Muslims

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Im a pervert. Before that I was a prevert.

GOOD one sister Nagi!!!

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Im a pervert. Before that I was a prevert.

GOOD one sister Nagi!!!

Dearest Nagi,

I will have to digest what you just said!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

where did she say anything about wearing a khimar=trying to become an arab?

Since she was posting about hijab, I figured that was what she meant. Eh, sometimes I make the wrong connection.

as well, i don't think anyone's disputing the religious obligations of a muslim like prayer, or hajj, or obeying and following the prophet. i don't think she was saying that those things are not incumbent upon every believer. but a human being is not a pre-programmed robot either. they still possess the free will to choose whether or not they will do what God has ordered them to do. and then they would certainly have to deal with the consequences of that choice, which could get really, really ugly.

that's the freedom and choice i thought she was referring to anyways, not saying pick and choose here and there which tenets and obligations of islam you want to believe and follow.

Freedom and choice to me implies that the choices you're making are equally valid. In Islam, you don't really have a choice as to whether or not we do something. We should, but if we don't, it's not really a choice within the religion, it's a choice that goes against the religion.

It all makes perfect sense in my head, but I guess I'm not coming out clear in typing, lol.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

What I meant by this:

Islam is not just for Arabs. It's for everyone and anyone.

is.... I am a blonde haired blue eyed light skinned Muslim. Not a lot of people associate my look with Islam. As a blonde haired blue eyed light skinned Muslim I have shown many people that Islam is a religion for everyone and no one will be excluded (especially in America). It's like I'm an "undercover Muslim" and I'm proud to be able to help people come to Islam (Alhamdulillah).

Can't a blong haired blue eyed light skinned muslim who wears hijab do that as well? Most everyone who meets me knows I'm an american, from Wisconsin (thanks to my large wardrobe of UW Madison apperal), who likes to run, who loves her kitty to death, who also happens to be muslim and wear hijab. I guess I don't see what your statement has to do with the previous part of your posts about hijab.

I also feel that God still loves me even without a scarf on my head. I think that what matters the most is what is inside your heart. God knows. I think that in the end, God would be more concerned about my prayer, and my deeds toward other human beings. I also feel like if God would damn me to hell for not wearing a scarf, he is not the God I've read about and loved so deeply.

Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah (ra) wrote that the heart is like a bird flying towards Allah (swt), who's head is love and who's two wings are hope and fear. When we're dealing with Allah (swt), it should be with love, hope and fear. Too much of one and not enough of the other and the bird won't be able to fly properly.

Islam is also a balance. It is our outward actions and our inward state. Concentrating on one aspect and neglecting the other leads us to stray from the middle of the path. I think most often today, muslims tend to stray towards the outward actions and neglect the inward, but it is possible neglect the outward for the sake if the inner. We don't know which of our actions and deeds Allah (swt) will accept from us on the day of judgment, so we should be careful not to neglect anything, lest that be what He will look at.

I think one of the things we often forget is that Allah (swt) doesn't need a reason to damn us to hellfire. It is only through His mercy that we enter into it. There is a hadith I think about often about a man who only worshiped Allah (swt) for 500 years. The man asked that he be entered into paradise according to his good deeds. 500 years of worship must be worth something right? When the man's worship was compared to the blessings Allah (swt) had given him, they did not match up to something as small as the gift of eye sight, and were not enough to get him into paradise. If continuous worship of Allah (swt) is not enough to get us into paradise, how paltry are my few good deeds that I have to offer?

My heart lies in the hands of God. No one else has a say in my fate.

True, even the Prophet (saws) didn't know where he would end up, and we could see he had a healthy dose of fear when dealing with Allah (swt).

Edited April 10, 2009 by UmmSqueakster

[UmmSqueakster 54]

What did you guys think of the first session of Imam Suhaib's online class? Excited for this Saturday? Please tell all your friends/family so they can benefit too!

I hope others will be joining in. I still have to finish my homework

Please thank Imam Suhaib for offering such an awesome opportunity for free. I know for a lot of people, they'd like to take advantage of online learning, but the price is often prohibative. To have this class available for free is a real blessing.

Edited April 10, 2009 by UmmSqueakster

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Ok, now to talk about my favorite aspect of hijab - new clothes! The husband may be going back to Egypt this summer (inshaAllah) for the first time since he came more than 3 and a half years ago. That man has some serious sabr. I'm compiling a bunch of pictures of abayas I like, and inshaAllah he'll give them to his sister who will do some shopping for me. Or, if we can swing it, I'll get to go for a few weeks and then go shopping myself

I usually only wear abayas to the masjid, but I haven't bought a new one in like 3 years, and I think everyone knows exactly what to expect me to wear. Time to shake things up a bit

Here's what I've got so far:

I have to find some more websites that have the newer gulf style abayas with all the spiffy embroidery and sparkly stuff. Can you tell I like black? I just looooove a long flowly black abaya with a brightly colored headscarf.

[Leyla 0]

I don't know how many of you Muslimas do or do not wear hijabs but do the non-hijabis sometimes feel like your shunned by the Muslim community because you don't wear the hijab?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I'm an Arab Muslim who doesn't wear a headscarf, and a big proponent of not forcing sister converts into wearing headscarves. There is WAAAAY too much emphasis on women as bearers of tradition,and on their modesty and identity as Muslims in Arab culture that has leeched over into Islam. For women, dressing like an Arab to be Muslim has become the norm.

I don't feel shunned, personally, cause I carry some big guns, but some Muslims who believe it's mandatory can be quite ridiculous and rude when they meet Muslimas who dont wear it. And non-Muslims are often very surprised when they encounter a Muslima who doesn't wear it. It's truly unfortunate how hijab has become the overwhelming issue for our community over the last 30 years. It's become an identity shorthand, like wearing a daishiki, sporting a big Afro, and doing the secret handshake was for Blacks in the 1970's. There are so many more important things in learning and growth that should take priority, but it always falls back to hijab.

One of the scholars I work with likes to joke that if the Quran was last revealed in Polynesia, Muslimas would all be obliged to wear grass skirts, referring to the cultural aspects of how the followers in each venue applied the directives in the context of their environment. One must keep in mind that the Arabs were the LAST to receive the Message thru a guided prophet, for Muhammad is considered to be the seal of the prophets who came before him, lived and taught in many different cultures, landscapes, and languages.

Historically, the meaning, weight and even the definition of hijab, which does not refer to clothing in the Quran, evolved as its context shifted from the rugged environment of the early Arab Muslims, to other cultures that veiled in a manner which displayed their social status and economic wealth, to colonial times when Muslims searched for means to regain their political honor and autonomy. Scholars, after all, are also products of their socio-political environment, and are intended to apply directives in a way that benefits not only our understanding of God and his intent, as well as the society they are addressing.

Umer, for example, was a strong advocate of veiling for women. There is a hadith that describes how he would hide in the fields at night to observe the wives of the Prophet as they ventured out to relieve themseleves. He would tell the Prophet that he could tell when his wives were out alone, and encourage him to require them to veil so as not to be recognized. Later, as Caliph, he enforced the distinction between free women and slave women by perpetuating the dress code for slave that did not allow them to cover except between their navel and their knees, allowing females to go about with their chests exposed. The ayat 33:58-59 is believed to allude to this practice, instructing women to clock themselves in a way that would not be harrassed, as were slave women. The topic of hijab is historically, legally, and spiritually rich and nuanced, not one to be taken lightly when engaging in study or practice.

An interesting read for those who wish to delve deeper into the issue is The Muslim Veil in North America: Issues and Debates, critiqued at that link, and this one. It's a study of the sociological issues surrounding ritual veiling in Canada, specifically, but can easily be extended to the US.

[Leyla 0]

Mashaallah! Thanks

[Kenza 1]

I don't know how many of you Muslimas do or do not wear hijabs but do the non-hijabis sometimes feel like your shunned by the Muslim community because you don't wear the hijab?

I treat non-hijabis just the same if they act as good Muslims because they are still our sisters in Islam. However, I do give a lot of respect to hijabis because what they do is challenging in the western culture.

[HannahP 119]

I'm an Arab Muslim who doesn't wear a headscarf, and a big proponent of not forcing sister converts into wearing headscarves. There is WAAAAY too much emphasis on women as bearers of tradition,and on their modesty and identity as Muslims in Arab culture that has leeched over into Islam. For women, dressing like an Arab to be Muslim has become the norm.

I don't feel shunned, personally, cause I carry some big guns, but some Muslims who believe it's mandatory can be quite ridiculous and rude when they meet Muslimas who dont wear it. And non-Muslims are often very surprised when they encounter a Muslima who doesn't wear it. It's truly unfortunate how hijab has become the overwhelming issue for our community over the last 30 years. It's become an identity shorthand, like wearing a daishiki, sporting a big Afro, and doing the secret handshake was for Blacks in the 1970's. There are so many more important things in learning and growth that should take priority, but it always falls back to hijab.

Huh. You're obviously very conservative, so this interests me.

So you're saying that it does not say in the Qur'an that women must cover their hair? I know that in the old testament, women must cover their heads whilst praying. Why is it that women Muslims often cover their hair, then?

[HLM 1]

Ok, now to talk about my favorite aspect of hijab - new clothes! The husband may be going back to Egypt this summer (inshaAllah) for the first time since he came more than 3 and a half years ago. That man has some serious sabr. I'm compiling a bunch of pictures of abayas I like, and inshaAllah he'll give them to his sister who will do some shopping for me. Or, if we can swing it, I'll get to go for a few weeks and then go shopping myself

I usually only wear abayas to the masjid, but I haven't bought a new one in like 3 years, and I think everyone knows exactly what to expect me to wear. Time to shake things up a bit

Here's what I've got so far:

I have to find some more websites that have the newer gulf style abayas with all the spiffy embroidery and sparkly stuff. Can you tell I like black? I just looooove a long flowly black abaya with a brightly colored headscarf.

My favourite is the fourth one ... the girl next to the chair...very cute

Honest to God this question is only out of curiosity- i am by no means ready for any debates- Do muslimas who do not wear hijab; cover their heads when they pray?

[Kenza 1]

there is no debate that women have to cover when praying...men also have clothing requirements whilst praying.

about hijab-here is a good site.

Hijab-click here to go to link

[adam1 1]

I think Hijab is a requirment, But if you live in non Muslim country and fear for your life or you may be hurrassed you don't have to wear it Allah(SWT) said in the Qoran WALA TARMO BI ANFOSIKOM ILA TAHLOKA means do not expose your self to danger.

Astrfiro Allah for any mistakes , its just my opinion

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

I think Hijab is a requirment, But if you live in non Muslim country and fear for your life or you may be hurrassed you don't have to wear it Allah(SWT) said in the Qoran WALA TARMO BI ANFOSIKOM ILA TAHLOKA means do not expose your self to danger.

Astrfiro Allah for any mistakes , its just my opinion

gotta post my thoughts on that... if hajab was required then God wouldnt have told you for fear of your life or possible harrassment its ok NOT to wear it. Then each woman could say at any point in life they are in fear of their life for X reason or for harrassment. It either IS or ISNT a requirment.