women

Islamic Dress Code : Why Does She Dress Like That?

Submitted by Shaheen Kola on

Many people see Muslim women covered head to toe and think, “Oppressed! He (referring to her husband) is forcing her to dress like that! After all every woman desires to wear miniskirts, tank tops and shorts of her own free will! Only an ignorant woman would wear long sleeves and pants in the heat of summer!” I (the author of this article) am an American, born and raised in a free country. I was encouraged to wear make-up and dress provocatively. I was told, “If you got it, flaunt it.” So I flaunted it. Then I grew up and started questioning life, religion and morals. So I became a Muslim on my own accord and decided to dress conservatively. QURAAN SHARIEF ADVISES MODESTY If you ask a Muslim woman why she dresses the way she does, she will reply, “Because Allah Jalla Jala Laho told me to.” She isn’t trying to avoid the question, she is following her religion. The Quraan Sharief advises men and women to, “Lower your gazes and guard your modesty.” Both men and women are given explicit instructions about the portions of the body that should be covered in mixed company. The way this instruction has been interpreted varies greatly. Some women wear a heavy cloak-like garment that reveals only the eyes (niqab), some wear tent-like coverings over their clothes and a scarf on their head and others wear the hijab over western clothing. For me (the above author) conservative is like this: Long sleeved dress extending to the mid-calf.Long loose pants (shalwar)Long loose dress extending to the ankle.No low necklines.No see-through material.No clingy material.No make-up.Neat hair that remains fully covered.To cover ones face fully (Niqaab)She should not wear fashionable clothes.She should not attract attention to herself through her clothing.She should not speak loudly. To wear full Jilbab over her clothing when she leaves the home. All types of clothing should not be provocative or revealing in any way. A Muslim woman’s clothing should be completely conservative and not in conformity to fashions and trends. MODERN REASONS FOR MODESTY As a revert Muslim I don’t accept things blindly and I look for more real-life, modern reasons for the things I do. Here are some reasons why I dress conservatively. People look at you, not your figure.People judge you based on your opinions and personality, not your body.Men do not interfere with a woman who is dressed modestly.People listen when you speak.Most people treat you with respect.You save your sensuality and beauty for the one who truly matters-your husband.It gives a woman dignity.It allows a woman to be who she is and not what others want her to be. There are also family and social benefits in dressing conservatively. Therefore the next time you see a covered woman, try to think of her in a new way. Avoid the assumption that she is oppressed by a tyrannical religion. Consider the possibility that she is an intelligent woman who has made a conscious decision to dress modestly.

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Hijab : How it Protects and Benefits Women & Society

Submitted by Shaheen Kola on

This article is from the words of a sister. How and why hijab protects a woman and what are its advantages? This sister was a western woman born and raised in a western culture, she spent most of her life on the “wild side,” she found a deep vacuum in her life, discovered Islam, accepted it whole heartedly, and turned her life around completely. Alhumdulillah. She is an Irish-American, she has a PhD, teaches in a prestigious university, wears hijab wherever she goes, while in the classroom teaching, during conferences and meetings which she has to attend. She is very proud of Islam and her hijab as she explains the advantages and wisdom of wearing the hijab. One should read this article with an open mind. Those who are open to reason will get guidance and better their lives and those who have “eyes but cannot see ears but cannot hear,” they will wonder in the wilderness of life forever. No amount of logical reasoning will help them. However our job as Muslims is to convey the message to the darkest corner of the world. Our job as Muslims is not to impose anything on disbelievers as Allah Jalla Jala Laho says in the Quraan Sharief, “For you is your religion, and for them is theirs.” May Allah Jalla Jala Laho give guidance to all of us and enable us to follow Islam, which is the manual of human life. May Allah Jalla Jala Laho grant us wisdom and understanding of the teachings of Islam. May Allah Jalla Jala Laho make us realize that education is not about acquiring degrees but education is about understanding the etiquettes of living according to Islamic principles. May Allah Jalla Jala Laho enable us to find solutions to all problems in life in His Great Message- the Message of Islam. Ameen! HIJAB: MUSLIM WOMANS COVERING- OUR SISTERS MESSAGE The Quraan Sharief clearly enjoins Muslim men and women to dress and behave modestly. Muslim women are specifically instructed to cover themselves when they are in the presence of non-mahram men (potentially marriageable men.) SURAH AL- NUR (The Light) (24:31) in the Quraan states: “They (the believing women) should draw their coverings over their bosoms…” SURAH AL-AHZAB (33:59) in the Quraan states: “O’ Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should put on their outer garments that is most convenient in order that they may be recognized (as Muslims) and not be molested.” This is an effective answer to the argument some Muslim women have against wearing the hijab. By wearing the hijab they will be recognized as Muslim and they will not be attacked.  Allah Jalla Jala Laho wants Muslims to be recognized in all communities. If we live as Muslims, it will interest others to want to live as Muslims thus spreading the message of Islam. People will them approach them and ask, “Why are they dressed like that? Why are they different?” Their curiosity will automatically draw them towards Islam. Allah Jalla Jala Laho is the Most Supreme Strategist of the universe. He blessed us with the message of Islam (Islam means peace and security) He showed us how to spread His message in order that we may benefit. Allah Jalla Jala Laho does not need us as He is beyond all needs. Allah says in the Quraan, “If the whole world unites against Muslims and want to harm them they will not except if Allah Jalla Jala Laho wills it. If the whole world unites to benefit Muslims, they will not benefit them unless Allah Jalla Jala Laho wills it.” Therefore security comes only from Allah Jalla Jala Laho (Al-Muhaymin (The Giver of Protection)). Allah Jalla Jala Laho is Al-Hafeedh (The Protector) of believers. One should never fear anyone except Allah Jalla Jala Laho and then all ones fears will be erased from the heart. Those who prostrate to Allah Jalla Jala Laho, prostrate to no one else except Him. Dr Allama Iqbal a great Urdu poet says: “Yeh aik sajda jesay tu garaan samajhta hai hazar sijdoon say daita hai aadmi ko nijat.” Meaning: “This one bow (to Allah Jalla Jala Laho) which is so hard for you, is the bow that saves you from thousands of bows.” Both Ayaat above instruct women to cover themselves with large loose clothing (jilbab) and full head covering (khimar) in order that no part of her body or shape can be visible. Her modest appearance will make it clear to everyone that she is a chaste, believing woman and she is not to be molested or sexually exploited. This is an effective remedy to deter all types of harassment of women. THE BENEFITS OF HIJAB FOR WOMEN When a Muslim woman covers herself, it is not a sign of degradation or oppression but it is that she is following the command of Allah Jalla Jala Laho. Allah Jalla Jala Laho is not discriminating against women but by commanding women to cover up Allah Jalla Jala Laho has given women a sign of their purity and dignity. It distinguishes a Muslim woman as a pure and chaste. It sets her apart from the immoral behaviour associated with women who dress immodestly. The hijab is a sort of a “screen” between the chaste Muslim woman and the evil that exists in the world. When a woman wears the hijab she is less likely to be harassed by men with lustful motives. She is also less likely to be exploited by men for her beauty and femininity. The hijab allows a woman to leave the confines of her home to fulfil her necessary duties without trying to impress anyone while out of her home. She is not concerned whether men find her attractive or if she has the latest fashion or the newest hairstyle. When she has to leave her home she leaves with confidence and not as a fashionable model, seeking the stares and adoration of people in order to gain self-esteem. The hijab also saves women from having competition with one another. Many westerners spend thousands on plastic surgery in a desperate attempt to meet an unrealistic standard of beauty thus sacrificing their health. A Muslim woman in Islam is appreciated for her knowledge, piety and contribution to society. When women wear the hijab she will come to know that the most beautiful woman is not necessarily the most popular, rather she is assessed for her mind and not her superficial physical traits.    

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The Rights of Women

Compiler Notes

Some close friends of my spiritual mentor, Hazrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb invited him to South Africa in January 1990. The journey began with Umrah during a fifteen-day stay in Saudi Arabia. The host and organizer from South Africa, Mufti Husain Bhayat, also arrived in Saudi Arabia to accompany him. Hazratwala, Mufti Husain and I reached South Africa on the 27th of January 1990.

Valuable advices of Hadrat Thanwi RA if one wants to be cured from spiritual remedies

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Hadrat Thanwi R.A says that one should totally refrain from keeping contact with Na-mahram women or even young lads. One should refrain from glancing at them, speaking to them in person or even over the phone and deriving enjoyment. Unfortunately our nature has become such that we desire to see them and interact with them all the time whereas merely being in the environment of women has an adverse effect on a person. Many people change their tone when in conversation when women or neaten themselves in order to impress the opposite party, many men joke with women out of courtesy and feel that they are displaying good character by doing so. As long as a person does not abstain from such interaction in totality, one will not be able to attain extreme love of Allah Ta'ala. Sheikh Feroze Memon who is a Khalifa of Hadrat Hakim Saheb R.A told a person that was sitting with his family and watching a wrestling match, if you watch the news that is being presented by a woman then won’t you desire that woman? He replied in the positive. Sheikh then said to him, “Won’t your wife then desire the wrestlers that are being watched?” He immediately understood and said that I am opening the doors of Fitna.   Hadrat Thanwi R.A says, “I am speaking the truth, don’t even create a slight contact with women as the harms are unimaginable. Due to such errors many wives leave their husbands and want to marry elsewhere. Hadrat Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb R.A explains that if the electricity department informs a locality that on a certain day electricity will be disconnected between 08:00 – 17:00, but the electrical cables should always be treated as live as the electricity department could re-connect the electrical supply to conduct. In a similar manner a person may think that he has no desire for women but no one can take things for granted as desire could spur up in a person. No person is protected from sin except that person who is protected by Allah Ta'ala. In order to protect one’s glances from glancing at women one will have to remain in the companionship of the Ahlullah (friends of Allah Ta'ala) and request them continuously to make Dua for us. Also, one should be punctual with the Zikr of Allah Ta'ala. A person that eats well and sleeps well is always fresh and lively whereas a person that lacks sleep or does not eat well is lethargic and tired. Similarly those that do not make their Zikr nor do they recite Quraan Sharif regularly, and miss their Salaah, get tempted and attracted to women in person or over the net, etc. The Zikr of Allah is extremely beneficial in protecting a person. One person wrote to Maulana Saleem Dhorat Saheb that he has no time for Tilaawat of Quraan. Maulana responded by saying that it is not a matter of not having any time but the importance of recitation of Quraan is not in your life. Generally people ensure that they find time for those things that are important in their life. Many people leave out Zikrullah as they don’t find any enjoyment in it. Hadrat Thanwi R.A. says that a person doesn’t get the enjoyment of Zikrullah but continues making Zikr will eventually gain the companionship of Allah Ta'ala and the condition of his heart will improve as well. This can be understood by an example, if you visit a certain person daily who is close to you, then such a person will enquire about you the day you are unable to visit him. The person that makes Zikrullah and recites the Quraan Sharif is so to say sitting by Allah Ta'ala. When he establishes a relationship with Allah Ta'ala then all the luxuries and enjoyments of the world mean absolutely nothing to him. This can be further understood by another example, a person wants to travel from point A to point B. He travels on a beautiful road that has beautiful flowers, water fountains, green grass etc. He enjoys the drive but his concern is to reach the destination. If he drives on a road that has potholes and may be un-enjoyable, then also it will not really bother him as his intention is to reach his destination. Similarly a person that wants to reach Allah Ta'ala is not concerned of the glitter and glamour of the world as he has an objective in mind. In conclusion, the Zikr of Allah Ta'ala assists a person in reaching this objective and goal. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the Taufeeq of making Amal. Ameen!          

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