HIP Hijab

[Veiled Princess 1]

I don't personally like the idea of veiling for fashion but I don't really care why anyone chooses to do so. For me to say you can't wear the veil because you're not religious enough is just as bad as if I would say you're not religious enough because you don't wear the veil... if that makes sense.

I never have a problem with anyone who chooses to wear too many clothes as opposed to those who wear too little.

I also don't see anything wrong wtih being fashionable in one's veiling. There are some items I don't wear in public and I'm not really fashionable (how fashinable can you be in an abaya and scarf?) but that's my preference.

I agree with some statements I've seen so far that you can't judge a person's piety by his/her clothes but then again we aren't really supposed to be trying to do that anyway

I choose to wear hijab because I do believe it's commanded by God in the Quran and His reasons for commanding it are mentioned as well... the first of which is so that we will be known as believing women. I don't like the excuse of "I stand out in non-muslim world when I wear it" because of this... IMO we're supposed to. To me, when I see a hijabi in the west I think this is a strong woman who doesn't care what anyone thinks of her other than her God.

I'm not condeming anyone who doesn't wear it and I'm not saying they are any less of a woman because of it because I know it's a hard choice to make and I know there are many muslims who don't believe it's a requirement. I'm just saying this is my personal reason for wearing it... but then again my hubby is an avid fan of hijab for all the women in his life (wife, mother and all his sisters) so he probably just brainwashed me

Edited November 2, 2006 by Veiled Princess

[ya falaha! 0]

LOL..you brainwashed higabi zombie you!

My husband does prefer the higab but he's fine with me not wearing it. He does expect me to wear it in Egypt though since his mom, sisters, aunts, and cousins all wear it. That's cool.

[doodlebug 3]

I choose to wear hijab because I do believe it's commanded by God in the Quran and His reasons for commanding it are mentioned as well... the first of which is so that we will be known as believing women.

Where in the Quran does it say this? I've only read it once so far and I dont' remember that statement anywhere.

(i kind of hope you can't come up with it 'cause that will make me have to wear it and i'm petrified of losing my job over it not to mention my daughters have total 'issues' with it just when I wear my prayer outfit at home even )

[ya falaha! 0]

There are so many interpretations of what the Quran and Hadith says and so many differing opinions of religious scholars that it's hard to know what is definitely haram sometimes.

[Henia 11]

I dunno, for a political science/religious studies major, I certainly don't analyze the hijab as much as one would think. I know why I wear it, as an act of worship (ibadah) for God, and that's good enough for me.

I do like talking about hijabi fashion

Well I myself have been so used to wearing very simple and modest and long black (ehhheemmm Moody you know what style that is LOL) that since being with and esp marrying my husband he has had to literally force me out of my black *mourouning gown* as he calls it..and into colour! i mean it has been a very tense and uneasy situation for... cos my hijeb warbrode has been for the most part all black and black with some simple design on them. I had like one light blue hijeb which I never wore until coming to Algerie... my husband has elhamdullah broke me out of that thinking... I got tons of *new* hijebs here... in all colours..I have actually started trying to match them to outfits, got hijeb pins and clips...WOW an old dog can learn new tricks...well still need to work on the tricks... still need to find new ways to learn the hijeb... my husband says I am way too stuffy! Me stuffy? Keeps reminding me (Moody) I am not in Sanaa anymore

[doodlebug 3]

If I did start wearing it in the US, I'd go with this type of style, though I dunno if it would work on my round Polish face...seems like the longer and thinner the face the better they look.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I choose to wear hijab because I do believe it's commanded by God in the Quran and His reasons for commanding it are mentioned as well... the first of which is so that we will be known as believing women.

Where in the Quran does it say this? I've only read it once so far and I dont' remember that statement anywhere.

(i kind of hope you can't come up with it 'cause that will make me have to wear it and i'm petrified of losing my job over it not to mention my daughters have total 'issues' with it just when I wear my prayer outfit at home even )

It's illegal for someone to be fired over hijab in this country. It still happens, but any company that does that will get their butts handed to them in a civil rights discrimination suit.

If one does chose to wear hijab, that person should be near 100% comfortable with their decision. It takes a lot of courage to put it on here in the US, and if you're not comfortable, then it will be beyond difficult.

If one feels drawn to hijab, start slowly, wear it at the masjid, then wear it to the masjid, then wear it on occasion when going out on errands. I started by just wearing bandanas, then moving up to a scarf tied back in a bun, and then finally to it worn the "usual" way.

And as for the verse:

O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle. (33:59)

It's interpreted in several different ways. Some say that it means jelbab is required. Others that wearing a distinctive manner of dress is. I use this to support my decision to wear hijab in an environment where I'll stick out, because it identifies me as a muslim woman.

[doodlebug 3]

I choose to wear hijab because I do believe it's commanded by God in the Quran and His reasons for commanding it are mentioned as well... the first of which is so that we will be known as believing women.

Where in the Quran does it say this? I've only read it once so far and I dont' remember that statement anywhere.

(i kind of hope you can't come up with it 'cause that will make me have to wear it and i'm petrified of losing my job over it not to mention my daughters have total 'issues' with it just when I wear my prayer outfit at home even )

It's illegal for someone to be fired over hijab in this country. It still happens, but any company that does that will get their butts handed to them in a civil rights discrimination suit.

If one does chose to wear hijab, that person should be near 100% comfortable with their decision. It takes a lot of courage to put it on here in the US, and if you're not comfortable, then it will be beyond difficult.

If one feels drawn to hijab, start slowly, wear it at the masjid, then wear it to the masjid, then wear it on occasion when going out on errands. I started by just wearing bandanas, then moving up to a scarf tied back in a bun, and then finally to it worn the "usual" way.

And as for the verse:

O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle. (33:59)

It's interpreted in several different ways. Some say that it means jelbab is required. Others that wearing a distinctive manner of dress is. I use this to support my decision to wear hijab in an environment where I'll stick out, because it identifies me as a muslim woman.

I like the "and God is ever Forgiving, Gentle" part.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I like the "and God is ever Forgiving, Gentle" part.

It's repeated so often in the Qur'an, Ghafur, Rahman, Rahim, gentle, merciful, compassionate, but how often to we forget that? Bismillahir Rahman ir Rahim. We say it, but it doesn't sink in.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

7.26 O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of God, that they may receive admonition!

The Quran says not one word about headcovering. The popular hadith stating that only the hands and face can be shown is weak with a broken chain of transmission (isnad). Ahadith not only need to explain the Quran, but conform to it, as well. The verse referring to covering so as to be known is intended to distinguish free women from slave women, who were, by law, not allowed to cover more than the area between their navel and knees:

33.59 O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And God is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

In the Prophet's day, it was common for men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim, to wear what is known as the "khimar", a cloth that was utilitarian in many ways. Used to protect oneself from heat and sand, also to carry multiple items, the khimar, often translated as "veil" and mentioned in ayat 24:31, was not a religious object. Speaking frankly, it is silly to base a religious tenet on the idea that a piece of cloth measures piety or protects one from moral terpitude. Allah deserves more credit than that.

Politically, hijab, which is never mentioned in the Quran as a manner of dress, is a tool meant to make men more controlling over women and a diversion to have women spend time worrying their appearance and their shame rather than about issues other than how the rights and power granted to them by Islam have been forfeited for a piece of cloth defining their place as the other. Modesty is prescribed to all, and the only objective directive requires the covering of the breast. All other rules have been set by cultural interpretations in patriarchal societies.

Patriarchy is not sanctioned by Islam, so patriarchal interpretations are subject to reexamination. If dress was so supremely important to piety, it would be also as important for men to define themselves by dress as it is for women. It is not, but we rarely ever notice. Alla in all, hijab is a previously minor, superficial, symbolic, and peripheral issue that has only come to the fore over the last 25 years due to the need of a minority of Muslims with an agenda to push the concept that revisiting ancient tradition and glorifying the past is the tactic to adopt when the future looks bleak. Women, being the primary measure of honor and tradition in tribal societies, are the first to be redefined in accordance. Wear it, for whatever reason, if you like. Do not wear it with confidence if you do not believe it is required. There is no punishment prescribed for not wearing it, no reward prescribed for wearing it. Above all, don't sweat it. Modesty and moderation in all things is called for. Apply that mandate in the best way you see fit.

Edited November 2, 2006 by szsz

[Veiled Princess 1]

The Quran says not one word about headcovering...

33.59 O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And God is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

In the Prophet's day, it was common for men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim, to wear what is known as the "khimar",

Where is the khimar typically worn?

Also, what is the best translation for "Juyubihinna"?

Edited November 2, 2006 by Veiled Princess

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Khimar can be worn as a belt, over the shoulder, over the head, or as a tote.

Juyubihinna has various cultural interpretations. Some scholars say it is the entire body, from the head to the feet, some say it is the area from head to bosom, still others believe it to refer the the bosom and upper torso. That is why hijab is interpreted as anything from modest dress with no headcovering to burkas, and everything in between.

Edited November 2, 2006 by szsz

[Veiled Princess 1]

Khimar can be worn as a belt, over the shoulder, over the head, or as a tote.

It's an article of clothing worn on the head and women are specifically commanded to pull it around their bossoms.

It's fine if you don't believe that (and anyone else) but don't start wars here and insulting and flaming those who interpret the Quran differently than yourself by calling them silly or whatever other offensive name you see fit to use today.

We've had enough problems here in this forum and you can quickly get reported for trying to enflame anyone here. Have a nice day.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Khimar can be worn as a belt, over the shoulder, over the head, or as a tote.

It's an article of clothing worn on the head and women are specifically commanded to pull it around their bossoms.

It's fine if you don't believe that (and anyone else) but don't start wars here and insulting and flaming those who interpret the Quran differently than yourself by calling them silly or whatever other offensive name you see fit to use today.

We've had enough problems here in this forum and you can quickly get reported for trying to enflame anyone here. Have a nice day.

did i miss something?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I do believe I am entitled to express my opinion here, even as it disagrees with yours. I plan to do no flaming, but I will add my comments as I see fit. If you have such a strong emotional attachment to a controversial topic that you cannot maintain civil discourse without issuing threats, perhaps it would be best for you to avoid posting such a topic in the future.

BTW, the word "juyub" comes from the word "jayb", which means chest, so it is reasonable to believe that a word that refers to the chest, in this context, can lead to an interpretation that allows for chest covering without headcovering.

This is a subject over which there has been much scholarly debate over centuries. To react with an intent to stifle open discourse including varying viewpoints, and as if it is not a controversial issue even among Muslims is not fair to all who read here with interest.

An article about hijab as fashion opens the door to examining the political and historical context of the practice. I commented on the political, as I seen it as used over the years to distort the orignal purpose in order to fill an agenda that inflates women's dress to a measure of piety and a barrier to moral terpitude. I am not the first one to say this, as can be noted by reading above my comments. I also said in earnest that whomever wants to wear it should feel free to do so, and whomever doesn't can feel free not to. No skin off my teeth. I'm actually quite neutral about it in regards to personal choice, which I believe it to be.

It's an article of clothing worn on the head and women are specifically commanded to pull it around their bossoms.

The reinterpretation and connotation of khimar as a head veil actually didn't happen until about 200 years after the Prophet's death. Prior to that, it was not specifically designated as a head garment.

Edited November 2, 2006 by szsz