Question of hijab. Supression or Liberation: An article feat video

"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.

The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." [Noble Quran 33:59]

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.

The question of Hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word "Hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of Hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Quran says:

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." [Noble Quran 24:30-31]

These verses from the Quran contain two main injunctions:

A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and

the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Quran, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:

"Ayshah reported that Asma' the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asma'! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not properthat anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to theface and hands." [Abu Dawud]

The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated that in later generations of his Ummah there would be

"women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." [Muslim]

Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:

Women must not dress so as to appear as men.

"Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" [Bukhari]

Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.

The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.

Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to Hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear Hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.

For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.

III&E Brochure Series
(Published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) and reproduced in electronic form by Islamic Academy for Scientific Research with permission)

Abayas and Islamic Clothing For Chubby Chicks

Hey I'm not trying to offend anyone.. I myself am a chubby chick.. and i have fave sites that i like to purchase my clothing from when shopping online.. Some sites have lots of sizes for plus and some dont.. i just thought i would share..

this is a well known site:http://www.shukronline.com/home.


this one has affordable abayas AND up to size 5XL (about 90% of there abayas go up to 5XL) www.eastessence.com

This site is awesome.. they have beautiful clothing (kind of pricey and sizes are limited) www.artizara.com


I will do some more browsing.. because even when i dont shop online i love to look!

Also i prefer sites that ship from US.. so i dont have to figure out currency and what not.. but i am sure there are many sites with affordable abayas/modest clothing shipping from Dubai and UAE and from what i know the clothes made there are the best.. The store i shop at in Dearborn, MI has lots of beautiful clothing. Abayas, silk tunics. long skirts, and about every type of hijab you can think of. They also have long jacket sets, abayas for around the house, lingerie, and lots of other things. They are affordable and everything is shipped from Dubai or UAE so the quality is the best ive had (i have had the "best" abayas from egypt and in my book they are not all that great, sometimes they come undone at the armpits or the middle seam) so you dont have to take my word on it.. but i like abayas that look pricey but arnt, or good quality for good price.. Alot of sites offer abayas at affordable prices but they look tacky and cheaply made..

My hubby took me to get an Eid outfit.. for $100 i got a long flared skirt, (not too fitted) and a purple print long sleeve tunic (comes to just above the knees, and a purple silk square hijab. They were having a sale and i cant wait til spring Inshallah.. because they are having another sale and am hoping Inshallah.. i will get some more clothing. (Hubby said i can go shopping) Alhamdulilah. Hopefully he is coming around.. then again i always give my self evil eye and he ends up turing back to the "bad guy" and things are crappy again.

Whoever is reading this.. PLEASE Keep us in your Dua3's and dont forget us!!

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I have no idea why but the links never work in my blog.. when i insert a link it doesnt show up to go directly to the site.. i guess i am just stupid like that.. i can do pretty much everything accept the whole change layout/ html and figure out how to edit anything complicated on my blog.. it sucks.. someone.. anyone give me instructions.. and send it as if your talking to a child or else you will lose me in the html world.. Thanks

Fashion? I Dont Really Care..

So i see my post got your eye, huh? Well let me explain. Other than being in the home i have no reason, nor desire to attract attention. My husband buys me the best of everything when he can, and takes me shopping at such stores like Macy's, Saks, and the like.. but i refuse to let him spend his hard earned money on material things like clothes when i can find almost the exact same thing at an outlet store, target, or wherever else they have sales.. besides i have 2 kids.. Every now and then i will let him buy me something expensive (at least to me) and he gets so excited, that i will actually let him spoil me.. and he tells me he cant wait to see it on me at home..

I'd rather the money be spent on things for the house like candles,incense, cleaners ( Yes i love cleaning and making the house smell good),new things for my daughters room (comforters, sheets etc.)

I get happiness from life's simple pleasures. But i can say that if there was/were particular thing/things that i loved.. it would be good perfume (that i only wear in the house for my hubby.. *not with company and not outside) makeup, and lingerie. (yeah didnt you know your supposed to "dress up" for your hubby) besides if you don't maybe he will seek to look outside ( i dont mean cheating silly i mean LOOKING)
used to have problems in that area.. but since dressing nice for hubby EVERY night, putting on perfume, and makeup i havtn noticed him "LOOKING"..

Yeah there are times i see certain things that are in fashion such as this seasons maxi dress and i think wow, how cute i want that.. BUT they HAVE ALWAYS been out every spring/summer.. and i ALWAYS buy them because you can buy them 1 size bigger for a looses flowy fit, and put a loose cardigan over top and voila perfect outfit for those hot days.. and actually that is what i wore last March for my wedding.. a nice maxi dress, dressy cardigan, and sandals.. and i didnt hear people raving about it then. so fashions come and go.. and sometimes i become interested.. but i dont try and take something like skinny jeans and "hijabify them" but i guess that may beacuse i am a thicky thick girl.. and i want to cover up my curves.. not show them off.. hard to do when you got a bum, and legs like me (frowns a little)

Oh Well Alhamdulilah.. My hubby loves me just then way i am.. and really thats the only thing that matters!!!