HIJAB - Freedom or Oppression
In France, they have banned the burqa, but in a democracy, where everyone has equality, is it right for France to take away the freedom of a Muslim woman. If all women have the right to wear what they want to then why shouldn’t Muslim women?
Centuries ago, most women would be expected to have modesty, worldwide. Although as time goes shamelessness is increasing. Islam is a religion where there is an attempt to maintain the modesty. Today, many Muslim women refuse to wear the hijab as they don’t want to come across as oppressed or unfashionable.
There are many reasons why it is obligatory for a Muslim woman to wear a hijab:
• Modesty –Hijab comes from the Arabic word ‘hajaba’, which means to hide or to conceal
• The hijab is a women’s identity, it is a symbol of her faith
• So people focus on personality and not appearance
• Sunnah - It is said that even the rays of the sun did not see a glimpse of Hazrat Fatima (RA) without a burqa, her modesty is incomparable and all Muslim women should follow her example.
• Wearing the hijab is the command of Allah (SWT)
Many Muslim girls choose to wear the Hijab and they see as their pride, although some Muslim refuse to wear it even though they know these reasons. Why do some Muslim women still choose not to wear the hijab and why do people see women as oppressed due to this symbol of faith?
This is not part of our Faith:
Allah the Exalted says in Surat an-Noor, ayah 31:
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their (necks and) bosoms.
The above ayat indicates there is no requirement to cover the hair. It specifically says draw their veils over their bosoms. The hijab(hair covering) is a cultural artifact of the middle east.
Surat al-Ahzab, ayah 59:
Oh Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments close around them. That will be better, that they may be known and so not be bothered.
The above ayat is specifically for the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) not to all women in general. To understand this take for example, that our Prophet (PBUH) had many wives, more than allowed to all men in general, this helped protect many pious widowed women amongst others but does not every muslim man to have so many wives, this was only for the Prophet (PBUH).
So firstly: the quran is clear in its requirements for women and for men to lower their gaze. There is no command to wear the hijab - the above two ayats are proof of this.
Secondly: there is no need to use hijab as symbol of faith (a persons deen inside their heart and soul - which Allah can see, Allah has said he is closer to a person than their jugular vein). No man or woman can claim to have a symbol of faith, this is against the very core of islam, which means submit to nothing and no-one except Allah, and Allah has no symbols, only signs in his creation, for those who can see.
Finally: there is no compulsion in religion - this is repeated many times in many suras and ayats, for muslims and those of different faiths. If you believe that to wear hijab is good - then you may educate women about it - but never ever force your opinion - Allah commanded to our prophet (PBUH) that he is the messenger, but the people will come to religion for their own good or benefit, from their own free will through guidance from Allah.
There is no compulsion in Islam.
You can use the argument that the Prophet (Saw) wives were different but they were the best of Muslims and it should be our goal to be as good as them and do as they did so we should cover to, no?
I don't get the symbol point :S
There is no compulsion in religion, so people should be able to wear the hijab if and when they want - not be told it's not part of the faith :/
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Instead of basing upon a translation of the qur'an it can be important to see how the prophet
and the sahabahs acted upon the verses to see what they meant.
The sunnah cannot be ignored.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
I strongly believe that sharing opinion, cannot count as enforcing viewpoints. As for the quote from the surah, it emphazises the neccesity for modesty and in Islam, it is important that women try not to draw any attention towards themselves. Therefore it is important that hair is not revealed to non-mahrams. The Hijab is not just an aspect of culture from the Middle East. A woman who willingly wears the hijab, understands the importance of it.
Absolutely true, it is important that the Sunnah and the respect of the Prophet (SAW) and his followers is kept in mind.