The session has just started. You are invited to join us with your questions.
After the session, you could view the whole dialogue in the recent sessions.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk..
Name
Heba
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alaykum sister,
Thank you very much for this valuable topic which I think many Muslims will benefit from it.
There is a problem I am facing these days. I am newly graduated from University and looking for a job. I'd like to clarify one point please. There is a high rate of unemployment in our country and due to this difficult situation I can rarely find a job and in the meantime some organisations ask for graduated students who seek jobs, to take off the hijab.
Please advics me what to do.
Answer
Assalam Alaykum sister,
Inshallah you are well and in great health and spirits.
Your situation is a common one for those sisters living in Western countries in relation to job access. I am not sure if you do live in a Western country as it has not been specified, however, in these countries they are not permitted to ask you to take off your hijab unless it is a health risk. There are enough discrimination laws around to support our decision and right to wear hijab.
Essentially, one must ask how important their faith is to themselves. As there is a choice between submitting to earn the dollar, and submitting to earn Allah's, most High, pleasure.
Inshallah one must look within themselves and prioritise their decisions as to what it is they need to do and inshallah you make the best choice considering the cirmcumstances.
Peace
Name
Sonia
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alykum.
I'd like to thank you for offering this service for Muslims all over the world who are looking for the essence of Islam.
I like the title of this live dialogue. Would you please clarify more about the psychological impact of wearing the hijab.
Answer
Assalam Alaykum sister
Inshallah you are well.
The psychological impact of hijab is analysing the impact of wearing the hijab to the individual. It can be looked at at the societal level and nation level, bit for the purposes of my discussion it will remain at the individual level.
The analysis is threefold: What does it mean to the Muslimah at the spiritual, mental, and physical realms within her life to wear hijab? How does it make her feel? What does she think about it? How does wearing a hijab change her way of thinking/behaving?
The same can be asked of females who are forced to wear the hijab. How does that affect their spirtuality, the way they perceive their physical appearance, and their mental thought processes? These are just some of the questions that can be asked in realtion to the sorts of impact that hijab can have on a Muslimah.
Inshallah I am hoping that someone does ask about these questions.
Peace
Name
Hwaa
- Afghanistan
Profession
Consultant
Question
As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuh sister Hanan. I thank you for offering this opportuinity to discuss this issue. Many cannot udnerstand thr fuss, both Muslims and non-Muslims, but what is really puzzling me though, is what is really behind this global gut reaction to a woman wearing a scarf? I do not beleive that any politcal propaganda machine is that weel equipped to bring about the rsults that is has towards the hijab. At least not by itself. I would very much like to know your views on the subject?
Answer
Assalam Alaykum sister
Inshallah your health and spirits are great.
I think that the increase of women adopting to wear thr hijab has come into people's conscious and thereby created a stir of emotion. This increase of scarf dressing women has created an unrealistic fear of Muslim women.
I do not understand how a piece of cloth such as the hijab impinges upon the rights of others, that it raises an excessive concern to call for their ban? It hasnt impinged on deprived any person in society and form of their freedom, yet it is still perceived as a threat.
The people have this unrealistic fear where they want an "out of sight, out of mind" reaction to the hijab.
Politicians have commented that there was something "aggressive" about the wearing of a headscarf. Where has anyone heard reports that a veiled Muslim schoolgirl or women in Western countries where a Muslimah has impinged on the rights of her others ecause of her religious dress?
Rarely has the hijab been worn for political extremism. In fact reasons stem from personal safety to religious conservatism. The point is to not justify to people why we should be allowed to wear the veil. The point is to leave Muslims the freedom to do so.
The hijab has no influence in government administration yet it is given enough standing to suggest the banning of a fabric from society.
Inshallah Muslim women must stand strong and remain calmly defiant using appropriate means to achieve just ends.
Muslim women living in Western countries must be more vocal in the media to address these issues confidently and articulately so that they reach the intellectual masses.
Peace
Name
Ingy
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alykum,
I have a very brief question. IS there a certain style for wearing the hijab?
Answer
Assalam ALaykum sister
Inshallah you are well and in high spirits.
As for the styles of hijab, if you travel from one country to the next, you will quickly realise that each culture have their own unique way of wearing the hijab. The Saudi women wear black and commnonly cover their faces wearing the burqa, in India they wear a veil that is more relaxed on their heads, yet acceptable by the Hanafi fiqh. Most commonly, many wear it the standard way as outlined in the Quran wearing it to cover their head and covering their neck and bosoms. This is explained to us in the Quran:
The Qur'an says:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)
No way or style is better than another provided you adhere to the above requirement and the fabric is not transparent.
Peace
Name
Mega
- Indonesia
Profession
Employee
Question
Assalamu alaikum sister..
What is the prospect of Islam in Australia and obstacles?
Do Australians think Indonesia as a threat as the biggest muslim population in the world where image of Islam is identical to terrorism to some extent?
Salam.
Answer
Assalam ALaykum sister
Inshallah you are well and peace to you.
This ia a vvery political question and is outside my sphere, but I will attempt somehow to answer this.
I think Australia's in some ways does fear the influence of their densely Muslim populated neighbours, Indonesia, but I cannot understand why. Indonesia has never threatened Australia militarily, not have they hinted such a threat, but I do think that Australia may feel isolated being in the southern hemishpere with not enough alliances in its location.
Australians to have a very unrealistic fear of Muslims whether it is internationally or even nationally. This fear has been orchestrated by both the media and federal government, who have really fed the masses in Australia wild allegations and inferences about Muslims. Australia is the only country that has listed ONLY Muslim organisations in the Terrorist List.
Inshallah Muslims here are very enthusiastic and optimistic about progress and dawa that can really challenge the current misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.
Peace
Name
Christina
-
Profession
Question
We'd like to thank you for your efforts that no-one can deny.
We'd like to ask about the importance of putting veil on women's faces. Is this a sign to show the nature of your releigion.
Answer
Hi Christina
Hope you are well and in good spirits.
In relation to covering one's face, there are differences of scholarly opinion as to whether this form of hijab is compulsory or not. The minimal requirement is to cover your head, neck, and bosom area as stated:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)
There are Muslim women who admired the Prophet's (May Allah grrant him peace and blessings) wives who covered their faces, and chose to do the same. Hence, this choice of their's is noble, but not compulsory.
However, Islam also recognises "stunning and beautiful" women who may draw attention to the public because of their recognised physical facial qualities. They are encouraged in Islam to cover their faces as it is advised that this would be best so as to not to draw attention to themselves.
Peace
Name
aisha
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alaykum ,
even when I was a non-muslim I didn´t had any problem with women wearing hijab. Now that I wear one, I found out that people, expecially woman, always look at me as if I was a monster. Even if they think that hijab means oppression of women, they should look at us with piety, not with hate. Where do you think this hate come from? Do you think it has something to do with "does she think she is better than us", or something similar?
Answer
Assalam Alaykum sister
Inshallah your are well and in esteemed spirits.
Let me first stress that there are exessive articles by feminists whose concerns that are that they want to free the Muslim women from suppression and they will only be liberated if they remove the hijab that has been imposed on them by the dominant male society and influence.
It seems that the only experts that have had such a loud voice on this issue has been the media experts, feminists, and “Western” experts on Islam. The voice of Muslim women on why they wear hijab has been very minimal, as they “don’t necessarily know what’s good for them”, as they have been oppressed with the shackles of subordination by men. These are the comments that are mostly heard and read of because of their push to use the media to give the impression of what should be the correct view.
The media would even travel as so far as half way around the world to get the opinion of someone from Pakistan or the Middles East to convey how the shariah, or Islamic law is unjust, and how Islam is oppressive to women. It seems as if they are traveling for the truth, when they are not, as they are after believability to support their propaganda, and for people to support their notions and misguided views of Islam. For the truth, from their own backyards is ignored. The truth of Western women who have experienced the life of both worlds and love the Islamic one – and chose the hijab, is ignored.
The concern over whether hijab is oppression, or is liberation, or freedom, should be asked by the Muslim women who wear the hijab in their respective countries, and they should be listened to, not the women who have access to publish their views on prestigious magazines. Magazines, that hijab-wearing Muslims do not have access to.
What they dont realise is that the hijab is also an expression of self, who they are? If this is the case, why not let it be; Denying individuals to fully express themselves in a positive way and feel positively about it, translates into self-esteem, self-concept, and confidence should be encouraged and not discouraged just because it comes from religious ideals.
This self-confidence should be encouraged in the society, especially to females.
I dont think that it is an "us better than them mentality" but they dont realise why we do cover our bodies as their only contact with Muslims is via the media. And if the media is presenting Muslim veiled women as oppressed, that is the only information they have to rely on until they start searching themselves.
This is where you must commit to active dawa and liaise with non-Muslims in order to decrease their misconceptions and unrealistic fears to promote the positive mannerisms that hijab wearinging enjoins.
People, who don’t know much about Islam need to understand that hijab is not only a covering of the body, but also appropriate behaviour in manners, speech, and appearance in public. The dress issue is only one aspect of the total being.
Peace
Name
Nermine
- Egypt
Profession
IT
Question
As-salamu 'alaykum,
I wanted to ask how the hijab makes a woman feel? Sometimes there is comfort, other times it is not because of how the hijab is sometimes viewed by others. Hijab can be liberating, gives identity and spiritual comfort but other times it is looked down upon socially, and criticized.
Answer
As-salam 'Alaykum sister
Inshallah you are in great health and spirits.
I will give you a few quotes of Australian Muslim women and how they felt, using their own quotes about wearing the hijab across the three levels of - spirituality, mental, and physical reasons. This was part of a small talk I gave at a hijab forum in Australia.
Spiritual:
“First and foremost it’s a commandment from Allah (swt), not from man, and anything that God commands is only of benefit and not going to harm me as Allah knows what I do not know.”
“to purify my soul to the greatest possible extent with humility, modesty and love of all creation”
Mental:
“ upon placing that beautiful veil on my head..all my answers came rushing at me within a matter of days and I was at peace.”
“I can’t imagine life without it. Without my Islamic dress code, I am not complete, I am not important, I am not confident.”
“I now feel that total completeness and that I can say is why I chose to wear the hijab, to feel complete as a Muslim Women.”
“It makes me a stronger person…”
“I can say that the hijab has had a positive effect on my life”
“It makes me HAPPY. I’m more comfortable with the person I've become, and the person I have the potential to become”
“I don’t want to please people, I want to please myself, and wearing a veil is what I wanted to do.”
Empowerment:
“To me, its empowerment, it asserts power over those who will look at me sexually, empowering in the sense that I dress for god and not for man. The fact that I’m free from the pressures of society that man places on the women where woman becomes a slave to mans sexual desires, using and abusing her for his economic gain…be more attentive to my personality rather than reducing me to just my physical attributes.”
“The hijab to me is political, and so it has become over the past year or so. Right now, the hijab is a flag reflecting my freedom, faith and stance in that I this Australian society reject male standards of beauty.”
“I wore the hijab when I was going through a crisis in my life and believe me... I felt as if I was protected. My non-Muslim friends said that I was oppressing myself. but it didn’t feel that way, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, as if I had finally felt that I could be myself.”
Elements of Muslim consciousness:
Also the elements of consciousness was evident in the responses when they stated that the wearing of hijab helped “shape their character”
‘wearing the hijab makes me conscious that I am a Muslim, and I cant simply go into a pub or night club or do something crazy”
“it perfects my manners and purifies my intentions and actions. It stops me from doing things that I would otherwise have done, i.e road rage”
"I’m a flag bearer of my religion Islam and this makes me a more responsible person."
Liberating and identity:
"I never truly began to find and understand myself (identity) until I started wearing the hijab 2.5 years ago
I feel liberated when I put on the scarf and I know that people listen to what I am saying when I talk."
“it helps me know my identity as a Muslim more and work on it, it helped me be proud and confident of who I was ... not like when I didn’t have my hijab on, sometimes I’ll be shy 2 say I’m Muslim. I don't know I just love it, with everything that comes with it, I can never imagine myself without it, it has made me more mature and focused it has helped me grow in infinite kinds of ways.”
Physical:
"I refuse to conform to mans ideal of what a women is and the 2 minute instant reaction of ‘showing some skin’ will make me feel liberated upon discarding my veil and loose fitted clothes is amusing and distressing.
It means I’m not conforming to the lusts and desires of man by not dressing the way they would like to me to dress."
Post September 11:
"Especially after Sep. 11, I felt a suppression of who I am, and I hated that, it is the worst feeling to have to hide who you really are and I got sick of it, I got sick of lectures taking advantage of the situation and saying stuff about Muslims and Islam that wasn’t true and they knew it, and I wanted to wear the scarf so that I don’t feel intimidated to hide who I am."
Name
Maya
- Canada
Profession
student
Question
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. I'm 18 years old, and I still don't wear the hijab. I've had a friend who didnt wear the hijab and started wearing it for a while. She lost many friends and not too many people wanted to talk to her after she started to wear the hijab. she ended up taking it off again and then she regained many friends and people started liking her. This really discourages me from wearing it. Is there a way to cope with this??
Answer
As-salam 'alaykum sister
Inshallah you are well and in great spirits.
The best friend one can have is one who can:
- be relied on
- help them in times of need
- keep their secrets
- is strong enough to look after you in ill health
-help with favours
-loves you most
-loves your company
-loves your service
-gives you guidance
-is merciful and trustful
-does not backbite
-does not isolate you when you dress differently or act differently.....
Hence, the best friend who will remain constant is ONLY Allah, most High. Why would we need to please others who do not do us justice in this dunya and are liable to distance themselves from us when we do not meet their social standards? Allah, most Merciful is the constant friend who asks of us to obey him and he shall continue to help us in our social settings, work settings, home settings, in the dunya and akhira, yet we shun his requests because of other people.
A person must sincerely ask themselves what they really want from this dunya? If they are motivated for eternal rewards, they must travel the straight and observant path. If they are motivated by personal desires, they will be wrongly guided by others who will not save them later.
One must remember Allah's mercy and compassion during every difficulty they have and if you have strong faith, your decision to obey Allah shall suffice. However, when your faith is shakey and weak, you will
not even consider Allah's commands.
Inshallah you are strong enough to be motivated to do the right thing as Allah has promised us in the Quran that he will not give us a burden more than we can bear. So, be strong inshallah and we make d'uaa that you chose the best choice with the correct intentions :)
Peace
Name
Naima
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
As-Salamu 'alaykum,
Since nuns are defended in observing hijab, do you think muslim women should interact with them to create an awareness, on the significance of hijab, amongst the hijab-opposing parties.
Thank you.
Answer
As-salamu 'alaykum sister
Inshallah you are well and in great spirits.
Mary gave birth to Jesus. Mary is most revered, and the most respected as a blessed, righteous, virtuous and pious women. A women who is most respected in the Christian and Muslim tradition. She was the carrier of blessing and salvation, a women of modesty, a women of great respect and honour. She was chosen above the women of the nations. A whole chapter of the Quran is named after her. Every picture or monument of her is shown with her wearing a veil, a sign of great modesty and piety.
She had the qualities that would make any feminist think twice about their continuing misguided claims that hijab is a sign of female oppression. Feminists should envy her. For she displayed true womanhood and overcame all obstacles to prevail with truth and great strength. The hijab or veil, worn by Christians, mostly Muslim women, reflects the modest nature of this great woman.
This is the mode or mentality that one should be portraying with Christians as Mary is an exemplified women in both religions.
I have even been goen abroad and locally to social functions where i have been mistaken for a Christian because of my hijab and abaya. I do start to feel that Muslims do look more Christian than the Christians themselves. But this is our strength as this is the first step to even get Christians in touch with their faith so that we can work with them on a common goal. We should unite on issues that are common to us, and let go of the issues that divide us in this time of education and perception change.
There will be strength in this approach, especially in the West, for such a dialogue to educate those who do not know anything past what the media is feeding the public.
The hijab opposing parties are extremists in my opinion as they are not willing to listen to reason or differing opinions, but are holding on TIGHTLY to their own prejudical views of people, who just happen to dress differently. Their personalities are the same whether they where more clothes or not, but those who observe hijab chose not to expose their bodies- which is essentially their right!
Peace
Name
Sawmeer
- Sri Lanka
Profession
Computer Operator
Question
As-salamu 'alaykum
If a women can wear trowsers and t-shirt with cover the head is it correct in islamic dress.According to Hadith a women can't wear the trowsers and t-shirts similar to man's dresses.If women can wear like that dress with cover the head?
Thanks
Regards
Sawmeer khan
Answer
As-salam 'alaykum brother
Inshallah you have good health and spirits.
Generally speaking, in Islam, a women should not imitate the man, and the man should not imitate the women. Hence, in terms of dress codes, opposing sexes should not dress like the other gender.
In terms of t-shirts, trousers and hijab - if the t-shirt is of long sleeves to the wrist and is long in length in the sense that it is loose and falls towards the knee, this is generally ok as the female's curvature figure is not being exposed.
Peace
Name
hasan miah
- United Kingdom
Profession
youthworker/communityworker
Question
I would like to know if it is permissable for me to work with sisters whom don't wear hijab, secondly I would like to know how one can make his sisters wear hijab, as they have concpets of freedom and benefit, how can one make them leave these corrupt concpets and make them see that the hijab is fard.
Answer
As-salam 'alaykum brother
Inshallah you are well and in great spirits.
In terms of your situation at work, it is recommended that you find a solution to your issue, BUT if there is no better alternative you must try and lower your gaze while at work. The lowering of the gaze should be practiced across all circumstances where non-mahrams are involved. This situation is common where most times there isn't a better alternative but to observe lowering the gaze while addressing the females.
It is best to start encouraging young females to wear hijab when they are young and they must be taught as to the reasons why they should be wearing it. When this does not happen, and they were not told, they will stick to the political and feministic attitudes encouraged at schools and the media about freedom and liberation. Hijab is also about freedom and liberation but parents and families forget to educate their children and relatives about these principles. And so the females adopt the principles they are used to being taught at school, and further encouraged at university and work.
The Quran clearly outlines how hijab is fard and there are many commentaries to this consensus among the scholars. Islamonline also has many articles related to this nature of its ruling.
Its only the texts by feminist women from Muslim countries who have no understanding of the meaning of Islam and its correct interpretation that feed the Western media a very uneducated and deviated view of Islam's stance on the matter. This is a matter of intellectual dishonesty and their views sadly filter to our sisters.
May Allah give them guidance,hidaya.
Peace
Name
syed
-
Profession
doctor
Question
As-salamu 'alaykum,
Please can you give a definition of hijab, I mean what should a muslim woman cover ?
Some say they should cover faces and some schools of thought say there is no need? Please clarify.
Answer
As-salam 'alaykum brother Syed
Inshallah you are well and in great health and spirits:
In terms of hijab the Qur'an says:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)
These verses from the Qur'an contain two main injunctions:
1.A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
2.The head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. As you can see that the verse addresses both males and females.
People, who don’t know much about Islam need to understand that hijab is not only a covering of the body, but also appropriate behaviour in manners, speech, and appearance in public. The dress issue is only one aspect of the total being.
And for those who may argue that why doesn’t a man requirement of dress equivalent to that of a women, its important to say that they do have that requirement imposed on them, but differs in degree.
But for both men and women, the dress codes were not meant to be restrictive in any way, but rather a way that they can function in society in a proper Islamic manner.
As for the different school of thought on hijab, there are many articles on the Islamonline that can answer your question as I am not a religious scholar to answer this for you adequatetly. Inshallah kheir.
Peace
Name
Teddy
-
Profession
Question
As-salamu 'alakum sister,
I've got a very percise question. I adhore attending lessons at mosques and it provides me with a spiritual taste that is very difficult to convey to others. At the same time my family doesn't accept this notion. they think that everything is mentioned in books, so why do I bother myself by attending these lessons. At the same time my mother is against the whole idea. She doesn't want me to concentrate on this issue more than the normal.
Please tell me what to do with them.
Answer
As-salam 'alaykum
Inshallah you are well in great spirits and health.
Alhamdullilah that you have a keen thirst and hunger for Islamic knowledge. Our parents do at times want to be over protective over us and think they are doing what is best for our own interest.
I think for the lack of time I have to answer this question, I would suggest that you take your mother to these events so that she can see the difference between reading books in Islam and how it is conveyed. i am sure that if she attends these talks that she may herself learn and be inspired to continue to learn and may even motivate you to go to more.
Especially, if you start acting on what is being taught at home and start fulfilling your obligations as you learn more about them, I am certian that your mother will notice the difference and further encourage you.
May Allah guide you and show you patience Inshallah.
Peace
Name
Iqbal
-
Profession
Question
Is using alcoholic perfume halal?
Answer
PLease submit your question to the fatwa section and they are willing to answer it.
