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Name
Ruqayya
- United Kingdom
Profession
Librarian
Question
If Muslim women take Zaki Badawi's advice to remove their hijab, I feel that this could be the start of a slippery slope. Once women have reomoved their hijab, it will be increasingly more difficult to start wearing it agin when this perceived 'danger' has passed. What do you think?
Answer
Dear daughter,
Jazakum Allahu khairan for asking such an important question in this critical time.
In my opinion, Dr. Zaki Badawi's view about removing Hijab is contrary to the legal sources of Islam. As every Muslim knows, Hijab is compulsory on Muslim women. It is not only for times of ease, rather it is to be observed at all times as a sign of obedience for Allah SWT. And it is better for Muslim women to keep their Hijab and preserve their Islamic identity, thereby letting people to know that Islam protects women and allows them to help in building society and share responsibility and not to keep them far away from shaping life according to the teachings of Islam. It is now the time for initiating dialogue between people of different faiths to let them know the real meaning of Hijab and to support Muslim women to keep their Hijab especially that the accidents that took place such as attacking mosques or the verbal abuse some Muslims sisters faced, are not regarded as such danger that would allow Muslim women to take their Hijab off.
Wise people in the UK know that what happened in the name of Islam does not reflect the mainstream of Muslim community or the teachings of Islam. They know as well that Islam is completely against such barbaric acts of violence.
So I advise every Muslim woman to keep her Hijab on, to feel proud wearing it and to support other sisters by explaining to them that what Dr. Zaki Badawi has said was an overrated danger that did not really describe the right situation.
I would like to ask my sisters in Islam: what would you feel when you leave your salah or quit the Qur'an? Hijab is the reflection of your Iman and a clear inspiration to your heart, so keep it on at all times.
Name
Abdul
- India
Profession
Question
As-Salamu'alaykum, there are two views about Hijab, i.e. some women cover their face and some do not. I want to know what was the practice adopted by the Prophet's wives (may Allah be pleased with all of them). Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Answer
Allah SWT mentions everything in the Qur'an which shapes the perfect character for a human being: his heart, behaviour, tradition, and appearance. In Surat An-Nur, there is a clear verse which explains the perfect appearance for Muslim women. The verse describes the dress code without specifying certain design or style. Allah says:" And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof." (An-Nur: 31)
According to this verse, the Islamic dress must cover the whole body except for the face and hands; this is applicable for all Muslim women. There is a very nice relationship between the appearance and purity of the behaviour in the verse. It means that Hijab is not only covering the body but elevating our character and behaviour.
As for the Mothers of Believers, there is a specific code of dress for them due to their rank as wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). They had to cover the whole body including the face. "Hijab" for them meant that they were to refrain from mixing with men or even seeing them. They were allowed to talk to men from behind a curtain or a barrier to spread their knowledge and teach the people. This specific status was not only in their appearance, it took place in many other things such as they were not allowed to get married after the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), or to wear gold and silver, or to take anything as a charity.
Nowadays there are some Muslim women who chose to cover their faces following the steps of the Mothers of the Believers. It is their own choice, but it should be known that covering the face is not obligatory on every woman. This is the most correct opinion among scholars.
Name
Farrukh
-
Profession
Question
If we aregue that in times of crisis a Muslim woman can remove her scarf based on the scarf being the thing which protected a muslim woman in times when women were being persecuted in Medina. Then in situations where a Muslim woman is now safe generaly, does that mean that she no longer needs to coer her hair n the grounds of being in an environment in which she is safe? And that the hadith of the prophet about covering related to the specific circumstances of that time period?
Answer
Jazakum Allahu khairan for your interest in spreading such a clear understanding about Hijab during times of crisis. I hope you remind all sisters that the Islamic teachings are eternal and that Hijab should be the most important factor to develop and strengthen Muslim women's character. It is a very positive situation to challenge the un-friendly attitude by some people by keeping Hijab on and to have more discussions and dialogue about the core of Islam and its teachings, not to shrink the issue is a very small point, to take it off or not.
Name
Rania
-
Profession
Question
When can a Muslim sister bother to think about taking off the hijab? What steps should precede such thought?
Answer
Dear daughter,
May Allah reward you for your concern and interest in asking about the evil and the ways to deal with it. You have reminded me of the great companion, Hudhaifah Ibn Al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, when he asked Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) about evil and how he could protect his faith against it. I think a Muslim woman can start to think about taking her hijab off if she is suffering from a SEVERE TORTURE, which will MOST LIKELY threaten her life, or when there is a severe threat from most of the people around her, or if there is a law forcing women to take their hijab off and there is no way to avoid living in such environment or to immigrate to another country - in these cases a Muslim woman can bother to think about taking her hijab off with the deep certitude that hijab is an obligation and that she has nothing to do to defend herself or to change the situation around her. And at the same time she must never give up and try to find a solution for such a critical problem by changing the environment and gathering the Muslim community to face such threat or any other way.
Before taking her hijab off, a Muslim sister must be frank with herself, weigh the harms of keeping hijab and the consequences following its removal, and exhaust herself in finding a way out of the problems and difficulties. She must always ask Allah for help and assistance. She should try to avoid being with people who attack hijab and to find a practical way to express the real significance of Islam as a religion of peace and the importance of wearing hijab.
Name
Ali
-
Profession
Question
As-Salamu'alaykum, are there any prescriptions in the holy Qur'an about the design of hijab, or is the important thing to cover the actual body parts. Does it have to be so uniform and ethnic?
Answer
Islamic code of dress has been mentioned in the Qur'an in a very comprehensive and all-inclusive way (please refer to verse 31 in Surat an-Nur). It mentions that hijab has to cover the whole body from head to toe without specifying any other details about the design or color. And this is for many reasons: 1) The Qur'an came for all people, all times, and all circumstances, which can accommodate any period and any civilization. 2) To give women the opportunity to choose what is convenient for them according to these principles.
Name
Eliza
- Australia
Profession
psychology student
Question
Salaam wa alaykum,
My question is regarding the attitude and way of dealing with people that swear at women wearing the hijab and tell them things like "go back to your oun country" "Terrorist" "Your a trader" ect especially to a revert like myself, what should we do as im sure getting into a yelling match would not be sufficient, should we say anything back? If we just put our head down and keep walking wont the public believe that we have no way of defending ourselves and everything they say must be correct?
Insha'Allah you can help me to know what is the right way to deal with such situations especially in very public places. Thank you. Wassalam
Answer
May Allah SWT support you and guide you to the right path.
I would like to tell you that trials are normal in our religion. Allah SWT tested His Prophets, Messengers and righteous servants. So don't think this is a punishment from Allah SWT.
If you suffer from those people who attack you, don't feel humiliated because they don't understand what Islam is. Their abuse should encourage you to find a way to lead people, Muslims and non-Muslims, to the moderate message of Islam.
The solution starts from your heart; you need to feel confident and know how to deal with the situation. You should understand why some people yell at you – simply because they're venting their anger and because you represent in their eyes a religion they fear. I ask you to keep being strong and understand what is going around you and equip yourself with knowledge to be able to defend your point of view.
There are some practical steps you may take when such abuse happens:
1. Report the crime to your local police station immediately. Ask that the incident be treated as a hate crime. Follow up with investigators. Inform CMB even if you believe it is a “small” incident.
2. Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by the offender. Save evidence. Take photographs.
3. Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens, not when convenient
4. Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. Consider issuing a statement from community leaders, holding a news conference, organizing a protest, meeting with officials, or starting a letter writing campaign.
5. Stay on top of the situation.
6. Announce results.
Name
jamileh
- Palestine
Profession
student
Question
As-Salaam Alaykum ,
First of all, thank you a lot for your great effort in gelping us understanding our merciful Islam.
I have two questions about Hijab!
Must a Muslim female wear Niqab to cover her face?
How can i convince my non-Muslim friends who gind it unfair that Muslim women must wear Hijab while men mustn't. i know both genders must wear wide clothes that don't show the body but how to convince them that women must wear headscarf and wide dress (Jilbab) while men mustn't? they also wonder how muslim women can bear hijab in hot weather? please help me!
Answer
1. For the question about coveringt he face, please refer to the question of Abdul - India
2. To answer this point we have to start from the beginning that since we believe in Islam and the Qur'an we ought to follow its teachings. The Qur'an asks women to wear hijab while it did not ask men to do the same. Allah, the all-wise knows that this is for the benefit of human beings. So you can tell them, this is the religion and we don't adopt the feminist approach in the dealing with reevaluation.
3. In addition, I would like to add that, to express our obedience to Allah means to try find ways to protect ourselves from hot weather by wearing cotton clothes, for example, and always remember that we are following what Allah SWT guide us to do and we will be rewarded for every difficulty we face in this life.
Name
Abdul
- India
Profession
Question
What is the best course of action for a committed sister in times of crisis?
Answer
Dear daughter,
Thank you for your care for your role in life in general and at times of crisis in particular. When we you say a committed sister, it means a very active sister. To define a committed sister we can say she understands her faith, is loyal to her principles, is very keen to act according to these principles and has a mission in her life.
At times of crisis we need to take a companion with certain qualities such as patience, perseverance, confidence, conviction, wisdom, etc. In the time of crisis we need to work quickly, wisely and patiently. We need to be nearer to Allah, increase our 'ibadah (worship), du'a' and keep hoping that these crises be tests from Allah SWT, as Allah wants to see our efforts to deal with that.
I advise you to always feel optimistic, organize your priorities and work with your community. If there are not active people in your local community, it is a good opportunity to wake their hearts and let them know that trials in our life are to be seen as something normal and that Allah tests our hearts to strengthen our wills and determination.
It will be perfect if you translate this meaning into practice and set your target and move forward to achieve what you aspire for.
Name
Ali
-
Profession
Question
Why Muslims always think about compromising certain rituals as defensive measures? What other measures available that Muslims sisters can find helpful to their case?
Answer
Thank you very much for asking such a good question. I think it hits the main point of our session today. As Muslims, we should be as strong as the companions of the Prophet were when they refused to give one-third of the harvest of Madina to break the confederation of Quraish and other Bedouin and Jews during the battle of Trench, saying: "Why do we have to compromise our religion?" and they said to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), "Before Islam, no one of these Bedouin dare to eat just one date without paying, why after Allah honored us with Islam do we have to compromise with them? We can't give them anything but to resist their attacks."
That was the fruit of the real iman, pure character, and profound conviction. These are the characteristics that Muslims nowadays are missing. We need to treat ourselves with pure Islamic teachings and to regain self-confidence and improve our knowledge and to leave our fingerprints on the path of civilization. At such time we will never compromise easily our rites and rituals.
May Allah guide our Ummah to the right path.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank The Da`iyah Zienab Mostafa for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. If you feel your question is very important, feel free to contact us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net and we will try our best to answer your question. We request our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
