Hijab

Reply to the original post. By Allah's Will, open our hearts and minds.

Dearest sister,
I'm not speaking based on my own experience but based on my knowledge. As a mere human, we are given guidance from Allah; Al-Quran and hadith, to successfully pass the brief life in this world.

With love and care.

I believe in Al-Quran and Hadith esp from Bukhari and Muslim.

How can you not? When there are ample evidence that those who obey Al-Quran and Sunnahs, became successful in this life and Insya Allah in the Hereafter.
For instance, Khulafa' Arrasyidiin and other sahabahs.

Again and Again in the Quran Allah has Ordered us to obey the Prophet Muhammad SAW and has made it clear that following him, in reality, is following Allah because his speech and his actions, all came from Allah.

Say, 'Obey Allah and the messenger; then if they turn their faces, then Allah loves not the infidels. (Ali-Imran:32)

And he speaks not of his own desire. (An-Najm:3)

"If you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish you anything
of your deeds." (Al-Hujurat:14)

"Whatever the Messenger giveth you take it and whatever he forbiddeth abstain from it." (Al-Hashr: 7)

In Surah Al-Ahzab, Allah has explained a lot about hijab and women.

Like in ayah 59, "O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their jilbabs close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle."

In the translated Al-Quran that I own, it states in the footnote that jilbab is a clothing that covers the head, the face and the chest. So why didnt muslimat cover their face since its stated in the Quran?

The answer is here > http://www.muhajabah.com/finalrule.htm
(Has sth to do with Surah Al-Ahzab being revealed prior to Surah An-Nur. Just read the conclusion at the bottom of the page if you dont want to read the lengthy explanation.)

Now, there are several different views on the rule of wearing a head+hair+neck+chest cover which i call hijab.

And I, for wanting to be perfect in practicing Islamic values in my life, chose the views of the majority of islamic scholars that makes wearing hijab a fard (obligatory).

You can find more about this through a qualified scholar, or read books or online materials.

In my opinion,
I dont think Islam is complete in a woman if she doesnt cover her aurat (every part of the body except face and both wrists to fingers in madhhab As-Syafi'ie).
I always feel safe wearing a hijab. And I've started wearing a longer hijab now. The kind that covers almost all your upper body, and it makes me feel safer. Alhamdulillah.

And I think that Allah SWT made hijab a fard because of its many benefits. Like, protect our hair from direct sun rays, and protect our hearts from shaitaan (prevent us from showing off our beautiful hair to attract men).

If you really want to know to the core, then learn about fiqh Islam. But most of us here are just normal muslims, that is, not a scholar or someone with high and deep knowledge of Islam. So, we are asked to follow what real qualified scholars have discussed and then come to conclusion (ijtihad and ijma'). So follow which of the 4 main Imaams (Hambali, Syafi'i, Maliki or Hanafi)that you think has the best views in Fiqh, Akhlaq, Aqidah, and other islamic matters. And once you chose him, then practice every aspect of Islam according to his views.

I apologize because I didnt take the treatments you got from the rest of your community into account in this post. To me, the bigger issue here is to open our eyes that wearing hijab really is fard. And to practice the teachings in Al-Quran and Hadith in life.

Wallahu'alam.


A story of a sister when she first decided to wear hijab:
http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_first_hijab.htm

Further explanation on why should i wear hijab
http://www.muhajabah.com/whyhijab.htm

All replies to this comment are welcome. However I might delay the reply back to you cos of my upcoming exams. Salaam.

NuraB wrote: Appreciate the heads up SVUser.These featured are rectangular. 5 ft by approx. two feet. Unfortunately I'm a "square" kinda gal; Never could get the hang on doing the wrap thing.� Thanks for sharing.N.B.

There was a time when I too only wore the square ones, cz they were so easy to pin... and I couldn't figure out the wrapping, (it just seemed so complicated!)

But I saw a couple of you-tube vids, and practiced - and ta daaa! now I can :). You should try too Sis! Now its easier for me because square Hijabs are usually hard to find :)

Just a little tangent from the spiritual debate about hijab.... if anyone is looking for a great deal, Sound Vision recently started selling hijabs in all colors for just $3.

You're welcome. ;)

http://bit.ly/9ons0V

-M.

Salam Hijabbi1822

You had asked if "there are any sisters who are/have been facing real hardships because of hijab, and considering removing it"

Yes, I have faced hardships while wearing hijab and during brief moments had even considered removing it.  Bear in mind, sister I came to Islam August 2001, 3 weeks before 9/11.

I live in California in an intolerant city. I have noted  that agricultural areas seem to be more racist. Perhaps due to illegal immigration, less jobs, etc. there is less tolerance for people who look or dress differently.  

If I were to not wear jalaba and hijab I could "pass" for white. I wouldn't be glared at or spat upon, or called "sand n__" (insert racial epithet)

What I find frustrating is that my husband, who IS "foreign" (he's from N. Africa) can "pass" for something WASPy. By looks he could be European-French or German and no one harasses him. But me, with hijab and jalaba I get yelled at "Go back to your country!!" 

During those frustrating times, I think to myself, I could give up wearing hijab and life would be soo much easier. But then, I look in the mirror, literally, and I see the hijab tan line (white ears and temples and tan face) I look at the contrast between my pale arms and my tanned hands. Islam is a life choice. It leaves a physical mark on your body like the  sajdah spot on your forehead or tan lines on your face and arms

When I'm feeling especially low I then force myself to remember the day before I took shahadah.  I had read that believing women covered their hair and chest. I was scrambling around trying to find something to cover with. I had eventually settled on a kitchen dish towel pinned at the neck. I was adamant, if believing women were supposed to cover, I HAD to cover, even if only with a towel. I try to revisit that feeling of responsibility.

Eventually, when I married my husband I gifted that same towel to my mother in law and I told her (through translation via my husband) I promise I will do the very best I can with what I have.

Allah makes it easy for us when we are newbies. We are so open to learning. Then comes the more difficult task. Applying what we learn and sticking with it.

I know it's difficult but with Allah's help we can do it. Let's stick with it together.