The New Hijab « Unique Muslimah

The New Hijab

There’s a growing culture in Egypt that is strictly based on appearance. You have to look your best. You must leave the house looking like something that has come out of a commercial advert (although it doesn’t always work out that way). Although there is an increase in Hijabi girls, there is also an increase in these hijabi girls wearing the tightest clothes possible to show off their ‘assets’. That is the only way I can word it. Tight jeans are worn so that the view from behind is clear for everyone to see. Tight skirts are worn with short tops, again, so that everything is on display. The only thing that is hidden is the hair with a short scarf which is often accompanied with full make-up. Are they trying to make up for what they have hidden (the hair)?

Before it used to bother me, to see sisters making fun of the Hijab and not taking it seriously. Yesterday while I went out to eat I looked quite odd with my jilbab, cardigan and long hijab. To them, I probably looked like a ‘fundamentalist’ because I wasn’t following the ‘in-crowd’. But I didn’t care. I walked in confidently, sat down, ate and left. I have stopped judging others who ridicule the Hijab, only because it gave me a headache and heartache. Sometimes I just think, you know what? Everyone is entitled to live the way they want to live, let’s not judge each other. But sorry, when it comes to a religious symbol- the hijab- I think we should take care not to associate it with tight clothes so much so that the hijabies look more attractive and sexier than the non-hijabies. I have heard many conversations from non-hijabies criticising this and not understanding the need for the hijab if they are going to all that trouble to demean the meaning of the veil.

Now there is the fashion where you wrap the hijab behind your neck, so that your chest and front bit of the neck and chin are showing. They leave a bit of the ears showing so that earrings are on display. Then in a conversation with one of them they say ’Yes, I’m so proud to be a mohajaba (a hijabi)’. I disagree. There are two categories for someone wearing the veil. One is the mohajaba who is covered with loose clothing with her hijab. Secondly there is the mohtasheema, the one who is wearing a veil but wearing tight clothes, so she isn’t a mohajaba yet, but one step away from being one. I think it’s better to have these categories so our young children don’t get confused as to what is the right type of hijab.

What’s sad is that before this new hijab came up, young men would actually respect you instantly because you wore the hijab (well that’s what I got). Now they don’t take us seriously and label us along with the girls who wearing tight clothes, hold their ‘boyfriends’ hands, etc.

They have, indeed, spoilt it for those of us who are taking it seriously. And all this in a so-called Muslim land. I think there is a lot of identity confusion among the youth, they want to cover their hair to obey God’s commands but they also want to be available on the ’attractive market’ so they can find a suitable boyfriend or husband-to-be. Maybe we should just let them be? As long as they have faith in their heart then that’s all that matters? We shouldn’t judge people from their appearance? We should just try to improve ourselves before looking at others? Maybe the most important thing is for us to be at peace with ourselves and leave the rest to do what they want to do?

*Shrugs*

Written by Unique Muslimah

March 27, 2007 at 5:39 pm

Posted in Egypt, Hijab, Islam, Religion, Veil

105 Responses

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I know Unique. I felt the same way when I visited in the summer of 2005. Everyone looked at me like I was some “weirdo” or “extremist”. I wondered why?

Because everyone has a little chiffon scarf and now can do whatever they please–because look at me I am holly, I wear “hijab.”And I, with my simple jilbab and big scarf, was looked at like “poor thing!”

The hijab has become a joke, and I don’t want to blame Amr khaled, but I believe it’s the phenomenon he created. The new modern Islam. Once you put the scarf on your head and know a couple of Ayahs, you are religious sister. It’s a nice mask from all your dumb actions.

One of the Arabic TV shows, Al Boyoot Asrar, addressed the topic recently. They found two prostitute girls dressed in “hijab” and they were whoring–excuse my language.
It was a nice cover up.

Girls in Egypt complain that they are sexually harassed although they have the hijab on. I would never blame them for being harassed, they are victims, I believe stupid men should lower their gaze and have some manners (regardless if their victim is hijabi or non), but there is no way a woman dressed in proper Hijab (a protection) will be harassed as much!

No one gives me a second look fi masr because they respect me. I have nothing to show, however the version of “hijab” you mentioned in this post is what gives attention.

I am in disgust with the whole hijab thing. Like you, I think it’s an insult to Islam and I believe that it’s better to not wear a scarf with tight clothes, it’s not a step ahead, you are only making it a “norm!” Which, sadly, it has become already a norm in our society, Allah help us.

P.S: (the peer pressure is horrible. Friends where I live always scrutinize me for my choice of dress, they tell me, “you are so young, why dress like a 50 year old woman?” And at times I think the same way, but quickly remind myself that covering a little over is better than being unsure)

They just don’t know.

(also, it doesn’t mean people who cover more are better)

Organic Muslimah

March 27, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I don’t wear higab. However I agree with you. Too many people are putting on a scarf for the wrong reasons now. But I hate to judge because, really, no one knows what other’s circumstances are. Kul 7ad leh zuroofo. I don’t think any of us have the right to judge these girls or any girls, for that matter. Everyone has their reasons for doing things and their own justifications. So I have to say yes to all of the questions in your final paragraph. Because as long as they’re not hurting you, it’s should be a free country. And you never know, that girl might have a stronger Iman in her heart than another one that is wearing proper higab.

nilegirl

March 27, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Organic, I loved your reply because it made some sense of what I’m feeling. The peer pressure is crazy. I remember when I was 22 every friend telling me I dressed like an old lady (I would wear a skirt sometimes but always a long cardigan over it or a jilbab). I just felt like telling them, leave me alone, it’s my business, I don’t interfere with why you’re not wearing the hijab, etc. It worries me because in a few years time maybe people will forget what the real hijab means and follow the new hijab thinking it is the from the shariah….?

uniquemuslimah

March 27, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Niley It’s so lovely to ‘read’ from you. See, I’m like this too, I hate to judge because I don’t know what’s going on in their lives for them to do that. So I just let them be, but a part of me is sad because if you think about it, it does spoil the meaning of the hijab for the rest of those who are trying to practice it properly.

But you’re right, there are non-hijabies out there who have more iman than those who are hijabies. I was one of them years ago when I was a non-hijabi I used to pray, fast, etc but I wasn’t ready to wear the hijab. And I had friends who wore the hijab but didn’t pray, hated fasting, took off their scarves when they went out with their boyfriends, etc…

But you have to wonder though, the girls I saw yesterday for instance who are wearing very tight jeans to maximise their ‘behind’ and wearing the very short tops with a small scarf over it…is it because of fashion or religion? Allahu a3lam, maybe everyone has zoroof like you said. Maybe they are forced into wearing the hijab by their parents so they try to compromise by wearing what they like. Or maybe like Organic said, there’s the peer pressure factor where you are criticised if you are wearing clothes that a granny should be wearing….

It would be nice if everyone stopped judging, that way we wouldn’t be judged aswell and I could wear my clothes without anyone telling me I look like an old nun

uniquemuslimah

March 27, 2007 at 10:06 pm
When I first accepted Islaam, this phenomenon of sisters wearing a Khimaar and doing all of the above seemed to be less common. You either wore a khimaar or you didn’t. Or you wore it, but it fell down all the time.

It could have been the area I was living in – San Diego and how the community there seemed to for the most part have down the basics that a woman is atleast required to wear a khimaar with long clothes. It was so common to find niqaabis everywhere, so wearing a proper khimaar, without all the make-up was easy to find.

But then I moved to the Mid-West and here it has been different. Firstly, the community is very weak and secondly, the girls have no type of support really from good practicing sisters. They attend universities and all but still there are but few who seem to wear a khimaar properly, and apply the rules of hijaab as best as they can for such an environment.

What can we do about it? Well, we shouldn’t go around picking at them but we should advise them. If they are our friends, we should have no problem speaking to them and trying to be an example. Sisters need support and in this day it is hard to find it. We should also not be afraid to educate people online through our blogs, etc… as to the proper way of wearing a khimaar and covering fully period and as to what the rules of Hijaab are.

Hijaab isn’t a piece of cloth but rather it is an entire set of rules, that include the way we dress – from the way we speak in front of men, etc…

We should work on ourselves but at the same time if we are able to teach what is correct, we shouldn’t abandon it. We learn so that we can call others to it as well. Remember – convey from me even if it be an ayah.

May Allaah guide them away from this tabarruj and guide us all, aameen

Umm Layth

March 27, 2007 at 10:26 pm
I agree with Umm Layth. We shouldn’t bully these sisters or judge them, but if possible, especially if they are our friends/family, we should gently advise them; best of all, through our example.

It is easier said than done, though. Especially if you are heavily outnumbered, like in my family. I don’t see my cousins very often, and when i do, it is usually at weddings. So i find it very difficult to give any advice, as i think, “I see them twice a year, it’s not good to nag them, especially when everyone is happy!”. But i do think that is from the Shaytaan, a’authobillah.

I think my cousins are good girls, they just need some regular encouragement, like i had from my work friend. She was the one who inspired me to wear the hijab, and practise Islam; may Allah reward her abundantly. It wasn’t an overnight thing, it took several months, and she never nagged me. It was her example that i fell in love with, and Allah guided me through it. Alhamdulillah.

iMuslim

March 28, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Um Layth, thank you for commenting…You are right, the hijab is not a piece of cloth but a set of rules…I’m sure now that you’ve moved to this new place the girls will have support from you and find their way to inner peace:)

uniquemuslimah

March 28, 2007 at 2:08 pm
iMuslim…there are some women and girls in Egypt who are so tough in their ‘dawah’, they tell people off for doing the wrong thing- even if they were unaware it was wrong. That really puts people off, especially me. Whenever I go to a mosque, women HAVE to tell others off, for really ridiculous reasons that have no basis. They just want to show they are holier than thou and it’s sad because it has put me off going to that particular mosque! Too much fitnah there, too much arguing, too much showing off, too much telling off. Agh.

If I ever gave advice, it would be indirectly, just through who I am. And if the person asked me about the hijab or talked about the subject, I’d tell them how it is.

Actually a few years ago I gave my cousins and aunties in Egypt an amr khaled tape called the hijab, it was easy to listen to and simple. I just gave it to them as a present and they were happy to receive it from me. They all listened to it and wore the hijab after it. But for me to be giving dawah directly with my words, that’s a huge responsibility and a person has to be doing that with sincerity, wisdom and kindness.

uniquemuslimah

March 28, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Unique – I haven’t even found my inner peace in this crappy city. I’m looked down upon for being so young and a revert, for being from the country I am from, for wearing niqaab and for being ’so muslim’.

There was an incident that I can’t forget, where I decided to command the good and very kindly, and the one who tried to stop me was a niqaabi sister herself, who agreed with me but said we shouldn’t be going around telling anyone anything lol.

So even from these sisters, who are supposed to be at such a ‘higher’ level, I don’t get support. Sisters in this community are expected to be kept in the dark because everyone assumes that the other person in the back has already told them so – but the truth is no one corrects them.

It’s hard when you don’t see people on a regular basis, like iMuslim said above but I’ve tried with many sisters to be an encouragement and some sisters masha’Allaah have realized how blessed they are.

Umm Layth

March 28, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Actually a few years ago I gave my cousins and aunties in Egypt an amr khaled tape called the hijab, it was easy to listen to and simple.

Ooh, ooh, ooh! Is that in Arabic, or English?? That might be an idea…

Umm Layth, i am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I really hate the way reverts are treated by some members of the community. In London, i think there is a support network especially for reverts, run by reverts. I’d hate the community to become segregated on such a basis, but i recognise that reverts do need special assistance is some areas of their life, where ‘born Muslims’ (i don’t like that phrase, cos we were all born Muslim!) may not understand as well. So such services are invaluable, especially when silly cultural Muslims, like me, are being annoyingly unhelpful.

Do you have any such networks where you are? Maybe you could start one up, if not?

iMuslim

March 28, 2007 at 8:18 pm
This is the website of the support network that i mentioned above: Revert2Reality.

iMuslim

March 28, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Um- I can’t believe you’re being looked down on, subhanAllah! But don’t take it personally, may Allah guide them and guide us. Some of the best sahabas were new Muslims, subhanAllah. Insha’Allah it will get better, and I’m sure you can make a difference in the community…

iMuslim, it’s in arabic…thank you for sharing that link with us, I’m sure it will be useful!

uniquemuslimah

March 28, 2007 at 8:46 pm
The problem in this community is that if you aren’t ‘normal’ then you are suddenly an extremist.

Here there are many reverts but most sisters here don’t cover their faces and many don’t even cover their hair properly. So I look different and thus I am treated as such. I am from maybe 20 sisters that cover fully but the majority of those sisters never step foot in the masaajid or anything so people don’t really know about them.

But I really don’t care, I love those sisters here that are just masha’Allaah so not like them and always give me naseeha to be better. I wear what I wear for a reason, even if certain others tell me “you know you don’t have to wear that!”. They are just doing the opposite of what Allaah says about cooperating with one another in birr and taqwa. May Allaah guide them and us, aameen

Umm Layth

March 29, 2007 at 12:59 am
“So even from these sisters, who are supposed to be at such a ‘higher’ level”

I am curious, why are they at a “higher” level? Is it because they wear niqab?

If so, I disagree. Only Allah knows who is at the higher level. Covering and being obsessed with covering is only a fraction of our deen.

Kind manners is what Islam is all about. I believe giving advice to some stranger isn’t polite. I believe you need to play the psychology role. If the person is your friend, you know them well, if they aren’t, then you should try to be their friend before you decide to “guide” them.

Also, it’s important to see what you are giving them naseeha on. For example, at our masjid a mother gave her child something that contained pork. I immediately went up to tell her. The sister ignored me.

She might have gotten offended, but I felt that eating haraam was something I had to let her know, assuming she cared.

organicmuslimah

March 29, 2007 at 2:01 am
Covering is a sign of taqwa. Obviously, Allaah is the only one that knows who is better than another but there are deeds that rank higher than others and so you expect more. But notice that I also put the ‘ ‘ around higher. It’s just the same if I say, I expect better from a Muslim then I do a non-Muslim, because they are supposed to be at a ‘higher’ level.

Regarding the particular incident, it was to tell a sister in private that she had to cover her neck, hair and ears for her Salah to be valid. It is a part of our deen but even sometimes when you work so hard to hand it on a platter with roses, it is rejected but still it is a duty upon us to call them to what is better. How can one pray next to someone during Salat al-Jumu`ah and know that their Salah is invalid and just sit there? Apparently many Muslims are willing to just leave them in the dark, simply because they ‘don’t know them.

But indeed Rasulullaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was the best example when it came to kindness and also the best example of not leaving people in the dark and commanding the good.

Umm Layth

March 29, 2007 at 2:12 am
Many acts in Islam are a sign of taqwa masha’Allah and alhamdulilah. And as the hadith says, each deed (higher or less higher) is based on the person’s intention. So someone wearing the hijab may be higher than someone wearing the niqab because they do other acts that are higher in deeds and vice versa. And Allah knows best regarding who has more taqwa. May Allah increase our taqwa, ameen.

uniquemuslimah

March 29, 2007 at 7:03 am
Thank you Unique

I know a bunch of women wearing niqab because it’s their culture or the husband forced them.

organicmuslimah

March 29, 2007 at 10:54 am
Organic That’s sad…patriarchy is following us into our own religion which had come to free women, not oppress them. May Allah help us.

uniquemuslimah

March 29, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Sister organic, and I know a bunch of women who wear their khumoor because of their parents. But in the end, Allaah says, Obey Allaah and Obey His Messenger and those in authority over you – so if parents or husband command them to, then they must obey them and atleast they are doing it. Maybe someday they will be blessed with love for it and the right niyyah, aameen

Umm Layth

March 29, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Umm- Maybe like you said, some people who are forced can eventually learn to love the hijab.

It reminds me of the past. Sadly I knew several girls who were forced to wear the hijab and gave it a bad name because they were rebelling. They would take it off when they came to school, they would go out with boys, their attitude was terrible that they’d always get in trouble with the head teacher. I remember I was 13 at the time and thought ‘I’m never going to wear that thing because I don’t want to be associated with these girls’- this gang was nicknamed the hijab girls by the entire school.

But later on I eventually came to learn that its not the hijab’s fault- it is innocent of what people wearing it do…We just have to try our best to be a good role model while wearing it.

But it’s sad– some girls who are forced rebel so badly- they make a bad reputation for ‘hijabi girls’. So maybe people have to think about that when they’re thinking of forcing something on someone. It’s good to teach the person to love the concept so that they are proud to wear it, so they can make a good name of the hijab.
Allah knows best.

uniquemuslimah

March 29, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Salaam ‘Alaikum

We also have fashion hijab where I live (Jordan). One of the styles is to wear knee high boots with a skirt that comes just below the knee, claiming that this is hijab b/c “my legs are covered.” Even though fashion hijab has been here for years, and even though I know it’s just a style statement, not necessarily an ‘iman one, I was still bothered / disappointed the first time I saw a girl with an accessory on her head holding hands with a boy, or when I saw them being more open about dating (you didn’t used to see that but now you do… personally I think the emergence of One TV, MBC 2&4, and the 10,000 music channels we have here have a lot to do with it).

At least in Jordan, for the most part, people can still tell the difference and do show more respect to the sisters wearing jilbab / abaya or proper “Western” style garments, full hijab (neck and ears), and so forth, but there is def. an attitude that “we’re too young for that… we’ll dress properly when we’re older.” Sad.

UmmZaid

March 30, 2007 at 7:20 pm
UmmZaid, it’s wonderful to hear from you and to see how things are going in Jordan. So it’s the same there too! I guess you’re right, it’s to do with these channels and adverts…And now the shops are catching up and showing different styles for the hijab (i’ve taken some pics that I will upload later inshaAllah).

uniquemuslimah

March 30, 2007 at 9:36 pm
“I think there is a lot of identity confusion among the youth, they want to cover their hair to obey God’s commands but they also want to be available.”

I don’t think they want to necessarily obey God’s commands…I think many young Egyptian women feel a social pressure to veil that was not as strong, say, 10-15 years ago. Lots of those women are using the veil to communicate things that aren’t even religious, for example, “I’m pious, and therefore ready to marry” or “I’m already married and now off the market.” As for men’s reaction to hegabis in general, I would think they could tell the difference between a woman who wears it in religious observance and a woman who wears it for fashion and other societal reasons, but then again, the general behaviour of men on the streets of Egypt had worsened overtime, to hegabis and non-hegabis alike. This is a bigger societal problem, in my humble opinion.

Cairogal

April 4, 2007 at 2:30 am
Cairogal, it’s so nice to have your input! Your comment is something I totally forgot about- they do veil so they can get married, etc…I think the men are oppressed in a way…for financial reasons they can’t get married- but that makes no excuse for their behaviour! I do remember meeting several girls who told me ‘You can’t get married unless you wear the hijiab’- I was quite shocked because it was the only reason they were wearing it, for social pressures.

Thank you!

uniquemuslimah

April 4, 2007 at 7:32 am
First time to your blog, UM, and it’s really interesting! I understand your perspective. I’ve certainly seen those women who are dressed to the nines, every curve exposed, in a veil. You think, why bother? It took me a very long time to understand that the hegab, for many women in Egypt, is not a religious symbol. I mentioned this example on another board, but my friend and I were on the metro in Cairo and a niqabi picked her pocket! I’m going to try and find a video for you w/ different women talking about wearing the hegab. It gave some insight into how they view it. Keep writing!

Cairogal

April 4, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Hey UM-this was on Leilouta’s blog ages ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s605BbzAtn8&eurl=

Seemed a bit ’staged’ at times, but brought up some interesting issues.

Cairogal

April 5, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Thanks for that Cairogal and thanks for your sweet comment! I’ll check the vid out

uniquemuslimah

April 7, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Hello Ladies,

I briefly scanned your posts…

I know that many ladies now-a-days want to be more “ATTRACTIVE” so they wear a full face of make-up, tight clothes, super high heels (without socks may I add), WHILE WEARING HIJAB and they think they are doing the PROPER thing!! Well, Allah YIHDEEHUM.

People need to research exactly what is required of them, before they JUMP into something. They may cause a man to LUST over them, even though they are “HIJABIs”, as my friends and I called them. THat is totally the OPPOSITE of what the HIJAB, NIKAB, and JILBAB is trying to do. It is trying to keep us modest, to keep away from the prying eyes of the MALE BEAST. HAHA!

I think what is important is to stick to religion as closely as possible, and never get comfortable with the amount of KNOWLEDGE we have. We must strive to have more and more…

Also, someone made a comment about how we should instruct others to do things the proper way, but do it tastefully. If we come out and say, “YOU THINK YOU ARE A HIJABI, AND YOU ARE DRESSED LIKE A ____?” What do you think their responce will be!? THey will never absorb the message we were trying to send.

We can only ADVISE people of the right way, and I prefer to do that with folks I know. Not open and in public to embarass the lady, but in private to teach, and to get acknowledged.

Anyway- I am glad that this THREAD exists, I stumbled upon it while searching for good hijabi photos (for another thread I am on) as my “HIJABI” avatar.

TeacherDanna

April 8, 2007 at 4:14 am
The above shown pictures…..the lady is not observing hijab. What she is wearing is just another fashionable outfit. If used by a Muslimah it will posed negative image on Islam thinking that it is a Hijab attire trying to fit in or catch up with this current modern world of advance science and technology.

2jay

April 9, 2007 at 2:18 am
Yes,

You are right- this is NOT a proper hijab. SHe is dressing to cover her hair, but also has a full face of make-up on which is ATTRACTING attention to herself, not at all being modest.
When I was seeking HIJAB photos, I was seeking the traditional hijab, not this thing…

TeacherDanna

April 9, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Hello, well i’ve been reading all these posts and I really feel that yes, ok you all have a point about girls who where the hijab with tight /attractive clothing, however to say that they want to attracts boys, well i really don’t think that’s the case, because i am 16 years and i have lots of friends who wear the hijab, but wear tight clothing, they wear it because they want to follow the latest trends, boys won’t ever go for muhajibat and all the muhajibat know this, othewise they would have taken it off.

Hello

April 9, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Much has been inferred from the Quran as to what “modesty” really involves, and culture plays heavily into the interpretation of modesty. If people in general spent more time worrying about how they projected modesty, generosity, kindness, and piety in themselves….and less time worrying how others do so, the world would be a better place. If the women in the photos was honest, kind, God-fearing, and adherred to the five pillars of Islam, is she a bad Muslim? A bad hegabi? I’d argue that it was up to none of us to decide whether or not she was observing her faith appropriately. I understand UM’s comment about feeling as though she’s doing the right thing religiously, and then being perceived as frumpy or unstylish by others who choose to veil in a decorative manner. Ultimately, what’s in your heart and your true intentions that reflect the content of your religious devotion. The same could be said for the woman who doesn’t wear the hegab in the manner that some around her deem appropriate.

Cairogal

April 9, 2007 at 10:21 pm
TeacherDanna, it’s lovely to hear from you sis…you’re quite right in what you’re saying…barak Allah feeki

Hello- Hi! I’m sure with you’re friends they feel boys won’t go after them because they wear the hijab, but where I live in Cairo many of the girls who wear the new scarf have a boyfriend on their arm, quite young girls too. Like you said, it depends I guess.

Cairogal: We should judge ourselves before we judge others, yes.

uniquemuslimah

April 9, 2007 at 11:42 pm
We should judge ourselves but that doesn’t mean that we don’t speak against these new trends of evil, which are wrong.

///If the women in the photos was honest, kind, God-fearing, and adherred to the five pillars of Islam, is she a bad Muslim? A bad hegabi? I’d argue that it was up to none of us to decide whether or not she was observing her faith appropriately. \\\

Part of being God-Fearing as Allaah has said in the Qur’aan is to obey Him and part of that obedience is to apply the rules of covering properly. What women like this do is commit tabarruj.

Umm Layth

April 10, 2007 at 2:58 am
Yes you are right Cairogal…. it is up to none of us to decide whether or not she is observing her faith appropriately….her faith is between her and God and it is up to God to decide not us. But as a Muslim she should be sensitive enough and think wisely whether her image would have negative impact on her religion. Because by wearing such tight fitting body hughing clothing showing her figure and assets, yet covering her head does not makes sense….the covering serve no purpose because men will still be attracted to the shown figure and assets. The purpose of Hijab is to cover one’s ornaments especially the bosom….including its shape/size. Wearing loose clothing that is in trend without covering the head would be a better option than the shown photos if one would want to be seen trendy and modern.

2jay

April 10, 2007 at 5:40 am
“Part of being God-Fearing as Allaah has said in the Qur’aan is to obey Him and part of that obedience is to apply the rules of covering properly. What women like this do is commit tabarruj.”

Like I said, much has been inferred as to what modesty entails.

Cairogal

April 10, 2007 at 5:17 pm
You are right Cairogal.

2jay

April 11, 2007 at 8:49 am
Here I am sister- UniqueMuslima. I’ve been MIA for the last few days, but here I am once again. I think the thing that is getting “LOST IN TRANSLATION” is the fact that there is one set of rules that we must follow, and that is that. THe problem is when people CHOOSE to interpret things and they beleive SUITS them.

Wearing HIJAB is NOT, I repeat NOT only about covering our hair. It’s about covering ourselves and carrying ourselves with HONOR. THe quran states that GOD told the prophet MUHAMMED (pbuh): “Tell your wives, daughters, and the rest of the women beleivers to put on their JILBAB (meaning: special dress from head to toe), so they will not get HARRASSED and BOTHERED by men/boys.”

As we all know, women are endowed with LOVELY HAIR, BREASTS, HIPS, and a BUTTOX that attracts attention. So, these areas need to be COVERED in order not to make the “MALE ANIMAL” go into a frenzy. Anyone who has been around men, and knows what men are like- also know that they are NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to stop, when they have an intention to do something (sexually). THey usually outweigh, and outpower us.

THe intention is- if we are covered from head to toe in clothes that are very lose fitting, without make-up and perfume’ and all these things, men will not be attracted to us, so much or at all.

It is NOT good for a Muslim to judge, but it is also NOT good for another Muslim to do wrong and continue duing so, without being told. We, as Muslims, have a responsibility to spread DAWAA’ to Muslims/family/friends first, and then other religions as well. It is our duty…

The Muslim women should know they are a “WALKING BILLBOARD”. They are showing other little Muslim girls the ways of being a Muslim lady. So, little girls who see women walking around with clothes that look as if they were PAINTED ON, then they MAY beleive it is correct! When it is the furthest from the correct thing.

Allah Yahlam how the folks with skin tight clothing on, and a hijab at the same time will be judged by ALLAH (shwt). But, as I said before we must let others know when they are doing wrong- but in a tactful and tasteful manner.

TeacherDanna

April 12, 2007 at 5:31 am
Here is an excellent article about hijab. I hope you all benefit from it, and also spread the dawaa’.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijab

TeacherDanna

April 12, 2007 at 6:14 am
TeacherDanna…”Wearing HIJAB is NOT, I repeat NOT only about covering our hair. It’s about covering ourselves and carrying ourselves with HONOR.”…. your statement is the right definition of Hijab.

UniqueMuslimah, have you ever wonder why the Qur’an did not specifically mention that the head should be covered when covering ourselves to observe modesty. And to my understanding the covering of the head is implied through Sholat and Hajj/Umrah.

2jay

April 12, 2007 at 9:42 am
Thank you TeacherDanna for elaborating! It’s really bad when you find one wearing the hijab but her manners are terrible or she is a thief, etc- manners is a must!:)

2jay…I’m not sure I understand why…? Anyone know?

Unique Muslimah

April 12, 2007 at 11:40 pm
To those people who are wondering ‘WHY the Quran wasn’t specififying about covering head to toe’, you need to go and get yourself an ARABIC tutor. Because it is quite plain and easy to read exactly what is meant.

GOD specifically said to his prophet in the QURAN to, “Tell Your wives, daughters, and the rest of the BELIEVING Muslims ladies to (YUD-NINNA ALAI-HINNA MIN JALABEEBI-HINNA). Which means: COVER UP FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

Now if somebody tells the person to cover up from TOP TO BOTTOM, does that mean that they should ONLY be covering the LOWER body or does that mean to cover from head to toe? OF COARSE IT MEANS WE SHOULD COVER FROM TOP TO BOTTOM!!

We as Muslims (men/women) need to realize that to truly understand ISLAM, QURAN, SUNNAH, and the way of the apostles, we would have to understand ARABIC which is the core of our religion. No matter what culture we come from, we must learn the language of ARABIC in order to properly understand the instructions ALLAH (shwt) has supplied for us, since when it is translated into other religions, it often is lost in traslation. ARABIC is the language that our religion was delivered to us (ie-QURAN), and it is the language spoken in heaven.

Wondering, guessing, or making up things, is not the way to learn religion, we all need to be on top of our religion by truly learning it and applying it to life, and by putting the shaitan behind us with his GAMES and ILLUSIONS that he always tryies to tempt us to believe.

TeacherDanna

April 13, 2007 at 4:03 am
** I DID NOT PROOFREAD THE ABOVE POSTING, so there are a few type-o’s. (specifically in the 4th paragraph where I said about “translated into other religions” I meant to say, “Translated into other languages.”

TeacherDanna

April 13, 2007 at 4:06 am
Very True….”Wondering, guessing, or making up things, is not the way to learn religion.” Hence, to guess the words in the Qur’an is not desirable. To be safe, it is wise for Muslimah whose mother-tongue is not Arabic language, to follow what the Prophet s.a.w. and Allah s.w.t. instructed pertaining to the covering of aurah which is clearly mentioned in Sholat and Haj/Umrah for the ladies. Again this is TO BE SAFE.

However, one needs to wonder and ponder for self-reflections to reason out oneself but not to tell what is HALAL or HARAM to others. Self-reflection is important for improving oneself looking at things positively broadening the mind scope viewing life from every angle of directions.

For Non-Arab Muslims, they are always striving very hard to learn the Arabic Language but how much as a commoner can they MASTER the fine language of the Quran. Even today, relatively large number of Muslims with Arabic language as their mother-tongue are having difficulties in understanding the fine language of the Quran. And there are many Arabic tutors/teachers who are unable to deliver themselves effectively in classroom. It is rather dissapointing to learn that even in an Arab country where Arabic language is being widely used one is unable to learn the Basic Arabic Language in a systematic way.

TeacherDana; thank you for the website.

2jay

April 13, 2007 at 8:57 am
No problem 2jay

TeacherDanna

April 14, 2007 at 3:28 am
Salam Alaicum.

I don’t know what to say about this. Although I get your point, and you’re right, I can’t but look it in other way. For me, and for people around me, jeans are so common that it’s natural to wear it without waking up the men sexual appetites.

I not always wear my scarfs, although I like to wear them. But, for instance, I don’t wear them in ambients in which hijab becomes a neon light on me _not to be insulted, that’s in fact a myth in Spain. A “neon light” like “hey guys, look a this perfect muslimah here”.

So, when I’m not sure if my hijab can be an ocassion to be superb… Well, I prefer not to wear it.

Nevertheless, I never make up, covered or not.

Small Blue Thing

April 15, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I too wear jeans sister, but not PANTS, I wear jean SKIRTS that are kind of baggy and don’t show the outline of the body.

If a woman is to wear HIJAB, then she is to wear it all the time. If there is an instance where she wants to take it off, and put it on, then it is kind of like a JOKE. Either you WEAR IT or DON’T WEAR IT. If you are in a circumstance where you don’t want to be stared at too much, you don’t have to go there- or you can go the route of wearing a NIKAB that covers the face. It’s up to you…

Allah (shwt) says to cover in order not to get harmful looks from men. Even when we think we don’t look so attractive to the male eye, we are. So, its best to keep covered up to be safe.

I live in AMERICA and I know how much AMERICANS hate MUSLIMS, but still I wear my HIJAB with pride- because it is a symbol of my faith, and it is something MUSLIM ladies are required to do. End of SUBJECT…

I’d rather follow my religion, which at times may allienate me from others, but possibly enter heavens gates, instead of the alternative- a never ending stay in Hell fire. THat’s just me though. I’m out to please ALLAH (shwt) no matter what the circumstance.

TeacherDanna

April 15, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Mashallah- tabaruk allah for all of the HIJAB wearing sisters. To the NON-HIJABI’S, allah yihdeekum, ameen.

TeacherDanna

April 15, 2007 at 11:35 pm
as-Salaamu `alaykum

The command of covering with a headscarf is clear as day in the Qur’aan. It is found within Surah Noor where Allaah commanded the khimaar to be worn (plural is khumoor). The language itself defines khimaar as a piece of cloth that covers the hair, ears, neck, chest. This is what is known as ‘hijaab’ but the proper term for it is khimaar.

Hijaab entails much more than that.

Also, the ayah of Jilbaab, there is disagreement over that. There is no disagreement about the covering of the hair but the scholars differ as to whether the Jilbaab covers the entire body (including the face and hands) or the entire body (minus the face and hands but still recommended).

Shaykh Nuh Keller has an article that clearly points that a khimaar is legislated. I think it is called Why Hijaab or something.

Also, I just want to add my 2 cents about why we wear Jilbaab. Yes, Allaah says that it is so that we are known. Ibn Kathir mentioned that this known means as free muslimaat and not whores. That is because the women of the time who were whores, slaves etc… didn’t cover their bodies. The way to recognize a female Mu’minah was by her covering of her entire body.

Sadly, it is rare in the west anymore for people to adopt the true meaning of Hijaab.

Umm Layth

April 16, 2007 at 1:52 pm
“Wondering, guessing, or making up things, is not the way to learn religion, we all need to be on top of our religion by truly learning it and applying it to life, and by putting the shaitan behind us with his GAMES and ILLUSIONS that he always tryies to tempt us to believe.”
I think Arabic speakers (native) struggle enough trying to decipher the complex language of the Quran. Imagine what a convert to Islam (or any Muslim who does not speak Arabic w/ such fluency) struggles to derive. Translations of the Quran into other language subject the reader to someone else’s interpretation. Even if the Quran is not translated, the worshipper it subjected to someone else’s interpretation. I recently asked a dear friend of mine (devout Muslimah and native Arabic speaker) if the Quran explicitly stated a Muslim woman cannot marry a Christian or Jew. Without hesitation, this well-educated woman said, “Yes. it’s in there.” When pressed for more information, she was unable to find it at all. I went to my Arabic teacher who also conducts classes on Islam, who, in fact, was also unable to find it explicitly stated, no even able to be derived from various passages). My point is, even native speakers of Arabic rely upon others to tell them what the Quran says. This subjects one to someone else’s misinterpretations and/or mistranslations. What would be the best solution here? I would suppose one might start with devotion to learning classical Arabic themselves-something many (perhaps ‘most’) native speakers cannot claim to know well.

Cairogal

April 16, 2007 at 11:52 pm
“Now if somebody tells the person to cover up from TOP TO BOTTOM, does that mean that they should ONLY be covering the LOWER body or does that mean to cover from head to toe? OF COARSE IT MEANS WE SHOULD COVER FROM TOP TO BOTTOM!!”

Inferred or perhaps implied. As 2Jay referenced, not clearly stated.

“I live in AMERICA and I know how much AMERICANS hate MUSLIMS, but still I wear my HIJAB with pride- because it is a symbol of my faith, and it is something MUSLIM ladies are required to do. End of SUBJECT…”

There’s a lot of anger behind this comment, I feel. I’m unsure where in America you live, but all Americans don’t hate Muslims. I dare say, ‘most’ don’t hate Muslims. I think many Americans are unaware of what Islam involves. My husband has been here for over 18 months now. He does not feel any need to conceal his faith nor his nationality. From the moment he entered the country, he spoke of how friendly people were to him at passport control, and immigration, when he entered with his fiance visa. We had been living in the UAE and he’s Egyptian, but officials were, if anything, friendly and curious (a big relief to me). On my husband’s word, he has never been treated differently/poorly based on his nationality or religion. One of the reasons I think he has had a smooth time (as opposed to friends who are married w/ Egyptian spouse in Canada) has a lot to do w/ who he is a person. First, his spoken English is natural. He understands well and is easily understood. Second, he doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder. He’s friendly, easy-going, and people seem to respond to that. I’m not implying that TeacherDanna is none of these things. I can only say I’ve just spent the weekend w/ my friend and her Egyptian/Muslim husband in Canada. After 4 years, he is determined to find fault with everything American (though never having travelled here). He’s sure it’s a horrible place to be for a Muslim. He is not convinced by my husband’s own experiences(side note: his english is horrendous after 4 years compared to other immigrants). Sometimes, the experience becomes what you convince yourself it will be. I know hejabis that are happy and well-adjusted living in the US. Does the hijab make a woman more noticeable that her Muslim male counterpart? Absolutely. If anything, the discord a Muslimah experiences has more to do with the difference in appearance to her N. American counterparts than her actual belief systems. Are there places in the US that are very unwelcoming of immigrants and/or non-Christians? Definitely. Do all Americans hate Muslims? No. I think you’ll find there are a lot of places in the country to live in which diversity is welcomed. When I hear a comment like that, so broad-sweeping, I’m inclined to think that you are not open to any other notion except the one you’ve expressed.

Cairogal

April 17, 2007 at 12:12 am
What do mean Cairogal when your wrote “Inferred or perhaps implied. As 2Jay referenced, not clearly stated.”

Are you referring to my statement “…..instructed pertaining to the covering of aurah which is clearly mentioned in Sholat and Haj/Umrah for the ladies.” ?

2jay

April 17, 2007 at 2:19 am
*What do you mean

2jay

April 17, 2007 at 2:20 am
I was BORN in the USA and when I wasn’t wearing HIJAB and I didn’t “ADVERTISE” the fact that I was MUSLIM, no one ever gave me a problem.

Once I wore HIJAB and Jilbab, things totally changed. People disrespected me, treated me badly, spoke under their breath about me, snared at me, etc. Although my ENGLISH is PERFECT (mashallah, tabarak allah) and I am still an AMERICAN BORN person. I am educated, so I don’t carry myself like an uneducated person, and still they are RUDE with me most of the time.

THe point is, MUSLIM men will most likely not be treated as badly as MUSLIM women are. They seem to think we are oppressed, we cannot speak ENGLISH, and we are uneducated. Because a MUSLIM man wears a beard, it doesn’t automatically make him MUSLIM. But, once a lady wears HIJAB, everyone all around us knows what we are. SO, men can intermingle better than the ladies can.

I have been on both sides of the COIN, and I can easily say that (most) MUSLIM women are treated badly by AMERICANS. And ISLAM, as a whole, is very misunderstood in this country, and hence hated.

Most AMERICANS do HATE MUSLIMS. I lived among them all my life, I’ve had experience with them for 25 years, and I know all about it.

SO, for you to be an immigrant from somewhere else and to come here for a couple years, and “CLAIM” to know what AMERICANS feel for MUSLIMS, is a misguided beleif.

As to where it’s written that MUSLIM women cannot marry CHRISTIAN or JEWISH men, and where it is written- I will look into it and get back to you…

TeacherDanna

April 17, 2007 at 4:45 am
As to the MUSLIM faith in CANADA- there was a poll recently done that stated that 80% of CANADIAN MUSLIMS are comfortable with the way they are treated in their country…

The poll is out in AMERICA…

TeacherDanna

April 17, 2007 at 4:47 am
“And ISLAM, as a whole, is very misunderstood in this country, and hence hated.”
That’s a HUGE jump. Misunderstood to hated? I’m not trying to stir the pot here, TeacherDanna, but that is a major chip on your shoulder.

“SO, for you to be an immigrant from somewhere else and to come here for a couple years, and “CLAIM” to know what AMERICANS feel for MUSLIMS, is a misguided beleif.”
I’m not the immigrant. My husband is. Like you, I am born in the US.

“THe point is, MUSLIM men will most likely not be treated as badly as MUSLIM women are. They seem to think we are oppressed, we cannot speak ENGLISH, and we are uneducated. ”
I agree with you-muslim women have a harder time here because the difference is visual. I think you might find more people who are unaware of Islamic cultures and traditions struggle with the veil-perhaps because they think you’re oppressed, but also because it creates a perceived physical barrier that they simply do not understand.

“Most AMERICANS do HATE MUSLIMS. I lived among them all my life, I’ve had experience with them for 25 years, and I know all about it. ”
Honestly…having done this myself, get yourself out of any environment that is clearly too hostile or unfriendly or inconducive to your spiritual happiness. Do you relish the role of being oppressed? I don’t mean oppressed as a Muslim woman by a Muslim man, but oppressed by those around you whom you believe detest you simply based on your religion.

“As to where it’s written that MUSLIM women cannot marry CHRISTIAN or JEWISH men, and where it is written- I will look into it and get back to you…”

I’m looking for the passage from the Quran (not the one which references Muslim women not marrying kaffir, since true Christians and Jews do not fall into that category), not the Hadith.

Cairogal

April 17, 2007 at 4:59 am
2Jay, I was referencing this:

“UniqueMuslimah, have you ever wonder why the Qur’an did not specifically mention that the head should be covered when covering ourselves to observe modesty. And to my understanding the covering of the head is implied through Sholat and Hajj/Umrah.”

Cairogal

April 17, 2007 at 5:01 am
Erm… I hope I am understanding the way this convo is going ( I had to read things a few times). Feel free to correct me at any moment if you believe I misunderstood some of the statements made here.

Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan to ask those who know when we don’t know and because of that we take the interpretations of those who are learned based upon what they have studied. They don’t pull opinions from out of space but bring it together with all of the sciences, to the best of their ability. That doesn’t mean they are perfect but it means that they have reached a level that we obviously haven’t where they can come to these conclusions.

Also, about the passage in the Qur’aan, Allaah mentions it in Surah al-Baqarah and another ayah. By default anyone who isn’t Muslim is a kaafir and Allaah clearly stated that the only religion accepted by Him is al-Islaam.

One more thing, the majority of americans probably don’t hate muslims. Many are afraid of Muslims but that doesn’t mean they hate us. Some have clearly brainwashed themselves with this hate for us that is based on injustice but oh well. For the most part, as a niqaabi, american people (and I was raised here and am a revert) are pretty cool, unless you go down south where the real racists tend to be. But you know to be fair, I have come across some muslims as well who are racists and fall into so much prejudice.

We’re strangers that’s all. It’s obvious that we will feel like strangers when we are trying to be Muslim (past the title).

Umm Layth

April 17, 2007 at 6:42 am
Cairogal; thank you for your reply. Too many comments I got lost.

2jay

April 17, 2007 at 7:32 am
“Also, about the passage in the Qur’aan, Allaah mentions it in Surah al-Baqarah and another ayah. By default anyone who isn’t Muslim is a kaafir and Allaah clearly stated that the only religion accepted by Him is al-Islaam.”
Christians and Jews are never referred to non-believers in the Quran.

Thanks for adding your experiences, Um Layth.

Cairogal

April 17, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Wow, it’s so lovely to read all of your opinions and comments, it really does broaden one’s horizion and makes one respect each others’ experiences and thoughts.
60 comments so far! That must be a record here

Unique Muslimah

April 17, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Actually, I have no such chip on my shoulder. I just state my opinion and I won’t be bullied into beleiving things the way someone else beleives it, to be liked by all. Frankly tons of people love me and a few hate me. Do I care? NOPE!

So, where does that leave me?

I am in America, as of now- to further my education and to also aquire more work experience in my field of study. Once I have completed all I plan on completing, I plan to leave this HORRID country behind. Although I was born here, it isn’t my HOME. Home is where the AZAN is heard 5 times a day, where the majority of the country are MUSLIMS, and even more importantly that they are from my same sect of ISLAM.

About the QURAN never mentioning that JEWS and CHRISTIANS are non-beleivers- It is clearly stated that CHRISTIANS are MUSHRIKEEN, or they beleive in the “FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST” and the JEWS were cursed by GOD for their evil deeds, as well as killing many of ALLAH (shwt’s) prophets. Once ISLAM came to be, all the other religions were obsolete, and were to be abolished. But, they tend to stick to what they know, instead of the UPDATED version of the same message, that was untouched by the hand of man, over the centuries.

TeacherDanna

April 18, 2007 at 4:05 am
To my understanding, the Jews and Christians are referred to as the PEOPLE OF THE BOOK in the Qur’an. However, it should be clearly understood that they are considered disbelievers in the sight of Allah. They are equated with the polytheists of Arabia at the time of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The Jews and Christians are warned and admonished time and again for their major crime; disbelieving in Allah such as when they attribute false attributes to Him that belongs to the creation AND giving creation attributes which belong only to Allah, respectively. Both are also warned of their rejection of our Prophet s.a.w. which another form of disbelief. They are also told off on their altering of the scriptures and attributing those alterations to Allah or hiding the truth. Both groups commit all of the above to some degree or another. There are several other instances which make clear that such people are unquestionablely disbelievers.

What the Muslims need to know regarding Ahl Al-Kitab relates to the permission Allah grants to Muslim men to marry their women and eat their meat (The Jews slaughter their meat).

Anyway….a request from me….Can anybody here give the meaning/definition of the word “Tabarruj”

2jay

April 18, 2007 at 8:07 am
“I just state my opinion and I won’t be bullied into beleiving things the way someone else beleives it, to be liked by all. Frankly tons of people love me and a few hate me. Do I care? NOPE!”

Bullied? Pardon the Christian-based colloquialism, but being hated by all of America is a great cross to bear. Sometimes who we are and our problems follow us, regardless of where we are. If you’re a victim of prejudice here, it’s quite likely you’ll experience that again elsewhere. I hope that when you find a country and culture that suits you, that won’t be the case.

” I plan to leave this HORRID country behind. ”

I think finding where you belong is a wonderful accomplishment. Sometimes it’s easy to romanticise Islamic cultures in seeking a truly Islamic society. Some advice: they are people, just like us, with prejudices, just like us. And sins, just like us.

“About the QURAN never mentioning that JEWS and CHRISTIANS are non-beleivers-”

This is a bit of a sticking point. I’m really looking for the passage that explicitly states Muslim women can’t marry Christian or Jewish men. As 2Jay says, they are ‘people of the book.”

Cairogal

April 18, 2007 at 8:34 am
as-salaamu `alaykum

I can give you the meaning and a little more for our benefit insha’Allaah as it clearly has to do with the point of the thread.

Tabarruj (تبرّج ) means ‘manifestation or display’. It is mentioned within ayah 33:33 when Allaah is speaking to the Wives of the Prophet and tells them not to be soft in speech, to stay home and not to commit tabarruj of the days of ignorance. Though specific, it is also general for all of the believing women.

Mujahid said about it, “Women used to go out walkng in front of men, and this was the tabarruj of Jaahiliyyah.”

Qatadah said, “When they go out of their homes walking in a shameless and flirtatious manner, and Allaah, may He be exalted, forbade that.”

Muqaatil ibn Hayyan said: “Tabarruj is when a woman puts a khimaar on her head but does not tie it properly.” and Ibn kathir mentions after this that it is when her adornments such as necklaces, earrings and neck and all of that can be seen and that is tabarruj.

This is exactly what many women are doing. Unfortunately, they realize not that the wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam wa radhiyallaahu `anhunna) were given these rules to be examples for us, so that we too would obey Allaah by seeing them and without the application of these commands, they would not have had the status they had. This proves to anyone who has an > with covering and speaking about the reality of the commands of Allaah, that Allaah gave these commands for a reason and if we fail to apply this then that shows our level of effort in emulating the best of mankind (which shows how ‘good’ we are) and how high our level of iman really is.

Umm Layth

April 18, 2007 at 10:42 am
A word was leftout in the last paragraph.

‘This proves to anyone who has an issue (notice the word) with covering….”

Umm Layth

April 18, 2007 at 10:44 am
Shukran Jazilan Umm Layth! Jazaak Allahu Khairan!…for the explaination….well understood.

To my best of knowledge, there isn’t any passage in the Qur’an that explicitly states Muslim women can’t marry Christian or Jewish men

The Verses in the Qur’an only explicitly states about the marriage of Muslim men to the women of Ahl Al-Kitaab and Polytheists.

Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5 Verse 4-5….Muslim men allowed to marry women of Ahl Al-Kitab.
Surah A-Mumtahanah, 60 Verse 10…. Muslim men not allowed to marry polytheists.
Surah Al-Baqarah, 2 Verse 221….Muslim men not allowed to marry polytheists. Daughters are not allowed to be given in marriage to polytheists.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no other verses petaining to this matter.

2jay

April 18, 2007 at 11:33 am
Thanks for the input, 2jay

Cairogal

April 18, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I think those hijaab styles are lovely!

But they do not necessarily adhere to the conditions of hijaab (for one they don’t cover the chest as a khimaar is supposed to, and part of their neck is exposed.

If wearing hijaab in those styles for those who are new to it is a stepping stone to wearing it fully and properly, then I think that is a good idea as opposed to refusing to wear it at all. Its progress and not somethng which people should sneer at Insh’Allah

Sumera

April 18, 2007 at 9:44 pm
I think I’ll write another post about that issue Cairogal as it seems important to discuss (marrying non-Muslim man).

I think every country in this world is lovely, after all, it is God who made it:) It’s all God’s land. I love living in the West, I am proud to represent who I am and the religion I belong to, to those around me who are confused about Islam because of the mass media. I don’t blame them. We are all human beings and from God, a little tolerance, patience and understanding of where everyone is coming from may help us on the way to becoming a more united world.

Sumera: You have a point, it is a good step forward, but let’s hope that they believe it is a step (as some girls do believe they are obeying God’s command by wearing it like that). I think it’s fun to wear these styles at home with your girl friends, do a fashion show, take some pictures, hehe

Unique Muslimah

April 18, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Yes, UniqueMuslima- I agree with you that every country in this world is lovely since GOD created it…

But, the people in these countries vary. I live in the NorthWest (U.S.), and it’ beautiful up here and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, but the people leave a lot to be desired. The people are not all “BAD”, but I am one of the many people who are flocking back to the middle east to be amongst MUSLIMS, like themselves.

THis is NOT to say that just because they will move back among the MUSLIMS things will be “HUNKY DORY” (as they say), but I am not really returning for the people. I am returning for the faith! I want to return to a country that has AZAN heard loudly 5 times a day, where attending UMRA and HAJJ is not such a huge deal, it’s just the norm. I want to return to a place where everyone around me follows the same faith. THat is what I PERSONALLY want, among other things…

I know many families who came here to make some money, or get education, or whatever the case may be, and then they returned to the middle east. They are very happy there now, and although it’s not the best place in the world (there isn’t one), it’s what’s best for them and their families.

A wise man once said, “TO learn the TRUE Islam, you must refer to ISLAMIC BOOKS (ie- QURAN, Hadeeth, and the way of the sahaba), not to MUSLIMS.” Because most Muslims now-a-days don’t follow ISLAM closely, or they lack the knowledge. THat’s why it’s ultra important to spread dahwa, and also try to learn more and more about our wonderful religion…

TeacherDanna

April 19, 2007 at 5:10 am
Aww TeacherDanna, you sound like such a sweet person, wanting to go back to hear the azzan, wallahi when I first step in Egypt that is the first thing I look forward to! May Allah grant you what you wish my dearest sister! I know people vary in every place, just like over here, but alhamduliah for all things.

You said there are breathtaking views where you live- ehem, I would love to see some photography!:))

Unique Muslimah

April 19, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Looks like an interesting discussion is going on here.

I myself began to wear hijab only very recently. To be honest, many of my older tighter fitting clothes I had to dispose of because I knew they were not appropriate for me to wear anymore. I find this ‘fashion’ hijab trend to be disturbing, and I don’t think it is a type of progress as one sister commented. These girls seem to want the benefits that come with covering the hair (respect from family members, etc.) but they want to only practice halfway and in my opinion, half-heartedly. This woman in the photo for example, she’s not being modest at all, the amount of make-up she has on her face would drive any man wild, that’s the exact thing we DON’T want and a good reason we wear cover ourselves properly. Of course Only Allah know what’s in people’s hearts, and may God forgive me if I am being too judgemental.

Yasmine

April 20, 2007 at 10:05 am
Mabrook on your wearing of the hijab sis:) you’re right- I believe some are compromising- please the parents, look like I’m ready for marriage- and please the guys as well by looking attractive. May Allah forgive us all…keep writing:)

Unique Muslimah

April 20, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Unique Muslimah- that’s kind of you… I do want simple things, I don’t want it to get too complicated. I am focusing on returning to KSA (Saudi Arabia) because of all the history there! I would love the opportunity to attend UMRA and HAJJ all the time. Unfortunately, I am so far away, and don’t have the funds to fly there on “VACATION”. But, allah yistajeeb duhaa’ee, ameen.

Sister YASMINE- I totally and completely beleive what you are saying. Girls now-a-days are more preoccupied with how they will look out in public than what ALLAH (shwt) has decreed.

I have seen some women who when out in public seem meek and innocent, with not an ounce of sex appeal. But, when they go home and are with their girlfriends or spouses, they look like MODELS! They are so beautiful, mashallah tabaruk allah.

Wearing hijab doesn’t make a lady UGLY, it just doesn’t make her get much attention, when out in public. But, when she goes home- she can look like a princess (if she wishes to) and it’s all HALAL! That’s the BEST part!!

TeacherDanna

April 21, 2007 at 4:37 am
Salam Alaicum.

Not my intention to retake old posts neither create a controversy, but it’s kind of harmful to think my reasons to uncover are a kind of JOKE

I am embraced to Allah Subhana T’aala Lord of the Worlds, The Most Merciful, The Rahim. And I can swear you, sister Teacher, that every tiny little step, every breath I take in my life since my shahadah, are because of, dedicated to, and FOR Allah’s sake.

Alhamdulillah I’ve been blessed with Islam, and I try to make Taqwa every second of my life. I don’t know how right my decissions can be _Allah knows, but are guided to proclame Islam in my own country, city and neighbourhood environments.

Some of my sisters said “if you can’t cover in any place, just don’t go o put on a niqab”. Great! I’ll go to my job tomorrow just with a niqab. I’m just thinking how scared my students will be when they see MuslimTeach like that. Maybe my partners won’t need more black legends about muslim women anymore _watching me disguissed as an arab ninja will be enough propaganda

Please sisters. We are all taken by and for Allah. Your blessed, beautiful niqabs and abas can fit in your environments, but think everyone of us has her own places and ways to reach our Deen Inshallah and still being a part of our communities.

Inshallah all of us will find out a point of mutual understanding. My prayers and pledges for my sisters’ right to wear whatever, and hope your prayers for all us uncovered or half-covered muslimahs, still and forever your loving sisters.

Small Blue Thing

April 23, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Habibty small blue thing, no one is judging you or calling your reasons as a joke, only Allah can judge your situation and not us, meer individuals on the internet. Alhamduliah that you are blessed with faith in your heart and we love you regardless; some sisters just love their sisters in Islam and want what is best for them, which is obeying Allah’s command by wearing the hijab, that’s all. But when you are ready you will make the decision yourself without pressure from anyone. The most important thing as we have discussed in this post is the manners of a person and their faith. The hijab starts from the heart and is extended to wearing it. There is no use for a woman to be vulgar and horrible with no manners and wearing the hijab as this just ridicules the hijab, as we have discussed.

So don’t be sad or offended dearest, may Allah guide us all, those wearing the hijab, niqab, etc, and those who aren’t- we are all in need of guidance, and only Allah knows who has more faith.

Unique Muslimah

April 23, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Dear Sisters,

I have quoted myself from a past posting, “If a woman is to wear HIJAB, then she is to wear it all the time. If there is an instance where she wants to take it off, and put it on, then it is kind of like a JOKE. Either you WEAR IT or DON’T WEAR IT. If you are in a circumstance where you don’t want to be stared at too much, you don’t have to go there- or you can go the route of wearing a NIKAB that covers the face. It’s up to you…”

That is exactly what was said… I am a teacher, hense the name TEACHERDANNA. I DO NOT work in a MUSLIM school, and I’m sure if I wore the traditional HIJAB, I’d be looked at strangely or I’d actually be fired. Although it’s illegal, they’d find a way, I’m sure… But, there are other ways of wearing HIJAB. I wear hijab by wearing respectable clothes that cover my entire body, and I wear a high turtleneck, as well as a large bandana that covers my entire hair. So, all that shows is my hair. But, I don’t look like a “MUSLIM” so I don’t have any problems. THis is my form of hijab, at this time, due to my current situation. Allahy yitkabal minni, ameen.

DO I prefer to wear the traditional hijab and jilbab, YES! But, am I able to in my situation, NO! So, what do I do?? I found a middle ground. I am covering my neck and hair, and the rest of my body, as was ordained by ALLAH (shwt), but I still blend in pretty well with my co-workers and employer.

I was asked once why I wore the bandana on my head, and I told them I was losing my hair. They understood, end of discussion. THat’s all they need to know… They don’t need to know every little thing about me.

My Iman is in my heart, and I am adhearing to ALLAH (shwt’s) rules, yet I have found a way to be more versatile in my work situation… It works for me, and inshallah GOD won’t curse me for it!

I am not hear judging anyone, because “MAY HE WHO HAS NOT SINNED, CAST THE FIRST STONE.” We all have sinned, big and small, I’m sure…

But, if a woman decides to wear it, she must really wear it, and not wear it at times and not wear it at other times. Because in my opinion that makes a mockery of religion.

But, that’s just my opinion- take it or leave it…

TeacherDanna

April 24, 2007 at 5:14 am
***TYPE-O “So, all that shows is my HAIR.”
I meant to say, “So, all that shows is my FACE.”

TeacherDanna

April 24, 2007 at 5:16 am
Walaikum Salam

It’s beautiful to read all that comments and all the efforts among us to mutual understanding.

Wish some men could make the same with politics!!

TeacherDanna, we are colleages, as I am high school teacher. By the way, in my first days as a muslimah, last september, when I was not to wear hijab at all I was fired from my school when they knew I had said my Shahada. Sometimes I think what they would do nowadays! “MuslimTeach” is one of the nicknames my students put me on when they knew about

One of the ocassions I put my scarf off is at my Kendo Dojo. As I am to wear a full-body cover for training, honestly, I show my hair in the first minutes of the hour. What comes later is kinda bourka on me!

Love and salams

Small Blue Thing

April 24, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Dear sisters,

May ALLAH (shwt) help guide us all to the right path, and away from the bad/incorrect path, AMEEN.

There are so many problems in this world, I think it’s best NOT to dwell on the negatives, although when they pop up they are something that get stuck in the mind, subhan allah.

Anyway- I’m trying to stay positive although there are lots of negatives in this world, as well as in our personal lives… Issues varying from: health, wealth, happiness, success, religious strength, problems at work, college, husbands/wives, etc. There is much to contend with, and so I choose to be a positive force on this site, instead of a negative one. Inshallah ta’ala…

TeacherDanna

April 27, 2007 at 6:24 am
Thank you Danna for your efforts, I hope we can always try to maintain a positive mind set inshallah, it’s hard, but it can be possible inshallah

Unique Muslimah

April 27, 2007 at 9:46 am
Unique Muslimah- I wish there was a way to make this thread more cute! I mean I’ve been on another site, and there are so many wonderful things that we have the option of putting on our postings, including signatures, tickers, cute avatars etc. Just a thought!

TeacherDanna

April 28, 2007 at 5:08 am
Nononononono, losing in translation here!

As a swordfighter I must wear a full head & body cover. It’s inside the class where my partners and my instructor told me once “hey, Blue-chan has tied her bourka to fight us infidels!! ” It was a tender joke from them and from that day we call my suit “Blue’s bourka”, but just to have fun together. And must confess, I love they way they say it _it makes me feel accepted with my diversity.

That’s a look to what we wear.

I do agree with Danna’s last words _sometimes I feel like my muslim community here gets lost in details and we fly far away from the true points of our lives. Ah, people!

Small Blue Thing

April 28, 2007 at 12:22 pm
TeacherDanna, that’s because their site is a forum:) My site is a blog, so the options are different Because this is a blog, the comments here aren’t threads, they are just comments on my post…quite confusing I know Please take a look at the other topics I open inshallah

Blue: Wow!

Unique Muslimah

April 28, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I see, Unique Muslimah. I wish it was a THREAD posting though (wink, wink)… It would really jazz up this space!

TeacherDanna

April 28, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Salamu Alaikum sisters,

I was reading the above discussions about females in egypt not wearing the hijab the çonventional way. To be honest i agree with you, however, i hope when you all read what i am about to say you will keep an open mind. I wear my hijab in many styles, sometimes, i wear the hijab showing my earrings, and in styles that many girls love, and tell me to teach them how to do it. I live in australia, so basically there is this backlash against covered women now, where they are being spat at, ect. So really, we cannot judge covered girls for changing their styles of hijab, because they are living in a non-Muslim country. in addition, just because you might wear the hijab conservatively, it does not mean that you are more religious than a girl who wears it ’sexily’. I know many hijab girls who cover their faces, and wear only loose abayas, but who do not behave in a respectable islamic manner. Just because you might wear the hijab better, dont judge other girls if they decide to wear it in a different style. You put too much emphasis on the hijab, remember, it is only a piece of clothe, and although it possesses a religious connection god, what is more important is what is in yuor heart. Remember that these girls who are covered are still young, it is only natural for them to still want to look pretty and attractive, it is part of female nature. I dont want to be 19 years old looking like a grandmother, afterall, when i walk in the street i want to look presentable, not like an arab bedouin, and remember, people judge you for who you are, not the way you look.

Nabiha

May 3, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Thank you Nabiha for your input, it’s nice to see another point of view so we can understand this issue more from others’ perspective.
Feel free to write me on my other posts too

Unique Muslimah

May 3, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Thank you sister for acknowledging my point of view, i am glad that you have a helpful forum such as yours, keep up the good work.

Nabiha

May 4, 2007 at 4:24 am
Salamu alaikum…

No one should JUDGE anyone else, except our CREATOR. THis is common knowledge. But, this forum is a form of DAHWA for many of us to spread the religious teachings which we have learned, to the Muslim population.

About people who are living in NON-MUSLIM countries—

I am sure you might not like what I have to say, but it is IMPORTANT for every Muslim to live in a MUSLIM country. It is not religiously correct for us to live amongst KAFIREEN. There are many many reasons why, but one is also because we (Muslims) are a small population, and there is much WRONG all around us, so if we are around folks from our religion, we may be more inclined to follow our religion correctly.

Of coarse this is NOT to say that MUSLIM countries are completely innocent, and do no wrong.

ON THE CONTRARY— PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHEREVER YOU GO, and they will always sin (big & small). But, its’ important for Muslims to come to other countries for a purpose and when that purpose is fulfilled, they MUST return to a Muslim country. That is our religious obligation…

TeacherDanna

May 4, 2007 at 5:07 am
“It is not religiously correct for us to live amongst KAFIREEN. There ”

TeacherDanna, it is safe to say there are plenty of kafireen all over the Islamic World, just as there are in the non-Islamic world. Living in the US, for example, does not make one necessarily among non-believers, as the Christians and Jews of this nation are not, by definition, non-believers/karireen (these groups are never referred to as ‘kafir’ in the Quran). In fact, it would be presumptuous for anyone to say they knew what was in the hearts of those around them. Where you choose to live out your life is not an religious obligation as a Muslim. You believe that you might be a better Muslim if you live in a population with other Muslims. That’s a fair statement for what you feel helps you meet your religious obligations. Many practicing Muslims who are born and raised in the Islamic world comment that they can actually be better Muslims outside of the Islamic world, as that they can practice accordingly, w/out the interference and influence of cultural practices which are not Islamic. Those same individuals can practice out of sheer religious devotion, and not because it’s expected of them. What suits one Muslim does not always suit another. Does that mean they’re not on the same path?

Cairogal

May 4, 2007 at 9:56 am
It’s safe to say that there no longer exists a ‘muslim’ country. In fact, just like living abroad, in a ‘muslim’ country you will get sins too and you will get foriegners living in ‘muslim’ countries. You will get ‘muslims’ who are not practising, or those who pretend they are but live double lives.

Your view of living in a ‘muslim’ country is cute, but sooner or later you’ll realise that not every one holds your views, I don’t want you to be disappointed but you have to realise the reality of the situation.

Some people would rather live in a ‘non muslim land’ because their community is a strong one and they know their children will grow up alright. But if they moved to a ‘muslim’ land they know their children will turn out corrupted. Sure they’ll get to hear the azzan 5 times a day, but that is not just what religion is about- it’s about manners, ethics, respecting others. And the Christians and Jews are ahl el kitab (people of the book). Islam taught us tolerance but sadly there are scholars with rigid interpretations of Islam.

The important thing is that there is no fitnah in the place you live, either in a muslim or non muslim country.

And only Allah knows who is the kafireen or not (I really hate using that word as I believe only Allah has that right because he knows what is in our hearts). We should be merciful to one another, and be tolerant to everyone no matter their faith, as long as they do not intervene in your faith. I am sure that is the true Islam.

Unique Muslimah

May 4, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Nabiha thanks love, just a little note though, this isn’t a forum It’s my blog Keep writing dear!

Unique Muslimah

May 4, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Teacher Danna:

Wealykum as’salaam wa rahmtullhi wa baraktuh my dear sister.

How are you doing this morning/day/afternoon? Alhumdulilah I am doing great. I happened to read your comment over my sister’s blog. MashAllah you raise a few interesting points.

First, it seems, from your comment of course, that you encourage ALL MUSLIMS to live in “Muslim” countries, right?

My question for you is this. What makes a Muslim country? And have you ever lived in a Muslim country, deary? Well, I have. And let me assure you that many of the “Muslim” countries you have mentioned will harass you because you choose to practice your “deen” to the utmost extent. Let me illustrate. In my country, Egypt, if a man has a “beard” and is seen leaving a mosque more than once a week, he is taken to jail. In jail he faces torture, and let me describe the type of torture a brother/sister will receive. They face rape, physical torture, castration, and plain torture in every possible way man has invented. Actually, my other country, U.S. of A. sends their “suspects” to my dear country, Egypt ( a Muslim country, mind you), to interrogate said detainees because our Muslim countries are good at that sorta thing.

Please refer to the follow website. I know you might not speak Arabic, but there are loads of video and pictures for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.tortureinegypt.net/

You will shove the words “Saudi” and “Kuwait” in my face. Hmm. Have you ever lived in the Gulf? Well, I have family who has lived there for some 30+ years and let me assure you, if you aren’t one of them, YOU ARE TREATED LIKE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. You will never be allowed to vote or have a voice in your newly acquired country.

Another point that seems to come to mind, as you know my dear sister, Islam came for everyone. It seems from your handle that you aren’t Arab? Maybe a convert to Islam? You see, the beauty of Islam attracts people from all sorta places. It would be harsh to ask all these non-Arabs to move to Arab or Asian countries. You see? Islam didn’t come for the Arabs alone, so I don’t see the point of leaving your home country, your family to live in some strange country.

And let’s assume that works best for your family, it doesn’t for everyone.

I am American (if you haven’t noticed) and in my country, I have been allowed to practice my religion freely with no persecution. I am not worried that someone would pull my father out of bed at night because his daughter chooses to go to the masjid.

What is more, if every Muslim started making “hijrah” away from Bilaaaaaaaaaaaaad Al kufr, who shall make dawah ukthi? And where does it say that Muslims must live along Muslim majority?

Assuming you believe that the “Muslim” countries contain many Muslims. I doubt that. They might hold the names “Mohamed” and “Khadijah” but very few people understand Islam and practice it.

On the contrary, in America, I have been given the freedom to practice what I think is the truth. Alhumdulilah for that.

It would be nice if you back up your vague statement:

“But, its’ important for Muslims to come to other countries for a purpose and when that purpose is fulfilled, they MUST return to a Muslim country. That is our religious obligation”

I guess I am going to need me some proof here. You seem to be shouting out orders with no Quran/hadeeth to back these statements.

Thank you, waiting for your response, and have a wonderful day!

fi aman illah (in God’s care)

Organic Muslimah

organicmuslimah

May 4, 2007 at 1:04 pm
The Qur’anic verse, “Say to believing women, that they cast down their eyes and guard their private parts, and reveal not their adornment save such as is outward; and let them drape their headcoverings over their bosoms, and not reveal their adornment . . .” (Qur’an 24:31) is a specific requirement for Muslim women to cover their hair.

The word “headcoverings” (Ar. singular khimar, plural khumur), more familiar in our times as the hijab, is a word of well-known signification among scholars of Arabic, at their forefront the authors of the classical lexical reference dictionaries like Zabidi’s encyclopedic Taj al-‘arus or Mutarrizi’s al-Mughrib, both of which define khimar as “a woman’s headcovering”; or Fayumi’s al-Misbah or Fayruzabadi’s al-Qamus, which both define it as “a cloth with which a woman covers her head.” The Taj al-‘arus also notes that a man’s turban is sometimes referred to as a khimar “because a man covers his head with it in like manner as a woman covers her head with her khimar when he disposes it in the Arab manner, turning part of it under the jaws nearly in the same manner in which a woman disposes her khimar.” These authorities are cited in the eight-volume Arabic-English Lexicon of Edward William Lane, who describes the khimar as “a woman’s muffler or veil with which she covers her head and the lower part of her face.”

There is no other lexical sense in which the word khimar may be construed. The wording of the command, however, “and let them drape their headcoverings over their bosoms,” sometimes confuses nonspecialists in the sciences of the Qur’an, and in truth, interpreting the Qur’an does sometimes require in-depth knowledge of the historical circumstances in which the various verses were revealed. In this instance, the elliptical form of the divine command is because women at the time of the revelation wore their headcovers tied back behind their necks, as some village women still do in Muslim countries, leaving the front of the neck bare, as well as the opening (Ar. singular jayb, plural juyub, translated as “bosoms” in the above verse) at the top of the dress. The Islamic revelation confirmed the practice of covering the head, understood from the use of the word khimar in the verse, but also explained that the custom of the time was not sufficient and that women were henceforth to tie the headcover in front and let it drape down to conceal the throat and the dress’s opening at the top.

This is why Muslim women cover their heads: because the Qur’an unambiguously orders them to, and there is no qualifying text or hadith or even other lexical possibility to show that the Qur’anic order might mean anything besides obligation. Rather, the hadiths all bear this meaning out, Muslim scholars are in unanimous agreement about it and have been from the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) down to our own day, and it is even known by all non-Muslim peoples about them.

There was thus nothing new or surprising in the Islamic legal opinion promulgated in December 2003 by the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh ‘Ali Jumu‘a of the Egyptian Fatwa Authority (Dar al-Ifta’ al-Misriyya) that “the hijab is an obligation on all Muslim female adults, as firmly established in the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad’s hadiths, as well as unanimously agreed upon by Muslim scholars.” He pointed out that unlike the cross sometimes worn by Christians, or the skullcap worn by Jews, the hijab is not a “symbol” of Islam but rather that “Islam orders female adults to wear hijab as obligatory religious clothing.” It is part of every Muslim woman’s religious practice.

Some ink and words have been spent by some contemporary ethnic Muslim women writers (and an occasional convert) trying to do away with the covering of hair mandated by the Qur’an and the unanimous consensus of Muslims. They say—accurately enough, for a Muslim does not leave Islam merely by committing a sin—that one can take off the hijab and still remain a Muslim. But such a person remains a bad Muslim, who deems aping non-Muslims better than practicing Islam. For what? The Supreme Being knows our benefit better than we do; and if one believes in Allah, Master of every atom in the universe, it is only plain sense to follow Him. When all else fails, read the directions. Those who refuse to wear the hijab are acting out of ignorance or bad faith, and when one meets them, one seldom finds they manage to practice the other aspects of their religion. In the end, it is a matter of hearts. The heart that is alive has a sense of eternity, and knows that the infinite is greater than the finite. The heart that is dead follows the trends of the trend makers because it has turned its back on the Divine and forgotten endless time.

© MMV Nuh Keller

Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller

May 4, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Well, nice to see that everyone woke up on the right side of the bed this morning…

I am an ARABIC SPEAKING, ARAB- for those of you who assumed that I am a “CONVERT” since you beleive I don’t know the facts. I am a SYRIAN in fact…

My family had to move from SYRIA during a time where there were wars and the like against good religious people. They were sent to jail, and blah blah. We all know the story…

THe middle east is not a PERFECT place, there is still much injustice there, but you cannot claim that AMERICA is innocent of anything. If you’ve seen any videos of the treatment of MUSLIMS in GUANTANAMO BAY (CUBA) then you’d understand…

Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) stated in the hadeeth that it’s important for MUSLIMS TO LIVE AMONGST MUSLIMS…

CHRISTIANS AND JEWS ARE REFERRED TO AS (in QURAN): MAGH_DOOBI ALAIHUM, walal daleen. Which is translated to meaning: THE CURSED (JEWS) and LOST (CHRISTIANS)… SO, that speaks for itself I think…

By the way, Jews have killed nearly every prophet that ALLAH (Shwt) has sent down to them. Also, the Christians are MUSH-RIKEEN. THey believe that JESUS is the SON of GOD, and so they are disbelievers since they are MUSHRIKEEN in the oneness of ALLAH (SHWT)…

TeacherDanna

May 5, 2007 at 4:26 am
I am not here for a debate… I am here stating facts, but there are some of you who are unwilling to accept. It’s your loss…

TeacherDanna

May 5, 2007 at 4:32 am
Allah yeslihkoom

TeacherDanna

May 5, 2007 at 4:32 am
Salamu Alaikum sisters,

I must say that although sometimes i wish i lived in a Muslim country, it is the Muslim countries nowadays that are getting currupted. teacher Danna i agree that our religion tells us to live in a Muslim country, this is true, however, as Unique Muslimah said, the reality is different. Turkey’s population is majority Muslim, yet the headcsarf is banned there, Egypt were having a discussion over banning it as well, Saudi Arabia (or some parts of it anyway) refuse many rights to their women. Other Muslim countries are oppressing their people. Australia is a good country, and though it has some bad things about it, Muslim countries are falling apart as well. Alhamdullilah i find so many young Muslims prcatsising their deen here and even though they sin, they repent, and work towards becoming the best Muslims they can. Australia gives Muslims rights that we dont get in Muslim countries. When our religion tells us to live in a Muslim country, it sys so under the assumption that Muslim countries are not corrupted, but in this day and age, they are. May Allah guide them and guide us all inshallah.

Nabiha

May 5, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I don’t think anyone here is attacking you TeacherDanna for a debate We all know that no country is perfect, but is is also known that we can live in any land as long as there is no fitnah for us, we are brought to places for a purpose that only Allah knows. Islam taught us to be merciful to other religions, including the people of the book, the Jews and the Christians. Those who are led astray, including people from the Muslims, well may Allah guide us all.

If you read the Qur’an carefully Allah does say there are people from the book that are on the right path, they worshipped Him alone, and they will go to Paradise.

And please, let’s remember that when we give a speech regarding giving information on Islam and dawah, let us say it with wisdom and kindness, this is a verse in the Qur’an. It is a wise verse, to talk to everyone without talking down to them, without making them feel that they know nothing while you know more…only Allah knows who has more taqwah.

And Islam is a merciful religion. Again, only Allah knows what is in our hearts. Only Allah knows who will die a Muslim and who will die a disbeliever.

And I don’t think it’s anyone’s loss dear sister, we are not in an argument here We are civilised beings discussing our views and respecting each other, because Islam taught us to be civilised, understanding and peaceful.

Nabiha, do join in other discussions on this blog May Allah guide us all.

Unique Muslimah

May 5, 2007 at 1:39 pm
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