Comments on: Social or Religious Hijab ! http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/ Promoting a fierce but respectful dialogue among the highly diverse youth of the Middle East Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:46:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=4230 By: Marian (Somalia) http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-198167 Marian (Somalia) Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:08:38 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-198167 In v. 24:31 of the Qur'an, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad to "Tell the believing women to lower their sights; to preserve their genitals; to not display their adornment—except what is visible from it; to draw their headcovers over their bosoms; to not display their adornment except to their spouses or their fathers, or their spouses' fathers or their sons or their spouses' sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or what their right hands possess (i.e., slaves or captives), or their servants from the men [who are] not possessors of desire, or the children who have not become cognizant of women's private parts; and to not strike their feet in order that what they hide of their adornment be known. And repent to Allah collectively, O believers, in hopes that you may be successful." (emphasis added). The word translated here as 'headcovers' is the word khumur (خُمُر), which is the plural of the word khimâr (خِمَار). In his lexicon titled al-Qâmūs al-Muhît, Imam Majd ad-Dîn al-Fairūzâbâdî (d. 817H) defines the khimâr as "the veil … all of what conceals something, then it is its khimâr."[2] In v. 33:59, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad, "O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to display their outer garments (Ar. jilbâb, pl. jalâbîb) over them; that is more appropriate, that they be recognized and not harmed. And Allah is Forgiving and Compassionate." In v. 24:31 of the Qur’an, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad to

“Tell the believing women to lower their sights; to preserve their genitals; to not display their adornment—except what is visible from it; to draw their headcovers over their bosoms; to not display their adornment except to their spouses or their fathers, or their spouses’ fathers or their sons or their spouses’ sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or what their right hands possess (i.e., slaves or captives), or their servants from the men [who are] not possessors of desire, or the children who have not become cognizant of women’s private parts; and to not strike their feet in order that what they hide of their adornment be known. And repent to Allah collectively, O believers, in hopes that you may be successful.” (emphasis added).

The word translated here as ‘headcovers’ is the word khumur (خُمُر), which is the plural of the word khimâr (خِمَار). In his lexicon titled al-Qâmūs al-Muhît, Imam Majd ad-Dîn al-Fairūzâbâdî (d. 817H) defines the khimâr as “the veil … all of what conceals something, then it is its khimâr.”[2]

In v. 33:59, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad,

“O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to display their outer garments (Ar. jilbâb, pl. jalâbîb) over them; that is more appropriate, that they be recognized and not harmed. And Allah is Forgiving and Compassionate.”

]]> By: MyTwoCents http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-82120 MyTwoCents Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:07:39 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-82120 <blockquote>DK: But are you sure that the resurgence of the hijab isn’t the outward affirmation of women who are increasingly trying to lead a virtuous life style?</blockquote> Are you sure that the resurgence of the hijab isn’t the outward affirmation of women who are increasingly trying to stay out of jail?

DK: But are you sure that the resurgence of the hijab isn’t the outward affirmation of women who are increasingly trying to lead a virtuous life style?

Are you sure that the resurgence of the hijab isn’t the outward affirmation of women who are increasingly trying to stay out of jail?

]]> By: Esra'a http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-82113 Esra'a Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:56:12 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-82113 No they're not. Give me one verse in the Quran in Arabic that mentions the word "hair." If you can't do this; then you are the one who should be doing research. "Tasator" can be interpreted in many ways, the most accepted one is 'the covering of the bosom.' No they’re not.

Give me one verse in the Quran in Arabic that mentions the word “hair.”

If you can’t do this; then you are the one who should be doing research. “Tasator” can be interpreted in many ways, the most accepted one is ‘the covering of the bosom.’

]]> By: nabil http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-82097 nabil Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:17:18 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-82097 The hijab is a fard, it isn't even debated. Allah does care about what is on your head, if Allah gives a command, then you have to obey it. Not only the hijab but the Jilbab is also Fard. I suggest you people research it before saying things like women are not ready and its up to them, these are just excuses. The hijab is a fard, it isn’t even debated. Allah does care about what is on your head, if Allah gives a command, then you have to obey it. Not only the hijab but the Jilbab is also Fard. I suggest you people research it before saying things like women are not ready and its up to them, these are just excuses.

]]> By: Molly http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-71399 Molly Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:36:34 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-71399 Rasha, As an American female, I am still trying to educate myself on the meaning and societal implications of veiling. In everything I have been reading, including your post, it seems as though the veil can convey a variety of things-- everything from modesty and piety to something "superficial". I was wondering how you felt about such ambiguity surrounding this article. How does one know if the veil is being used in a genuine or false way? The issue of veiling has many complexities when we assume that all veiled women do so to represent true beliefs. To add this whole matter of veil authenticity leads to further complexity. Perhaps you can shed some light on how one might understand the intentions behind veiling. How do you know which message a veiled woman is trying to send, if she is trying to send one at all? Rasha,
As an American female, I am still trying to educate myself on the meaning and societal implications of veiling. In everything I have been reading, including your post, it seems as though the veil can convey a variety of things– everything from modesty and piety to something “superficial”. I was wondering how you felt about such ambiguity surrounding this article. How does one know if the veil is being used in a genuine or false way?
The issue of veiling has many complexities when we assume that all veiled women do so to represent true beliefs. To add this whole matter of veil authenticity leads to further complexity. Perhaps you can shed some light on how one might understand the intentions behind veiling. How do you know which message a veiled woman is trying to send, if she is trying to send one at all?

]]> By: Eli Cash http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-71071 Eli Cash Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:34:44 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-71071 It seems as if it is not solely society controlling the way in which Saudis, especially women, present themselves. If these "men of god," as you have discussed in previous posts, harass and humiliate both men and women, then there is a tangible incentive to avoid anything that may result in a confrontation with the religious police, such as a woman wearing a hijab. Perhaps the demonstration of religious morality has become alienated from acts of kindness and good deeds when there are some corrupt religious police terrorizing citizens while in conjunction the government asks the press to cover it less. Maybe wearing the hijab is beyond the desire for social acceptance or virtue? Maybe it's now a way to protect oneself from assault by religious police brutality? Has a woman ever been physically harmed by the religious police in order to preserve the “honor” of society? It seems as if it is not solely society controlling the way in which Saudis, especially women, present themselves. If these “men of god,” as you have discussed in previous posts, harass and humiliate both men and women, then there is a tangible incentive to avoid anything that may result in a confrontation with the religious police, such as a woman wearing a hijab. Perhaps the demonstration of religious morality has become alienated from acts of kindness and good deeds when there are some corrupt religious police terrorizing citizens while in conjunction the government asks the press to cover it less. Maybe wearing the hijab is beyond the desire for social acceptance or virtue? Maybe it’s now a way to protect oneself from assault by religious police brutality? Has a woman ever been physically harmed by the religious police in order to preserve the “honor” of society?

]]> By: DK http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-70206 DK Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:30:11 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-70206 There are always some people who will try to be something that they aren't. But are you sure that the resurgence of the hijab isn't the outward affirmation of women who are increasingly trying to lead a virtuous life style? You said yourself that wearing the hijab doesn't make you virtuous by default so shouldn't we also realize that, to some extent, the rest of a woman's dress doesn’t negate her virtue either? There are always some people who will try to be something that they aren’t. But are you sure that the resurgence of the hijab isn’t the outward affirmation of women who are increasingly trying to lead a virtuous life style? You said yourself that wearing the hijab doesn’t make you virtuous by default so shouldn’t we also realize that, to some extent, the rest of a woman’s dress doesn’t negate her virtue either?

]]> By: Sally http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-68865 Sally Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:06:51 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-68865 The hijab is a fared in Islam, but a women should not be pressured to put it if she is not ready. The hijab is a fared in Islam, but a women should not be pressured to put it if she is not ready.

]]> By: Esra'a http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66272 Esra'a Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:38:06 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66272 Salam Issam, The hijab in Islam is "musta7ab," a woman is not required to wear it if she is not personally comfortable in doing so, and you are correct in your latest statement that it's worthless if she is doing it for her society and not out of religious respect. Salam Issam,

The hijab in Islam is “musta7ab,” a woman is not required to wear it if she is not personally comfortable in doing so, and you are correct in your latest statement that it’s worthless if she is doing it for her society and not out of religious respect.

]]> By: Issam http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66270 Issam Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:30:24 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66270 <strong> True, Allah cares about what's in " 9oloub" , but allah also says women should wear Hijab,for respect to her husband and herself as well as her blessing. But of course Hijab is worthless if it's not genuine and backed up by virtues and morals. True, Allah cares about what’s in ” 9oloub” , but allah also says women should wear Hijab,for respect to her husband and herself as well as her blessing.
But of course Hijab is worthless if it’s not genuine and backed up by virtues and morals.

]]> By: Nosaibah http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66131 Nosaibah Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:44:52 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66131 The Hijab has become a social shell. People has ignored the fact that your intentions are what's important and not your shell. The Hijab has become a social shell. People has ignored the fact that your intentions are what’s important and not your shell.

]]> By: Zeynab http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66071 Zeynab Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:03:23 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66071 And, sorry to post twice, but I included my blog here; you might find it interesting. And, sorry to post twice, but I included my blog here; you might find it interesting.

]]> By: Zeynab http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66070 Zeynab Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:57:35 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/04/social-or-religious-hijab/#comment-66070 Rasha, I completely agree with you. Allah (swt) doesn't care what's on your head, Allah cares what's in your heart. Rasha, I completely agree with you. Allah (swt) doesn’t care what’s on your head, Allah cares what’s in your heart.

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