Head covering and the freedom of religion
A number of European countries are instigating laws to ban or restrict the wearing of the Muslim headscarf. Such legislation questions the foundations of tolerance and equality in societies that champion pluralism and freedom of religion.
This article address the issue of Hijab, the modesty of covering the head by Muslim Women, and also the Judaeo-Christian tradition of veil and head covering.
The Hijab and Veil?
Some in the west consider the modesty of head covering practiced by Muslim women as the greatest symbol of women's oppression and servitude. Is it true that there is no similar custom in the Judaeo-Christian tradition? Let us set the record straight. According to Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Brayer (Professor of Biblical Literature at Yeshiva University) in his book, The Jewish woman in Rabbinic literature, it was the custom of Jewish women to go out in public with a head covering which, sometimes, even covered the whole face leaving one eye free. 76 He quotes some famous ancient Rabbis saying," It is not like the daughters of Israel to walk out with heads uncovered" and "Cursed be the man who lets the hair of his wife be seen...a woman who exposes her hair for self-adornment brings poverty." Rabbinic law forbids the recitation of blessings or prayers in the presence of a bareheaded married woman since uncovering the woman's hair is considered "nudity". 77 Dr. Brayer also mentions that "During the Tannaitic period the Jewish woman's failure to cover her head was considered an affront to her modesty. When her head was uncovered she might be fined four hundred zuzim for this offense." Dr. Brayer also explains that veil of the Jewish woman was not always considered a sign of modesty. Sometimes, the veil symbolized a state of distinction and luxury rather than modesty. The veil personified the dignity and superiority of noble women. It also represented a woman's inaccessibility as a sanctified possession of her husband. 78
The veil signified a woman's self-respect and social status. Women of lower classes would often wear the veil to give the impression of a higher standing. The fact that the veil was the sign of nobility was the reason why prostitutes were not permitted to cover their hair in the old Jewish society. However, prostitutes often wore a special headscarf in order to look respectable. 79 Jewish women in Europe continued to wear veils until the nineteenth century when their lives became more intermingled with the surrounding secular culture. The external pressures of the European life in the nineteenth century forced many of them to go out bare-headed. Some Jewish women found it more convenient to replace their traditional veil with a wig as another form of hair covering. Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue. 80 Some of them, such as the Hasidic sects, still use the wig. 81
What about the Christian tradition? It is well known that Catholic Nuns have been covering their heads for hundreds of years, but that is not all. St. Paul in the New Testament made some very interesting statements about the veil:
"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (I Corinthians 11:3-10).
St. Paul's rationale for veiling women is that the veil represents a sign of the authority of the man, who is the image and glory of God, over the woman who was created from and for man. St. Tertullian in his famous treatise 'On The Veiling Of Virgins' wrote, "Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church, you wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers..." Among the Canon laws of the Catholic church today, there is a law that requires women to cover their heads in church. 82 Some Christian denominations, such as the Amish and the Mennonites for example, keep their women veiled to the present day. The reason for the veil, as offered by their Church leaders, is that "The head covering is a symbol of woman's subjection to the man and to God", which is the same logic introduced by St. Paul in the New Testament. 83
From all the above evidence, it is obvious that Islam did not invent the head cover. However, Islam did endorse it. The Quran urges the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty and then urges the believing women to extend their head covers to cover the neck and the bosom:
"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty...And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms..." (Quran 24:30,31).
The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear:
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested" (Quran 33:59).
This is the whole point, modesty is prescribed to protect women from molestation or simply, modesty is protection. Thus, the only purpose of the hijab in Islam is protection.
The hijab, unlike the veil of the Christian tradition, is not a sign of man's authority over woman nor is it a sign of woman's subjection to man. The hijab, unlike the veil in the Jewish tradition, is not a sign of luxury and distinction of some noble married women. In Islam the hijab is a sign of modesty which safeguards the personal integrity of women. The Quran strongly emphasizes the protection of women's reputation and condemns men to be severely punished if they falsely accuse a woman of unchastity:
"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations)- Flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors" (Quran 24:4)
Some people, especially in the West, would tend to ridicule the whole argument of modesty for protection. Their argument is that the best protection is the spread of education, civilized behavior, and self restraint. We would say: fine but not enough. If 'civilization' is enough protection, then why is it that women in North America dare not walk alone in a dark street - or even across an empty parking lot ? If education is the solution, then why is it that our universities have a 'walk home service' mainly for female students on campus? If self restraint is the answer, then why are cases of sexual harassment in the workplace reported on the news media every day? A sample of those accused of sexual harassment, in the last few years, includes: Navy officers, Managers, University professors, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and the President of the United States!
Following are some statistics, published in a pamphlet issued by the Dean of Women's office at Queen's University Canada:
In Canada, a woman is sexually assaulted every 6 minutes,
1 in 3 women in Canada will be sexually assaulted at some time in their lives,
1 in 4 women are at the risk of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime,
1 in 8 women will be sexually assaulted while attending college or university, and
A study found 60% of Canadian university-aged males said they would commit sexual assault if they were certain they wouldn't get caught.
To combat the violation of women a radical change in the society's life style and culture is absolutely necessary. A culture of modesty is desperately needed, modesty in dress, in speech, and in manners of both men and women, otherwise, the grim statistics are likely to increase and unfortunately, women alone will be paying the price. Actually, we all suffer but as K. Gibran has said, "...for the person who receives the blows is not like the one who counts them." 84
A society like France which expels young women from schools because of their modest dress is, in the end, simply harming itself.
It is one of the great ironies of our world today that the very same headscarf revered as a sign of 'holiness' when worn by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of 'oppression' when worn for the purpose of modesty and protection by Muslim women.
The above article is adapted from "Women in Islam Versus Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition - The Myth and The Reality" by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azim of Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Notes:
76. Menachem M. Brayer, The Jewish Woman in Rabbinic Literature: A Psychosocial Perspective (Hoboken, N.J: Ktav Publishing House, 1986) p. 239.
77. Ibid., pp. 316-317. Also see Swidler, op. cit., pp. 121-123.
78. Ibid., p. 139.
79. Susan W. Schneider, Jewish and Female (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1984) p. 237.
80. Ibid., pp. 238-239.
81. Alexandra Wright, "Judaism", in Holm and Bowker, ed., op. cit., pp. 128-129
82. Clara M. Henning, "Cannon Law and the Battle of the Sexes" in Rosemary R. Ruether, ed., Religion and Sexism: Images of Woman in the Jewish and Christian Traditions (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1974) p. 272
83. Donald B. Kraybill, The riddle of the Amish Culture (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1989) p. 56.
84. Khalil Gibran, Thoughts and Meditations (New York: Bantam Books, 1960) p. 28.
Topics: Hijab (Head Cover), Veil (Burqa), Women Values: Freedom, Manners
Views: 110609
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rape? No. Dressing modestly decreases ones chance of getting raped but does not in
any way prevent the action. This puts blame on women and teaches them its their fault
for getting raped because they didn't cover up enough. All this article did was assure
me that I am still against the wearing of the veil and that it does implement oppression
of women. Rape is a large problem and there is no one easy solution but covering
ones hair and neck is far from a cure all.
The false idea that women can prevent their own rape naturally leads to victim-blaming. After all she had the power to stop this so she must've done something wrong. A lot of women know they'll be judged like this so they don't say anything. Which means their rapist is free to go rape more women. And, like women, rapists are aware of these attitudes and will exploit them, raping scantily clad or drunk women because they know people will blame her. That's right. This kind of thinking actually enables rapists.
"To combat the violation of women a radical change in the society's life style and culture is absolutely necessary"
Damn right. We need to start condemning rape. We need to teach men to respect women so we don't end up with a society where over half of them are comfortable admitting that they'd assault someone.
Thank you for your illusive article.
I have a question for which I will be really thankful if you can kindly reply.
On the basis of your knowledge, is there any place (town, city, area, state) in Canada, or other countries where a man can reside and live with modesty without the danger of erotic events in the town? Or, if there is any place where most women are covered and behave like an Ismalic believer?
Really truly yours,
Mohammad Ghashghaee
PhD student
Tehran, Iran
mentions in the Bible and if a woman chooses to cover her head when she walks outside
well that is her choice. But, the whole issue of covering their faces with the Niqad veil,
well, that's a different story. In today's world people are scared of everything and if a
person covers their face in the Americas and most of Europe then people assume they
have something to hide. The Niqab veil is in my opinion distracting and has nothing to do
with religion because if it was a religious requirement then all Muslim women would cover
their faces with the Niqab? Also, if comparing Jewish women and Nuns with their head
coverings then tell me where in the past 100 years have we seen them cover their faces in
public? Religion is one thing but man made rules in order to keep women submissive are
another. The Niqab veil is what people are really complaining about not the head covering
and I believe that where ever we live we should abide by that Country's rules or else move
to a Country that supports the life style that we what to live.
THE QUESTION MUST BE ASKED WHEN WE SAW THE SISTER OF CHURCH COVERING THEIR HAIRS AND BODY NO BODY TALK ABOUT THEM ITS THEIR LAW AND BELIEVING AND I AGREE AND RESPECT THEM BUT WHEN WE SAW MUSLIM WEARING ALL NO MUSLIM WORL ARE AGAINST THAT WHYYYY?????
pls those who do not understand islam don't speak of it . i have muslim friends who their husbands treat them better than western men ever have treated my irish friends. don't be like a robot that is fed with information without using u're heads and minds to search for the truth it self. Islam forbids hitting women and the wearing of the hijab is a chooise a woman has to take by her own , it must be her choice , not her husban's choice, not her father's choice ,, and for those who would believe anything and everything i say and NO NOT HER SON"T CHOICE !!!
4:34 Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
If you read the verse urself then youll know at what circumstances one is supposed to beat his wife. In my opinion, if I did not know about this, I would probably beat SEVERELY my wife if I see her having an illicit relation with another man. I do not know about other man, but I think thats what most man would do. Being a western woman,u r probably well familiar with this,because every day we read about those nice stories. Our problem is that, we hear something and then believe in those fancy stories without verification which is what u are talking about in ur post. Yes, there are many people in society those are muslims but completely ignorant about Quran, therfore they only follow what they feel right.I do not blame them for their ignorance because most of them are uneducated. If an educated woman like u or a man like me believe in stories told in our TV to demonise certain people then how can we blame those ignorants? Unfortunately, most christians, having no knowledge about Quran or muslims religion, pretend to be an expert and spread lies for some vested interest and general public simply rely on these experts. As far as ur case is concerned,u r not the only woman on whole christian world,there are millions those are treated by their husbands like animals,but u never point out those incidents..
People outlawing the covering for the muslim women is very wrong and simply taking away more freedom. A woman can be respected and dress modestly at the same time.
Bottom line: I have no problem whatsoever with a "scarf", a "hijab" or anything else covering a woman's hair and/or head. I have a huge problem, however, with anything -- veil or whatever -- covering any woman's face!
And all because men, apparently, have some difficulty controlling their sexual desires/urges??? Please! It's time for women to remove their veils...and for men to control their sexual desires/urges. It's called SELF-DISCIPLINE!
Any man who can't do that needs to be treated like every other criminal (i.e., the man who can't control his urge to kill, his urge to steal, etc.).
Thank you.
veiling is somewhat misrepresented in this article. It is not a
sign of a woman's subjugation to her spouse, at least not in the
"worldly" way described here. It is above all a sign of the
woman's modesty and humility before God. This is a great
article on the practice, for future reference:
http://www.fisheaters.com/theveil.html
Peace,
Demian
Think about it..a man would NEVER pray with a hat on his head. If this hasn't changed then why should a woman not cover hers. Its all scriptural! If she doesnt see the reason behind it then dont cover your head, but if you do see the reason dont keep your head uncovered because you are afraid of what one might think.
I am a Jewish woman who also wears her head covered. For me it is a matter of worship as well as modesty.
May the understanding of women and women's prayers bring us all peace.
Also it is not true that women in North American can't walk alone at night. There are plenty that do. But women in Saudi Arabia never walk anywhere without a man day or night for their "protection".
Women in North America dress in a wide range of styles. If those who dress more provacativly are getting abused more, then aren't the rapists doing your work for them, as the footsoldiers of the ministry of vice & virtue? If looking sexy a sure invitation to rape, then why haven't those women learned their lesson?
Dear Barbara, I believe that despite your comments, that of against the Islamic headscarf, there must be some goodness left in you.
I just hope that ALL MIGHTY GOD will open your heart to the truth one day. And to understand the significance of the observance to the headscarf. Why it has to be followed. With or without it, there would still be suspicions on Muslims, despite how they tried to be law abiding. Their Muslim names will ensure longer waiting hours at the airports, trains, etc.
Regards,
Kris,
Natalie
I live in Israel, and I see religious Jewish women cover their heads with hats or scarves. It's very common, and I'm going to do that too after I get married.
Also, some Rabbinic authorities do not allow the wig at all, because it looks too much like hair and doesn't convey the married woman status.
Dear Sister Charmaigne, I am glad to hear that you are in the process of converting to Islam. Be assured that our prayers ( my other Muslim brothers and sisters worldwide ) are with you.
Yes, I can see that you were brought up in a Baptist faith before. Never mind, be rest assured that some fundamentals of the Islamic faith are not far from your previous belief. Muslims adore Jesus ( Jesus - peace be upon him ) as a Prophet and Messenger of GOD. Infact in one instance Tony Blair had said in the British House of Commons that he had read part of the Quran and that there are more reverence to Mary the virgin in the Quran than the Bible itself.
As a Muslim, I always propogate that there should be useful interfaith dialogues between the various religions in the world. In fact one day if you study the Quran and understand it's content, meaning and message you will be able to see that the name Jesus ( pbuh ) has been mentioned many times among those, Christ Jesus, al Masi ( the Messiah ) and others.
Islam is a simple and practicle religion without any mythology. Islam honours the dignity of women. In fact in one Book written by a western writer in the 1920's Annie Besant, it was said that while the Christian dominated western countries only recognised the right of women to properties in the 20th. century, Islam has always recognised this rights from the begining of time.
Do not Dear Sister, be influence by what some media tried to potray Islam as, because Islam by history has always been the religion of peace and a complete submission to GOD. When a Muslim pleads to GOD for better things in life or HIS Mercy and Forgiveness, he does it without any intermediaries. There is no class of priesthood in Islam.
Insya ALLAH, I'll write more.
May ALLAH bestow upon you HIS Rahmah and Baraqah, Sister. Peace be upon you.
Your Brother in Islam,
Kris
Charmaigne
HAVE TO HIDE THEIR FACE AND HEAD FROM GOD,S CREATION. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO HIDE ANY OF GOD,S CREATIONS?
At the same time, Muslim women should take off the Hijab when taking a picture for a license or ID cards. Also if a police officer for example asks a Muslim women to take off the Hijab enough to compare the ID picture to the women, that should also be allowed. Because Catholic nuns do not cover their face with their veil, it is not a problem for them to have to take the veil off for Picture IDs.
Sheniqua
http://whyislam.org/Forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=1
I would love to share other things I've discovered in the Bible which agree with Islam.
N.Diamond
The issue of veil in islam is fundamentally for the obediance of God. Like everything else in islamic philosophy it is a test for the believers from God to validate their submission. However its worldly benefits are also notable as it helps the believers to be able to maintain their piousness more easily.
I can't appeal to your Christianity, since you are not Christian, but I can appeal to your humanity ... for the sake of peace, please try to see things from the other person's perspective, even if you don't agree.
Peace. ND
Indeed Ndiamaond Hijab is not to keep mens desires in check, it is to insure their constant expression. Muslim men are egotistical maniacs, they lie because they suppose it manly. The submission of women to contrived rules, and stupid traditions, insures that women do not actually express choice in their decisions to marry whom they will. Muslim men, and Indian 'men' are deathly afraid that their small stature will prove them inferior.
Hijab is not worn for men, to keep their illicit desires in check. Rather, Muslim women wear it for God and their own selves. Islam is a religion of moderation, of balance between extremes. Therefore, it does not expect women alone to uphold the society's morality and uprightness. Rather, Islam asks men and women to mutually strive to create a healthy social environment where children may grow with positive, beautiful, constructive and practical values and concepts. Men are equally required to be modest and to conduct themselves responsibly in every sphere of their lives.
This version is more in agreement with the Christian version of head covering being for the purpose of submission to God as decided by the woman.
ND
John 17:1-3;
...you Father... the only true God...
John 20:17;
...I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God ...
When Jesus referred to his God as "his Father" and "our Father", it is in the sense that we came from Him ultimately, and obey Him as our caregiver. John the baptizer taught that Jesus was "begotten" of God. He did not mean that God copulated with Mary to produce a son. Paul and Luke teach that Jesus was MADE BY GOD from the seed of David through the power of the Holy Spirit, NOT the copulative power of a man. God begot Jesus in the same sense as a fertility doctor begets a baby in a petri dish from the donated sperm of a man and ovum of a woman. God is not Jesus' father in a biological sense, but a medical sense, a creative sense.
Yes, Jesus was only a man and messenger of God, not God Himself or even a god-man, but Jesus WAS and IS a special messenger with a special assignment. He was sent by God to be savior of the world. This is in the same sense as if our God and savior sent a boat full of sailors to save a drowning man. God is the ultimate savior who uses men to save. God saves THROUGH men.
Yes, Jesus confirmed the Ten Commandment Law at Matthew chapter five, and fulfilled the Levitical Law for us so that we no longer have to make sacrifices of animal blood because Jesus offered his own blood once and for all time and performs these priestly tasks on our behalf in heaven daily.
Yes, Jesus taught that only his Father is truly good. We obtain our goodness from God by obeying His teachings through His prophets.
Truly, there is no God but God. The OT teaches this, the NT teaches this, the Qu'ran teaches this. The wise student will study all three to truly know and understand what God is trying to teach us through all of His prophets. They were all talking to all
I never said the Jews, or anyone else for that matter, deserves the land. The land belongs to God. He will choose who will pasture it. It remains to be seen to whom He will give it. I know this from scripture; He does not approve of it being divided.
Yes, the Jews have rejected Messiah, and most of them are secular, not religious. Those religious are trying to reestablish the third temple, but Jesus said the third temple would not be made by human hands. This would suggest to me that their efforts will fail, but scripture also says God chooses Israel again. Now I don't pretend to understand yet what all this means, but I know God finds a way to make all of His commands and prophecies come true. And I intend to do nothing to interfere with God's plans.
The Jews have always been present in that land from Abraham on in some small number. They are related genetically to the Arabs there. Exactly; who IS to say after so many conquests of the land who is entitled to it? I would say -God is to say. Therefore, I stand back and let Him choose. But I know in the record of the Book, He gave the land to the Jews for a specific purpose. I am not the one to determine whether that purpose has been fully fulfilled yet. I do know that God has promised to bless the whole world through the Jews. I for one, could use the blessings.
To be continued. ND
Regardless of who has been in the land the longest, or who has a religious claim to the land, or even who "deserves" the land, -the land belongs to God, not any of us, and God will dicide who will fulfill His purpose there.
Actually, Christians are divided as to whether the Jews have a "right" to the land. Many Christians believe that Christians are the "true Jews" and will receive the land in due time.
I personally don't think that the land means anything to God now because New Jersualem is prophesied to come out of heaven, not the land. The third temple is not to be made with human hands at all. For Christians, the focus is supposed to be on the spiritual, not the phyisical or geographical.
There is no question in my mind that you are correct that the west has benefited from the unrest in the middle east. To maintain power, the west has required the domination of oil. Whether intentionally or opportunistically, the west has managed to be in the right place at the right time to take control. Has this worked into God's plan? Apparently so, it all fits prophecy.
It baffles me as to why people will fight so fervantly over dry and war ridden desert land; the Jews, apparently because they feel a need to fulfill God's command to them regarding the land, the Arabs apparently because it is their ancestrial home. I can understand and simpathize with both reasons, but I don't agree with either. But I see myself as an onlooker with no rightful claim to the land. I see it as your fight where I have no business sticking my nose. I grieve for the innocent lives lost and pray for peace. ND
You stated that it is blasphemous for anyone to condemn the scriptures of Jesus, yet I've talked to Muslims on other boards who have done just that. Perhaps this is a sectarian bias, not a Qu'ranic teaching. However, I have given Muslims credit as to this teaching in regards to our inaccurate translations of Jesus' scriptures. I only hope Islam is teaching the difference between the two.
In hope of resolving the confusion among both Christians and Muslims regarding why the NT was not compliled until centuries after the OT and how it differs; The first five books of the OT, called the Torah, was given by God through the great prophet Moses. Over the centuries, additional minor Jewish prophets added other revelations from God. Then God sent another great prophet, Jesus to the Jews. After him, additonal minor prophets added more revelations over time. Due to clues in the NT, I believe these were given origanlly in Hebrew, were then translated and copied into Greek and passed out to the congregations which eventually compiled them in a single volumn as with the OT. The differences are translation errors or possible copying errors which can be traced and revealed.
Regarding the Trinity: Neither does the NT teach a trinity. This teaching was cococted by clergy beginning in the late second and early third century after Christ. Jesus taught his Father is the only true God, and his God as well as our God at John 17:1-3 and 20:17. Paul repeated this teaching at 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. No where does the NT teach a triune god, but Christian sects have been fooled by this clergical teaching for centuries in spite of what scripture clearly states. So strong is this false teaching that, any professed Christian (like myself) who teaches against it, is condemned as a heretic. There are similarities in some teachings in Islam and Judaism as well as you've pointed out.
I appreciate your thoughtful, fair and balanced attitude towards other religions. Thank you
[Quran 4:171] O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion - nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Trinity" - desist! - it will be better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far exalted is He above having a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.
[Quran 5:46-47] And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by the light of what Allah hath revealed, they are no better than those who rebel.
There is none good but God. God, alone, is good (see Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Matthew 19:17).
La ilaha ill Allah. (There is no god but God.)
Assalamu alaikum. (Peace be unto you.)
I mean no disrespect to you when I ask you again, are all the people is your religion perfect? You are quick to point out the hypocrisy in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and you're right! All three religions have fallen away from the direct teaching of our scripture, and you're right to point that out. But does every one in your religion keep it's tenants flawlessly all of the time? Are there any members whom you feel give Wicca a bad name? Or, at least an inaccurate reputation? Please answer.
Yes, both Christianity and Islam are children of Judaism. both were created as a reform or restoration, a correction of inaccuracies in Judaism. The fact that they exist is evidence that people have recognized the need to purge hypocrisy from religion. The trouble is, humans will be human, and soon, even the restoration needs to be restored. ND
As Muslims, we accept the true revelations of all Messengers of God, prophet Mohamad being the final Messenger. It is therefore blasphemous for anyone to condemn the Scriptures of Jesus.
However, there is some confusion among both Christians and Muslims (myself included) as to why the New Testament, compiled centuries after the Old Testament, differs fundamentally from it. The concept of Trinity is not found in the Old Testament, and we Muslims do not accept it.
Regardless, Qur'anic teachings require that we treat each others' religion with respect. Those who criticise your Bible are doing so out of ignorance and leave themselves open to similar insults, perpetuating a growing problem that Qur'an tried to dispel with in the first place.
Muslimah, I recommend the reading of various texts (Qur'an, Hadith, OT, NT, Tora) instead of following mindlessly what clerics might otherwise teach.
My own experience is that Qur'anic translations make perfect sense especially when historical references are properly researched. Experience with Hadith have not been as kind however.
I've found that Hadith 'hardens' religious principles by adding more rules not found in Qur'an, much of which are based on old Arabic traditions and ideals. Countless stories about the prophet are told in support of these ideals, by people who have never met him.
For instance, two years ago a Nigerian woman was condemned using Shar'iah law for having a baby out of wedlock. Her (Shar'iah) punishment was to be buried to her neck, and stoned to her head until death. Thankfully she was given reprieve following international outcry. The interesting point is, Qur'anic law requires that the punishment be 100 lashes for both man and woman, provided that four reliable witnesses testify in support of the allegation. The Nigerian case had zero witnesses, only the man's word was considered. Now the question is, how come both Qur'an and Hadith have the same law, but different punishment? And why is it that our scholars/leaders stood silent (as usual) while our religion was disgraced internationally when they knew full well they were condoning old, barbaric, tribal traditions in the guise of religion? Punishment by stoning is used nowhere in Qur'an. (It's used in Bible.)
Hadith is recommended reading, but it cannot prescribe rules, laws and punishment. It offers someone else's interpretation of religion and should be treated as such.
N.Diamond, demands of my career and helping my wife raise our children preclude too great an involvement on these forums, but I'll try to do what I can to bring a voice of moderation. Thanks for asking.
[Quran 2:40-43] O Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with Me as I fulfil My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me. And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price; and fear Me, and Me alone. And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is). And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).
[Quran 5:46-47] And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel.
As I understand it, the Old Testament was passed down through oral tradition, during times of oppression against the faithful. That was not so much the case with the Gospel. In a nutshell, the Quran advises Jews to augment their understanding using portions of the Quran while advising Christians to evaluate behavior using the Gospel as a guide. Also, the Quran permits Muslims to seek instruction from Christians and Jews (Quran 10:94 & 16:43).
On the subject of Trinity, the Quran is quite clear. It is better for you, having renounced it (Quran 4:171). Well done - God be praised! There is none good but God; God, alone, is good (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Matthew 19:17). There is no god but God.
The Palestinians are the sum and mixture of the people who lived in the land from time immemorial. Therefore, they have more right to the land than any other people, whether you cite religious or historical claims.
Unfortunately, the situation the majority of the population has faced was unjust. They were told they had to give up a great portion of their land, which they inherited from their forefathers and let the European Jews take over. Incredibly, Christians have never before agreed with the Jewish right to the land, since they were of the belief that they lost that right after they rejected Jesus. It is incredible, how politics can re-interpret the Bible, now most Christians disagree with the opinion of their forefathers.
And so we come to the issue of international laws. In October 1945, the UN was established by the US and its allies and they drafted international laws. For the sake of world peace, they made it illegal to displace people from their lands. Of course, their hatred of Muslims prevented them to apply their own laws justly. Instead of letting the mostly Muslim population live in peace in their land, they decided to partition it without any consideration of what would happen with the people that would be displaced. Of course, the Palestinians refiused this unjust decree, so did the Jews, who wanted the whole land. With the help of their western allies Zionists attacked the civilian population and forced out almost a million people. But they did not stop there, they went on taking Jordanian, Lebanese, Egyptian and Syrian lands. The aggression definitely was initiated by the Zionist. The whole region was destabilized since then, to the benefit of the West. The situation helped with the exploitation of the oil resources of the Middle East, and the Muslim countries have continued being the victims international laws.
Lets start with religious right to the land. According to you the Jews were given the land now called Israel by God, but then they could not keep it because of "their idolatry, just as God warned". The Jews today are less practicing than their ancestors who left at the time of the diaspora, and they still reject Jesus as the Messiah. So, can you please tell me how did they become more deserving of the land today vs before.
According to Islam the Jews have broken their convenant with God when they rejected Jesus, son of Mary, the Messiah.
Now, lets tackle this debate in historical terms. It is important to acknowledge that Jews did not always populated that land; there were people who lived there before, during, and after the Jews. Lets also acknowledge that this land has been conquered by many people before, and after the Jews conquered it. Historically, the Jewish conquest of the land is no different then the conquest of the land by other peoples, such as the Assyrians, the Philistines, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Ottomans etc... So, who is to say which of the ancient conquerors have the right to reconquer the land?
Before, the present Israel was established, the population in the land consisted of a mixture of people descending from the Can'anites, the Hittites, the Assyrians, the Jews, the Arabs and others who first were mostly Christians and later became mostly Muslims. Still, Christians and Jews lived in the land and they would have lived in peace if it was not for the Zionist.
In 24 October 1945 the United Nations was established. They (the UN) decided to partition Palestine between the majority Gentile population and minority Jews. Neither the Zionists nor the Palestinians accepted the partition. Continue...
In regards to understanding the message of the Qur'an, I hope you accept that the Holy Prophet was its living commentary, and that every ayah or verse had a background and circumstances. Furthermore the Qur'an was at first not a book but a living voice, that is why any literal translation of the Qur'an lacks continuity and fluency of the revelations. If you are not knowledgable of the history and occasions of the Qur'anic revelations than you can wrongly interpret the message and theme of the Qur'an. The prophet has said in many sahih hadiiths that the Qur'an and Sunnah are the salvation for Muslims. Even for Arabic speakers the Qur'an is translated and explained through hadiiths and historical accounts.
From what I understood on your comments, you seem to have doubts about even sahiih hadiiths. I do not know how much you know about the science of compiling authentic accounts about the prophet, but I can tell you they are regorous and very strict. They are more strict than any historical writings.
No obsession about hijab, this is a thread about that subject making news in France due to unfair treatment of Muslims regarding it. Yes, I agree with you that hijab is a decent way to dress and should be permitted as modesty, not a testimony to religious faith as the French pretense. But, what I've repeatedly tried to point out is that there is a minimum hijab pointed out by Paul in the NT, and a maximum required in Shirah. Hijab, like so many other things, can be taken to dangerous extremes, especially when the lack of it can be used against women as an excuse for rape. I'm in no way suggesting by this that hijab should be disregarded. Please answer my questions posed at 20716.
If you will reread my posts, you will notice that I did not point fingers at Islam without also pointing out the failures of Christianity and Judaism. ND
for your comments (20706). I also agree with you concerning Shiriah Laws which are similar to some Jewish Laws which are NOT from the Torah, but from Rabbinical teachings, and also like Christian views shoved down our throats -like the Trinity teaching, which is not scripturual, but in fact contradict Jesus' teachings (John 17:1-3).
As you pointed out, the Qur'an refers to the scriptural teachings of Jesus and Moses and David from the Book. In view of this fact, how do you respond to the accusations of many Muslims that the Book is corrupt? I always ask "why would the Qur'an quote from a corrupt book?" I've yet to receive an answer. I would agree that TRANSLATIONS of the Book have errors and illegal additions, but we have been able to trace these back to the original available manuscripts to prove them false and the Bible true.
I hope you are correct that the Qu'ran is the final revelation of God's word, because, quite frankly, I'm ready for this world to end already. However, I wonder if we are correctly understanding what "final revelation" means since the last book of the NT is called the "revelation" and is supposed to be "final", yet we have had subsequent supposed Christian prophets come along claiming new revelations from God. And, Judaism continued to wait for it's Messiah. How many "final revelations" will God give us before exacting justice against us?
A.Ali, I am concidering starting a forum for the purpose of discussing the ways that the warnings of the Book and the Qur'an are being found true today, and how our clergys have distorted the direct teachings of scripture. You are the kind of person I would like to see submit articles on that site. Would you be interested?
NDiamond
Regarding the hijab, I am amused of obsession for it. Hijab is the decent way to dress in public legislated by the Creator of the universe, this is the Islamic belief. You are not a Muslim, you disagree with Islamic laws and that is fine, to you your religion and to me my religion.
Suicide bombings, honor killings, rapes, and all unjust acts are anti-Islamic. If we are to point the finger at Islam for some people's abhorrent acts, than it would be only fair to point the finger at every religion in the world for the grisly acts of their members. I am sure Christianity will be rated much worst than Islam.
You seem to be finding the situation somewhat humorous. I hope that I have not unduly offended you by sharing the observation.
What protection was hijab to the two young children shaking hands with political leaders at the resent suicide bombing in which the terrorist group "Helpers of Islam" claimed responcibility? The blood of these innocent bystanders was blown onto the camera lens as they passed by. When will Islam live up to it's name as a religion of peace and submission to God by perging these terrorist offenders from her? When will Christianity live up to it's name by genuinely being follows of the teachings of the Christ and promote peace and fight spiritual evil? When will Judaism live up to it's name and obey the Most High God by teaching His Name and His Law to all people? ND
Now then, if it makes any difference to you, I am personally inclined to respect trees (and other living creatures) because I fear Allah. Also, my personal understanding would be that it will be considered inappropriate to have worshiped any sort of rocks that were not spherical in appearance and maintaining an orbit (within outer space). Mind you, I am personally inclined to worship only The One who is in charge of They who crafted such things.
Yours extremely,
Yahya
Concerning the media;
I agree that the media is bloodthirsty and bias and would rather publish inflamitory content that gets ratings rather then publish truth which might bring peace. We have all been victims of it, not just Muslims.
Christians are also taught to promote justice, but through peaceful means, by fighting against spiritual powers of evil, not fleshly ones. You must also realize that the same political interests to demonize and isolate Muslims, are also trying to do the same to Jews and Christians so that we all turn on each other, leaving no one to represent the truths of God.
Please answer or comment on my other questions on hijab in my last post. ND
Honor killings may not be allowed in Islam, but they ARE allowed in Islamic countries. If these same countries can put to death a Christian for sharing Jesus with a Muslim, please tell me why they can't manage to put to death a rapest for soiling a virgin rather then killing the victim whom they blame for dishonoring the family? Perhaps these countries are not truely Islamic, but just hide behind the name.
This is exactly what has happened in Christian nations. We see our politicians pretending to be Christian in order to get elected, but then prove after the election that they are not. As a result, politicians are now more carefully questioned to see if they know scripture. For example; Howard Deen was asked what was his favorite NT book. He answered "Job" which is not a NT book but a well known OT book. Vice President Gore was asked what was his favorite scripture. He meant to answer with "John 3:16" which is a popular and well known scripture among Christians;
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
but he answered "John 16:3", which reads as follows;
John 16:3
"These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.
This scripture sums up the truth about politicians in general.
As for studying of the Qu'ran; the study of all sacred scripture is an ongoing endervour, never completed. I was taught the history while there and I've continued to follow the history offered on cable TV. I put very little value on the opinions of teachers of scripture of any kind since I am equally capable of reading what the prophets say. I don't need a teacher to tell me his opinion of what I should believe.
N.Diamond is correct by pointing out that religious leaders/scholars should do more by speaking out against the hateful & intolerant diatribe we're consistently receiving from extremists on all sides. Other than J. Kearney on this site, the other authors here do not exhibit a balanced view and should have instead used the opportunity to present a message of peace (Islam).
I (respectfully) don't agree with Muslimah's opinion that Qur'an cannot be understood without religious teachings (I presume she means those written by scholars that were several generations removed from the companions of the prophet?) Other than the prayers of Mohamad, which Muslims must practice, religious traditions are not mandatory and should not prescribe laws and punishment as the Shar'iah attempts to do (some of which outright contradicts those of Qur'an, all of which came into existence centuries after the time of the prophet and are notwithstanding).
We believe the Qur'an to be the final and complete revelation of God. It makes no mention of Hadith (Shar'iah) laws, which were written centuries afterwards. The only other teachings it refers to were ones that came before it: The Scriptures of Jesus, The Book of Moses, The Psalms of David, The Law & The Covenant.
Muslimah, I regret the use of caps in my earlier posts. They were used instead of bold fonts, which does not seem possible in this editor. After re-reading, it looks as though I was shouting - that wasn't intended. I actually like Jack Nicholson, especially without a beard...glad he (and you) know the truth.
I am glad you read the Qur'an, but I can assure that was not enough for me to understand Islamic teachings. Reading the Qur'an without learning the history and the explanations of the verses by the prophet is incomplete knowledge in my opinion.
About tolerance of violence and hate talk, Muslims are taught that they have a duty to fight injustice, and if fighting righously under God's laws is impossible than we should speak out against injustice otherwise our faith is weak. There have been many scholars who have throughout the past years condemned the terrorists and considered their acts un-Islamic. Unfortunately, they have not been covered by the media, instead the media has actively seeked those who preach hatred as the representatives of Muslims. There have been examples after examples of imams and scholars being interviewed by the media and never getting on air. This has frustrated Muslims a great deal and we have grown distrustful of the media. I realize there are other ways to get through the message, but without the media it would be very hard to reach most of the millions of people in this country and abroad.
You must realize that there are political interests to demonize and isolate the Muslims.
Christians also have varied understandings of those verses, but from what I see, Paul seems to be showing a minimum Hijab as being a woman's hair. Eve was naked in the garden of Eden before sin, but she still had long hair to cover her head. Who did she need protection from at that time? Her hair served as a sign of her husband's authority over her, and her submission to God.
Over the ages, men have blamed women for their own victimization, causing women to carry the shame of rape, rather than the rapest. In honor killings, the family feels they must kill their soiled daughter in order to redeem their honor, rather than excecuting her rapest who soiled her. Does this make sense? This only encourages the rapests to continue.
There are also laws in the OT and the NT to protect women, and Jesus reminded men that God originally gave Man only one woman in the garden as wife, not multiple wives as practiced in the Law of Moses and in Siriah. Paul taught that there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female in Christ, all are equal.
I spent three years of my childhood in an Islamic country where I learned about Islam and I've read the Qu'ran several times. I own several translations of it. I respect Muslims, but I am a Christian because I see a perfect balance between justice and mercy in Christ's teachings about his God.
If Islam, like Christianity, has been accused of many unjust things, it is because Islam, like Christianity, has tolerated and even applauded these unjust things rather than purging them from itself. No Muslim should tolerate even verbally the violence against Jews and Christians that is occurring currently. Nor should any Christian tolerate hatred being spoken against Jews and Muslims. We have an obligation to our God to promote peace and harmony, not discord and violence. We should allow God to take His own revenge against wrong doers.
ND
Well, thats the reason why Muslim countries are having trouble, and Islam having a bad name. Instead of upholding the Quran, muslims uphold the hadith and sunnah..two of the greatest lies in the history of mankind. Not only are they fabrications, they also directly contradict the Quran.
25:30 The messenger said, "My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran.
Just look at the people of the taliban. Just look at the oppression. That is not the result of belief in the Quran. It is a result of following hadith and following blindly the opinion of Islamic scholars.
Not only that. But also idolatry. Idolatry is not only the idolizing of statues and saints, but also trusting in the imams, the preachers, money, fame, fortune, instead of God, in what he taught in the scriptures.
No wonder, the world is in chaos. People do not want to follow God even if they say they do. Instead they follow their own hearts, which easily get corrupted.
You shall maintain your devotion absolutely to God alone. Anyone who sets up any idol beside God is like one who fell from the sky, then gets snatched up by vultures, or blown away by the wind into a deep ravine. 22:31
Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to God alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. 2:112
Chris, the exact same words with different scriptures quoted could have just as well come from a Christian or Jew. When we don't follow the recommendation of scripture but act self-righteously as if we do, pollution is the result. Are the people in your religion perfect? I would write more, but I'm out of characters and I don't want to dominate the board. But I hea
"Christian headcovering is deemed morally offensive to most Christians. A majority of Christians find these verses of paul quite irregular, and indicative instead of revisionism...."
I disagree with you on this issue. Since you are not Christian, I wonder why you would even say this? Most Christians don't find Paul's verses morally offensive or irregular, although many do question the exact meaning and motivation. Paul acknowledges that a woman's hair is her covering as given by nature, even to Eve in the garden. And while Jesus did speak to prostitutes, he didn't condone their behavior and he encouraged repentance. Prostitutes tried to hide their shame behind a veil. That is why it was a punishment among the Jews to take away her veil and expose her shame. Insidently, a man caught with a prostitute was supposed to be exposed as well, and stoned along with her. This is why Jesus didn't order the stoning of the adulterous woman at John 8. Because the men who claimed to have caught her IN THE ACT failed to bring the adulterous man with her to be punished. This is how Jesus knew they were all guilty of having been with her and told them to cast the first stone if they were without sin. He told her to "go and sin no more".
You stated there was "a hyprocrisy at work in both Christianity and Islam, as rotten gifts from the Jews". Ah, those are pretty strong allegations. If you're talking about the behavior of imperfect humans within each religion, I could agree with you, but if you're talking about the teachings of each, I have to disagree. The teachings are intended as a guide to better behavior.
N.Diamond
I pointed out that women were raped in Afghanistan and Iraq EVEN when they wore hijab, so it didn't prove to be a protection for them, and you asked; "What if they were wearing tight or revealing clothes in those countries?". I ask you Aziz, could they have been MORE raped had they been immodestly dressed?
I'm not suggesting that we ban hijab at all. I'm simply saying that we need to far more that to protect women! Putting all the responsibility for rape on what women wear will not work. Men need to be taught that they must not rape a woman NO MATTER WHAT SHE WEARS, and the court systems need to support that. Men must not be allowed to use a woman's dress, or lack of dress as an excuse to rape her, as if it's her fault HE couldn't control himself. It's like blaming the woman you hit with your car for the accident when you lost control of your car. If you can't control your car, how much less can she?
You stated that rape is lowest in Muslim countries. I doubt this due to honor killings and the shame and blame on the woman that rape brings. I doubt seriously that women are reporting all rapes. Another great advantage for the rapest.
We don't assume that hijab is forced on Muslim women because of the few who reject it, we think it's forced on Muslim women who are getting hit by cars because they can't see around their berquas.
Hijab is fine and should be permitted, but it can be taken to extremes which endanger the very woman it's meant to protect. I suggest that a minimum hijab be defined, as Paul does in 1 Corninthians. If the woman wants to take it further, she should be free to do so, but not forced to do so.
N.Diamond
1 Corinthians 11:16
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
Obviously this question raged even in Paul's day.
So, bottom line, Christian women are in compliance with the minimum requirement of hijab if they wear their hair long, not shaved bald or cut very short like a man's. They are permitted to decide for themselves if they want to wear more than the minimum. This is the reason why some Christian women wear more covering in church while praying to God, or when representing others in prayer. Most Christian women do this more as a consideration for others so as not to stumble unbelievers or new believers.
The referance to the covering being "power" on a woman's head could be interpreted as "protection" or, it could be interpreted as "authority" as most Christians perceive it. Either way the result is the same. But as has already been pointed out, a headcovering, whether it be hair or a scarf is pointless if the rest of the body is immodestly dressed. I do not consider the proper size to be immodest.
N.Diamond
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered [them] to you.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
1 Corinthians 11:4
Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1 Corinthians 11:5
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1 Corinthians 11:6
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1 Corinthians 11:7
For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:8
For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:9
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 11:10
For this cause ought the woman to have power on [her] head because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 11:11
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:12
For as the woman [is] of the man, even so [is] the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1 Corinthians 11:13
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Corinthians 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:16
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the ch
I AM able to "see the obvious differences between men and women", I just don't happen to agree one of them is that men are any more visually stimulated than women. I simply believe from my own experience that women are more in control of their lusts, not because women are any better than men, but because women are forced by both society, and a lack of physical strength to be more controlled. Blame it on feminism if you like, but men and women are far more alike than different.
It's amazing to me how men make even their weaknesses into strengths. Lust is a weakness, whether from a man or a woman. But men use this weakness as their excuse to commit the crime of rape and will in court. They would never accept such an excuse from a woman. Take for example the female teacher who was impregnanted by one of her young male grade school students whom she lusted after and enticed. She was sent straight to jail for child rape. While a male teacher who was caught in the act of rape in the teacher parking lot with one of his female students got off scott free, even after another student proved her illegitate child was his as a result of rape. If we want to stop this kind of garbage, we have to hold both genders equally accountable. The same law cannot apply to one, but not the other.
N.Diamond
I wish you would reread ALL of my posts. I have not made "demeaning comments on hijab", in fact, I've defended it. Nor have I narrowly applied it. I simply pointed out that one Muslim's definition of hijab is different from another's. Some believe only the head should be covered, while others believe the face and whole body should be covered, or it's not truly hijab. A glance over the other posts in this thread will demonstrate this.
My personal belief is that a woman should be able to wear hijab in any way in any country she chooses. And a woman should be able to NOT wear hijab if she chooses.
I'm glad to hear that you haven't tripped over your loose fitting skirts, however, there are stories out of Afghanistan of women getting their loose clothing (which they are required to wear) caught in machinery causing serious injury, and women getting struck by vehicles because they were not able to see oncoming cars out of their berquas.
I personally think that hijab should be defined as the covering of one's head and the wearing of properly fitting and modest clothing. I don't bring up these examples to "attack" hijab". I bring them up to show that hijab can be taken to an unnecessary extreme, just as a lack of hijab also can.
As to Paul's teaching to Christian women; if you look over that Bible passage, you will find that Paul states that a woman's long hair is a natural headcovering for her, and that Christian women have no custom regarding any additional headcovering, and, the choice is hers. Thank you Paul. In other words; freedom of choice.
N.Diamond
Chris, if you wouldn't feel compelled to kiss a meteorite, might you perhaps consider taking a closer look at the Qur'an? For what it might be worth, I would say that the heavens should not be confused with Paradise - as seems to be the case within Christianity. By the way, I myself am rather looking forward to kissing the rock in question.
Here's something from the Qur'an, pertaining to the heavens (et cetera): [Qur'an 55:31-34] "Soon will We apply Ourselves to you, O you two armies. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny? O assembly of the jinn and the men! If you are able to pass through the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass through; you cannot pass through but with authority. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?" In my way of thinking, we are being told to give it our best shot. (Anyone interested in exploring Mars?)
Peace.
Chris, muslims do not worhip rocks. We worship the God of Abraham, same as Jews & Christians. And, together with Jews & Christians, We are Believers.
Regrettably, Believers squabble in the Holy Land, which belong to neither Muslim, Jew or Christian; it belongs to God. This has been going on for thousands of years and has more to do with ethnic rivalry between two tribes (cousins) than anything else.
Furthermore, Jews (and others) are successful because they know how to grow food and create jobs & wealth. We muslims, on the other hand, have made a science out of blaming others and a virtue out of being stupid.
We seem fascinated by hijabs, beards, and halal meat while others are developing great nations complete with institutions, technology, medicines and every other need.
I'm not against hijab, veil or headscarf. I am against the author's views: especially his misrepresentation of harassment as though this is something that only happens in the West. He is also wipping up sentiments of hotheads that easily misunderstand this article as an outright ban on hijabs in the West. In simple terms, this is troublemaking which I do not care for.
We should be building bridges, finding common ground, not causing trouble. Our children need no distraction, they need good, sound education.
As to the Jews not having much power in this country, please answer some simple question; why is it that any politician who dared to criticize Israel in the past thirty years has no more a political career? How come the mainstream media does not show the atrocities Israel has been inflicting the Palestinians in the past decades?
In a search for closure to our discussion, my guess would be that the Nazis pulled the trigger because it simplified their theft of Jews' land, financial holdings and other tangible assets. Also, Israel does indeed appear to be useless as a military adjutant in the Middle East. Incidentally, I would personally imagine that the contributions made by Jews to world civilization owe more to a Jewish emphasis on early and continuous education than to their historical frugality and business acumen. Japanese achievement, I would agree, does indeed appear to result (perhaps primarily) from a Japanese willingness to sacrifice comforts for the sake of greater attainment.
In the meantime, this article concerns head coverings and freedom of religion. Forgive me, but I was under the impression that 'hijab' (screening, in this context, regarding the sexes) was considered to be a tenet of Wicca as well.
(Peace be unto you.)
Yahya
I also hope that all Muslims realize that this is an issue of freedom (of religion) and something that concerns us all.
N.Diamond
Regarding your demeaning comments on hijab, I would like to tell that I am a Muslim woman who wears the hijab, my face is not covered, I have dresses, skirts and shirts of different fashions and colors that fit my taste and individuality. By the way, I have not yet tripped on my long-loose clothing. It is predictable that Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are always brought up to attack the hijab and Islam. As a Muslimah I disagree with both regimes, I believe they both have taken away the rights women have in Islam.
If you are a Christian and believes in the Bible than you should dress like Muslim women, because even Paul in the New Testament said Christian women should cover their heads. It is amazing to me that people who discard their own teachings because they find them too difficult to comply with, attack those who practice their own religion.
The truth is, this inequality of freedom of religion is one every one experiences. Reguardless of religion, race, age, gender, the only difference between us all,is in the manner the discrimination is expressed,or in what specific area ( of culture or religion)the people group is being discriminated in.
Personally I believe, if this is a subject one must bring up at all, discussing it( it is not like it is a new one, everyone knows about the discrimination first hand)Then it is a matter that should be brought up with some one who can make a difference. Some one with authority, if not, then it is one quite frankly with no other point, than to stirring up remoarse.
1. As far as who ever said , that education,and self control... was the solution to all the cases of abuse, and sexual assult in America, and in the whole world for that matter.
yes america offers free public education, so wouldn't that contradict the statment presented earlier. No, education is more that letters and numbers. Education is the molding of our crude person, into an acceptable character. ( one that respects other humans right,not because they area woman or a man, rather because they are a human being )that is why even the most educated, ( in letters and numbers) in the highest postions our country holds ( presidency) commit these assults.
America, nor Canada should be used as a basis for any argument, against the statement made earlier.
thank you
I'm sorry, I don't have the specifics of the court cases I spoke of from memory. I can tell you they occured in the 1970's and '80's and several movies were made about them. You could probably find some reference to them at the library or on line. I will check for you when I have time.
There are no loopholes in Christianity for rape either, but there are in the American judicial system. A sharp defence lawyer will always try to shift blame from his client to the accuser even in the case of rape. If he can prove that she was enticing the accused somehow, then he might be able to prove she was "asking for it". The problem with this is that the way a woman dresses is subjective. What is seductive to one man, may not be to another. Nuns have been raped by twisted men who are turned on by the prospect of soiling a virgin. Should we blame the Nun for dressing to suduce such a twisted mind? A woman's dress CANNOT EVER be justification for rape.
You pointed out that there are anotomical differences between men and women that make it more offensive for women to go bare chested, and that men are stronger then women, able to overpower, and more visually stimulated. While I agree with you that there are indeed anatomical differences between the genders, I don't agree that a woman's bare breasts are any more obsence than a man's. It used to be considered equally a crime in this country for a man to go without a shirt as it is now for women. The Law has eroded to favor men, and discriminate against women. Women are just as visually stimulated as men, but women are under more pressure by society to control themselves than men are, and, because women are not able to over power men, they are forced be this lack of ability to be more self controlled. If the law applied equally to men, there would be less rape and immodesty. Why is it that prostitutes are held more accountable then their clients? It is simply because they are female in a male dominated world. <
N.Diamond
As a married Christian woman from the USA, I can tell you that I would not like my husband to see EITHER a woman in tight clothing OR covered from head to toe in a shroud. No, I don't want my husband lusting after a seductively dressed woman, nor do I want him to be unable to recognize one woman from another in a crown of women dressed like Nuns. I would like HIM to see women modestly dressed in respectful attire which covers their bodies, yet reflects their personalities and individuality. If they want to cover their heads, let 'em. If they don't, okay, just cover their everything else that should be covered.
N.Diamond
N.Diamond
N.Diamond
Y.Bergum: Apologies if I misunderstand your posts but, are you suggesting friendly religious competition in public schools?
I thought we were sending our kids to school for academic achievement. The only competition needed there are purely academic and sporting.
I believe that PUBLIC schools should be free of all religious, political, and protest expressions. In addition, they should also be free of cultural (pop, rap, body piercing, etc) expressions. I send my kids to school to LEARN.
If one must exhibit their religious expressions in the school environment, it should be done at PRIVATE religious schools (I have a private tutor teach my kids Qur'an).
I am all for the wearing of Hijabs, Nuns veils, Yamulka's, Seikh turbans, Crosses, even Chris' pointy witch(wizard?) hat, but NOT IN FRONT OF MY CHILD'S VIEW OF THE BLACKBOARD (overhead display device?).
I studied Qur'an for many years and as far as I can tell, in the end we shall be judged by our deeds, and what is in our hearts and minds. Not by what we wear on our head in a publicly funded classroom environment.
"If I am asked, "Could you give from the UJA moneys to rescue Jews, 'I say, NO! and I say again NO!" -- Izaak Greenbaum, head of Jewish Agency Rescue Committee, February 18, 1943, addressed to the Zionist Executive Council.
"One Cow in Palestine is worth more than all the Jews in Poland" -- Izaak Greenbaum
Source: www.jewsagainstzionism.com/holocaust/holocaustpics.htm
(From Qur'an 5:48) So strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah (i.e., God). [In my view, it's a friendly sort of competition - wherein we would encourage our competition to best us rather than attempt to inhibit them from doing so. As far as I'm concerned, that includes witches, pagans and whoever else might care to participate in a race in all virtues.]
I bid you peace.
Yahya
Allah's promise will ever be fulfilled
Ma Salam
I remember one day while I was at the mall, I saw this Muslim woman wearing jeans and shirt with a little scarf on her head, walking with her was a girl wearing a long loose fitting skirt and a loose fitting shirt and was not wearing the head scarf. I thought the one without the scarf was more modestly dressed than the one wearing the scarf.
I believe people get confiused when they see these girls who were tight clothing and a little scarf and they are considered to wear the hijab. This is not hijab in my opinion. It completely defeats the purpose.
N. Diamond wrote, "however a great deal more modesty is required of women because men use a woman's dress as an excuse to violate her. In American court cases, men have actually won rape cases brought against them because they proved in court that the woman raped was dressed seductively, therefore inviting rape". Please, can you write the specific case that this outrageous reason was given, it seems incredible.
Rape is inexcusable, I agree with you on that, and in Islam there is no loophole or excuse for such an act and the punishment for it is very severe. I also agree that the dress does not completely protect from rape or harassment. There will always be some people who are violent and immoral, these kind of people need to be punished for their awful acts.
As to women being told to dress more modestly then men, there are a few logical reasons for this. I hope you are able to see the major anatomical differences between men and women; for example, if a man and a woman walked bearchested in public, the woman would be considered more naked than the men, and could be in trouble with the law. The other reason is the simple fact that men are more strong then women, therefore they can overpower a woman, while most women cannot do viceversa. The last reason is the desires of men compared to women. To be more blunt, men are more visually stimulated than women. There have been many studies that confirm this.
Esther, I have read many of your posts. I cannot understand why you attack Islam and Muslims so much, when it is clear you are completely ignorant on Islam, Islamic history, Muslim countries and Muslims. Chuches and synagogues have always been in Muslim countries all over the world. Christians, Jews and pagans have been living among Muslims from the time of the prophet Mohammed. This lie you persist to believe in is just a lie.
Ahmed and others, thank you for being so vociferous in this cause and replying to all the ignorant comments. Protest all things French, "FREEDOM" FRIES!!!
(From Qur'an 5:48) So strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah (i.e., God). [In my view, it's a friendly sort of competition - wherein we would encourage our competition to best us rather attempt to inhibit them from doing so.]
(From Qur'an 22:40) Had it not been for Allah's repelling some people by means of others, certainly there would have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which Allah's name is much remembered; and surely Allah will help him who helps His cause. [Seemingly, the work of our competitors is as potentially acceptable to the Lord of the Worlds as is our own work.]
You might also wish to consider quoting Qur'an 5:69 (which is identical to Qur'an 2:62). In my experience, Wahabis and Salafis (may Allah bless them and grant them peace) would appear to be less inclined to maintain that Qur'an 3:85 abrogates Qur'an 2:62, if it's the subsequent occurrence of the verse, in Qur'an 5:69, that's referenced.
Alas - in as much as my nationalism is perhaps unsurpassed by no more than possibly a few neoconservatives, I am not entirely sure how well I might fit in (in the Middle East). In the meantime, I am happy to report that I have no grievances (political or otherwise) to take elsewhere - alhamdulillah (the praise be to God)!
Assalamu alaikum (peace be unto you).
Chris my suggestion to you is to go back to school and do some real studying.
Think first before you say anything.
Malaysia is a Muslim nation, thousands of Muslims
attended Christmas dinner recently. Hundred of thousands Christians and non-muslims attended Muslims open house during aidil fitri(Muslim celebration after fasting month). I myself read your bible which they place at every hotel bedside table in my country.Some time Quran and Bible in one drawer! please tell the truth who kill muslims in bosnia, phillipine, irian jaya, palestine and who kill the iraqis now? Muslims cannot hurt non-muslim, even their hair muslim cannot touch!(refer this in quran).As for hijab and veil, it is not a muslim tradition but a crystal clear written law in quran !
Thanks for responding to my post. Like Islam, Judaism and Christianity also encourage self control and modesty on the part of both genders, however a great deal more modesty is required of women because men use a woman's dress as an excuse to violate her. In American court cases, men have actually won in rape cases brought against them because they proved in court that the woman raped was dressed seductively, therefore "inviting rape".
Fornication and adultery are sins in all three religions regardless of how the woman is dressed. Yet, men continue to use this excuse successfully to get away with their sin while the woman is victimized again.
I'm not at all saying that women, AND men for that matter, should not be expected to dress modestly. But I'm saying it should not be an excuse for rape. Men have been know to rape children. Should we let them off if the innocent baby was dressed immodestly? Little boys and men have been known to be raped. Should they be required to wear a headcover to prevent this?
It is still against Judaic and Christian principals to fornicate and adulterate and have children out of wedlock, but these things occur due to the decay of society, due to the falling away from Godly principals which Jesus warned would happen in the last days. There are fewer professed Christians in America now than in years gone by (pecentage wise) and far fewer practicing Christians. As God is taken out of our schools and public places by the government, we decay.
I don't believe the headcover really protects women, but I do believe they should be able to wear it if they choose. As a Christian, I don't wear one, but I will wear one in support of all women's right to wear one IF THEY CHOOSE.
N.Diamond
Thanks for repling to my email. I understand your point about religious competition. I found verses in the Jewish scriptures, as well as the Christian scriptures regarding this. Basically it seems God used the Christians to make the unfaithful Jews jealous, and He used competition amoung the Christian sects to get the prophet Jesus' message preached throughout the nations. I consider the real possibility that He now uses the Muslims to make unfaithful Christians jealous. It is my hope that in the end, all of this jealousy will result in all faiths returning to God in faithfulness rather than resulting in us all killing each other off over it.
Still, I don't like it. It's very uncomfortable. It's annoying to me as a Christian to hear a Muslim quote a scripture from the Qu'ran spoken by Muhammed which is almost word for word a quote from the New Testament spoken by Jesus 1500 years earlier. Now I know how a Jew feels when he hears a Christian quote a scripture from Jesus which is almost word for word a quote from the Old Testament.
Now I wonder if God, in His irony, will use repentant Jews to make the Muslims jealous, bringing us full circle - returning us all to Him. Our God is very clever.
Let all the prophets be blessed and the Most High God be praised.
N.Diamond
To Y.Bergum; perceived use of religious symbols for religious competition is precisely why it may be banned in public schools. Please take your competition and grieviances over regional and political conflicts elsewhere.
Q'uran does NOT advocate religious competition
(Ch2,v62): "Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." [end]
As a muslim myself, the reason I live in the west is because there is more religious freedom, human rights and economic opportunity in Judeao-christian socities than they are in so-called muslim ones. Anyone who has a problem with that is welcome to go live in the middle-east for a reminder...
[Qur'an 5:46-49] And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute; And this (He commands): Judge thou between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to thee. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crime it is Allah's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious.
Now places like Saudi Arabia enforce the covering up of the head - I am against that. When a woman realizes and reflects upon the importance of modesty in a society, she will definitely dress in a modest fashion rather than dressing to reveal her adornments.
As far as the bans being enforced upon the veil/Hijab in France and Germany, that simply goes to show the lack of tolerance on religious freedom.
Why do I say that?
Western world, including Europe preaches freedom of expression, freedom to practice religion of one's choice, human rights, religious right, and so on and so forth- all those supposed tenets of democracy.
And yet, this extremist secular Europe fails to practice what it preaches when it comes to Muslim and Islam. Perhaps, in Europe's mind, human right and religious rights is applied to any mankind BUT Muslims?
Look Europe! Please understand! It is religious right of a Muslim woman to wear 'hijab' as prescribed by her God (Allah). Ironically, a Christian nun also wear hijab since it is prescribed by Christianity. Why does Europe keep its mouth shut on nun's hijab then? Perhaps Europe should ban 'hijab'-wearing nun from entering government's building now? What do you think Europe?
Thus, on what basis does Europe want to deny the right of Muslim woman from following the command of her God?
Isn't that is a blatant violation of religious right and thus human right of Muslims?
Or perhaps Muslims are not human?
Seems like Europe and whoever who think similarly has become confused about the things they themselves hold dear. All those human right and democracy is now a bunch of bull...!
If Europe fail to revert this foolish decision, Europe should never again preach democracy, human right, religious rights, etc, etc, anymore.
Shut your mouth up, Europe!
However, you have to focus that Al Hijab is not a sign in Islam unlike Judaism and Christianity. Its an order from divine Allah, its an obligation to any woman who believes in Allah and his Prophet (SAW). France by instigating laws that ban Al Hijab will in fact create a division among its society, its more than a harm to itself, as the law allows the creation of private schools for communities, the solution will be to create schools, so there will be a school for each ethnic religious community and in stead of unifying french society it will increase the division and strengthen the gate b/w the 3 religions in stead of establishing a dialogue through daily contacts in schools...Its the first time that such law is adopted and its very dangerous bec it affects the values of democracy that were defended for decennies...I wished if Cheikh Al Azhar, Mr Tantaoui mentioned during his meeting the French home Minister that Al Hijab in Islam is not a sign but an obligation part of obedience to the creater and of our faith...and defend the liberty of women to wear what they want...As you said its not a sign of submission or lowering women, in a way i understand when the west passes this judgement on Muslim women, bec Islam valued women, gave her her rights, unfortunately, some Muslim men forget that the fact that Allah said "Arijalyu Kawamuna alan nissam" its not a praise but a liability, its not a sign of superiority since Allah addresses both "Al muminina wal muminat" which mean that both men and women are equal but its an obligation towards women and the fact that she's part of the man its to protect her and treat her in a good way. The question is do all muslim men apply what Allah ordered them to do towards women ???? A reflection is needed
Thanks
Souad El alami from Casablanca/Morocco
Islamic teachings do emphasize the importance of self restraint and personal responsibility for both genders. I disagree with the notion that men cannot control themselves if they see a woman in revealing clothing.
On the other hand, hijab has a very good use in society. In Islam fornication and adultery are not allowed, they are big sins. So, if men and women covered their bodies according to their attributes, then this would help prevent a lot of temptations that could lead to promiscuity and adultery. It is irresponsible and unrealistic to think that the way we present ourselves in public has no affect at all. I also realize adultery and fornication will occur regardless of the way we dress and the harsh punishments in place. Some people would do what they want regardless if it right or wrong, but they will be in the minority. For example, several decades ago it was frowned upon to have children out of wedlock, so they occured less, today it is becoming the norm. Second example; in the US there used to be discency laws, that prevented women to display parts of her body in public as illegal. We still have some reimnants of that law, women in America cannot walk topless on the street, while in Canada they can. America is considered by many western countries too puritanical for this reason. I have no doubt, in the next years there would be no laws governing how naked people can be in public. Soon we will see naked people walking around in the summer and then the clothed people will be considered close minded puritanicals.
Also, I don't care for the premise that wearing a headscrarf will, in itself, protect women from rape, molestation, and assult. The real problem with attacks on women is not how the woman dresses, but men's lack of self control. Men are allowed to use women's dress as an excuse to misbehave. The truth is, modestly dressed women, children, and old ladies are also attacked. Even males are sometimes raped. It has nothing to do with dress. It has to do with a wicked heart condition. That is what should be addressed first and formost.
Women in Islamic countries which require headcovers are also attacked and the women often pay the price in the form of honor killings while their rapests go free. Why does the families of these women not recover their honor by killing the rapist of their women? It makes no sense! The committer of the crime goes free, while the victim is victimized again.
Yes, let women wear headcovers if they are moved to, but don't let the lack of one be an excuse for disrespect of women. Judaism and Christianity also encourage headcovers, but Christianity leaves the decision to the individual. Jewish women wear them in the Synogogue. Catholic women wear them in church. Some protestant sects wear them in the form of long hair as a natural cover. Some believe the headcover is a spiritual reference for women to be submissive to their husbands. Let's concentrate more on encouraging women to cover other parts of their bodies in modesty. And, let's encourage men to self control without excuse. This is the true mark of mascaulinity, while modesty is the true mark of femininity.
N.Diamond
Yes, it is true that wearing hijab is something muslima's "should" do, but in this day and age of terroisim and harrasement in the workplace, a muslima must do what she has to support her family, and NONE of us should judge that muslima. That choice she has made is between HER and ALLAH alone. You don't know a muslima's reasons why she might not be wearing hijab and unless we are going to join together and finacially support each of the muslima's around the world that are not wearing hijab, we are best to let ALLAH be the judge of the sister. As muslims we should learn to me more understanding and sympathetic to one another. If the muslima is a self respecting woman,carries herself well and does nothing to draw negative attention to herself (ie: wearing tight or revealing clothing, acting totally unislamic, swearing, beating her children etc), then we must not judge her. If her family is well taken care of and she is a great person, again, don't judge her for not wearing hijab. There is enough secularism going around in the world without a muslima being ridiculed for something like not wearing hijab.
May Allah continue to bless you all. Best Regards,
Aneesa BEE
Chris:
You do not know what you are talking about.
I am a MUSLIM WOMAN/GIRL and I love HIJAB.
Sure, it's hard to wear at times when living in a corrupt world and American society but at the end of the day, I'm glad I wear it. And it was MY decision. In fact, my family thinks it's unnecessary.
Christianity is not OUTLAWED in those countries. Think before you speak.
My mother is CHRISTIAN...she lived in Pakistan for over 15 years!!! Many of my classmates there were Christian including my best friend.
When I went to Saudi Arabia for Umrah ALHAMDULILLAH, there were TONS of NONMUSLIMS there in Jeddah. I could tell...because they were excused from wearing a veil and walked around looking arrogant and sticking out like sore thumbs with their hair and tight...yes tight pants.
Again.....THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
and bring your ideas to the IC message boards some time...id like to hear ur viewpoints and im sure others would too....
Furthermore, Christians and Jews lived among Muslims as a minority for over a millenium, and were treated very well. If you studied history more you would know that Christians have had much more intolerance toward other religious minorities than Muslims.
As to Muslims in Indonesia and India being required to read Arabic shows you have no idea of what you are talking about. Arabic is the language of the Qur'an, unchanged for over 1400 years, so all Muslims who want to be more knowledgable in the religion have to learn Arabic. The richness of the Arabic language is unequaled, and most languages in the world do not have corresponding words to adequately translate this language, so the best way to understand the Qur'an is to learn its language. As to arabic customs, I disagree that Muslims from India and Indonesia have Arabic customs. Most of their customs are native, their dress in is mostly of their native traditions, their foods are native, they speak their own languages and have their own cultures. Of course, they have some Arabic influence as Islam originates from the Arabs. Any how, what is wrong with Arabic language and culture?
Finally, regarding your animosity against hijab, you are entitled to your opinion and I am too. What I find offensive is to see women demeened in the tight tank tops and miniskirts they wear to the delight of men in the streets. I ask what makes them distinct from prostitutes, they dress the same way. I do not believe imitating prostitutes is a sign of freedom and equality.
Therefore, the analogy with the Catholic nuns doesn't work. The nuns CHOOSE to wear the veil as part of entering the convent and taking their vows. Muslim women often do not have a choice.
Also, the author greatly oversimplifies the reasons for sex crimes against women. To properly address this problem would fill volumes. Shouldn't be we blaming the perpetrators of sex crimes, rather than the victims?
Modesty and mutual respect are important for BOTH genders. As a Muslim woman, I dream about living in a world where both women AND men took complete responsibility for their sexuality.
Allah Hafiz
Get your facts straight Umm and quit believing all that Politized-Islamic-Propraganda it will get you nowhere.
OPEN YOUR MIND Umm Muhammad, WAKE UP!!!!!
By the way I am not a Bush sympathizer.
The present day style of hijab was concocted by an Iranian mullah in the early 70's and
became popular as a protest symbol against the Iranian Gov't at the time. It was
modelled after headgear worn by lebanese catholic nuns according to the mullah, when
interviewed.
Hijab, meaning headcover, used to take on different styles according to culture. These various styles, some centuries old, are now at risk of being forever lost because of a 'hood' invented a few decades ago and ironically inspired by a catholic nun.
Muslim women are being duped into thinking this is Islamic. Wearing modest headgear
is Islamic. Wearing headgear inspired by a catholic nun has nothing to do with Islam.
The real intent of standardised headgear is to remove culture and individuality in order
to control one's behaviour. Originality and independent thought are the greatest
threat to these clerics and 'scholars'.
Furthermore, the articles' author and so many other like minded muslims seem obsessed with statistics showing women being assualted in the west, and other
western ills. Well, at least western media are keeping statistics. Where are the statistics
showing muslim women being regularly abused by their husband (like the tenants
that lived upstairs from my in-laws...), or the 13 year old muslim girl forced to marry
and become a slave to a 49 year old man (like the child I used to sponser)?
Lastly, I think these scholars would serve us better trying to figure out why, in this day
and age, so many residents in Bam, Iran and other places in the Islamic world are
still living in mud huts.
woman is a slave of no one but her Lord. Because
of that America can't buy her. Influence
her and tell her how to think or act. The devout
Muslim woman will not be a puppet for American
culture. She will think for herself using
the Holy Quran and Sunnah of our beloved Nabi
(prayers and blessings be upon him) as her guide.
American culture hates that it can not buy the
Muslim woman and wants to destroy the Muslim
Nation! Start with the woman. The woman is
the foundation of the Nation. If you can
strip her of her dignity, shyness, and self-respect, if you can control and influence her
mind you are on your way to succesfully destroying
the Muslim nation.
OPEN YOUR MIND AMERICA, WAKE UP!!!!!
May Allah proptect us and His deen.
When I read about women who question the need for hijab and proper covering, it disgust me. My ex-wife left Islam basically because she could not dress "freely"! What kind of non-sense is this? Some of these feminist think that their future success lies in "liberation" - removing the hijab. Thereby you anger Allah, you DO lose modesty, and degrade yourself. Do you want to be a disbeliever? Is their standard of dress and their habits better than what was explained and displayed by the Prophet and his Companions? Women are not subjugated by hijab-rather-they should be uplifted and self-confidant because of this. Will hijab hinder you from excelling in any field of study? No. However, we have been infected with Ahlil Ahwa-people who want to follow their desires. When this short-term life passes, and you meet Allah what will be your argument?
Alhamdulillah,
With this information I hope both muslims and non muslims understand better about the hijab. In fact, I found many brothers and sisters do not have enough knowledge to explain it to non-muslim. Using the hijab in daily life can simply encourage of many people (non-muslims) around me to know about Islam and that is part of da'wah too!, and every muslim should do the da'wah in whatever and whenever they live as it is written in Al-Qur'an.
Keep it up with good information.
Jazakumullah khairan.
Wearing of Hijab is mandated by the Divine Decree of Allah (swt) and nobody can question His Wisdom. It's an Islamic law and you need to follow it, period. Those sisters who do not practice Hijab are answerable to Allah when their deeds are brought to account on the day of Judgement.
Those unfortunate sisters who take Hijab as restrainment of their Freedom need to talk to those sisters who wear hijab willingly. Thanks!
I only hope that the citezens of these countries realise where the governments are leading them to, and rise using all means to see that they stop this obnoxious law taking effect or where it is currently operational(like in Turkey, Did I hear you say TURKEY? Yes in Turkey) it is brought to an end. The unfortunate thing again is that these citezens are being systimatically brainwash into thinking like the government. It is my sincere wish that articles like this one and others will be written and distributed accross wide spectrum of the West. This will go a long way to arresting this menace of the twenty first century that is threatening to doom all of the West.
----- Forwarded by Mohammed Shaaban 05/01/2004 08:55 -----
[email protected]
05/01/2004 06:54
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: Head covering and the freedom of religion
Happy New Year Mo!
I hope the season was good for you.
I've read with much interest the 'veil' e-mail and I was quite enlightened!!
Accordingly, I guess every woman (even Christians) should veil her
head!!........and that includes me!! However, due to the changing trends in
the world, this has not been the case. I personally have no problem with
the hijab..........but I find it rather insulting to some of these women
that they should have their whole bodies covered up (including veiling their
eyes, gloves, socks......I think this is too fanatical)
Well, I don't mean any offence, but that's just my opinion.
Hope you have a blessed year.
I am a Muslim woman and I wear the hijab whether I like it or not, I am Allah's servant so I have to obey His commands.
It is important for Muslims to highlight the hypocracy of western democracies and their great freedoms and rights. Their bigotry has always shown their ideals to be very flimsy.
I do not understand why there are not more of Muslim leaders speaking up in the media.
All I see on the major medias are these so called experts on Islam who only spew hatred and ignorance against Islam while the Muslim leaders are silent, why? If the media does not give them time on air then they should loudly protest and do something about it, instead of being shyly silent.
To wear or not to wear hijab, this is the question...how sad that the modern humanity deals with such a basic human rights issue. Better let us ask: To let or not to let millions of children face starvation in the third millenium, this is the question. What wears the woman next to us is none of anybody's business but her own, as long as she did not reveal more than this society is ready to accept...unfortunately, in the place I live if a woman shed everything except her thong she could appear in public as such. Now, should there be a restriction for overdressing oneself? How moronic is that, Ms Karen Keffir?!
Thank you and God speed.
- What is written in the Holy Qur'an and Hadith clearly is mandatory. Therefore, in response to one brother, this is not mainly a "fashion" or ethnic belonging, and yes, it is a symbol for Islam, such as belonging to the Muslim ummah.
- as well, someone mentioned those in the end are dubious statistics; a while ago I checked a women's association in Vancouver on sexual harrassment, I found one same stat (1 woman is raped in North America every 6 minutes).
- all the best, brothers and sisters in Islaam.
Masalaama,
cristina mariam.
Because she wanted to show that part of her fight for Iranian women rights involved the right to not cover woman head.
Also ask the Christian Nuns to remove their head scarf. Ask them to give up their modesty. Oh mother Terisa, lucky you escaped.
We muslims are trying to protect our culture and rich Islamic values, Almamdullillah.
This is the right time to defend our religion.
But as a muslims we have to spend a lot of time cleaning our own backyard.
This is my observation and opinion. I am a muslim from a non-muslim country living in USA.
1. I have seen a lot of people wearing hijab in my own country which is not Islamic state.
2. I have seen majority of muslim sisters wearing hijab/niqab here in the United States.
3. I guess, same thing with other countries such as UK, France, Australia etc;
But, have you ever seen Pakistani ladies wearing hijab, except very few?? NO.
Here in US, you go to any gatherings and you'll find Pakistani Ladies dressing like Models.
Proof: Watch any cricket match played at pakistan.
But, there are few good muslim sisters who wear niqab. May Almighty Allah protect their
family, thier Iman and grand them success here and hereafter.
Now Turkey. Being a muslim in Muslim country, can you wear hijab? What about Eygpt, Iraq and
other muslim nations? Do they wear hijab? If yes, how many people are wearing and what is the
ratio?
I can go on writing but i dont want to do that. Instead i urge all Muslim brothers and sisters
to practise Islam whole heartedly and urge your mothers, wifes, sisters, daughters to wear hijab.
Note: What do you think about the verdict given by Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar university regarding this ban.
Corrupt ARAB rulers and some muslims are the real enemies of Islam. We have enemies within.
Ma Salama
fashion. Hijab/Turban is an ethnic fashion, an outer symbol
of identity more than religion, which is a personal issue.
Religious freedom is the opportunity to worship whatever,
however, whenever, without fear of censure. But to make
public display, such as a fashion of Arab headress for men
or Hijab for women contradicts and undermines freedom, as
it pressures others of that persuasion to follow fashion or
be censured for not doing so. Many progressive Jews have
found a spiritual reality that also frees them from old
ethno-cultural baggage, such as strict controls on women.
Christian nuns have largely abandoned their Medieval
costumes for more modern garb. Most modern Muslim
women also want their freedom to choose whether or not to
wear ethno-cultural fashion, or be free from it. While the
hijab/turban has become a symbol of anti-Western attitude,
it also remains more an ethno-cultual fashion than anything
necessarily associated withTrue Islam--spirituality, not
outward display of ritual or other symbols.
supporting Hijab are poor historians. Hijab has nothing to
do with Islam, at the core of which is Tauheed--unity of all
existance, and a Qur'an that "lives in the heart". To focus on
externalities distorts and deprives Islam of its spiritual
essence.
A more detailed analysis of the Hijab (and many more commonly asked questions) can be seen at the following link:
http://www.irf.net/book2.zip
Thanks.
We call ourselves civilized, yet our knowledge is so shallow, we appear to still be in an age of ignorance.
REMEMBER: ALLAH (SWT) deems it obligatory and I dare not question HIS commands. Anyone who thinks differently and disregards HIS Commands should ponder the punishment HE has meted out to generations past.
Just to inform you that I have been to Saudi Arabia 3 times and I, along with thousands of women (Muslim or non-Muslims) who visit the cities, even the Muslim women to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Medinah, do not cover our FACES, which is acceptable. What we do cover is our whole body and hair.
In Islam... in Quran... it says if you do not want to do the things reqired by Allah.. ask Allah for forgiveness... Allah may forgive... but sin against people Allah will not forgive.....
I do not understand .. why would a civilized ..educated... leader of freedom... ban hijjab... what is the diffrence between them and the terrorist... who tell women they must cover.... the way it should be ... that donot tell women to cover or not to cover.... let them have a choice...i wear hijjab because i want to.. I want to please God....
Muslim get what they deserve... nobody is coming forth and telling the world about good things in .... Islam is peace...modern... and a religion of choice.....and the terrorist groups that name themslves with Islam... should be rooted out...
they have given bad name to Islam.... if they want ot make a point they should protest and get united in their cause.
May Allah be with us
protecting their youth.
1. It doesn't matter what the Jews and Christians do to their beliefs and their life styles. A muslim is supposed to obey Allah and His messenger (SAW).
2. Any authority, whether it is a dictator, a democratically elected President, UN, US or any other power, he/she is NOT above the commandment of Allah, period.
3. Internal affairs of Muslims are outside the scope of unbelievers. And this must be known and clear to them.
4. Being 'Civilized' is to submit our will to the will of Allah, not going against it.
So, discover Islam and become real civilized.
Thanks!
Someone comment, "while countres in the West are seeking strength in diversication, Singapore is practising complacency in uniformity."
Singapore would do better to recognise our diversity as a strength than to pretend that everyone is the same.
They (the citizens of the west) forget to see how "LOW" they have become.
Want to know the fruits of secularism????
- well, here is your answer. The chiristian priests even can't control themselves; they are molesting little kids in countless heads. Britney spears is even affecting the preists. Anyone disagrees w/ me?
Secularism = Fascism = communism = moronism = chimpism = vouyerism = molestism.
What tremendous penalties they are accumulating!!! They are too drunk to realize it. Hulkly sad!!!
Let us pray for the lost creatures of the west.
sister Karen was talking about
"think the author is trying to skew the intentions of France
- The law passed in France also bars Jews from wearing skullcaps and Christians from wearing large crosses."
but in a way jews and christians should also be against the laws and fight for their freedom of religion. all the religions should step to fight against it. by wearing a hijab or skull cap or cross u are not hurting anyone. there is no clear justification why these young kids regardless of which faith they are to take off what is seen as religious. By wearing these things they would be giving positive influence to others through being better muslims, jews or christians. inshallah allah knows best. jazakalah
I completely agree with this article and believe that the legislation banning the Hijab which is to be brought forward is the result of Islamophobia which has gripped the West ever since september 11.
Moreover, people who are planning to ban the Hijab because they feel it is a symbol of oppression should take a close look at the condition of women in their societies.The West has reduced women to mere sex symbols.In the name of freedom women are exploited.Just take a look at any magazine which is on sale at the newsagents and you will know what I am trying to say.They are made to walk wearing the skimpiest of clothing on the ramps in the name of promoting fashion.The West has disgraced women for a long time now and treats them as have been reduced to mere sex symbols for commercial purposes.Why then would you need a woman to sell a shaving cream.What has woman got to do with the shaving cream?The very people who talk about women's rights and freedom have been exploiting them. It is about time the women, especially in the West, think for themselves and realise that they are being taken for a ride.
Also, in sending down an Arabic Qur'an, was the Lord of the Worlds unmindful with respect to the "countermanding nature" of some of the ayat found for example in the fifth surah? Even during our attempts to form a society of those who believe in the Qur'an (Qur'an 5:51) are we not also to encourage non-believers in the Qur'an to compete with us, as if in a race to goodness (Qur'an 5:48)? Are we not to encourage them to be mindful of at least some of the writings for example that Christians themselves would consider to be sacred (Qur'an 5:47)? Are we then to expect that those who have struggled in the cause of Allah will be denied their reward - simply because they continued to hold fast to early teachings than we did (Qur'an 5:69 and Qur'an 2:62)?
Furthermore, are we not to encourage Jews and Christians to remember Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) - regardless of the names by which they might remember the Lord God Almighty (Qur'an 22:40)? And does not Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) use one people to limit the religiously motivated excessiveness of another (Qur'an 22:40)? Will not Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) help those who help Allah's cause (Qur'an 22:40)? Personally I think we might wish to consider whether or not our own individual actions, words and beliefs will be considered to have been in conformance with Islam (Qur'an 3:85).
- The law passed in France also bars Jews from wearing
skullcaps and Christians from wearing large crosses.
It would have been interesting to see the author answer the
question of Women in Saudi Arabia - are they allowed to
wear a scarf? No - they have to be covered from head to
toe.
France is a secular nation. The country was founded by
Christians, not Muslims. If Muslim girls want to wear a
scarf, they have the right to do so in Muslim countries.
Why doesn't the author complain that Christian women can
not show their faces in Saudi Arabia?
Anyone who thinks that the Hijab is a sign of oppression I ask you to do a test for yourself. Go introduce yourself to a Nun. And notice in your own actions how you approach and talk to her with a sign of respect and modesty. Now go introduce yourself to a regular women. Notice how you see her diffrently and treat her diffrently than the Nun. Not disrespectful but you don't see as much modesty in the regular women. This is one of the reasons for the Hijab.
As-salamu-alakum (Peace be upon you)
Can anyone tell me how people in stone age dressed up?
Ans- exactly like you see people in the western societies TODAY in 2004. People during stone age had only tree barks and animal skins to cover partially; not b/c they did not want to, but they did have enough barks and guidance (scriptures) to dress modestly. Today, what don't we have?
Let me reveal the sad truths of these extermely paganistic and sick people of the west. They think that they've made tremendous progress in science and crossing all barriers (been to Moon, sending spacecrafts to different planets). SO whatever they say is right and better than what God has prescribed to them. How infidellic!!!
They have indeed gone far far astray and what tremendous penalties they are accumulating!!! They are too drunk to realize it.
I have only one question for the drunken and vouyeristic pagans!!! - If you can say, "It's my body!!! I can do whatever I want with it"... Why can't Muslim women do whatever they want with their bodies?
...I know you are too drunk to anwer my question, but
Do know what me (H.A.) is a MOZLEM MAN & I am going travel to Europe wearing Hijab/burkah (head to toe). If anyone messess with me, I will make you float in another dimension instantly with just one simple punch!!! I know how to change your sick society. All Muslim men should follow my example...
"Sometimes you have to resort to punch to civilize the uncivilized" - American Chimp.
We live in times when ignorance prevails over logic and reason. Some muslims in the states have adopted things that harm us and destroy our iman instead of things that benefit us. To most women wearing the veil is the next step to becoming a "good muslim". Those same muslimah have not established prayer and an understanding of islam so forget about the hijab. They are too busy reading people's magazine or watching Dawson's Creek. May Allah keep us Muslim men and women out of the state of IGNORANCE. ameen...
According to Chirac, hijab is a symbol which displays "a sort of aggression". If this is so then what about french and british colonizing symbols e.g. their armies and flags etc. They appear quite aggressive to the rest of the world. Why not give them up? Jewish skull-caps and large Christian crosses can not be put in the same category with hijab. Hijab is not a symbol of "islamism".It is part of the dress. Just as we cover other body parts hijab is supposed to cover the hair. What if the french govt. declares full dress as oppossed to partial nakedness as offensive? Are we going to accept that? Its not going to end here with hijab.
Jamia Al Azhar needs to expel that fool(I want to use much harsher words) who said its French govt.'s right to impose any laws in its country. That idiot should know that no government has the right to interfere in personal matters atleast in the world we are living in nowadays. The muslim governments should object to this foolishness and take this matter to UNO.
If we study about Jihad in our countries, all of these monkeys jump up and say this is an international matter and UNO must take action. What about this violation of personal rights and liberties?
Chirac has made secularism a new religion. Secularism is supposed to let everyone practise their religions freely, not to suppress people's religious beliefs and rights.