Is it okay to go from wearing hijab to not wearing hijab?

[Bosco 1]

Amal I have not read the Quran but can you post where it says to cover everything except for your eyes? I am interested in seeing that. I don't see why there would be such a debate if it clearly states to cover a woman's body everywhere except for her eyes.

This would also mean a woman having to wear gloves.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I know I have waivered in and out of wearing hijab.

It takes a inner strength to wear it in the states that sometimes I have

and sometimes I don't want to fight the battle of stares and all.

I know how anything difficult you do in the name of Islam is

rewarded with blessings, mercy, forgiveness, etc.. as a motivation

to strive forward.

I will say for me, it's a personal trade off. When I do cover, my inner

voice is so calming and at peace, but I have to battle thru the stares and

ignorance with patience, and sometimes I lack that.

When I don't cover, I feel more blended into society but my inner voice

is kinda disgusted I sold out LOL.

Hopefully I will find my balance.

Maryum

Might I suggest wearing a beret?

[anxious 0]

Hey thanx for the offer.

At first my fried brain was like....what is that? But then I remembered

the Prince song "Rasberry Beret"....

I feel personally for me...it's all or nothing...

but tanx for de suggestion.

[melly 0]

I've been reading a book that someone here on the forums recommended to Doodlebug. Believing in Ourselves. It's a really great book and I'm not quite done but it's had so much information and insight into things, I'm really appreciating it.

The author does do a whole chapter on hijab and in it she mentions the three parts of Quran where it mentions about women covering. I thought I would post the translation as she has it in her book, so people could more easily reference it.

And say to the believing women

That they should lower

Thier gaze and guard

Their modesty; 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, their fathers,

Their husbands' fathers, their sons,

Their husbands' sons,

Their brothers or their brothers' sons,

Or their sisters' sons,

Or their women, or the slaves

Whom their right hands

Possess, or male servants

Free of physical needs,

Or small children who

Have no sense of the shame

of sex (24:31)

O Prophet! Tell

Thy wives and daughers,

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 (33:59)

Such elderly women as are

Past the prospect of marriage,

There is no blame on them

If they lay aside

Their (outer) garments, provided

They make not a wanton display

Of their beauty: but

It is best for them

To be modest: And God

Is One Who sees and knows

All things (24:60)

When talking to my fiance about it, as we do from time to time, I mentioned that those passages don't specifically say anything about covering the head, and he said that it is the Prophet who said about covering the hair in a hadith. i don't know which one offhand, but it would be great if someone has a reference to it. I'd really like to read it.

As to the subject in general, is it okay to go from wearing hijab to not wearing hijab? In my mind, it's between the woman and God. No one else.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Hey thanx for the offer.

At first my fried brain was like....what is that? But then I remembered

the Prince song "Rasberry Beret"....

I feel personally for me...it's all or nothing...

but tanx for de suggestion.

I'm just teasing you

[Henia 11]

Hello Sarah,

The general consenses would be that since you start wearing you should continue wearing, buuuuuuuuut let us face it... in many countries women only wear it for their familes or going to the masjid ... and/or take it off in various situations...so I say this is a situation where we should practice common sense and...pray about...and do what "feels right" and also what is not going to put you in harm's way.... If a person is startting to try how it feels to wear, to decide...I would start by of course wearing more conservative clothes, then do as the French do, wear a scarf with your outfit, slowly moving it up... if you feel okay with it... or maybe even go out one weekend wearing it (if it makes you feel better in a different area then your own...just to try it out..in the end ...

Allah knows best.

Edited December 30, 2006 by Henia

[amal 4]

Amal I have not read the Quran but can you post where it says to cover everything except for your eyes? I am interested in seeing that. I don't see why there would be such a debate if it clearly states to cover a woman's body everywhere except for her eyes.

This would also mean a woman having to wear gloves.

24:31 And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; [37] hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. [38] And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, [39] or children that are as yet unaware of women’s nakedness; and let them not swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms [40] And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state! [41]

Waqul lilmuminati yaghdudna min absarihinna wayahfathna furoojahunna wala yubdeena zeenatahunna illa ma thahara minha walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna wala yubdeena zeenatahunna illa libuAAoolatihinna aw abaihinna aw abai buAAoolatihinna aw abnaihinna aw abnai buAAoolatihinna aw ikhwanihinna aw banee ikhwanihinna aw banee akhawatihinna aw nisaihinna aw ma malakat aymanuhunna awi alttabiAAeena ghayri olee alirbati mina alrrijali awi alttifli allatheena lam yathharoo AAala AAawrati alnnisai wala yadribna biarjulihinna liyuAAlama ma yukhfeena min zeenatihinna watooboo ila Allahi jameeAAan ayyuha almuminoona laAAallakum tuflihoona

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (24:31)

Baset - Hussari - Minshawi

i think i bolded the right thing.... this is only 1 of the verses I read...there is another one but I have to find it

[Peggy 1]

Interesting Thread...........

[Jenn! 918]

Since going from wearing hijab to not wearing it or vice versa would require a change in one's interpretation of the Quran, I think the important question would be what caused the change in interpretation. I think that often people interpret things the way that they want them to be.

[amal 4]

I have not given up ... I'm still trying to find the one that says about covering all but the eyes....... I can't quote anything coz that is just wrong unless it is quoted perfectly .. .. it is going to drive me nuts until I find it again.....

[Jenn! 918]

I have not given up ... I'm still trying to find the one that says about covering all but the eyes....... I can't quote anything coz that is just wrong unless it is quoted perfectly .. .. it is going to drive me nuts until I find it again.....

Are you sure you're thinking of something straight from the Quran, or just an interpretation you've read? I found this...

"The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils)* all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

*the arabic word here is Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab), which is the loose outer garment that covers all a woman's body. It says here to use the Jalabeeb to cover all, and scholars say this means to use it to cover her head (agree upon by all scholars) and her face (agreed by many scholars, not all) and one or both eyes, in order for it to be known that she is a free woman and so not to be exposed to any harm. "f

[Jenn! 918]

And this as well. What's up with the stuff in parentheses? I mean, is Juyubihinna unarguably bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms?

Surah An-Nur, Verses #30 and #31

‘And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)

Edited December 31, 2006 by jenn3539

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Amal I have not read the Quran but can you post where it says to cover everything except for your eyes? I am interested in seeing that. I don't see why there would be such a debate if it clearly states to cover a woman's body everywhere except for her eyes.

This would also mean a woman having to wear gloves.

24:31 And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; [37] hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. [38] And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, [39] or children that are as yet unaware of women’s nakedness; and let them not swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms [40] And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state! [41]

Waqul lilmuminati yaghdudna min absarihinna wayahfathna furoojahunna wala yubdeena zeenatahunna illa ma thahara minha walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna wala yubdeena zeenatahunna illa libuAAoolatihinna aw abaihinna aw abai buAAoolatihinna aw abnaihinna aw abnai buAAoolatihinna aw ikhwanihinna aw banee ikhwanihinna aw banee akhawatihinna aw nisaihinna aw ma malakat aymanuhunna awi alttabiAAeena ghayri olee alirbati mina alrrijali awi alttifli allatheena lam yathharoo AAala AAawrati alnnisai wala yadribna biarjulihinna liyuAAlama ma yukhfeena min zeenatihinna watooboo ila Allahi jameeAAan ayyuha almuminoona laAAallakum tuflihoona

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (24:31)

Baset - Hussari - Minshawi

i think i bolded the right thing.... this is only 1 of the verses I read...there is another one but I have to find it

I am sick to death of this subject because converts make waaaaaay too much of it (under pressure, no doubt), but I will interject here. The term that is translated as "head-covering" is khimar. In the Prophet's day, the khimar was not known as a head-covering. It was merely a multi-purpose cloth that both men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim, wore in various ways to protect themselves from the climate and to for use as a carrying cloth or a belt.

There is nothing in the Quran that commands covering any particular part of the body other than the breasts. There is nothing about concealing the hair. Other wise, woman and men are to be modest in dress and demeanor.

The connotation of "khimar" into "head-covering" was not made until about 200 years after the Prophet's death. It is from fiqh, not from divine law. It was a later interpretation of the ayah, and the most famous hadith about covering all but the face and the hands is weak and not legal. BTW, there are ahadith about the Prophet's wives covering their faces, but that does not set a requirment for all Muslimas. Also, on thing that has always amused me is a hadith about Sahaba Umer sitting in a field so he could catch the Prophet's wives reliving themselves in order to convince our Nabi to have women cover their faces.

I have lived as a Muslim all my life and I resent the way that the anti-westerners attempt to thwart a western expression of Islam by interjecting their Arabism and tribal customs into our practice. When I was growing up, the women who taught us Sunday school didn't wear hijab to class. All this hijab propaganda has come about since the Arab Israeli war in 1967. After that, the humiliation the Arab world boiled down to what they can do to control Muslim women. There is sooooo much more to Islam that it's sad to always see women fretting over hijab, a term that never refers to dress at all in the Quran. And a lot of this is about boyfriend Islam anyway, which is even more discouraging. Wear it or not, your choice, but why waste time worrying about it.

And this as well. What's up with the stuff in parentheses? I mean, is Juyubihinna unarguably bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms?

Surah An-Nur, Verses #30 and #31

‘And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)

That is a Salafi Quran. They have the bad taste to add words to Allah's in order to "explain" what He really means. In classical Arabic, juyubihinna means chest, not the whole body.

Will this ever end?

Eid mubarak, all!

Edited December 31, 2006 by szsz

[amal 4]

I have not given up ... I'm still trying to find the one that says about covering all but the eyes....... I can't quote anything coz that is just wrong unless it is quoted perfectly .. .. it is going to drive me nuts until I find it again.....

Are you sure you're thinking of something straight from the Quran, or just an interpretation you've read? I found this...

"The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils)* all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

*the arabic word here is Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab), which is the loose outer garment that covers all a woman's body. It says here to use the Jalabeeb to cover all, and scholars say this means to use it to cover her head (agree upon by all scholars) and her face (agreed by many scholars, not all) and one or both eyes, in order for it to be known that she is a free woman and so not to be exposed to any harm. "f

And this as well. What's up with the stuff in parentheses? I mean, is Juyubihinna unarguably bodies, faces, necks, and bosoms?

Surah An-Nur, Verses #30 and #31

‘And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)

I do believe those are what I was trying to find! Thanks for posting those as I was about to lose my mind searching for them.

I don't like the parenthesis eiher...Sometimes they confuse me more than they help me... BUT Everything I read, I have asked my husband to read the arabic and tell me if he agrees with the translation. He did say that the *eye thing* was a bit far to say...that it didn't really mean it literally... I remembered having an in depth discussion over it the first time I asked him about it... I do know it was a way of life, to cover the head, but I also interperet it in these 2 and the one I posted previously as meaning that it is better in Gods eyes if she covers..... I still don't cover.. It doesn't bother me if ppl do or don't as it is their own personal relationship with God and the only thing I should worry about is my own personal relationship with God and nobody elses.....

[peezey 0]

Amal I have not read the Quran but can you post where it says to cover everything except for your eyes? I am interested in seeing that. I don't see why there would be such a debate if it clearly states to cover a woman's body everywhere except for her eyes.

This would also mean a woman having to wear gloves.

24:31 And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; [37] hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. [38] And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, [39] or children that are as yet unaware of women’s nakedness; and let them not swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms [40] And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state! [41]

Waqul lilmuminati yaghdudna min absarihinna wayahfathna furoojahunna wala yubdeena zeenatahunna illa ma thahara minha walyadribna bikhumurihinna AAala juyoobihinna wala yubdeena zeenatahunna illa libuAAoolatihinna aw abaihinna aw abai buAAoolatihinna aw abnaihinna aw abnai buAAoolatihinna aw ikhwanihinna aw banee ikhwanihinna aw banee akhawatihinna aw nisaihinna aw ma malakat aymanuhunna awi alttabiAAeena ghayri olee alirbati mina alrrijali awi alttifli allatheena lam yathharoo AAala AAawrati alnnisai wala yadribna biarjulihinna liyuAAlama ma yukhfeena min zeenatihinna watooboo ila Allahi jameeAAan ayyuha almuminoona laAAallakum tuflihoona

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (24:31)

Baset - Hussari - Minshawi

i think i bolded the right thing.... this is only 1 of the verses I read...there is another one but I have to find it

Amal, can you post which translation you use? Because obviously this line is translated differently in different texts.