HIJAB: Fabric, Fad or Faith?
“Yeah, I just got on the bus and
I’m on my way home. Okay, Mum, Wa’alaikum Assalam.”
I slip my cell into my bag. A
girl in a yellow tank top and dark blue cut-offs plops into the seat beside me.
“Ugh, I hate taking the
bus, especially in this heat,” she says.
I nod and smile.
She raises her eyebrows at my
full-length dress and the cloth wrapped around my head. “Aren’t you hot in
that?” she asks.
I contemplate my answer. The girl
shoots another question. “Why do you wear that thing on your head anyway?”
I fiddle with the clasp on my
bag. I wonder what I should say. Why do I wear Hijab?
Why the Hood?
It’s tough to explain, isn’t it?
Hijab relates to the basic faith that there is only one God worthy of worship.
As Muslim women we want to submit to God and obey all His commands. Since Hijab
is a clear commandment of God (see Quran 24:31), we choose to do it to please
Him. If we wear Hijab for any other reason, we may fulfill an obligation
without gaining the reward for it.
Aisha (The wife of Prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) said, “May Allah have mercy
on the immigrant women (from Makkah). When Allah revealed ‘that they should
draw their veils over their juyubihinna*,’
they tore their wrappers and covered their heads and faces with them.”
[Bukhari]
The female companions of the
Prophet gave up the traditions and norms of their society and covered up
immediately to respond to Allah, before they knew the proper method.
Only a Head Covering?
“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 Juyubihinna*
and not display their beauty except to…” [Quran 24:31]
The word *Juyubihinna,
according to most scholars, refers to the head, ears, neck and chest. To fulfil
the minimum requirements of Hijab, a Muslim woman covers her entire body,
except her face and hands. Once Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the
Prophet wearing thin clothes. The Prophet turned his attention from her. He
said, “O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not
suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this,” and he
pointed to his face and hands. [Abu Dawud].
Proper Hijab means loose and
opaque clothes. Clothes should not be alluring or similar to the clothing of
men. What about guys? Islam outlines a modest dress code for men and women. The
requirements are different based on the obvious physiological and psychological
differences between the two genders.
Hijab does not apply only to
clothes. It is a state of mind, behaviour, and lifestyle. Hijab celebrates a
desirable quality called Haya (modesty), a deep concern for preserving
one’s dignity. Haya is a natural feeling that brings us pain at the
very idea of committing a wrong. The Prophet said: "Every religion
has a distinct call. For Islam it is Haya
(modesty)." [Ibn Majah].
What’s in it for Me? Five
Advantages of Hijab
- I can’t be
messed with! Hijab protects me – Hijab identifies a Muslim woman
as a person of high moral standards to reduce her chances of being
harassed.
“O
Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women, that they
should cast their outer garments over their persons: that is most convenient,
that they should be known (as such) and not molested.” [Quran 33:59]
As Dr. Katherine Bullock (a
Canadian convert and community activist) observes, “The point to covering is
not that sexual attraction is bad, only that it should be expressed between a
husband and wife inside the privacy of the home. A public space free of
sexual tensions is seen as a more peaceful place for human beings, men and
women, to interact, do business, and build a healthy civilization.”
- I am liberated
from slavery to ‘physical perfection’ – Society makes women
desire to become ‘perfect objects’. The multitudes of alluring fashion
magazines and cosmetic surgeries show women’s enslavement to beauty. The
entertainment industry pressures teens to believe that for clothes, less
is better. When we wear Hijab, we vow to liberate ourselves from such
desires and serve only God.
- I don’t let
others judge me by my hair and curves! – In schools and
professional environments, women are often judged by their looks or
bodies—characteristics they neither chose nor created. Hijab forces
society to judge women for their value as human beings, with intellect,
principles, and feelings. A woman in Hijab sends a message, “Deal with my
brain, not my body!”
- I feel empowered
and confident – In contrast to today’s teenage culture, where
anorexia and suicide are on the rise, as women attempt to reach an
unattainable ideal of beauty, Hijab frees a woman from the pressure to
‘fit in’. She does not have to worry about wearing the right kind of jeans
or the right shade of eyeshadow. She can feel secure about her appearance
because she cares to please only Allah.
- I feel the bond
of unity – Hijab identifies us as Muslims and encourages other
Muslim sisters to greet us with the salutation of peace, “Assalamu
Alaikum”. Hijab draws others to us and immerses us in good company.
Heard These Before? Three
Misconceptions About Hijab
- Hijab is a
symbol of ‘male dominance’
If you think Hijab is an act of submission, you are right! It is
a way to submit to God. Like any other act of worship, the rewards of
Hijab come only when it is done for Allah alone.
- Hijab is a
‘cultural thing’
From remote villages to cosmopolitan mega cities, women all across the
world, from every ethnic background, wear Hijab. Do all of these women
cling to old cultural practices? Hijab, the internal and external aspects,
take understanding, training and determination. Since the purpose of Hijab
is to please Allah, doing it for tradition is wrong.
- Hijab is a ‘challenge
to the political system’
While Hijab may have political implications, as evident in the banning of
Hijab in certain countries, Muslim women who choose to practice Hijab are
not doing it to challenge the political system. Islam encourages men and
women to observe modesty in private and public life. Hijab is an
individual’s act of faith and religious expression.
Are you Ready? Six
Obstacles to Overcome
Thinking about wearing Hijab?
Here are some tips to help you overcome obstacles that may get in your way:
- Yourself –Not
sure if you’re ready? Remember that Iman (faith in Allah)
includes submitting to Allah’s will. Research, understand the reasons and
talk to girls who have gone through it. Ask Allah to help you put your
beliefs into action. Prophet Muhammad related that Allah said, “if [My
servant] draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s
length; if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a
fathom’s length; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
- Your Friends
– Worried about how your buddies will take it? Your friends should accept
your decision and be proud of your courage. Give them time and be patient.
Be conscious of Allah, not the girls or guys.
- Your Parents –
It’s difficult to do things when the people closest to you oppose it. As
Muslims, it’s our duty to please our parents, unless their wishes go
against the command of Allah. As much as your parents do for you, their
love and mercy could never compare to that of your Creator. Ease your
parents into your decision and pray that it becomes easy for them to
understand.
- At School –It
takes courage to be different. You are likely to hear, “what is that thing
on your head?” or “who made you do it?” Questions aren’t bad. Know your
reasons and explain why you chose to wear Hijab.
- At Work
– The United Nations states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Article 18). Most countries in the world abide by this declaration and
have their own laws that protect an individual’s freedom of religious
practice at work.
- At the Gym –
What about swimming or basketball for sporty sisters? Obeying Allah and
wearing Hijab does not limit your physical activity. Organize sisters-only
sports events. This encourages true sports-womanship. When you play, it’s
about the love of the game, not the glory (or the guys watching!).
For Further Reading &
Research:
Woman’s Dress in Islam by Jamal Badawi
The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil by Katherine Bullock
Young Muslims Publications
Don'te Be Duped! [read,
download]
Turn OFF TV - Turn on life [read, download]
Hijab: Fabric, Fad or Faith? [read, download]
Cool or Fool? Choosing The Right Friends [read, download]
Le Coran: votre Porte à un nouveau Monde [lire, download]
Iraq: The Real Story [read,
download]
Ramadan: Un moment pour la renaissance ou la survie? [lire, download]
Prenez garde à la flèche! [lire, download]
Watch out for the Arrow! [read, download]
Sacrifice: The Making of A Muslim [read, download]
Ramadan: A Time for Revival or Survival? [read, download]
Salah: The State of Mind [download]
Quran: Your Gateway To A New World [read, download]
Violence in Palestine: What You Can Do [download]
Welcome to University [read,
download]
We need volunteers to distribute
the new pamphlets. Please contact us if
you are interested.
http://www.youngmuslims.ca/publications/hijab.asp
