hijab - take it or leave it

fizzy1 โ€”

The hijab is seen not only as a religious symbol, but part of a woman's identity. To remove it would be to remove a part of herself.

But what if by wearing it she is prejudiced against or fears for her life? Is it viable to remove it?? especially in the light of faith hate crimes. has anyone here faced discrimination as a result of wearing a scarf?

below is a quote from the bbc website from zaki badawi following 7/7 attacks:

[quote]Dr Badawi, who is seen as a progressive Muslim leader who advocates integration, warned that "a woman wearing the hijab... could suffer aggression from irresponsible elements".

"In the present tense situation, with the rise of attacks on Muslims, we advise Muslim women who fear being attacked physically or verbally to remove their hijab so as not to be identified by those hostile to Muslims."

The hijab was designed to identify women as Muslim and thus protect them from molestation, he said, so if it led to harassment it ought not to be worn.

"Dress is meant to protect from harm, not to invite it," he added.

Dr Badawi said he had sought to clarify the situation after being approached by a concerned woman.

His ruling did not mean that women should not wear the headscarf, but simply gave them the choice to remove it if they felt threatened, he said. [/quote]

please share your thoughts, what is your opinion on this

Forum

*DUST* โ€” Wed, 1 Feb 2006 - 22:59

[quote="MuslimSisLilSis"][quote="fizzy1"]

i have never seen any attacks, mine pales in comparison, but after attacks, guy walked past me and sisters in our scarves when we were going to mosque and shook his head "bloody muslims"[/quote]

i;ve seen and personally heard and know of bear attacks

spitting/punching/verbal abuse etc ๐Ÿ˜ข

thats why I'm not quick to say "keep it on" or "take it off"

it shud be up to the girl in such a dilemna[/quote]
lilsis, i cant help but disagree. how can we give in so easily? if we donned the hijab by our own choice, how can we ever consider taking it off, knowing that it is an obligation? these are trials from Allah, and such small ones if we compare our lives to muslims in other parts of the world.

yashmaki โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 08:49

A lot comes down to taking common sense precautions. Sisters particularly shouldn't go out alone, there's safety in numbers. Cowards usually attack when you're alone.

I've found just having another sister with me can make me feel more at ease, but I'm still likely to get verbal abuse. So I take one of my brothers with me, when possible. Or try and go with more than one other sister.

You can't always have someone to chaperone you, but if you're going any further than the local shops it's best you have someone with you, times have changed unfortunately.

Brothers should do the same.

I'm sure there's a list of safety tips somewhere on the forum, good look searching for them!

MuslimSisLilSis โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 09:52

[quote="*DUST*"]
lilsis, i cant help but disagree. how can we give in so easily? if we donned the hijab by our own choice, how can we ever consider taking it off, knowing that it is an obligation? these are trials from Allah, and such small ones if we compare our lives to muslims in other parts of the world.[/quote]

I'm not chatting about US

I'm chatting about a girl who HAS been in such a lifethreatening situation cos of her scarf

we can not speak on her behalf-

everyone's level of faith is diff-

some people cant hack hardships- and I feel we are not in a position to speak on their behalf

*DUST* โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 13:27

[quote="MuslimSisLilSis"][quote="*DUST*"]
lilsis, i cant help but disagree. how can we give in so easily? if we donned the hijab by our own choice, how can we ever consider taking it off, knowing that it is an obligation? these are trials from Allah, and such small ones if we compare our lives to muslims in other parts of the world.[/quote]

I'm not chatting about US

I'm chatting about a girl who HAS been in such a lifethreatening situation cos of her scarf

we can not speak on her behalf-

everyone's level of faith is diff-

some people cant hack hardships- and I feel we are not in a position to speak on their behalf[/quote]
yes, i am referring to all muslim girls, INCLUDING those who may have suffered verbal or physical abuse. who said none of us here have experienced this?

MuslimSisLilSis โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 13:36

some gals are stronger then others

u might be sronger then other hijaabi's

i know a girl who was physically abused so much cos of her niqab

she decied not to wear one anymore

i dont blame her-i dont know if i wud have done the same

not everyone is that strong in faith-

and we cant be in a position to tell others what to do

*DUST* โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 13:48

[quote="MuslimSisLilSis"]some gals are stronger then others

u might be sronger then other hijaabi's

i know a girl who was physically abused so much cos of her niqab

she decied not to wear one anymore

i dont blame her-i dont know if i wud have done the same

not everyone is that strong in faith-

and we cant be in a position to tell others what to do[/quote]
are we talking about hijab or niqab here? i can understand y that girl removed her niqab, seeing as how its optional (she didnt consider it obligatory right?). the hijab is a wholly different matter.

MuslimSisLilSis โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 13:54

she considered it obligatory

point is-

some gals are stronger in faith then others

i'm tired of every third person saying "keep it on" or take it off"

it shud be up to the gal

*DUST* โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 13:59

[quote="MuslimSisLilSis"]she considered it obligatory

point is-

some gals are stronger in faith then others

i'm tired of every third person saying "keep it on" or take it off"

it shud be up to the gal[/quote]
but the mainstream opinion is not that of Zaki Badawi. according to most scholars, these reasons are not enough to take off one's head covering. obviously when it comes to most things, such as the niqab, i'm the first one to say that it is the girls choice... but when it comes to faraaidh, it is our duty to encourage sisters to adhere to it, and keep atleast their hijab on.

100man โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 14:04

If you want and if you think it's a big deal you should wear the hijab except out of concern for your safety. In that case make arrangements to be elsewhere or to have any threat legally contained. What you shouldn't do is persuade yourself that a threat lurks round every corner, I see countless women in hijab every day and they're not experiencing attacks and the like, nor should you consider that removing the hijab for safety is simply an unacceptable or punishable giving-in, because safety is paramount and it's just a scarf. Also remember that in this politically open, free climate a girl may choose to keep her head on view as personal preference, and that choice should not be cast as some kind of Muslim vs. kafir thing, because it isn't, it's personal choice.

I think some people in their worldview or their way of thinking, routinely have a way of exonerating their own and blaming everyone else, and it's a very clever thing that people do, except it interferes with reality and causes immense misery and hostility.

MuslimSisLilSis โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 14:05

[quote="*DUST*"]... but when it comes to faraaidh, it is our duty to encourage sisters to adhere to it, and keep atleast their hijab on.[/quote]

like i said

sum sisters are stronger then others

some can hold their head up high and wear hijaab/niqaab regardless of abuse chucked at them

some cant hack such abuse and either take it off or become housebound

it shud be up to the gal what she decides to do

the fatwa-that a gal can take it of IF she fears for her life is understandable to me

yashmaki โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 14:24

i don't think Dust is referring to politcal issues, or issues of freedom. She's speaking as a muslim, according to muslim law the hijab is obligatory. So she is saying she would never advise a sister to remove it, coz she would be advising that girl against God's laws, and that would be sinful. And I think i'd do the same as Dust.

I can understand what lilsis is saying aswell, about a lack of Iman in some girls. I wouldn't judge these girls Allah knows best their intentions. I would befriend them, and encourage them to have the confidence and faith to begin wearing the hijab once again. Nothing else you can do.

Any sisters here suffered physical abuse coz of the hijab, if you don't wana discuss here please do so in the sisters forum!

Tara โ€” Thu, 2 Feb 2006 - 23:14

Wearing the hijab post 7/7... or even 9/11 has been pretty enlightening... personally it showed me I had more courage that I thought I had... especially when it came to getting on public transport with the snide remarks and sideways glances...

The hijab is my identity as a Muslimah (have I used that correctly in the sentence?!?) and keeps me modest and somewhat safe... just my opinion but what I think is that I wear the hijab cause Iโ€™m a Muslim woman and cause I do my best to follow the Sunnah and above all else obey and fear Allah... which I feel gives me reason to keep going...

iRazor โ€” Sat, 4 Feb 2006 - 01:16

[quote="LION"]NEVER TAKE THE HIJAB OFF >>>> FULL STOP... end of.

Hijab is wonderful... I find women in Hijab very attractive.. true beauty.. she is a beleiver.

If u live in a place that oppresses women in Hijab ... what are u doing in such a place... move to a muslim area where u will feel more secure..

And BROTHERS if u ever hear or see any oppression against the Hijab..ZERO TOLERANCE IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY..

STAMP IT OUT IMMEDIATELY... KNOCK EM OUT CLEAN..

I was once driving with my wife in the car, in traffic a group of white men , covered half their face in jest whilst driving past... this infuriated me.. well i naturally got out the car to teach em a lesson in manners but they locked their doors and drove off so i chased em and even collided with their car.. dont worry only minor dent in my car..

SISTERS NO MATTER KEEP HIJAB ON..if in trouble ask a brother to help.[/quote]

Is that you Dad?

[quote="*DUST*"]
i have an aunt whose a solicitor, she works in central London. on 7/7 she made the mistake of leaving for work without checking the news and only realised what had happened when she got to work. by that time there was a total lockdown of transport in the area, so she and her friends had to walk for 2 hours or summat to get home. on the way some guy walking past said to them "thanx for this mornin' love"... :roll:[/quote]

LOL, I woulda threathened to have the "troops" blow him up while he's in bed, see how he sleeps at night ๐Ÿ˜‚

LION โ€” Sat, 4 Feb 2006 - 17:19

[b]EDIT: And you a lawyer? Hmm... --------------- Modnster [/b]

LION โ€” Sat, 4 Feb 2006 - 19:59

WHY DOES EVERYONE GENERALISE ALL THE TIME....

WHAT ARE LAWYERS SUPPOSE BE LIKE ANYWAY????

WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS....

IGNORANT STEREOTYPING was a characteristic of ignorant people....

the people that know me, know that i'm a generous caring albeit a formidable sort of man...

then again everyone who wears a beard is considered as a terroist even sikhs....

I grew up in bham and did my law degree in london living next to the BNP headquarters... so i am what i am...

Guest โ€” Sun, 5 Feb 2006 - 12:33

Hey Lion for your information there are no things such as Lawyers in the UK :roll:

In Britain we have either solicitors or barristers, and no lawyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only in the US do you have lawyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO don't know what you're talkin about when you say your a LAwyer??????????

Anyway which University did you get you LLB degree from???????????????

Exquisite โ€” Sun, 5 Feb 2006 - 14:32

i personally wouldn't take my hijab off, cuz at the end of the day its compulsory and woteva happens itz Qadr, n attacks n stuff happened to me but it makes me stronger as a person, n makes m even mre determined to wear it i aint lettin the cowards win

Saadia Khan โ€” Wed, 8 Feb 2006 - 12:15

salaam

Advice to his daughters

The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."

Source Taken from the book More Than A Hero Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes

iRazor โ€” Wed, 8 Feb 2006 - 19:01

[quote="Saadia Khan"]salaam

Advice to his daughters

The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."

Source: Taken from the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes[/quote]

Wow, Beautiful everytime i read it.

Sums it all up really.

LION โ€” Fri, 10 Feb 2006 - 18:39

GUEST... GET A LIFE...

Look it up in the OED.. oh thats the Oxford English Dictionary ... its legally used as a tool for statutory interpretation so its pretty good...

A Lawyer is someone well versed in Law u nincumpoop...

And the word lawyer is used widely in the Uk ,... ask anyone who has read or received the soilicitors codes of practice..

U watch too much telly... i guess ... try doing dome reading for a change ... u never know u may just awake a brain cell or two...

LION โ€” Fri, 10 Feb 2006 - 18:49

SAADIA KHAN...

Thats an interesting extract... thanks for sharing that...

I love the Hijab.. I know im a man but but I really do love the Hijab and my wife loves it too more importantly..

Alhumdulillah i marriied a practising muslim... we are both graduates and born and bred Uk citizens... I have a beard and the mrs wears the hijab,....

Just want to share something which the wife told me..

She told me that she used to envy those women who wore the nikaab and when i married her sometime after I asked her if she would like to wear the nikaab she was truly overjoyed...

Alhumdulillah the women who wear the nikaab are not illiterate oppressed woman as some members of society think they're free spirited beautiful women who cover their beauty.. and protect their chastity...

You โ€” Fri, 10 Feb 2006 - 20:51

erm....

Your wife was overjoyed to wear the hijab, but had to be told to do so? I do not geddit.

I ask for a jury.

*DUST* โ€” Sat, 11 Feb 2006 - 08:28

[quote="Admin"]erm....

Your wife was overjoyed to wear the hijab, but had to be told to do so? I do not geddit.

I ask for a jury.[/quote]
lol, i think he's referring to the niqab.

iRazor โ€” Sat, 11 Feb 2006 - 12:04

[quote="*DUST*"][quote="Admin"]erm....

Your wife was overjoyed to wear the hijab, but had to be told to do so? I do not geddit.

I ask for a jury.[/quote]
lol, i think he's referring to the niqab.[/quote]

Umm ok I just had a blond moment.

Whats the Niqab?

Hijaab is the thing which covers the head but the face is still visible right?

So the niqab im guessing is the thingy which covers evrything xcept the eyes right?

Please tell me differnce, pictures preferably.

iRazor โ€” Sat, 11 Feb 2006 - 12:33

Now i dig it, no need for pictures, one explains well.

Niqab aka "Ninja Suit", who wears one regulary?

Its well cool, my auntie wears one when shes out n about, i always recognise her from her eyes.

Is it nessesary for women to wear a Niqaab, or is hijab alone ok? Or, is it ok for someone to have hair open for all to see, as long as they are modest etc?

MuslimSisLilSis โ€” Sat, 11 Feb 2006 - 12:49

[quote="razor"]

Is it nessesary for women to wear a Niqaab, or is hijab alone ok? Or, is it ok for someone to have hair open for all to see, as long as they are modest etc?[/quote]

some think niqaab is fard

others dont

some think hijaab is more then enough

others dont

some are full time niqaabi's others are part time niqaabis

personally i think niqaab restricts job opportunities

it is NOT Ok for a girl to bop around with all her hair out

but whether she is decent or not is sumin that only God can decide

iRazor โ€” Sat, 11 Feb 2006 - 13:13

So you think Hijaab is a minimum right?

I agree with niqaab restricting job oppurtunities.

What are the pro's of wearing a hijaab in this society?

And what are the punishments for not wearing in life, and after?

Im tryna get my sisters n cousins to become full time hijaabi's instead of the one month a year type. Would appreciate some help, i realy dunno how to go about putting it across,.

Sirus โ€” Sat, 11 Feb 2006 - 14:11

sometimes it comes with age or time, and education

dont push em too much, i.e literally force em, but keep em educated on it, and interested

Mr LION...ESS......you wear a hijab? ๐Ÿ˜‚