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Imam Jaffer Sadiq (a.s.) says: Modesty is the symbol
of faith and whoever has no modesty (Hijab), has no religion.
There are many sisters who have failed to understand
the actual meaning of Hijab.
To observe proper Hijab is to dress up oneself modestly
and appropriately covering all parts of body except face and forearms, without showing one's figure or curves and without
using any sort of make-up.
Allah (s.w.t) has given equal rights to both men and
women; He forbids either sex claiming supremacy over the other.
Allah states Qur'an: "Verily the most honored of you
in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you." Holy Qur'an (49:13)
Hijab is one of the righteous deeds and it is a sign
of honor and equality with men and stands as a shield of protection against evil man.
The woman in Islam is bestowed with respect and honor
and a Muslim gives great importance to his wife. Our Prophet Muhammad's (s.a.w.) Hadith says the best of you are those
who are best in resting their wives.
The status of wife is so respectable that she is not
bound to do any house-hold work unless she does it willingly and with affection; but if her husband forces her to do any work,
he will have to answer to Allah for his conduct. Also, she is not bound to earn and maintain the house of her husband. Her
work shall always conform to the laws of Shariat. Unlike the Western world, the Muslim wife is a queen in her husband's house.
The first thing a husband does for his wife is to provide a servant and a cook according to his ability and when she becomes
a mother, she receives greatest respect from her husband. Contrary to this, is considered a sin by Allah (s.w.t.)
One of the most common phrases in Islam is the 'Paradise
lies at the feet of the mother'. And Allah (s.w.t) states in Qur'an: Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but
Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt,
nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. Holy Qur'an (17:23)
Allah (s.w.t.) has given great impedance to women and
for that reason He orders their children to address them in terms of honor.
What kind of dignity a non-believer has by the way they
conduct their life and expose themselves. They have removed the shield of protection, that modesty of Hijab and left themselves
unprotected and that is the cause for the assault, which takes place once every ten seconds in rape and murder around the
world. But those true Muslims who observe proper Hijab are protected from such assaults and not one ease or this type is ever
heard of.
Moreover Hijab also gives the women an air of authority,
dignity and respect, which a non-believer can never claim to possess. Only those who are well behaved can expect admiration
and high esteem from others and definitely, those who try to attract men can never be called a well-behaved person.
Those who reject Hijab and wish to attract men are suffering
from inferiority complex. They believe men are superior and in order to overcome this feeling, they use their feminine charms.
But why should a Muslim woman have such a feeling when she is fully aware of her equality with men?
Hijab, therefore, has such benefits as a guard against
any assault, equality with men, air of respect and honor and most important of all, obedience to Allah (s.w.t.) which is equivalent
to blood of martyr. Hijab requires women to avoid any sort of attraction to men.
We have many Muslims sisters who are more concerned to
please themselves and their non-believer friends than Allah (s.w.t.). Let us not forget the purpose of our existence, which
is to cultivate love and affection for Allah in our heart and not for anything else. How can we create that love when we disobey
Him? Adoration and affection come from the heart and those who truly love Allah (s.w.t.) will not do anything contrary to
this.
Some of our sisters come up with the excuse that the
non-believers laugh at them if they observe Hijab and they feel degraded. They may laugh for a little while but after some
time, they will have no choice but to respect the Muslim women observing Hijab for their discipline and principles which could
not be shaken by their little laugh.
Let us not forget the famous phrase: He who laughs last
laughs the longest.
A Muslim sister lives for the future and not for the
day; we can all look forward to be in Heaven for believing and obeying Allah (s.w.t.)
Hijab is one of the commandments of Allah (s.w.t.). The
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said that those women who do not observe proper Hijab are blatantly defying the commandment of Allah
(s.w.t.). Ahl-e-bait (a.s.) suffered hardships and offered unparalleled sacrifices to bring original Islam to us. Discarding
Hijab puts their sacrifices in vain. And the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.) is the greatest bliss. But for those who disobeyed,
what punishment is awaiting them but Hell-Fire!
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What successful women have to say? |
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It is amazing the way things changed overnight when I
started on with Hijab. I can feel the extra respect coming my way. People take me more seriously; friends at college think
it looks very neat and smart, and I feel protected and confident when I step out. Dr. Mrs. N.Z.Vakil (Medical Student)
The most important thing about Hijab is that it gives
you an identity of a Muslim. Moreover, it is another way of obedience to Allah's (s.w.t.) command. People often gives me due
respect which I would have not got without a Hijab. Travelling among men has become easy for me as it makes me feel safe and
protected. It also gives me a lot of confidence and last but not the least this has brought me one step closer to Allah (s.w.t.).
Therefore, I consider Hijab as a blessing from Allah (s.w.t.) and I thank him for His blessing. Reshma Qazi (Arts Student)
The Angel of Death, Azrael (A.S.) said "Obedience to
Allah's (s.w.t.) Commandments is better than compassion to the earth". Initially I felt I would be looked down upon in society,
but after wearing Hijab, I realized that people do not give you as much importance as you feel they should. The nearness,
which I felt to Allah (s.w.t) by obeying His commandment, is beyond expression. Moreover wearing Hijab has created an aura
of respectability in my environment and has enabled me to remember Allah (s.w.t.) more often. Mrs. S.A. Vakil (House Wife)
I feel that at present when demoralisation is increasing
in the society, every woman should wear Hijab, It is the only thing which protects a woman and makes her feel secured. Shenaz.
F. Raj (College Student)
In the modern society of today, a woman has always been
looked upon as just another sexual object for the men. Why should one display one's beauty for unwanted eyes to feast upon?
The Hijab protects a woman's honor and doesn't arouse unwanted passion from the opposite sex. I feel if the women were to
universally adopt the Islamic code of dressing, the rate of incidences of eves teasing, molestation, rape, etc. would be negligible.
Wearing the Hijab gives me more confidence in myself as a woman and it doesn't obstruct me in any way in my profession. Mrs.
Salva I. Rasool (Graphic Designer) |
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HIJAB SUPPLEMENT
Allah (s.w.t.) states in Qur'an: "Not for (idle) sport did We create the
heavens and the earth and all that is between! If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken
it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)." Holy Qur'an (21:16)
The above surah amply emphasizes the seriousness with
which Allah (s.w.t.) created this world and everything that exists therein, including the human beings. Allah (s.w.t.) created
us for a specific and important purpose and it is the duty of every Muslim to lead a disciplined life, realizing the seriousness
of this purpose.
Human beings must distinguish themselves from animals
by decent and disciplined behavior. But how many of us take this life with the seriousness it deserves? All of us originated
from one father and one mother and belong to one big family, but it is unfortunate that many of us live without any sense
of collective responsibility. We are one community and the action of one-person will not only reflect on other individuals
but also the whole community.
Allah (s.w.t) states in the Holy Quran: "If anyone
slew a person, unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land, it would be as it he slew the whole people."
When Allah (s.w.t) commanded our sisters to observe Hijab,
it was because of the universal damages that would be caused by refusing to observe It. It is not a matter of individual behavior,
as many people may think. A woman going out exposing her charms attracts men, which sets off a chain of undesirable events,
causing lot of harm to several people. Thus, the indecent behavior of one person affects the community as a whole. Although
the person, who originally caused the damage, is to be blamed for all the consequences, other members of the community are
also responsible to some extent for allowing such a thing to happen. Therefore, it becomes a collective responsibility of
all of us to ensure that such damages are not caused.
For example, some people were sailing in a boat, which
they jointly owned when one of them stated making a hole in the place which was allocated to him in the boat. When others
tried to stop him, he argued that it was his part of the boat and he was free to do whatever he wished. But if he was allowed
to continue, the boat would sink and all of them would be drowned.
Discarding Hijab will harm not only one's own self but
also millions of others. Exposure of physical charm of our women may destroy many homes and cause innumerable rapes and murders
for which we all are responsible.
It is pertinent to relate one of the several heart-breaking
stories caused by discarding Hijab: A young innocent man, who saw the photograph of an attractive woman, was immediately infatuated
by her physical charm. Unfortunately, he had neither wealth nor position to get closer to her. To fulfill his desire, he though
of getting money quickly by any means and resorted to stealing.
Finally, he ended up in prison for robbing a few people
and killing one.
Who is to be blamed for all the consequences but the
person who caused them? Had that woman observed Hijab and refrained from displaying her attractions, these crimes would not
have taken place.
Our Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.) has said that on the Day
of Judgment, such people would be brought forward for trail on charges of quasi-crimes in which they had a share of responsibility.
They would plead that they did not commit those crimes, but then they would be told that they removed their Hijab and attracted
this person, which made him indulge in those crimes.
"And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes
their affairs will take". Holy Qur'an (26:227)
LIBERATION OR SEXPLOITATION
Today in some societies, particularly in the West a woman can walk semi-naked
in public, swim topless, patronize bars and clubs, smoke, drink, dance in discos and have sex with anybody she feels like.
She can even serve her boyfriend, like an unpaid prostitute,
and be free to murder her unborn baby if she falls pregnant. She can also compete in the business world by using her body
to promote commercial commodities.
At the end of the day she will be regarded as a truly
'liberated' woman!
In Islam, however, Liberation of women is far more serious,
noble and dignified than just the burning of bras as is done in the so-called permissive societies where the fair sex is regarded
as no more than a sex object. Today the West is very quick to condemn Islamic laws, which protect purity of purpose and the
intermingling of the sexes at all levels of society.
Look at the glossy cover of any magazine or advertisements
on TV and newspaper, you will find that most of these advertisements have scantily dressed women in alluring poses to attract
the attention of men. This proves that the Western society considers woman only as a sex symbol.
The liberation of women in Islam is far superior to Western
liberation as it allows women to live with respect, dignity and equality in society.
Equality does not mean aping and behaving like men or
dancing to their carnal tunes; that would be an act of inferiority in the face of one's own femininity.
A truly liberated woman always dresses decently and modestly.
A true woman will never degrade her body and sell her dignity to the highest bidder. No woman is truly liberated if she is
still the slave of her wayward conscience, bodily lust or infidelity.
However, in Islam, women, whatever their role as mothers,
wives, sisters or daughters, command respect and have a constructive role to play in society. The Hijab itself gives an aura
of freedom to the womankind, facilitating their movement and protecting them from provocation and wanton greed of the human
wolves. Removal of the Hijab makes you vulnerable to the lust of men.
By removing your Hijab, you have destroyed your faith.
Islam means submission to Allah (s.w.t.) in all our actions. Those who refuse submission cannot be called Muslims.
WHAT IS HIJAB?
There are many sisters who have failed to understand the actual meaning of Hijab.
Hijab technically means covering. Islam desires the preservation of social tranquility and familial peace. Hence, it asks
women to cover themselves in their inter-actions with men, whom they are not related to.
WHY IS HIJAB NECESSARY?
The dangerous consequences of the Western culture of nakedness and permissiveness
are before us. We should think twice before blindly trying to imitate Western life-styles.
HOW SHOULD WOMEN OBSERVE HIJAB CORRECTLY?
Basically, the dress of ladies should cover the whole body
except the face and hands (i.e. palms & fingers). Hair should not be exposed because Islam considers it as half of the
total beauty of women. The Hijab could be of any form and color, a one-piece chader or a three-piece ensemble, as long as
it is not tight fitting and does not attract people's attention.
BASELESS OBJECTIONS AGAINST HIJAB:
- It seeks to imprison women: Those
who feel that Hijab imprisons women should refrain from living in houses because it is nearer to a prison than Hijab.
- It subordinates women: In fact,
culture, which promotes nakedness, takes people nearer to the culture of animals. Wearing the Hijab, on the contrary, liberates
women from the trap of Western fashion and maladies. It gives them greater, rather than less freedom and mobility.
- Why only women? Science has confirmed
that visual stimulation plays a predominant role in the physiology of men compared to women. The fact that the sex-industry
in the West is targeted towards the male-market confirms it.
- Victims of Ridicule: Some of our
sisters come up with the excuse that the non-believers laugh at them if they observe Hijab and they feel degraded. They may
laugh for a little while but after some time they will have no choice but to respect the Muslim women observing Hijab for
their discipline, which could not be shaken, by their little laughs.
- Let us not forget the famous phrase:
The one who laughs last laughs the longest".
- Beauty is meant to be appreciated:
True! But only by the husband. Hence women who truly love their husbands would never wish to be seen in public without Hijab.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF DISCARDING HIJAB?
- Becoming an easy target of anti-social
elements.
- Causing great stresses, insecurity
and suspicion in the minds of husbands, ultimately disturbing the familial harmony.
- Instigating young people to deviate
towards the path of lust and immorality.
- Giving rise to cases of divorce,
adultery, rape & illegitimate children.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF OBSERVING HIJAB?
- Confidence in social participation
as human being and not as sexual commodity.
- Guarding one self from the lustful
looks of men.
- Not diverting people's attention
from constructive social work.
- Improving the moral character
of the society.
In conclusion,
women can achieve true dignity and experience true emancipation by observing Hijab and not by discarding it.
HIJAB ALSO FOR MEN
Say to the believing man that they cast down their glance. Allah (s.w.t.)
is aware of the things they do. Holy Qur'an (24:30) To cast down one's glance, means not to look in a fixed way, not to
stare. The sentence means, "Tell the believers not to stare at or flirt with women."
Allah (s.w.t.) has given equal rights to both men and
women; He forbids either sex claiming supremacy over the other. Allah (s.w.t.) states in the Quran: "The most honored of
you in the sight of Allah (s.w.t.) is (he who is) the most righteous of you." Holy Qur'an (49:13)
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1,900 raped every day in America |
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WASHINGTON-Nearly 1,900 women are raped every day in
America, according to a study released on Thursday that paints a much grimmer picture than US Justice Department figures announced
earlier this week.
The National Victim Center, which promotes the rights
of victims of violent crime, said 1.3 adult women are raped every minute and 683,000 US women are raped each year, based on
a survey of more that 4,000 women, including 579 rape victims.
One in eight adult American women has been raped, bringing
the total of rape victims to at least 12.1 million, it said.
The survey indicated that 61 per cent of all rape cases
involve women under 18 and that 29 percent of all rapes occurred when the victim was less than 11 years old. - Reuters (Source:
MID-DAY Bombay 25-4-92) |
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