08-05-2004, 06:11 PM
Hi again and salaam,
It is the same Surahs that has been quoted by both yourself and others.
Surah 24.31 - illa ma zahara minha - reflects the interpretation made by the first generation of Muslims, especially Al-Qiffal (cited by Razi) which means 'what according to prevalent custom (al-adah al-djariyah) openly can be shown.
The noun KHIMAR (plur. KHUMUR) indicates the veil that the Arabian women before and after Islam used to fasten over their hair. According to several commentators this veil was worn more or less like a adornment, loosely hanging down on the back, and since the womens dress according to the custom of that time included a deep low-neck the bust was left partly visable. The women therefore is requested to cover it with the help of the KHIMAR (well known during the Prophet's, PHUB, time).
So the word that tells us that we SHALL wear it and HOW to wear it, is KHUMUR that can be read in this verse. And an effort in finding out HOW it was worn will give the answer to 'shall I wear the hijab or not?'. IF one is interesting in following the Way given to us by Allah, SWT. And as I wrote earlier, if NOT, well that is up to the woman. The responsibility is up to each and everyone of us. No one else can be burden with that. That is the beauty of Islam, everyone is responsible for their own decisions and actions.
Do you know that wearing the hijab is not a new custom that Arab women or Muslim women started with? An interesting study between the three monotheistic religions called 'Women in Islam versus Women in the Judeo-Christian Tradition: The Myth and The Reality' can be read on for example the site: http://thetruereligion.org/modules/wfsecti...p?articleid=127. There we can be updated on that also Jewish and Christian women before us also did wear it (and that some still do). Other comparising subjects for us women can be read too in this same study. I have benefitted much from it. It is so informative.
Salaam