loose clothes, that I understood why someone would choose to wear the hijab. I belive that women should cover up in general, I mean, no tight clothes, no tank tops, at least short sleeves, etc. I don’t know, maybe it’s how I view things, but I don’t entirely respect the hijab, because I rarely see Muslim men cover their hair. If women cover themselves so men cannot see them, then what is to prevent women from looking at a man’s hair? I would respect the hijab entirely if both men and women in America covered themselves. I like your site. It offers so many options and views. I learned in school that in in Middle Eastern cultures, the hair is considered part of appeal. Which is why women, especially in the ancient days covered their hair, which then extended to Europe and colonial America. It’s good you noted the rabbinic tradition, but I just wanted to know which Bible did you use for the quote from Corinthians. I don’t know if you know, but christian sects have different versions, each written differently. Like the Catholic New American Bible and the Protestant King James Version.
July 31st, 2005 at 6:18 am
Oh, after the Second Vatican Council in I think 1972, Catholic women no longer had to cover their hair in Church. But it is tradition for women to cover their hair when having an audience with the Pope, for he is the Vicar of Christ. I know there are photos of Jackie Kennedy wearing one. I think it;s called a patina, or something that sounds like it. Also, if you saw Pope John Paul II’s funeral mass, you saw all the important women in the first rows of the mass with black headscarves.
July 31st, 2005 at 7:00 am
This Muslim man in a magazine article said that his masjid in America bars women from using the ground floor, because men are easily tempted by women. That’s so false, and a bad jsutification for hijab & women having to be in a different location to praise God. I just have this question, a rhetorical one: If men are so easily tempted by women, as he says, then why do women do as they are told? Would it be the opposite then, men covering up & women delegating men where to sit, to use the gorund floor and men using the balcony?
July 31st, 2005 at 11:08 am
Krisztina, Christian sects do use different ‘versions’of the Bible but they are only different translations of idioms that the meaning would be lost if done word for word. Those who translated the King James lacked the bonus of our centuries’archaeological discoveries that confirm and verify and even clarify terms that were not as clear in 1600.
They are all based on the same ancient manuscripts, which have very little variation. If you read them side by side, you will see this. The Catholic Bible includes the Apocrypha, which were Jewish writings that were not considered part of the Hebrew Bible by Jews nor the canon of Scripture by the early church fathers (which is the same reason why many so called ‘gospels’ such as are mentioned in the “Da Vinci Code” were never included, as they didn’t meet the stringent critia necessary).
Hope you have as much fun on this blog as I do!
August 4th, 2005 at 1:31 pm
thnk you for writing this post. this is one issue around which there is much confusion and even more emotionality.
congratualtions!
i will add a link to this post on a very short comment that i wrote on the same issue today.
August 22nd, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Abaaya at workplace
Arab Pearl of Chronicles of Life from Oman is discussing the interesting issue of work dress code, of woman at Arab world in general and gulf countries in particular. She asks, why should not dressing Abaya become such an issue especially in countries…
August 23rd, 2005 at 12:08 pm
Very interesting.
To sum it up: civilisation, culture, education, knowledge, self respect and self restraint are not enough to keep us from doing something so trivial as to respect other human bodies. God knows that perfectly well, that 98% of human biology is basically identical to that of Apes, that the internal forces induced by the biological impulses render personal freedom irrelevant.
So instead of going into the trouble to re-program humans, to “design” them different from apes in the first place … why not simply retain the animal impulses verbatim and make it so much more likely for them to win over personal freedom and choice.
Nice. It’s probably true. But what is the take home message here?
September 21st, 2005 at 7:08 am
I’m Catholic, and I cover at least some parts of my hair, like a scarf tied around my bun. I was thinking of covering my hair altogether when I’m married, like the hijab, but I think I might offend Muslims, because just by covering my bun, people already think I’m a Muslima. What do ya’ll think? I want to protect & respect myself, but I do not want to offend anyone in doing so. Also, is it a married woman thing to wear an abaya in America? It’s like I always see older women who have children wearing them. Salaam.
September 21st, 2005 at 9:20 pm
Krisztina, wearing scarf does not offend anyone, not even Muslim. It is your right to choose what you wear.
As for Abaya in America or outside America, it has nothing to do with being married or not. Maybe they are just trying to be idol for their kids, and practice some of the Muslims traditions to teach it to their kids and family.
September 22nd, 2005 at 6:16 am
Krisztina,
Eastern Orthodox all over the world cover there hair, from the Slavic countries of Eastern Europe to those in East African nations like Ethiopia. You wouldnt offend us Muslims, you’d certainly impress more than a few of us. Look at the virgin Mary at any nativity scene this Christmas season……looks like hijab she is wearing eh?
September 22nd, 2005 at 7:33 am
Thanks. Next I have a dumb question. I saw some hijab stores on-line, and I know I can get the cloth myself from fabric stores, but is there any actual store that specializes in scarves?
September 22nd, 2005 at 7:17 pm
There are a bunch online, google it. I cannot say which are better than the rest. Depending on where you live there mihgt be some stores right near you where you can go to.
October 16th, 2005 at 9:55 pm
See our extreme opinion on women wearing headscarfs :
http://www.ultrafeel.tv
October 19th, 2005 at 10:31 pm
Maraya, how may SORA of Quraan you know to decide hijab is not must?????
October 19th, 2005 at 10:41 pm
abu Sinan,which quraan says older ladies are not required to wear hijab? Sure not this in our hands.
October 22nd, 2005 at 8:44 am
Asalamu Alaykum to All!
Pay attention to the verbage used in the Koran by Allah(swt) It tells RasoolAllah(sawas) Tell 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; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms….” (24:30,31).
Allah(swt) has not addressed that The Unbelieving women cover. Now I do realize that what has been discussed in this Blog is particularly what constitutes covering and who should cover, why we should cover and such. But this discussion is really for those who have complete knowledge of Koran to decide.
For instance with the whole thing about Older women who are passed their time of childbearing and beauty do not have to cover, Allah(swt) clearly says “But it is best that they cover” Why is it best that they cover? To be leaders of the youth in their older age of wisdom? to keep the way of women consistent throughout all age groups? we do not have all the answers!
But what we do know is that Allah(Swt) has stipulated that hijab is for the believing men and women alike. So what does believing infer? Belief in the Koran has been described as belief in the seen and unseen. Therefore as a believer we believe that their are commands from our Creator (the one who knows us better than we know ourselves) and to observe these commands both spiritually and physically is divine.
So I do not think the choice is in observing hijab, the choice is in Believing or not. If you dont believe dont follow the command. But should you choose to believe follow the command 100% This is submission to your creator Allah(swt)
And remember with every step and action you do, do it with the intention of seeking nearness to Allah(swt) so that our actions are not done in vain
October 23rd, 2005 at 2:55 am
I wasn’t planning on getting involved in this discussion since I am not Muslim. But I think I found the passages in question (this is from the N.J. Dawood translation):
“It shall be no offense for old spinsters who have no hope of marriage to discard their cloaks without revealing their adornments.” This is followed by a seemingly contradictory sentence: “Better if they do not discard them.” (I suppose the idea is no one’s perfect and only God can judge…)
This is a follow-up to the earlier passage “Enjoin believing women…to cover their adornments (except such as are normally displayed); to draw their veils over their bosoms and not to reveal their finery except to their husbands…” (found in the surah “Light”)
The difficulty lies in the fact that terms such as “adornments” “finery” “cloaks” are not defined…one would think a historian might be able to explain what these terms would have referred to in the 7th century…
October 24th, 2005 at 7:31 am
Yeah, what are adornments, in the Qu’ran, exactly?
November 30th, 2005 at 1:25 am
Beautiful blog I love it….I love Arab culture and dance, it is what I grew up with. I have been most influenced by Soraya who is a famous belly dancer of Arab orgin living in the States. I saw her dance at my cousins wedding in CT and she was incredible. Her website is: http://www.bellydancebysoraya.com She is also an Anthropologist and is married to a rich doctor. If you get the chance to see her work or study with her DO IT ladies! I love your blog Sabbah! Much love to you…Manel (CT and EGYPT)
November 30th, 2005 at 9:14 am
hmmm… I’m wondering what Hijab (the topic here) has to do with belly dancing.
But anyway, welcome here, Manel.
December 17th, 2005 at 11:39 pm
salaam/shalom
Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue.
I am a jew, who has lived in Isreal and is currently trying to become more religious. Although i am not yet married i have a high standard of modesty and often wear a hijab or some kind of scarf and/or Jilbab, mostly our of practicality and comfort. I like the Islamic style of dress and even preferr it to more traditional Orthodox Jewish styles which are often reminiscant of 18/19 centuary eastern european dress.
I would however like to correctthe above statement.
There are two main styles of hair covering for jewish women iether the wig(known as a sheital or a material head covering (includind snoods) In orthodox Judaism a married women will ALWAYS cover her hair in public and often in the home too. there are differant traditions and ways that this is done, what you are referring to is conservative Jewish women amoungst others who maybe married but will often only cover their hair in the synagoge in the same way that men may do with kippot(jewish scull caps)
The pious jewish women that you describe would always cover her hair - often to a small degree befor marriage as well -although uncovered hair in Judaism has come to be a sign that a women is not married(the Torah commands that only a married woman must cover her hair)- not a sighn of immodesty.
it should be noted that Judaism is diverse in its traditions and as Jews we are commanded to follow the customs of our community - hence Jews living in Iran or Jordan will often wear hijabs and Jilbabs similar to Muslims.
I would aslo like to mention that thetradition of wigs came about for two easons. The first was to stand out less and so be saved from persercution simply for being Jewish and the second was because Jewish women are commanded to cover their hair- it does not say HOW the hair must be covered - so wearing a wig is technically covering ones hair. there are many arguments against this in Judaism however and it should not be taken simply as a get out clause.
I think it is wise to mention and remember the wide range of diversity whenever refering to Jewish dress code.
December 18th, 2005 at 1:33 am
Thank you, anna!
I think you last words sum it all:
Thanks for sharing…
December 29th, 2005 at 6:16 pm
I would just like to adress those that believe the head scarf should not be forced on women. Imagine a situation where one walks down a street past a number of covered women and then see’s a beautiful women and feels desire. What was the point of the other women wearing the headscarves? Does the hijab protect those women only, or does it serve the community at large, in which case it would be useless unless unless all women abided by it. I am not saying that men must not comply with their hijabs, becuase goodness knows we are far more ignorant of it than the women are of theirs, but i am merely pointing out why all need to abide by it. However, in a non muslim state, this is different as muslims are a minority there and it is up to the woman’s faith to determine whether or not she wears the hijab.
By the way, it is a great post and it gladdens my heart to see christians and jews joining in our discussion as the more i get to learn about their religions, the more I understand why islam tells us to respect them.
December 29th, 2005 at 7:51 pm
I would just like to apologise in advance for not quoting where i got my opinions from and I would like to acknowledge that what I have said may be wrong, particularly the part about women in a non muslim state
salaam
December 30th, 2005 at 3:17 am
Learning is good. Yeah, somewhere I heard that the Virgin Mary came in a vision and warned about a time when women would dress horribly. She encouraged modest dress. Many Christian people follow Mary’s example and cover themselves as much as possible. She was following tradition and Jewish law when she dressed loosely and covered her hair. We follow her as a part of tradition and modest living. I’m starting that road now and will fully cover myself when I am married. In respect for God, myself, and my husband, as a sign of devotion to God, fidelity to my husband, and for my dignity. But the Catholic Church stopped enforcing women to cover their hair in Church at the Second Vatican Council, because I heard that an covered woman was not allowed to even enter the church, so that led to a feeling of exclusion. So it’s in the Bible but no longer enforced since like 1978. One thing I really like is the jelbabs on some UK Hijab site, and the jelbabs look uncredibly beautiful and modest. Not to point fingers, but the American media are destroying all sense of modesty with sex as a constant focus. It is so hard to find even remotely decent clothing. It’s so bad I have to buy clothes 2 or 3 sizes larger than I normally wear. On another note, I noticed that the only Christian sect with a unified language is the Catholic Church. We’ve got Latin to fall back on, like the Jews have Hebrew, and the Muslims have Arabic. The other Christians have no one language that could unite them together. Look at JPII’s funeral. Dozens of countries, one language. Unity rocks!
God bless you all, and have a Happy New Year. Salaam, Shalom, Pax, Peace.
December 30th, 2005 at 11:50 am
Well said, Krisztina. It is your right to wear whatever you feel is modest.
Happy New Year to you too.
December 30th, 2005 at 7:03 pm
Here is the comment from gladwyn:
“wasn’t the idea for the head scarf for protecting the woman’s dignity as to prevent men becoming aroused by the presence of a beautiful woman? Aren’t we past the ability to control our base nature’s, so shouldn’t the headscarf be abolished? Besides the segregation of women and men was meant for the same reason and to allow men and women to pray without any distractions. I mean who ever heard of becoming aroused in a holy scantuary like a mosque??!!”
Well, tell me gladwyn, do people in the west control their base desires so effectively? If god wanted us to one day abolish the hijab, he would have clearly commincated it so it is obvious that while some of us may attain the spiritual purity to control our desires, most of us can’t and even those who can face a constant battle to maintain that purity. We are, essentially, animals and this base desire called attraction and sexual intercourse is there so that we may pro create. Have we then come past procreation?
Now about arousal in a mosque, it is very possible. Not all people there are pious to the extent that they can focus in the presence of beautiful women and I have heard numerous stories from christian friends of relatives who attended church because of a ‘crush’ and the priest or reverand.
December 30th, 2005 at 7:07 pm
Krisztina, was your post a response to myne?
December 31st, 2005 at 9:45 am
Abdulsalam:
Only the part of your post about how this blog promotes the discussion of religion and religious practices. Why do you ask?
December 31st, 2005 at 10:00 am
I was just remembering something that happened a few months ago, almost a year ago. I wore a sweater, not tight, but it was kind of clingy, it was chenille. I wanted to see if the guys next to me noticed my sweater. Those guys I learned later on during the semester, were jerks. And it hit me: why did I feel I needed their approval. Then I learned to dress in what made me, alone, happy. Those jerks. The teacher hated them.
December 31st, 2005 at 10:17 am
Oh, something related to what Abdulsalam said. Isn’t it in the Qur’an, or maybe part of the hadith or sunnah, that a woman cover herself properly so that she cannot be accused of infidelity on her part? I don’t know if I read here or somewhere else, but one of Mohammad’s (PBUH’s) wives was left behind and he found her with some guy, and that soon the inevitable question of what they did to bide their time sprang up. I don’t know if I got that account right or if it even actually happened. But think about it. I think that plays a role in all religious practices, regardless of the specific religion. Even today, a guy who rapes a woman still can claim in court, but without a legal basis (but just to cover his ass and to ruin her reputation), that a woman dressed seductively and therefore “asked for it.’ Covering up is a source of protection and honor. Think about it: a guy can’t rape a fully clothed woman and claim she was asking for it. You get what I mean? Modesty protects women from such claims, especially when they are false. It protects a woman, in a sense, because she took the necessary precautions.
You all are probably sick of me writing so much here on this blog, and hopefully I will shut up soon. I have to contribute some facts to this blog and not just opinions. I’m kind of like a dead weight.
December 31st, 2005 at 11:47 am
Not at all, Krisztina. Your opinion is just as important as everyone else. Please do not hesitate to say what you think is right (or wrong). After all, this space is open for productive and objective discussion when the topic is worth discussing.
December 31st, 2005 at 3:02 pm
Krisztina, i meant nothing by it. I just wanted to see if it was a response, thats all.
Have a good new year.
December 31st, 2005 at 3:12 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with you Krisztina that modesty protects women from indecent treatment. But I also believe that it plays a second role, which is keep such thoughts out of the minds of men in the first place, not just to leave them with no excuse. Thus in my mind, the hijab is gods way of keeping the community chaste, not just the individual.
In fact, if you think about it, many of gods rules in islam have dual roles, to help the individual and to help the community. If you look at the prohibition of alchohol, you will see that it not only protects an individual’s health and bank balance, but it also rids the community of drunken violence and waste.
January 1st, 2006 at 7:12 am
good point.
January 1st, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Oh, my last post was aimed at Abdulsalam about the duality of the veil.
On another note, I see how some people see the Christian obligation for veiling as sexist. Everyone pretty much everywhere back then treated women poorly, even other women, so keep that context in mind. The part about women being lower then men, who’re lower than Jesus, who’s lower than God not to emphasize the status of women compared to men, but to emphasize both man and woman’s status compared to God. (Jesus is lower than God, because he is only 1/3 of God). Christians believe God has 3 parts: God almighty, Jesus (the Word made flesh) and The Holy Spirit (divine inspiration).
Here is a link about Catholic women and modest dress
http://www.latin-mass-society.org/wearmantilla.htm
This link here says that veiling in Catholic churches was never changed, but when asked when that issue came up the pope said no in 1969, so people thought that meant it was abolished when it wasn’t. People accidentally got misled, the site purports
http://www.fatimafamily.org/articles/veil.html
Catholics were the largest religious group who maintained veiling in prayer up to the late 1970s.
One thing bugs me. Some non-Catholics associate Catholicism and veiling with nuns. Look at the pictures at
http://www.muhajabah.com/christianveil.htm
Nuns (not all, because some work with the poor and teach children and can wear lay(non-religious people, i.e. priests and nuns) clothing. Nuns wear veils because as nuns, they are the “brides of Christ,” the bride part implying veiling.
I’m Catholic, as I’ve mentioned numerous times, and am willing to share information about my sect, especially as it is the first and most misunderstood sect of Christianity, and the most stereotyped. That is why I understand how Muslims in America feel. I live in NYC, which is largely Catholic, but only NYC and Boston are the 2 most heavily Catholic populated cities in the US. And I’ve been down south- not welcoming, only 2% of us down there. The nation stereotypes us. And when one of us wants to become a political leader, he/she’s considered too religious/conservative and too dangerous to govern. When Catholicism as a whole is moderate and its message quite liberal. Jesus advocated a socialist world, not the power hungry kind, but the giving, selfless kind. Only 1 Catholic president–portrayed as a potential “puppet to the Pope”—bullshit excuse. The pope is considered a threat to democracy, what a lie. But my point is, I know somewhat how Muslims feel. My people are jeered at as well, but not to the extent that Muslims are treated. My prayers are with you all, in the hopes of a more tolerant world.
February 14th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
I am a british citizen who became a muslim at the age of 15 years. I started wearing the hijab when I moved to Dubai over 12 years ago. The hijab comes in such beautiful colours and designs that it can be seen as a wonderful fashion accessory, especially in Kuwait where I lived for the past 2 1/2 years. I love wearing the hijab especially when I know that I am doing the right thing by my religion. During my time in Dubai I worked in recruitment and came across many clients who would not employ females wearing hijab( some of these clients were also muslim).After moving to Dubai I held a managerial position which involved attending many meetings and I can honestly say the hijab was warmly welcomed especially amongst the local Kuwait nationals.I have just relocated to Bahrain and have attended meetings and the hijab is acceptable. Dubai may be emoving forward with its technology but why are some of these companies so afraid to employ veiled women.