I decided to make this a blog entry, as opposed to remaining in commentary on my main page:
Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,
Am trying not to be rude but I just have to forbid the evil you should be following the rules of hijab on the internet.We don’t know who might be looking at them
secondly I think you should read the views of the scholors on taking Picture you can try checking it out on http://www.islamqa.com
BintAbdullah
My response:
Perhaps you can find a scholarly opinion on spending idle time online on blogs, which can be nothing but idle talk and distract you from higher acts of ‘ibada like reciting Qur’an, making sunnah prayers, performing dhikr, or giving charity or volunteering. Muslims love to find blame in others who may have different levels of practice. If I felt compelled to wear hijab because of what other musims, whether scholars or not, that would be committing shirk. I dont wear hijab in pictures because that would be misrepresenting myself and quite insincere. I don’t wear hijab in the pictures because I have chosen not to wear hijab in daily life outside of the masjid or prayers.
I also believe there is no compulsion in religion. But there are societies that impose hijab, meaning that women who are forced receive no reward for intending to please Allah by wearing hijab. Rather than comply to the law of the land or to social pressure due to culture. I don’t argue matters of religion, but I see it like this, to me my way and to you yours. Thanks for your concern….
Last year I read Michael Cook’s book on Forbidding the wrong. Very interesting read. Book provides evidence to show that modern Muslims are more preoccupied with telling other Muslims what to do, as opposed to earlier texts on forbidding the wrong. While it is clear that we should command the good and forbid the wrong, it was never really clear how or who had the authority to forbid the wrong. But clearly, some communities give their members a permit allowing them to tell anyone else how much they suck. Apparently, me not wearing hijab is a evil. It is the most obvious evil that can quickly be eradicated, as opposed to “honor” killings, banditry, kidnapping, drug running, killing of civilians, corruption, bribery, rape, harrassment, defamation, assault, prostitution, forced marriages, and false testimony. Those will take a lot of work. It is less difficult to cover up a woman’s sexuality, now that is a real social evil that is destabilizing. Compared to the threat of a collapsing order due women in public spaces uncovered, the other drama we are faced with must be small cookies.
Margari Aziza 
I feel safer already. Wew. That was a close one.
🙂
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Salaams,
I completely agree. Thanks for standing your ground so succinctly and eloquently.
peace,
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It’s really hard for me to deal with people like that as well, people obsessed with forbidding the evil.
But on the other hand I like to be criticized. It’s an ego offense, which is much needed for all humans.
Mostly, I just let it go and think to myself no matter how irked I am right now, I need to realize that this person doesn’t have bad intentions. (shrug)
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Salaam sister,
I hope this post, is not in regards to your recent blog argument with Jami on Umar’s blog. I think he was jealous of you, as many people were agreeing with your perspective on the issue.
Nonetheless, you it hit it on the head, if someone is wearing a hijab to please her husband, family, community, for anything other than Allah (ta ala) will taste no rewards from Allah (ta ala) for that thing. Making a person do so is enforcing hypocrisy.
I think it is apart of the contemporary Salai movement, which does not even appear to give dawah to non-believers but only to find fault in every muslim and this culture of takfir(ing) Muslims and having heated discussion of about the most mundane issues, one lecture I heard was, “the conditions for returning salaams.”
Basically, they feed their egos and camouflage their insecurities, by pointing fingers at people with different perspectives and at different levels of faith. In reality, it’s arrogance.
We do have a responsibility to enjoin good and forbid evil but such corrections should be done with Mercy and not use a hadith to beat somebody with it.
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i love your reply to this issue/commenter. good luck in your travels!
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Sis. Hill,
Bint Abdullah was correct, it is our duty as Muslims to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. This is not relegated to criminal behavior but also issues where modesty is not practice. She said something that I have been thinking since I found this blog 2 weeks ago – she had the guts to say so. I just hated your lack of modesty in my heart, but I never voiced it. However, you are determined not to obey Allah in that regards and as a result, insulted Muslims who correct Muslims just for the sake of pleasing Allah and to remind you of your duty to obey Allah with all of your strenght and powers. I observe modesty (as I guy) I cover my body in 110 deg. weather, not wearing shorts of exposing by body but my arms not because I am a sadist, but because I fear my Lord. But that is me and I have other issues in my practice. Muslims have corrected me and I have always loved them for that because they remind me of my duty to Allah and obeying Allah brings me closer to him. In my life, my earnest desire is to please Allah, so that he will be pleased with me, insha’Allah on the Day of Judgment. This should be the desire of all Muslims. Just my opinion.
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There’s something to be said for HOW you try to correct someone. Most people do not take kindly to a complete stranger stepping to them, with the first words out of their mouth after “Hello” (or “as-salaamu-alaikum, in this case) being a statement as to what’s wrong with them and how they can fix it.
This is not “XYZ” or “there’s toilet paper stuck to your shoe”, this is a statement as to character, piety, etc. Alls you’re going to accomplish is to tick someone off.
Perhaps the cautioner, who no doubt had good intentions, will consider that next time.
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Brilliant post.
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I’m wondering if you were of Arab or South Asian descent would you have gotten the same comment. I’m just throwing that out there.
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great response. to imply that you were practicing “evil” by not wearing hijab is ridiculous enough, but to also assume that you are so crazy that you don’t even realize youre not wearing it in your picture…just plain crazy. it’s good to know the halal police havent taken any vacations.
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Assalamu’alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
A’oozu billahi minash-shaitanir-rejeem.
Sister you should Cover your self buttom line. Modesty is zn obligation for all Muslim Women not some all (black,white, yellow, red, young and old). I agree that noone can make you cover or tell you to, but just remember Allah The Most Grscious The All Seer of all things said “Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their privat parts and not to show off their adornment except that which is apparent and to draw their veils all over their Juyubihinna(bodies, faces, necks and bosom . Surah 24 An-Nur Ayah 31. and sister the reminder benefits the believes. So let us ALL FEAR Our LORD much, or as much as u are able too. ALLAH punishment is no joke sister cover yourself.
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Sis,
There is no compulsion in religion, right? If people have a problem with you not covering they do not have to come on your page and look at you. Simply lower your gaze and move on.
It’s interesting how little time and effort goes into checking brother’s gazes. Muslim brothers on their blogs are forever talking about women’s bodies and much more. A week or so ago, I was sitting on the boardwalk with my husband and mother. My mother and I were in hijab. Right in front of my face this Muslim brother not only stared a young teenage girl down but started hollering at her lewdly. When he caught my eyes he greeted me and tried to exchange a boys will be boys smile with my husband. It’s funny how many times brothers try to laugh their gaze indiscretions off while chastising the sisters. I’ve seen this so many times I’m started to get use to it!
Modesty is more than a scarf.
Allah knows best.
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I got this quote off another blog from Sheikh Hamza Yusuf. I am not sure if it is completely accurate but I its speaks to the issue:
In Medina there were women walking around bare breasted! This is a historical fact.There were uncovered women in Medina because the slaves were not allowed to cover! So Muslims should get out of this obsession with women! It’s a sickness in our own hearts. Just lower your gaze! We’re living in a society where people are walking around naked and we’re worried about a girl not wearing a scarf on her head…
A lot of men make it a hijab between a woman and her iman. Not all of you are acting like Sahaba! Why do we want our women to be like Sahabeyat?! I challenge you to put on a robe or a turban for one day! The reason why a lot of women are leaving Islam is because we’re chasing them out of Islam! We should know the time we’re living in!”
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Ameen…
Well said Samira, indeed modesty is more than a scarf. “… I didn’t have a clue about Arabic I might think that “juyubihinna” actually means FACE. There is no way that this word means face or body in Arabic. It comes from the root word meaning neck, collarbone in arabic. Not only is the stuff in brackets wrong, but it is inside the quotes of the Quran.”
Sorry, I am cracking up at the one eye thing.. Allah gave us two eyes for a reason, have we no sense?
Brother Bilal, why did you come back after 2 weeks? Hmm… why are you even speaking to her… MIXING HARAM .
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Salaams! Just found your blog and am loving it. The firat thing I remarked on when I saw your pic was “wow…this girl is gorgeous!” MashaAllah sister 🙂 But you know how people love to hate…that was my immediate reaction when I read that comment directed at you. C’mon if you looked like a swamp critter no one would say boo.
As my grandma would say “keep on keepin on!”
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Assalamu’alaikum wa Rahmatullah
A MUSLIM IS A PERSON WHO TOTALLY SUBMITS TO GOD
PEOPLE FEAR ALLAH. ALLAH SAID WOMEN SHOULD COVER, WE PEOPLE DIDN’T MAKE THIS UP. YES THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION BUT WHAT DOES THIS REALLY MEAN THIS REALLY MEANS THAT NOONE CAN FORCE U TO BECOME A MUSLIM BUT WHEN U BECOME A MUSLIM BY YOUR OWN FREE WILL U TOTALLY SUMMIT TO ALLAH LAWS AND ALLAH LAWS ARE JUST.OUR DEEN COME FIRST. SISTERS REMEMBER DEATH IS NEAR TO ALL OF US WHAT IF U DIE IN THIS STATE. PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) SAID DEEDS ARE JUDGE BY THE CONCLUSION AND IF WE DIE DISOBEYING ALLAH THIS IS A BAD END FOR US, HIJAB IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DEBATE ABOUT IT’S AN OBLIGATION FOR WOMEN AND WE ARE ALL SLAVE TO OUR LORD WE HAVE NO OPINION WHEN ALLAH COMMENDS US TO DO SOMTHING. COVERING IS A PROTECTION FOR MUSLIM WOMEN. ALLAH IS OUR LORD EVERY THING WE DO WE SHOULD ASK OURSELF IS THIS PLEASING TO MY LORD. WE CANNOT SAY THAT WE MUSLIMS AND DO WHATEVER WE WANT, AS MUSLIMS WE HAVE TO OBEY ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER. AND YES WE ALL SIN AND FALL INTO ERROR BUT WE SEEK FORGIVENESS AND MAKE OUR INTENTION TO RIGHT. EVERYTHING OR MOST OF THE THING WE DO SHOULD BE TO WORSHIP ALLAH AFTER ALL ALLAH CREATED MANKIND AND JINNS TO WORSHIP HIM. WE AS MUSLIMS MUST KNOW THAT THIS LIVE IS FOR A LIILE WHILE, AN ENJOYMENT FOR THE DISBELIEVERS AND A TEST FOR THE BELIEVERS SO I PRAY THAT ALLAH HAS MERCY ON ALL THE BELIEVERS AND THAT ALLAH GRANT US ALL PARADISE AMEEN
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Wa alaikum ma salaam,
There’s no need to yell.
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Salaam. Hahaaahaaaaa. Forever Loyal has me cracking up all the time. Margari, as for your response, thank God you said it. Will our Muslim brothers and sisters please remember the very important tenet of personal responsibility applying in Islam? Each to his own.You won’t have to answer for her on the Day of Judgment, as she won’t for you, so please look to yourselves. There is no need for unpleasantness.
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Assalamu’alaikum wa Rahmatullah
“There is no need for unpleasantness”.
Masha Allah
The reminder benefit the believer.
We can’t answer for any one on Judgement Day this is correct.
But right now we can reminded our brothers and sisters. what we want for ourselves we should want for others. We should away try to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. and we all should be forever loyal and obedient to our Lord after all he created us.
Fear Allah. May forgive all of us.
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Wa alaikum ma salaam wa ramhatullah,
See, calm discourse is so much less upsetting to the stomach. 🙂
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I’m just going to have to be honest right now…I find it annoying that not covering you hair is being likened to evil.
I believe that wearing hijab is a woman’s personal choice. That is all.
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Eating babies, showing that Pantene shine. It’s all the same.
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!!!!!!!! She’s on a roll! MashaAllh.
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Typo* Masha’Allah.
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Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,
Masha Allah
Are you people seriously supporting this sister decision to not cover. I feel like this, she said “I have chosen not to wear hijab in daily life outside of the masjid or prayers.” so I want to know does she think that Allah only see her in the Masjid does she really think that wearing hijab is a choice. The prophet Muhammad (SAW) said a woman who does not cover will never enter Paradise. And does she really think that “finding a scholarly opinion on spending idle time online on blogs” is she saying that seeking knowledge from the scholars on the Internet is idle talk. MashaAllah. If a woman any woman started wearing hijab to please any one but Allah she should change her intention and seek forgiveness from Allah.
May Allah Guide us all aright and I seek refuge from Allah from ever being misguided by anyone and from me misguiding anyone and from ever loving the things that Allah hates and from ever thinking that the wrong things are the right.
May Allah forgive us all. Assalamalikum
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I’m supporting this sister’s right to not be attacked, called evil or preached to because of her personal decision to not cover.
As usual, I’m looking at the woman in the mirror. For all of the greed, selfishness, arrogance and lack of humility I have shown in my life I have little time to worry about another women’s hair.
I’ve seen too many covered women cursing, ready to fight each other and refusing to greet another Muslim because of racism to worry about Margari’s hair. I’ve had too many uncovered sisters offering me a date to break my fast, giving me a kind word and teaching me about Islam to self-righteously secure them a place in the hell-fire for not covering.
Margari is doing more to promote the integrity, the intellect and the beauty of Muslim women than many who just talk a good game. Forgive me if I sound rude or harsh to anyone but I refuse to bash a good sister.
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Samira,
What are you saying – uncovered women are nicer than covered women? What? And just so you and everyone knows, all of our religous acts are personal choices, there is no compulsion in religion – the reward from our Lord comes from the intention to perform the act and actually performing the act if Allah wills. The benefit of forbiding evil and enjoining good is to remind ourselves and the community of what is halal and haram. This is not relegated to hijab only but all things including murder, suicide bombing, rape, spousal abuse, racism, bidah, nifaq, shirk, riba, not giving salaams, selling pork and/or alcohol, eating haram, gossip/backbiting, not supporting kalifah, and a host of other issues that are at odds with our perfect religon.
As for Looking Pious…., free mixing from my understanding is no physical contact between men and women. If you can find a fatwa from a credible scholar where answering a blog is free-mixing, let me know.
Ms. Hill,
You are a beautiful woman, you know that and there is no need for me to say it (although I just did). It’s your life, just don’t be so hard in your responses to people who correct you if they are doing it our of love for you as a Muslim woman and not trying to embarrass you or show they are better than you. While I do not know Bint Abdullah’s intention – I did not feel she was doing that, I may be wrong. Regardless, it was good advice, whether or not you like the method of delivery or agree/ don’t agree with it. We are not perfect but we should appreciate any help that is given in our journey in better ourselves relgiously (or any other areas of our lives). Just my humble observation.
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No Bilal, I cover and support hijab so I honestly don’t believe that those who don’t cover are nicer. I don’t understand how you got that from what I wrote. I’m well aware of what no compulsion in religion means-if you scroll above, you’ll notice I was the first one to point that out here.
My intention in what I wrote was to move away from discussing a Muslim woman who does not cover as evil. I understand the need to advice our brothers and sisters but a little adab will do you sometimes. I find the type of binary thinking that equates non-hijab with evil and disobedience dangerous and judgemental. I often feel battered and abused with hijab talk especially with the way it is used against sister’s to question the most inner depths of their love for our rabb.
I remember when I stopped covering as an adolescent girl and how one of the sister’s in my community berated me-she knew little of the horrible things that were going on in my life. The last thing I needed was a reminder to cover. How could I think of covering my hair when I was in the depths of despair over the pain I had encountered as a young girl?
My problem is this-Why do we just go in for the punch all the time? We don’t say Sister-how is your heart? How are you feeling? Or even ask about the circumstances surrounding someone’s decision? Instead it is just a bunch of hadith and Qur’an damning someone to hell or calling them evil. Do you really think a Muslim woman with considerable understanding of Islam and the benefits of hijab takes her decisions lightly? I don’t.
Sorry I’m not with it and I won’t apologize for not being with it. I love all my sisters-covered and uncovered.
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As-salaamu-alaikum all,
I didn’t mean to be flip. Sometimes I like to use humor to try and diffuse situations.
I too cover but in all honesty people give entirely too much attention and invest too much meaning in a 30×30″ square of fabric. People often assume a host of things about you based only on whether you wear that square, and it’s gotta stop.
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Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu
Masha Allah
Samira you said “Instead it is just a bunch of hadith and Qur’an damning someone to hell or calling them evil.” Miss do you know that the Qur’an is ALLAH Words and the Hadith is from the Prophet MUHAMMAD because this statement seem so nonchalant. Do you really think that some of us are judging this sister, well I can only speak 4 myself I’m not passing any judgments I’m just following the Sunnah by (enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong) and I’m not telling anyone to cover I’m just advising them, we do things to please Allah only. Let me give an example:- If you wanted a nursing job and your had to dress in uniform or you couldn’t work there wouldn’t you dress the part if you really needed the job. Well Our Creator commended us to cover because if we don’t we’ll not enter Paradise now tell which one should be more important to the believer. Allah is our Lord; Islam is our Deen; and Prophet Muhammad is our Prophet. When we say Allah is my Lord and believe in the Last Day we do righteous deeds and we are upright and steadfast in our religion. Those who say Allah is my Lord they with have no fear for those who disobey Allah. It’s not like this sister just converted to Islam and she know that we as Muslim women should cover so what is she saying exactly? We as Muslim should fear Allah and be obedient and pray to Allah about our shortcomings. But it all comes back to Tawheed because if we don’t understand Tawheed we cannot have Taqwa and we’ll find it really hard to accept Allah Laws. And when Allah and his Messenger commands us to do something we shouldn’t have any opinion about it.. And when Allah and the Messenger forbids us to do something we should stay away form it and this should be easy for the Believes. It we are disobedient to Allah and the His Messenger we’ll be losers in this life and in the hereafter.
“My problem is this-Why do we just go in for the punch all the time? We don’t say Sister-how is your heart?”
I understand this statement but noone is doing this. If there was a fire and you was running form it and you saw people walking toward it you wouldn’t tell them that they shouldn’t go that way, and that they should go the other way.
The reminders benefits the believer. She’s our sister in Islam I don’t know her but I love her for the sake of Allah. I’m running from the fire and all believers should be too. Come sisters let run to together.
Allahu Akbar
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Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu
Masha Allah
Samira you said “Instead it is just a bunch of hadith and Qur’an damning someone to hell or calling them evil.” Miss do you know that the Qur’an is ALLAH Words and the Hadith is from the Prophet MUHAMMAD because this statement seem so nonchalant. Do you really think that some of us are judging this sister, well I can only speak 4 myself I’m not passing any judgments I’m just following the Sunnah by (enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong) and I’m not telling anyone to cover I’m just advising them, we do things to please Allah only. Let me give an example:- If you wanted a nursing job and your had to dress in uniform or you couldn’t work there wouldn’t you dress the part if you really needed the job. Well Our Creator commended us to cover because if we don’t we’ll not enter Paradise now tell which one should be more important to the believer. Allah is our Lord; Islam is our Deen; and Prophet Muhammad is our Prophet. When we say Allah is my Lord and believe in the Last Day we do righteous deeds and we are upright and steadfast in our religion. Those who say Allah is my Lord they with have no fear for those who disobey Allah. It’s not like this sister just converted to Islam and she know that we as Muslim women should cover so what is she saying exactly? We as Muslim should fear Allah and be obedient and pray to Allah about our shortcomings. But it all comes back to Tawheed because if we don’t understand Tawheed we cannot have Taqwa and we’ll find it really hard to accept Allah Laws. And when Allah and his Messenger commands us to do something we shouldn’t have any opinion about it.. And when Allah and the Messenger forbids us to do something we should stay away form it and this should be easy for the Believes. It we are disobedient to Allah and the His Messenger we’ll be losers in this life and in the hereafter.
“My problem is this-Why do we just go in for the punch all the time? We don’t say Sister-how is your heart?”
I understand this statement but noone is doing this. If there was a fire and you was running form it and you saw people walking toward it you wouldn’t tell them that they shouldn’t go that way, and that they should go the other way.
The reminders benefits the believer. She’s our sister in Islam I don’t know her but I love her for the sake of Allah. I’m running from the fire and all believers should be too. Come sisters let run to together.
Allahu Akbar
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I’d be interested to see this hadith about women going to hell because they don’t cover their hair. I find that extremely hard to believe. If I get some time later I will look for it insha’allah, we have most of Bukhari though we don’t have any of the other collections.
If anyone knows off the top of their head where it is I’d appreciate a point in the right direction.
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I have heard a similar hadith that women who don’t cover will be hung by their uncovered hair in hell and asked a fairly knowledgeable religions scholar (in Morocco) about it, and was told me that was a false Hadith. But, I would also be interested in backup information (in favor or opposed).
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Salam Sister,
It is fearful to me that the believers could have lost sight of all that is holly in their religion. Is Islam tied to a piece of cloth on a woman’s head? How when we come into the world naked covered only in the blood of our mother’s womb, can a piece of cloth be so important? It can not be as Allah provides all that we need to be faithful to him at our birth, we are pure Muslims
What has happened? There is way to much made out of the appearances in Islam and much to little said about the roots of Islamic practice. What are the pillars of Islam?
Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophet hood of Muhammad;
Establishment of the daily prayers;
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
Self-purification through fasting; and
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.
Nothing in the five pillars about HIJAB? We need to start to understand that women have a right to embrace their faith at their own pace. That the head cover has existed since before Islam and it is a mark of a deeply devout woman. Therefore unless you are ready you should not cover yourself. Otherwise it will just come off again; it needs to be from the heart and deeply Sincere. “The way of Islam is like holding to a boiling lava rock in our day and age. Your temptation will always be to drop it as it is so hard to hold onto” Always the greatest sinners will make the greatest saints in the end, it is Keeping the faith and constant persistence to be a better Muslim that is the answer.
Masalam,
Yasmeen
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Isha,
My critique is about the flippant way that people use Qur’an and Hadith to condemn someone because they do not wear hijab. That is all.
Please do not assume to know my feelings about Qur’an or hadith. This is not your place or within your knowledge. What I wrote was from my heart-and from my experiences. Instead of looking at the true message of what I wrote-which was to say that we need to exhibit a sense of compassion and mercy before we seek to change each other-you try to belittle my comments by preaching at me about the deen and mocking me by calling me “Miss” when I am indeed a MRS! 🙂
Trust, respect and care is needed when we approach each other.
I am in complete agreement with Yasmeen’s wonderfully written comments.
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BTW Forever loyal-your comments are succint and right to the point. I also enjoy your humor.
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i want to cotact to samira
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i want to cotact to awomen she interested to me
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Thanks Samira, I’m glad someone finds me funny. Sometimes I’m the only one laughing at my jokes. That’s ok though. 🙂
Honestly the more I read the more I’m starting to think that hair covering isn’t even obligatory. That’s probably a blog entry in itself, though.
I also have to agree with Mohamed Armer. Is the essence of Islam in nit-picky details that we can REALLY go to hell for
-pants that are too long
-uncovered hair
-nail polish
-too short or absent beard
-plucking stray hairs from our eyebrows
???
REALLY?
Is it really possible for someone who diligently upholds the five pillars and is generally a humble and decent person to go to hell because they trimmed their beard too closely?
Is that really what we are understanding about Allah when we read the Qur’an? That Allah values style over and above substance?
‘Cause that’s not what I get when I read it.
BTW remember to ramp up your Qur’an reading during Ramadhan. It’s rapidly approaching. 🙂
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Masha Allah NO HARD FEELING SISTERS
Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu
You can find in:- Qur’an Sarah 24 Ayah 31 Surah 33 Ayah 59 Tells the believing women to cover. 40 Hadith and Riyad As-saliheen Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim Tells us about the punishment women will receive if they don’t cover
Yasmeen,
“Is Islam tied to a piece of cloth on a woman’s head? How when we come into the world naked covered only in the blood of our mother’s womb, can a piece of cloth be so important?”
Masha Allah sister I had to share this with my Imam.
Sister you are correct we all were born naked, but should we remind in this state, SISTERS COVERING IS A COMMENDMENT FROM OUR LORD TO THE BELIEVING WOMEN. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said lslam began strange and will end strange. Muslim women are suppose to look like walking Da’wah we are not suppose to look like the disbelievers the Phophet Muhammad (PBUH) said Whoever imitate a people are from them. Muslim should look like strangers we shouldn’t look like the Kuffar.
You also said this “ What has happened? There is way to much made out of the appearances in Islam and much to little said about the roots of Islamic practice. What are the pillars of Islam? “
Sister u are right we should practice the Pillars of Islam but does these Pillars exclude the commendments of Allah. The Pillars of Islam doesn’t tell us to be good to our parents but shouldn’t we, it doesn’t tell us to eat pork so should we, it doesn’t tell us to obey our husband but shouldn’t we, it don’t tell us not to steal or commit murder or lie or commit fornication these are all commandment from Allah just like covering.
Covering is not when you are ready. People fear Allah! Allah said in the Qu’ran that the believeing women must cover.
From the time you become a Muslim and you have reach the age of puberty all the duty of a Muslim are obiligatory upon u, unless you have no Knowledge of it. It is also obiligatory upon all Muslim to seek Knowledge of Our Lord, our Deen, our Messenger. WE MUST must practice the Pillars of Islam and Obey Allah and His Messenger.
All the believeing women of the books of Allah (Torah, Gospel, Ingel, Qu’ran etc) were and are suppose to cover because Allah commanded them and us do so. If they didn’t, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t.
Sisters Islam is not a Manmade religion,Islam is a complete system from Our All Mighty God. Allah knows what’s best for us we don’t know. Covering is a Protection for us.
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Samira I’m sorry for calling you Miss forgive me
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Wa alaikum ma salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,
Actually sister if you are going to take it only to the Qur’an then the case can be made that there is no commandment to cover the hair.
If you are going to include hadith then that is another matter, including the matter of the weakness of the main one used to tell women they must cover their hair, neck and ears.
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A’oozu billahi minash shaitanir-rajeem
What are u saying? Yall please be careful of the things that are being said Allah is witnessing all of this. Go to Sarah 24 Ayah 31 and Sarah 33 Ayah 59 in the Noble Qur’an. Allah said Tell the believing women to cover he didn’t say TO ASK THEM TO COVER. This is a commandment from Allah. Or better yet an ORDER.
We need to stop following our desire and summit to our Lord because by obeying our Lord we’ll be successful in this live and in the Hereafter but if we follow our desire we will be losers.
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Isha,
There is truly no hard feelings. I appreciate your candidness and honesty. And I also recognize your sincerity and commitment to fulfill your obligations to Allah subhana wa ta ala. Insha’Allah I pray the we sisters can continue to talk to each other even when we don’t always see eye to eye on an issue.
Your sister in Islam,
Samira
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I am saying exactly what I stated. I am well aware that Allah is witness to all I do and say. I stand by my remarks.
Sometimes we find that are not following our Lord or our own desires but someone ELSE’s desires.
I recognize that you seem to have everyone’s best interests at heart and I commend you for that.
I have no desire that muslim women should wake up tomorrow and burn their khimars and jilbabs.
–it’s a waste of fabric,
–it would mean me destroying a very nice one that I bought from a friend visiting from KSA
–and it might very well be incorrect islamically speaking
All I’m saying is that this issue is not as black and white as it has been made to seem.
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Wow..So much debate on a matter thats so simple.
1. Muslim women have been ordered to wear hijaab. Theres no ifs, buts or maybes. If you don’t wear hijaab all the time and you don’t have a legitimate reason in Islam for doing so then you are in a state of disobedience. Like it or lump it.Thats what it is.
As long as every sister knows this then it doesn’t matter if she chooses not to follow what Islam says. I know what Islam says about hijaab. When I wear my hijaab with a shirt.I know that its not proper hijaab…but I do the best I can but I’m ever conscious that I need to do better. I think its a problem to try to justify NOt wearing it because we should be happy to be recognized as muslimahs.
Someone made a comment on the beauty of the sister. I know a lot of beautiful sisters that wear hijaab.thats the purpose of hijaab. To cover the beauty.
2 The style of delivery is the problem. You don’t have to be rough and tough with your naseeha. You don’t have to show it in someones face and leave with some self serving words to wow a sister into submission. There is no hadeeth that says a women that doesnt wear hijaab will not enter jannah. If that was a true hadeeth..what about the women who are old and dont have to wear hijaab anymore. Why does Allah make a distinction between young and marriageable women and old ones?
Think about it.
Im off to bed
Wsalaam
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Myopic Vision-
Can you explain to me why wearing a shirt is not hijab. I, as well as many other sisters, wear shirts.
I would just like to know for my own information.
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The reason I ask is because I find it necessary to acknowledge that there is a variety of opinion by scholars on what constitutes hijab and thus a woman may be covered according to the school or scholars that she adheres to.
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I remember when I thought this issue was cut-and-dried too. (speaking of the headscarf specifically as “hijab” is more than clothing)
In any case, there certainly isn’t any harm in wearing it, I find more than one benefit myself.
I suppose the “hijab debate” will rage on until judgment day. Now let’s go find something else to fight about. Oh here’s one: when does Ramadhan actually begin?
I’m going to go take a nap now.
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Without disrespect to anyone,
To all those who preach can they claim that since maturity or conversion they had not missed a single Fard salat. Or they had covered-up all the missed salats. As I can see missing a Salat is more serious stuff than not wearing an Abaaya.
And if we can tolerate for ourself a missed salat then why can’t we tolerate our brothers & sisters in Islam and accept them as they are?
Forbidding Evil and Preaching Good is a duty, but if we look upon our beloved Prophet (saw), then we see that he had never preached or forbid to individuals (accept to those who were his close companions). His preachings where always to masses without finger pointing to a single individual. And when it has been to individuals it was always in Privacy and never in front of others.
Its a human tendency that any person won’t appreciate if someone with whom he/she has no bond starts preaching on each and everything and that too in Public. To fulfill your duty of ‘Amar bil maruf’ one has to first make strong bonds with others. Otherwise simply pointing to certain Quran Verse or Hadith isn’t enough to discharge you from this Duty.
Moreover if you do this act of ‘Forbidding the Evil’ without respecting other Muslims Privacy, then how have you really fulfilled your Duty?
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Assalamu Alaykum Samira… The hijaab in Islam is supposed to cover the womans body. The only thing that should be seen are her face and hands. Most mathaabs agree with that bar a difference of opinion about covering the feet but generally speaking the hijaab covers everything. If the womans shape can be seen then its not covering her. Ie. Tight Jeans. Skirts that are ultra tight, T shirts, are among the clothing that isn’t considered allowable. Based on my own study..I subscribe to the belief that the clothes we would wear normally shouldn’t be used as hijaab. Allahu ALim. But thats basically how I came to that conclusion.
Wsalaam
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Thanks for the explanation MV.
Subhan, I am in complete agreement with your assessment-I do agree that there has to be certain bonds of trust, respect or it can cause more harm. I was discussing this issue with my parents (specifically the adab of correcting another Muslim) and thinking about how the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) was known as the Trustworthy and how significant that was for people to recognize his integrity and warnings. In some sense, if people don’t know your character as sincere it is difficult for them to trust your message.
Your point about privacy is also well taken.
Forever Loyal, I agree with your point that it is definitely time to move on.
Whew, I am thinking about how to really get my mind and body prepared for Ramadan. How to make sure I complete my reading-How to fulfill my duties at school and remain mindful of my obligations during this month.
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Plan,plan, and plan out your time. I don’t know that you’ll get everything possible done but most people are always more efficient with a plan.
http://www.foreverloyal.wordpress.com
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salaam
wearing a hijab is a must for every Muslim girl after she has reached puberty, and thats a rule but with wearing a hijab there are many responsibilities that a girl has to put in prospective and thats the toughest job, so who ever would decide to wear it should know every thing about it.
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When we say, “enjoin the good and forbid the wrong,” do we mean, “I command you to do good, and I forbid you to do wrong”? Wouldn’t that be the height of arrogance? Am I your lord, so I should command you? That’s the definition of shirk, it seems to me. Similarly, am I the spokeperson of my Lord, that I can speak for Him with complete certainty that I know His will? This is unbearably arrogant as well. It seems to me that servanthood requires we first questions ourselves, not focus on judging others.
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point well made Moishe. I agree.
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It is great that the hijab is being discussed more and more on the internet in fact they even have videos on youtube about hijab styles nowadays, have a look
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Wow, I’m a little late reading this post, I don’t get on like I used too but I have a feeling why tensions are running so high. Wearing hijab is a jihad in this country. You are different, you stick out, and it can be hard! I have worn some form of hijab my whole life. My hair was always covered but not necessarily my neck and/or chest. The more I read and studied Quran and the history of the hijab the more I came to realize that I needed to cover more. The women were already covering their hair in scarves that hung down their back, Allah then specified that it was to cover their chest area. People interpret that in different ways. I think Muslim women who cover tend to get upset because this is something that they struggle with on a daily basis and for someone to tell them that they don’t even think it’s necessary (who is also a muslim sister) it can feel like a slap in the face. Now, with all that being said, nastily approaching someone in the wrong way or telling them that they are evil for not observing hijab is not going to push them into correct practice. Whether the sister covers or not is between her and Allah. That is her business and her jihad to deal with..not ours. Each soul has to go before Allah with their own deeds. Frankly, I am too busy trying to get my deeds right to overly worry about what sister Margari is doing in her personal life. It is not my place. Maybe if we were best friends or if she was my sister it would be more of my place to correct her, but it’s not. Nor is it anyone else’s on the blog. I appreciate the fact that she is not faking like she wears hijab when she doesn’t, I think I would bother me more if she presented herself as something she’s not. We all have our issues that we have to deal with, ways in which we can perfect our deen. I suggest during this blessed month of Ramadan we work on those instead of telling others what they need to work on.
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yghgh
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Theoretical observation and comment,
If I were a muslimah and somebody asked me why I didn’t wear hijab, I could give one of two answers. 1. I could acknowledge that I did believe it was an obligation but I just didn’t have it in me right now to put it into practice. I would acknowledge that I was sinning by not doing it but prayed for Allah to give me the strength and ‘Iman to put it into practice one day. 2. On the other hand I could claim that after as thorough and practical a research as I’m capable of and after some reflection, prayer and soul-searching, I just don’t see how donning hijab is a religious obligation. I believe that these are the two best answers to the question.
However after reading some of the comments I’ve come across the idea that if a person feels they’re performing a religious obligation to please another, then they should stop performing this religious obligation altogether because this constitutes shirk. I think this line of reasoning is problematic.
What if somebody feels social pressure to pray five times a day, we know that prayers are obligatory. Should they give up prayer because they might be committing shirk? No! They should continue praying, but realize that they’re praying to please Allah and not His creation.
My point is simply this, if somebody asks you, “how come you don’t do X?” The best answers are, “I don’t have it in me right now to do it, I’ll try my best in the future,” OR “For the life of me, I don’t think X is an obligation.” NOT
“I don’t do X, because even though it may be an obligation, if I was doing it I would be doing it to please people and not Allah and by doing that I would be committing shirk and therefore I am exempt from doing X even though it may be an obligation.”
This is a bogus reason to give for not doing something. Because the questioner could always respond, “Well duh! An obligation is an obligation. You can always change your intention to please Allah when you do X.”
If you have to give a reason for not performing an assumed obligation then either own up to your shortcomings (but don’t stand for abuse) OR tell the person that you disagree with them and you think such and such act is not a religious obligation.
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Salaam alaikum Asad,
Thank you for your well thought out comment. This blog entry was not really theoretically rigorous. Rather, it was a commentary on how people deal with the issue of hijab.
I have never argued that hijab isn’t obligatory for believing women. You can read my comments another way and see how I present the case that it just really isn’t in me right now (and I alluded to social, emotional, and spiritual reasons that influenced this decision). And you can read that for some critiques, this is an unacceptable answer. They argue that it doesn’t matter how I feel, I have to do it. What if there is coercion, what do we call that? Or less harsh example, if a woman wears hijab not do to the internal imperative and desire to please Allah, but due to social pressure of the community and desire be accepted by other Muslims. So, while I may not have it in me to wear hijab, I’m not motivated to put it on so as to be considered a legitimate Muslim in the eyes of the community.
I wonder if it is fair to compare something that is obligatory like hijab to something that is not only obligatory, but basic pillar of faith. But I follow your logic. Yes, a Muslim who prays will be fulfilling their obligations, however with the hadith about intentions being so central, do you think those prayers would be accepted? But if someone does not have salat establish only prayers due to outside pressure, I wonder how can they maintain it 5 times a day when no one is looking. But if one only performs salat in front of others, then it is clearly problematic.
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As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah Sister Aziza,
You said, “I have never argued that hijab isn’t obligatory for believing women” and “I’m not motivated to put it on so as to be considered a legitimate Muslim in the eyes of the community.” These two statements seem to sum up the issue of hijab as I understand you. I’m not mad at you.
I comprehend you as being one who is knowledgeable about hijab as an obligation. On the other hand I comprehend you as being one who isn’t motivated to put on hijab just to be considered a legitimate Muslim. I’m not mad at you.
Allah is the Most-Merciful. He created life as we know it step by step stage by stage. And, He isn’t finished yet. I think you are “life as we know it” and you moral/spiritual development will be step by step stage by stage. Congratulation and Alhumdu lillah for being true to yourself. Islam is about the heart and how well one is able to polish it to reflect the attributes of Allah.
Polish on Sister.
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