A clear distinction needs to be made between the face veil and a head cover. The former has nothing to do with Islam and the later is a form of conforming to the modest dress code as detailed in the primary document Quran. The head cover itself is not obligatory as long as dressing modestly is attempted and generally accepted by the community one lives in. If one were to ignore the environment then the objective of wearing a head cover shifts to an identity or even exhibitionism of the type "look at me I am a Muslim" and thus defeat the modesty principle behind it of "don't look at me, I am not on display".
The confusion has been created when the word "Khimar" is translated as a veil, thus ignoring the use of the word elsewhere in the Quran where the meaning is restricted to a general notion of covering. Hence the correct translation in the relevant verse Quran 24:31 would be to "cover" the chest area. The use of the word is incidental and not the focus of the verse, which is clearly focused on modesty.
It is also important to point out that Niqab version (face veil) of covering up can be summed up as exhibitionism and voyeurism both rolled into one. While forcing Niqab on women is nothing short of criminal and finally it is actually a crime in some countries as it should be, opting for one willingly is nothing short of social dishonesty. We should not be rude towards those who at best are misguided, but it is ironic that rudeness is inherent in wearing a Niqab. You cannot hide your face and yet be free to look at other people faces.
The argument that everybody is free to wear a face veil it is not very well thought through because if taken to its logical conclusion the result will be total chaos. If on the other hand it is argued that those who wear Niqabs should be trusted that they don't look at other people faces then that even raises other issues of social mistrust, if we are to take their claim at face value :) then they should trust others not to look at them either. Needless to add members of both parties in practice will break this “not looking” rule and often do.
The whole issue of Niqab also raises other serious questions; does an individual have the right to be anonymous in a public place? Obviously not.
You are welcome to read my post on the dress code for women in Islam here http://lifecheat.blogspot.com/2009/07/dress-code-for-women-in-islam.html
You are welcome to read my post on the dress code for women in Islam here http://lifecheat.blogspot.com/2009/07/dress-code-for-women-in-islam.html
Thank you so much. I was considering islam... but there are a lot of messed up sites out there about it.
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been added to my favorites! Keep posting! :)
I wanted to ask about marriage...
In islam, do you only approve of arranged marriages? If not, how are two people suppose to meet if islam forbids relationships before marriage? (or does it?)... Because I've seen a lot of fuss about girl/boy friend relationships and i don't understand why? It's not like there's going to be any zina or anything. What if it's just talk?
Please clarify this matter and I'll be a follower instantly. Thank you.
Thank you for visiting the blog, we all must do our bit to wrestle back our beautiful Deen from the well oiled machinery of the Mullah Islam.
ReplyDeleteI will repost from elsewhere from the blog to answer your question.
"Is being friends with the opposite gender Haram? Obviously not as per the verses of the Quran but if you want my opinion that does not mean one has a blank check to do what he or she wants or get away with. First we need to make a clear distinction between the married folks and singles. As far as the married folks are concerned both partners must be in complete agreement on the principle of the issue as well as perhaps each individual case, too many reasons to list lol. Beyond that there is nothing stopping friendship between genders, the "rules of engagements" lol I just thought the term sounds very appropriate, have to strictly follow the Quranic guidelines whereby the need for secret liaisons will have to be eliminated and all social interaction restricted to public places. (let me just add, when gender interaction is socially acceptable, there is no need for secret liaisons, unless .....) Beyond that Quranic laws have more than enough juice to ensure that nobody oversteps their limits."
Besides there is nothing wrong with arranged marriages but one should have the freedom to find a life partner without the meddling of others :)At the same time it is a very useful option for those who need a bit of help.
Thank you!
ReplyDelete(I'm the first poster). Love your blog!
Re: Life Gurru: Could you please direct me to the specific ayat that state so?
If I'm reading you correctly, romantic relationships are fine if kept public and adhere to the remainder of Quraanic laws (like Zina..etc.)?
Great Blog!
ReplyDeleteI have some questions..
So there are alot of people saying that It is haram to shake hands and hug the opposite gender?
Is it true, and also, Are muslim women allowed to sleeveless shirts but loose in public? and shorts that go below the knees and tights?
Thank you
ReplyDeleteObviously it is not Haram to shake hands as per the verses of the Quran. Moreover why is it that the Hadith peddlers choose to ignore any Hadith that may give an inch to the Muslim woman. Please read the following on the issue from their own sources;
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Hibban, Al-Bazzar, Al-Tabari, and Ibn Mardawih that Umm `Atiyyah said in respect of the story of taking the oath of allegiance of women, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) held out his hand from outside the house and we (the immigrating women) held our hands from within the house, then he said, ‘O Allah, bear witness."
It is narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “Any of the female slaves of Madinah could take hold of the hand of Allah's Messenger and take him wherever she wished.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
As far as hugging goes, again there is no prohibition but we all must make our own calls. I guess it will all depend on the person and the context and of course there is hugging and then there is hugging.
When it comes to the dress code it again depends on the environment, the idea is not to draw unnecessary attention to oneself. It may be OK where it is considered normal but not OK where it is generally frowned upon. I am not saying the environment should dictate the dress code but the broad margin we are given by God should be used with a heavy dose of common sense.
Once again I will quote a Hadith to give a sense of what may be the limits but please keep in mind that a Ahad Hadith by itself cannot determine anything definite. If the following Hadith is true than it woulds appear that those parts of the body that we wash during wudu may be exposed in public. Here I must add one common sense point, it may be perfectly normal to wear a bikini on the beach in the west but not considered normal on the main street. Again the environment should be kept in mind :)
Yahya related to me from Maalik from Naafi that 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar used to say
“that men and women used to do wudu together in the time of the Messenger of Allaah”
Maalik's Muwatta Book 2, Sect 3 Number 15
It is true that the word Nisaa used in the Arabic text could mean a wife when used in the context of a husband but if the above Hadith were to mean husbands and wives then what is there to report? Of course husbands and wives would perform Wudu together. It's like saying husband and wives use to eat together, most of the "classical" commentators would have us believe that but given the step by step description of Wadu in the Quran, it makes perfect sense, this particular Hadith is hardly ever quoted.
Let's keep in mind that there are other clear cut words that would have conveyed the meaning of husband and wives far more clearly like Azwaaj , Zaujah and Zauj.
It seems when taken in its correct context, it would destroy two key innovation in Islam. The first one is the deviation from the four step environmentally friendly Quranic Wadu and the second is the suffocating Hijab as preached by the sects.
Thaaankssss. (:
ReplyDelete