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What is hijaab?

SomaliNet Forum (Archive): Islam (Religion): Archive (Before Feb. 16, 2001): What is hijaab?
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TLG

Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 07:39 pm
Asalaamu alaikum,
Now and Again, I hope this will be helpful in answering your questions.

Theer is also is www.islam-qa.com, where answers to numerous questions about Islam are posted. You can submit questions to this site. They are answered by Sheikhs.

Another awesome website is Ibrahim Shafi's website.
http://www.islamworld.net/
This site has Quranic and hadith databases and all topics you can think of in terms of Islam. YOu should try it.

I hope i'm not overwhelming you sis. Keep up the good work. May Allah make things easy for you.

Hijab

III&E Brochure Series
(published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) and reproduced in electronic form by Islamic Academy for Scientific Research with permission)

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/humanrelations/womeninislam/whatishijab.html
--------------------------------------------------


THE QUESTION OF HIJAB: SUPPRESSION OR LIBERATION?
"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.

The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.


"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.
The question of hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (S) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qur'an says:


"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; 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)
These verses from the Qur'an contain two main injunctions:

A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:
"Ayesha (R) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." (Abu Dawood)

The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (S) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim) Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:

Women must not dress so as to appear as men.
"Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (S) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.
Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.
For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.

Mary C. Ali

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now and again

Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 12:09 pm
tlg- again, jazaakallaahu khayr...
I loved the website you pointed out..and hope to make a habit of surfing over there every day..one more question though...do you have any books written in english you might suggest to me??
now and again.

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TLG

Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 03:51 pm
Asalaamu alaikum...

Now and Again. You are welcome sis. It gives me much pleasure to offer whatever I can and share with you the little I know. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem. I might learn something from you too so insha Allah share your perspective on things. I'm in the same boat as most of you guys as far as the struggle to stay straight goes. Shaitan is constantly waging war against us. It is like u overcome one thing and he moves to the next. So don't think I have it all figured out. I need help too. We all do :)

I don't have a specific book on hijab, but I hope the following books will be useful to you. Most can be found in any local Islaamic bookstore or can be purchased throught the net.

1. The Prophet's prayer describe by Shaikh Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaani (You know that the prayer is a very important pillar. It is said that if someone's prayer is straight, all else will follow smoothtly and if i'm not mistaken (can someone pls correct me if i'm wrong), it is the first thing the beleiver is questioned on. I was listening to this tape the other day, and the speaker was saying that when people of hell fire are asked, "what made you to be in the fire?" they will answer, "we were of those who didn't pray, who didn't feed the poor....etc".)

2. Stories of the Prophets by Imaam ibn Kathir. A very good read and reference book.

3. Islamic Fatawa regarding women. Compiled by Muhammad al- Musnad and translated by Jamaal Zarabozo. This is in the form of questions and answers and has everything u can think off. Not all the issues are just for the women but they concentrate on women issues.
I'll add more sometime soon insha Allah.

Take care sis. Much love :)

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Idea

Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 04:36 pm
Thank You sister TLG. May Allah reward you and ease everything for you. Allahuma, amiin.

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Anonymous

Monday, February 05, 2001 - 08:47 am
TLG

May Allah bless you and reward you for encouraging so many sister. This indeed is a blessed day for Islam.

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Fear Allah

Monday, February 05, 2001 - 12:22 pm
Assalamu Alaikum. I just thought that some of you may be interested in this hadiith. It shows the importance of the remembrance of Allah(swt). May we all benefit from it, Insha Allah.
__________________

The Prophet(saaw) said: Allah(swt) says: "Indeed I am as My servant presumes Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me, so if he remembers Me to himself I remember him to Myself, and if he remembers Me amongst a company I remember him amongst a company greater than it, and if he draws near to Me the span of a hand I draw near to him the span of an arm, and if he draws near to Me the span of an arm I draw near to him the span of two outstretched arms, and if he comes to Me walking I come to him running.

*Al-Bukhaaree 5/175 and Muslim 4/2061

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Lady Jane

Monday, February 05, 2001 - 03:57 pm
Asalamu caleykum wa raxmatullahi wa barakatu!

To TLG:

Jazakallah khayran.That was so enveloping..rest assured that you hold my attention hostage.I believe you just accomplished a task given up on by many...considering the fact that my attention span bears close resemblance to that of a three-year old or was it a two-year old..I can't remember which??..lol!Seriously,sis I just couldn't stop reading.I believe the prophecy that brother Nur made about my visits here turning addictive...boy was he right!! One wonders sometimes where one would be but for the existence of sweet creatures like yourself who so generously share such vital knowledge...no questions asked!

I think you're right about the believer's Salah being the very first thing they are questioned on.I believe and correct me if I'm wrong...that it follows the three other questions asked in the grave..about Who is our Creator? Who was the last messenger of Allah? And last but not least, What is our religion? Am I close yet? Or was it a figment of my imagination?

To nowandagain:

Thank you for asking all those questions. Seriously,the only stupid question there is, is the one that you never ask! As my sis TLG, said earlier, this is a learning process for us all.We are all here to benefit from one and other.

To fearAllah:

Jazakallah khayran.The hadith was very refreshing and one can't even begin to imagine just how much truth there is to that.If we only BELIEVE!I really loved your poem back there.It was quite moving.I especially liked you mentioning what a real menace Ralph,Klein,Gucci and the whole lot of them are to women in general...believers and nonbelievers.You see my dear(bro/sis) that is how things start basically and before you know it you will be shouldering such an outrageous amount of pressure from the media to dress scantily and raise as many eyebrows as you possibly can...that it seems almost inevitable to resist BUT for the grace and mercy of Allah!I cannot even picture myself using their so-called designer clothing as a FLOORMAT to wipe my dirty boots let alone add such nonsense to my wardrobe!!

Okay it's time for Maghrib...gotta run folks.
Later.

Until next time,peace,love and craziness to you all.

Lady Jane.

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Ahmed Jama

Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 03:05 pm
Salaama Aleikum

Maasha Allaah Good words its touches sisters. Lady Jane Its Makhrib time where is that Walaalo Vancouver BC. I remembered long time ago this form was anti-Islam today it changes bit by bit by TLG and her Gangs invaded here

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TLG

Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 06:08 pm
Asalaamu alaikum all,

Fear Allah, jazakallahu khairan for the hadith.

Ahmed Jama, jazakallahu khairan brother for the kind remarks. Same goes for you anonymous.

Idea, Lady Jane, NowAndAgain, and anyone else who is interested, I have a few more books that u guys might find useful.

1. The Quest for love and mercy (regulations for marriage and wedding in Islam)by Muhammad al-Jibaly. A must get for all sisters. It is the 1st of three series addressing family life. I didn't get the other two, so can't remeber the titles.
-Covers all the allowed/not allowed things from the moment one is proposed to the wedding.

2. Life in al-Barzakh by Muhammad al-Jibaly (same author as above). 4th of four series. Covers the following topics:
- moment of death
- the soul's trip to heaven
- the final test
- the righteous and sinful in al-barzakh
-things that benefit the dead
etc.
The other titles in this series are: 1. Sickness-regulations and exhortations, 2. Something to the effect of preparing wills (can't remember the title), 3. Funeral-regulations and exhortations.

3. Ruling on Menstruation and Post-Natal bleeding by Abu Amina Bilal Phillips.

4. "Dearest Sister, why not cover your modesty?" by Abdul Hamid al-Balali

You guys can write down the titles and authors of the books and get them whenever u have time or can afford them. Some of them are a lil expensive but if u give up that extra hijab, jilbaab, skirt or sweater u wanna get, u can afford them :)

jazaakumullahu khairan.

Love and salaams.

Disclaimer: I haven't read all these books yet (I just got them over the summer). The ones I did read were really worth it. So I still encourage all you guys to get them if possible.

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TLG

Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 06:22 pm
Salaams, it is me again. Sorry I forgot to mention. Lady Jane, you are right about the three things the believer is questioned on in the grave. I haven't looked up the prayer thing yet, will do so soon insha Allah.

Something funny I wanna share with u guys (my room mate will kill me if she reads this). There was fire in our building last night (Student housing, what is new eh?). Anyway, it was 2am and I heard people running down the stairs and obviously the fire alarm. So, I tried to wake up my room mates. One of them (she is sooo cute) says to me, "you guys go ahead, i'll catch up with u later"lol. She says this whenever she is woken up. And we were like, "u will catch up with us later? are u crazy? woman! you will be lucky to get out of here alive if we leave u sleeping".
Anyway, the fire lasted for about 2 hours, and u can't imagine how many people were freezing coz they came out in the pajamas.
Ok, no need to worry, we are all safe, alhamdulilah alhamdulilah alhamdulilah.

salaam.

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Sistersister

Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 03:58 am
TLG

Very funny and Sweet. May Allah bless you sis.

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Asraar

Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 06:31 pm
Salaama Caleeykum,

Just wanted to share this article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/13/national/13MUSL.html

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TLG

Friday, February 16, 2001 - 11:18 am
Just wanna place this page at the top. If you are wondering why, i'm disapointed to see the site becoming a battle ground for Muslims.

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AABIDEEN

Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 05:02 pm
salaamu alykum

My sister TLG might ALLAH bless you, KEEP ON THE GOOD WORK and don't worry about them, but make duaa for them, may ALLAH to guide them, and us.


WALAYKU MASALAAM YOUR BROTHER IN ISLAM

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