12-29-2003, 04:56 AM
<b>A plea to all Muslim Sisters in Islam, for your own sake!</b>
Oh Sisters in Islam, Assalamu-Alaikum. I may not be a great Muslim scholar, but I have seen the need to impart this message from what I believe in my heart, after hearing many inspirational speakers and reading speeches, hadith and Qur’anic verses.
Before I begin, it is necessary that I address a common misconception associated with that of the hijab. Though it is generally assumed that hijab is just the head covering worn by many of our Muslim sisters, such a definition is subject to a great deal of limitations.
The hijab is not just a head covering; it involves the covering of the body as well (hijab covers the ‘aurah of the female’s body). It is not merely an individual’s physical appearance, but also their behaviour, manners, speech & appearance. Thus ‘dress is only one facet of the total being’
What many Muslims believe to be the hijab, is truly the ‘Khimar’. The khimar is the head covering which should be worn by our Muslim sisters. My plea to you is to wear the khimar (properly) and in doing so, all aspects of hijab will come into play automatically.
You are aware of Jannah and Judgement Day. You are aware that we are accountable for all our deeds. Many Muslim sisters deny themselves a great blessing and a form of modesty by not wearing the Khimar. They argue that it’s not compulsory, and they find weak arguments to justify this claim!
In spite of all this, I ask you, sisters… You want to be happy, you want to be free. Does wearing the Khimar prevent this? Or is your source of happiness from things which you should not be involved in as a Muslim? You complain of heat and this is what you use to justify not wearing it… What about hotter climates than yours, what do those sisters do? Have you ever noticed the men in the fields? They are fully covered, even their heads! You see nothing of their body except for their hands & face, and they are out in the blazing sun all day!
Additionally there is the popular excuse that you are afraid of being discriminated against… My sisters, though we do indeed live in a society, where Muslims are discriminated to a great extent, hiding the fact that we are Muslims makes us no different to the disbelievers. We must be proud of our religion, not ashamed! Allah said in the Holy Qur’an (Surah 33, verse 59) “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...”
Sisters, ask yourselves these questions… Where and when do you want to be happy? Do you want to be happier in this life or in the hereafter? Are you willing to be happier and have more “fun” in this life, at the expense of being happier in the hereafter? Is happiness more important now, or is it more important when you meet Allah??? You are strongly influenced by the media, culture and by people, that your happiness is in this Dunya (This world). You may not even realize that this is the way you think, otherwise you would have been wearing the Khimar. Think about it? The Kafirs (disbelievers) have influenced you into thinking that this is true liberation and happiness. Is it really happiness though?
Non Muslim men stare at you in a very disrespectful manner, they literally “rape you” with their eyes! I have on many occasions, observed how men on the streets look at every single female that passes and looks at her entire body in a sinful manner. They never take their eyes off the individual until she can no longer be seen! They throw dirty comments at you. These are the things that sometimes end up with a female being raped, or being abused physically or verbally. Does this comfort you? Does it make you feel more beautiful?
Remember that Allah has stored for you a place in paradise where you shall live in bliss for eternity! Provided of course that you do what is required. Are you willing to give up this eternal place in paradise, for a little happiness in this world that isn’t going to last for eternity? Let’s just say ‘IF’ wearing the Hijab is not compulsory, and that’s a big ‘IF’. But, ‘What IF???’ I ask you this, my dear sisters: Why gamble with your destiny? Why gamble with your eternal place in paradise? Wouldn’t it be safer and better to wear the Khimar as the Holy Prophet’s wives and all the female Muslims did at that time?
Allah also said in the Holy Qur’an (Surah 24, verse 31) “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; hence let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms.* And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers…”
* If you read the Arabic text of this verse, you would find the word “Khumur”. The noun khimar (of which khumur is the plural) denotes the head-covering customarily used by Arabian women before and after the advent of Islam.
There is no such dispute over what constitutes a woman's 'aurah. It is stated that her entire body is 'aurah and must be covered, except her hands and face. Allah says in the Qur'an, "And to display of their adornment only that which is apparent (do not expose any adornment or beauty save the hands and face)." It has been authentically related from Ibn 'Abbas, Ibn 'Umar and 'Aishah that the Prophet said, "Allah does not accept the prayer of an adult woman unless she is wearing a headcovering (khimar, hijab)." Some sisters only wear khimar when they stand before Allah in the mosque, but I ask you this; aren’t we always standing before Allah?
Why must you make this such a task, sisters? You identify yourself as a Muslim and wearing this simple piece of cloth preserves your dignity and ensures your modesty. It is the mark of a true Muslim sister, a mark of piety. Your outer appearance is part of your Iman, sisters. Which are more essential? Faith or fashion? And who ever said, wearing the Hijab makes you look ugly?
Quote (Unknown Author): “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.”
Anees Muhammad (a brother in Islam)
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