HIJAB: Fabric, Fad or Faith?

[MuslimHeart]

HIJAB: Fabric, Fad or Faith?

“Yeah, I just got on the bus and I’m on my way home. Okay, Mum, Wa’alaikum Assalam.”
I slip my cell into my bag. A girl in a yellow tank top and dark blue cut-offs plops into the seat beside me.
“Ugh, I hate taking the bus, especially in this heat,” she says.
I nod and smile.
She raises her eyebrows at my full-length dress and the cloth wrapped around my head. “Aren’t you hot in that?” she asks.
I contemplate my answer. The girl shoots another question. “Why do you wear that thing on your head anyway?”
I fiddle with the clasp on my bag. I wonder what I should say. Why do I wear Hijab?

Why the Hood?

It’s tough to explain, isn’t it? Hijab relates to the basic faith that there is only one God worthy of worship. As Muslim women we want to submit to God and obey all His Commands. Since Hijab is a clear Commandment of God (see Quran 24:31), we choose to do it to please Him. If we wear Hijab for any other reason, we may fulfill an obligation without gaining the reward for it.

The Noble Qur'an says what means:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” (An-Nûr, 24: 31)

Aisha (The wife of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) said, “May Allah have mercy on the immigrant women (from Makkah). When Allah revealed ‘that they should draw their veils over their juyubihinna*,’ they tore their wrappers and covered their heads and faces with them.”[Bukhari]

The female companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)gave up the traditions and norms of their society and covered up immediately to respond to Allah, before they knew the proper method.

Only a Head Covering?

“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 (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna* and not display their beauty except to…” [Quran 24:31]

The word *Juyubihinna, according to most scholars, refers to the head, ears, neck and chest. To fulfil the minimum requirements of Hijab, a Muslim woman covers her entire body, except her face and hands. Once Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Prophet wearing thin clothes. The Prophet turned his attention from her. He said, “O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this,” and he pointed to his face and hands. [Abu Dawud].

Proper Hijab means loose and opaque clothes. Clothes should not be alluring or similar to the clothing of men. What about guys? Islam outlines a modest dress code for men and women. The requirements are different based on the obvious physiological and psychological differences between the two genders.
Hijab does not apply only to clothes. It is a state of mind, behaviour, and lifestyle. Hijab celebrates a desirable quality called Haya (modesty), a deep concern for preserving one’s dignity. Haya is a natural feeling that brings us pain at the very idea of committing a wrong. The Prophet said: "Every religion has a distinct call. For Islam it is Haya (modesty)." [Ibn Majah].

What’s in it for Me? Five Advantages of Hijab

1- I can’t be messed with! Hijab protects me – Hijab identifies a Muslim woman as a person of high moral standards to reduce her chances of being harassed.

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons: that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested.” [Quran 33:59]

As Dr. Katherine Bullock (a Canadian convert and community activist) observes, “The point to covering is not that sexual attraction is bad, only that it should be expressed between a husband and wife inside the privacy of the home. A public space free of sexual tensions is seen as a more peaceful place for human beings, men and women, to interact, do business, and build a healthy civilization.”

2- I am liberated from slavery to ‘physical perfection’ – Society makes women desire to become ‘perfect objects’. The multitudes of alluring fashion magazines and cosmetic surgeries show women’s enslavement to beauty. The entertainment industry pressures teens to believe that for clothes, less is better. When we wear Hijab, we vow to liberate ourselves from such desires and serve only God.

3- I don’t let others judge me by my hair and curves! – In schools and professional environments, women are often judged by their looks or bodies—characteristics they neither chose nor created. Hijab forces society to judge women for their value as human beings, with intellect, principles, and feelings. A woman in Hijab sends a message, “Deal with my brain, not my body!”

4- I feel empowered and confident – In contrast to today’s teenage culture, where anorexia and suicide are on the rise, as women attempt to reach an unattainable ideal of beauty, Hijab frees a woman from the pressure to ‘fit in’. She does not have to worry about wearing the right kind of jeans or the right shade of eyeshadow. She can feel secure about her appearance because she cares to please only Allah.

5- I feel the bond of unity – Hijab identifies us as Muslims and encourages other Muslim sisters to greet us with the salutation of peace, “Assalamu Alaikum”. Hijab draws others to us and immerses us in good company.

Heard These Before? Three Misconceptions About Hijab

· Hijab is a symbol of ‘male dominance’
If you think Hijab is an act of submission, you are right! It is a way to submit to God. Like any other act of worship, the rewards of Hijab come only when it is done for Allah alone.

· Hijab is a ‘cultural thing’
From remote villages to cosmopolitan mega cities, women all across the world, from every ethnic background, wear Hijab. Do all of these women cling to old cultural practices? Hijab, the internal and external aspects, take understanding, training and determination. Since the purpose of Hijab is to please Allah, doing it for tradition is wrong.

· Hijab is a ‘challenge to the political system’
While Hijab may have political implications, as evident in the banning of Hijab in certain countries, Muslim women who choose to practice Hijab are not doing it to challenge the political system. Islam encourages men and women to observe modesty in private and public life. Hijab is an individual’s act of faith and religious expression.

Thinking about wearing Hijab? Here are some tips to help you overcome obstacles that may get in your way:

· Yourself –Not sure if you’re ready? Remember that Iman (faith in Allah) includes submitting to Allah’s will. Research, understand the reasons and talk to girls who have gone through it. Ask Allah to help you put your beliefs into action. Prophet Muhammad related that Allah said, “if [My servant] draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

· Your Friends – Worried about how your buddies will take it? Your friends should accept your decision and be proud of your courage. Give them time and be patient. Be conscious of Allah, not the girls or guys.

· Your Parents – It’s difficult to do things when the people closest to you oppose it. As Muslims, it’s our duty to please our parents, unless their wishes go against the command of Allah. As much as your parents do for you, their love and mercy could never compare to that of your Creator. Ease your parents into your decision and pray that it becomes easy for them to understand.

· At School –It takes courage to be different. You are likely to hear, “what is that thing on your head?” or “who made you do it?” Questions aren’t bad. Know your reasons and explain why you chose to wear Hijab.

· At Work – The United Nations states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18). Most countries in the world abide by this declaration and have their own laws that protect an individual’s freedom of religious practice at work.

· At the Gym – What about swimming or basketball for sporty sisters? Obeying Allah and wearing Hijab does not limit your physical activity. Organize sisters-only sports events. This encourages true sports-womanship. When you play, it’s about the love of the game, not the glory (or the guys watching!).

Soruce: http://www.youngmuslims.ca/publications/hijab.asp

[barbara]

Alsalam Alikom wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu MuslimHeart:)

Thank you for posting two very timely articles, timely for me anyway. As a new revert, it is my main struggle right now. Insha Allah I will find the strength (and courage) to wear it all the time.

Fe Aman Allah

Jana




HIJAB: Fabric, Fad or Faith?

“Yeah, I just got on the bus and I’m on my way home. Okay, Mum, Wa’alaikum Assalam.”
I slip my cell into my bag. A girl in a yellow tank top and dark blue cut-offs plops into the seat beside me.
“Ugh, I hate taking the bus, especially in this heat,” she says.
I nod and smile.
She raises her eyebrows at my full-length dress and the cloth wrapped around my head. “Aren’t you hot in that?” she asks.
I contemplate my answer. The girl shoots another question. “Why do you wear that thing on your head anyway?”
I fiddle with the clasp on my bag. I wonder what I should say. Why do I wear Hijab?

Why the Hood?

It’s tough to explain, isn’t it? Hijab relates to the basic faith that there is only one God worthy of worship. As Muslim women we want to submit to God and obey all His Commands. Since Hijab is a clear Commandment of God (see Quran 24:31), we choose to do it to please Him. If we wear Hijab for any other reason, we may fulfill an obligation without gaining the reward for it.

The Noble Qur'an says what means:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” (An-Nûr, 24: 31)

Aisha (The wife of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) said, “May Allah have mercy on the immigrant women (from Makkah). When Allah revealed ‘that they should draw their veils over their juyubihinna*,’ they tore their wrappers and covered their heads and faces with them.”[Bukhari]

The female companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)gave up the traditions and norms of their society and covered up immediately to respond to Allah, before they knew the proper method.

Only a Head Covering?

“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 (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna* and not display their beauty except to…” [Quran 24:31]

The word *Juyubihinna, according to most scholars, refers to the head, ears, neck and chest. To fulfil the minimum requirements of Hijab, a Muslim woman covers her entire body, except her face and hands. Once Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Prophet wearing thin clothes. The Prophet turned his attention from her. He said, “O Asma, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this,” and he pointed to his face and hands. [Abu Dawud].

Proper Hijab means loose and opaque clothes. Clothes should not be alluring or similar to the clothing of men. What about guys? Islam outlines a modest dress code for men and women. The requirements are different based on the obvious physiological and psychological differences between the two genders.
Hijab does not apply only to clothes. It is a state of mind, behaviour, and lifestyle. Hijab celebrates a desirable quality called Haya (modesty), a deep concern for preserving one’s dignity. Haya is a natural feeling that brings us pain at the very idea of committing a wrong. The Prophet said: "Every religion has a distinct call. For Islam it is Haya (modesty)." [Ibn Majah].

What’s in it for Me? Five Advantages of Hijab

1- I can’t be messed with! Hijab protects me – Hijab identifies a Muslim woman as a person of high moral standards to reduce her chances of being harassed.

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons: that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested.” [Quran 33:59]

As Dr. Katherine Bullock (a Canadian convert and community activist) observes, “The point to covering is not that sexual attraction is bad, only that it should be expressed between a husband and wife inside the privacy of the home. A public space free of sexual tensions is seen as a more peaceful place for human beings, men and women, to interact, do business, and build a healthy civilization.”

2- I am liberated from slavery to ‘physical perfection’ – Society makes women desire to become ‘perfect objects’. The multitudes of alluring fashion magazines and cosmetic surgeries show women’s enslavement to beauty. The entertainment industry pressures teens to believe that for clothes, less is better. When we wear Hijab, we vow to liberate ourselves from such desires and serve only God.

3- I don’t let others judge me by my hair and curves! – In schools and professional environments, women are often judged by their looks or bodies—characteristics they neither chose nor created. Hijab forces society to judge women for their value as human beings, with intellect, principles, and feelings. A woman in Hijab sends a message, “Deal with my brain, not my body!”

4- I feel empowered and confident – In contrast to today’s teenage culture, where anorexia and suicide are on the rise, as women attempt to reach an unattainable ideal of beauty, Hijab frees a woman from the pressure to ‘fit in’. She does not have to worry about wearing the right kind of jeans or the right shade of eyeshadow. She can feel secure about her appearance because she cares to please only Allah.

5- I feel the bond of unity – Hijab identifies us as Muslims and encourages other Muslim sisters to greet us with the salutation of peace, “Assalamu Alaikum”. Hijab draws others to us and immerses us in good company.

Heard These Before? Three Misconceptions About Hijab

· Hijab is a symbol of ‘male dominance’
If you think Hijab is an act of submission, you are right! It is a way to submit to God. Like any other act of worship, the rewards of Hijab come only when it is done for Allah alone.

· Hijab is a ‘cultural thing’
From remote villages to cosmopolitan mega cities, women all across the world, from every ethnic background, wear Hijab. Do all of these women cling to old cultural practices? Hijab, the internal and external aspects, take understanding, training and determination. Since the purpose of Hijab is to please Allah, doing it for tradition is wrong.

· Hijab is a ‘challenge to the political system’
While Hijab may have political implications, as evident in the banning of Hijab in certain countries, Muslim women who choose to practice Hijab are not doing it to challenge the political system. Islam encourages men and women to observe modesty in private and public life. Hijab is an individual’s act of faith and religious expression.

Thinking about wearing Hijab? Here are some tips to help you overcome obstacles that may get in your way:

· Yourself –Not sure if you’re ready? Remember that Iman (faith in Allah) includes submitting to Allah’s will. Research, understand the reasons and talk to girls who have gone through it. Ask Allah to help you put your beliefs into action. Prophet Muhammad related that Allah said, “if [My servant] draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

· Your Friends – Worried about how your buddies will take it? Your friends should accept your decision and be proud of your courage. Give them time and be patient. Be conscious of Allah, not the girls or guys.

· Your Parents – It’s difficult to do things when the people closest to you oppose it. As Muslims, it’s our duty to please our parents, unless their wishes go against the command of Allah. As much as your parents do for you, their love and mercy could never compare to that of your Creator. Ease your parents into your decision and pray that it becomes easy for them to understand.

· At School –It takes courage to be different. You are likely to hear, “what is that thing on your head?” or “who made you do it?” Questions aren’t bad. Know your reasons and explain why you chose to wear Hijab.

· At Work – The United Nations states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18). Most countries in the world abide by this declaration and have their own laws that protect an individual’s freedom of religious practice at work.

· At the Gym – What about swimming or basketball for sporty sisters? Obeying Allah and wearing Hijab does not limit your physical activity. Organize sisters-only sports events. This encourages true sports-womanship. When you play, it’s about the love of the game, not the glory (or the guys watching!).

Soruce: http://www.youngmuslims.ca/publications/hijab.asp

[MuslimHeart]

Alsalam Alikom wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu MuslimHeart

Thank you for posting two very timely articles, timely for me anyway. As a new revert, it is my main struggle right now. Insha Allah I will find the strength (and courage) to wear it all the time.

Fe Aman Allah

Jana

Peace and blessings be upon you jana

Happy :) to hear that Jana and may Allah give you all the strength

I will encourge you further and post for you ishaallah “The Virtues of Hijab” ;)

[knewagnu]

I will encourge you further and post for you ishaallah “The Virtues of Hijab” ;)

here is a simple mans take on hijab :)
"man, if I were a woman I'd be so into hijab"

explanation:
I, being a guy, have clothes in my closet that I wear today but were purchased 15 or more years ago. Fashion (for me) never changed. I've got my henley shirts to go with jeans and khakis. Then a couple of oxford and polo shirts to go with a couple pair of dress pants. Pretty much any top will go with any bottom, takes all of two seconds to get dressed. It's simple.

The typical American woman will have a huge wardrobe which needs to be updated every season. Who knows how many hours are spent shopping, and how many thousands of dollars are spent on clothing. Getting dressed is a major event. Then add in the small fortune for hair care and make up products. It's crazy.

as was originally mentioned:

Since Hijab is a clear Commandment of God (see Quran 24:31), we choose to do it to please Him. If we wear Hijab for any other reason, we may fulfill an obligation without gaining the reward for it.

honestly, I never gave much thought to hijab, I just always thought it was way cool.

Peace,

Mahdy

[MuslimHeart]

Peace be upon all :)

Yes brother Mahdy, Hijab (veil) is an act of obedience and a shared responsibility, for every Muslim man shoulders a great share in this obligatory act of obedience. Man as a son, brother, husband, uncle father and grandfather must have jealousy (this kind of jealousy is very praiseworthy and necessary in the manners of the Muslim man) over his family; such a jealousy translated as care, fear, love, chivalry and protection is appreciated by any woman. Muslim man must also implant Hayâ’ (a sublime moral behavior involving a mixed emotion of modesty, virtue, bashfulness, chastity, humility, purity, piety, courtesy… and is marked by deep reverence, respect, dread and awe shown to Allah and reluctance to commit whatever is forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in his female relatives….

Allow me to mention an important hadith stressing this great reponsibility upon men narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

"Three people will not enter paradise, and Allah will not look to them on the Day of Judgment: the one who is disobedient to his parents, the woman who imitates men and ad-Dayooth." (reported by Imam Ahmad)

Ad-Dayooth[1] a man who is contented with obscenity within his family. i.e., a cuckold - a man who permits the women for whom he is responsible, such as his wife, daughter, etc., to engage in illicit sexual relations or to display their beauty to men, thereby stimulating sexual desire.

[barbara]

Alsalamu Alikom wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu MuslimHeart:

I have read all of your posts concerning hijab, esp. the one you posted just for me.

You will be glad to know that as of yesterday, i began wearing hijab whenever i go outside of my home. I was looking at hijab in a wrong way. It will still take some getting used to. Shukran!

Fe Aman Allah
Jana

[MuslimHeart]

You will be glad to know that as of yesterday, i began wearing hijab whenever i go outside of my home. I was looking at hijab in a wrong way. It will still take some getting used to. Shukran!


Allahu Akbar my sister Jana :) :)

Truly I greatly respect and admire the eagerness of NewMuslims to please Allah, all praise and glory be to Him, The speed by which they strive to get closer to Allah, their wish to compensate for every moment lost away from Him, How they try to do in days what other Muslims have strived to fulfill in years, they go to Him not running but riding a speedy horse…..And I am amazed how Allah subject some of His servants to the service of others for truly Jana I had the article “Show leniency to Tender Glasses” since a long time and only these days I thought to post it along with the articles of Hijab and Allahu Akbar…Jana is a Veiled Flower Now ;)

[ummibrahimabdur-rahman]

As'Salaamu Alakium Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu,
My name is Umm IbrahimAbdur-Rahman and I'm new to this group. I am a muslimah, married with two sons. I am currently a stay at home mom & have a new homebase business. I was reading some of the posting and would like to encourage some new muslimahs when it comes to covering. Alhumduillah covering was not hard for me because I had the pleasure of being around muslim women and I always though they looked absolutely beautiful. I would like to make this statement always remember the blessing in itself that Allah (swt) loved you to save you from the Fire! Alhumduillah this world is temporary if we don't no anything else, we all no this we all leave this world. So is it your mission in this life to be obedient to Allah (swt) and seek his pleasure and rewards in the hereafter? Or is it your mission to fit in with those who are disobedient to Allah in this world for a short length of time. My love for Allah and hopes of Allah (swt) mercy that I enter Paradise that there's no second though. May you continue to study with knowledge comes a increase of Iman and Tawqa.

Ma Salaams
Umm IbrahimAbdur-Rahman (khadijah)


THE LESSON FROM DEATH
Life slips away second by second. Are you aware that every day brings you closer to death or that death is as close to you as it is to other people?

As we are told in the verse
QURAN
"Every soul shall taste death in the end; to Us shall you be brought back." (Surat al-'Ankabut: 57
Everyone who has ever appeared on this earth was destined to die. Without exception they all died, every one. Today, we hardly come across the traces of many of these people who passed away. Those currently living and those who will ever live will also face death on a predestined day. Despite this fact, people tend to see death as an unlikely incident.

Think of a baby who has just opened its eyes to the world and a man who is about to breathe his last. Both had no influence on their individual birth or death whatsoever. Only God possesses the power to inspire the breath of life or to take it away.

All human beings will live until a certain day and then die; God in the Quran gives an account of the attitude commonly shown towards death in the following verse:

QURAN
Say: "The death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!" (Surat al-Jumu'ah: 8)
The majority of people avoid thinking about death. In the rapid flow of daily events, a person usually occupies himself with totally different subjects: what college to enroll in, which company to work for, what color of clothing to wear next morning, what to cook for supper; these are the kinds of major issues that we usually consider. Life is perceived as a routine process of such minor matters. Attempts to talk about death are always interrupted by those who do not feel comfortable hearing about it. Assuming death will come only when one grows older, one does not want to concern himself with such an unpleasant subject. Yet it should be kept in mind that living for even one further hour is never guaranteed. Everyday, man witnesses the deaths of people around him but thinks little about the day when others will witness his own death. He never supposes that such an end is awaiting him!

Nevertheless, when death comes to man, all the "realities" of life suddenly vanish. No reminder of the "good old days" endures in this world. Think of everything that you are able to do right now: you can blink your eyes, move your body, speak, laugh; all these are functions of your body. Now think about the state and shape your body will assume after your death.

From the moment you breathe for the last time, you will become nothing but a "heap of flesh". Your body, silent and motionless, will be carried to the morgue. There, it will be washed for the last time. Wrapped in a shroud, your corpse will be carried in a coffin to the graveyard. Once your remains are in the grave, soil will cover you. This is the end of your story. From now on, you are simply one of the names represented in the graveyard by a marble stone.

During the first months or years, your grave will be visited frequently. As time passes, fewer people will come. Decades later, there will be no-one.

Meanwhile, your immediate family members will experience a different aspect of your death. At home, your room and bed will be empty. After the funeral, little of what belongs to you will be kept at home: most of your clothes, shoes, etc, will be given to those who need them. Your file at the public registration office will be deleted or archived. During the first years, some will mourn for you. Yet, time will work against the memories you left behind. Four or five decades later, there will remain only a few who remember you. Before long, new generations will come and none of your generation will exist any longer on earth. Whether you are remembered or not will be worthless to you.

While all this is taking place in the world, the corpse under the soil will go through a rapid process of decay. Soon after you are placed in the grave, the bacteria and insects proliferating in the corpse due to the absence of oxygen will start to function. The gasses released from these organisms will inflate the body, starting from the abdomen, altering its shape and appearance. Bloody froth will pop out the mouth and nose due to the pressure of gasses on the diaphragm. As corruption proceeds, body hair, nails, soles, and palms will fall off. Accompanying this outer alteration in the body, internal organs such as lungs, heart and liver will also decay. In the meantime, the most horrible scene takes place in the abdomen, where the skin can no longer bear the pressure of gasses and suddenly bursts, spreading an unendurably disgusting smell. Starting from the skull, muscles will detach from their particular places. Skin and soft tissues will completely disintegrate. The brain will decay and start looking like clay. This process will go on until the whole body is reduced to a skeleton.

There is no chance of going back to the old life again. Gathering around the supper table with family members, socializing or to having an honorable job will never again be possible.

In short, the "heap of flesh and bones" to which we assign an identity faces a quite nasty end. On the other hand, you - or rather, your soul - will leave this body as soon as you breathe your last. The remainder of you - your body - will become part of the soil.

Yes, but what is the reason for all these things happening?

If God willed, the body would never have decayed in such a way. That it does so actually carries a very important inner message in itself.

The tremendous end awaiting man should make him acknowledge that he is not a body himself, but a soul "encased" within a body. In other words, man has to acknowledge that he has an existence beyond his body. Furthermore, man should understand the death of his body which he tries to possess as if he is to remain eternally in this temporal world. However this body, which he deems so important, will decay and become worm-eaten one day and finally be reduced to a skeleton. That day might be very soon.

Despite all these facts, man's mental process is inclined to disregard what he does not like or want. He is even inclined to deny the existence of things he avoids confronting. This tendency seems to be most apparent when death is the issue. Only a funeral or the sudden death of an immediate family member brings this reality to mind. Almost everybody sees death far from himself. The assumption is that those who die while sleeping or in an accident are different people and what they face will never befall us! Everybody thinks it is too early to die and that there are always years ahead to live.

Yet most probably, people who die on the way to school or hurrying to attend a business meeting shared the same thought. They probably never thought that the next day's newspapers would publish news of their deaths. It is entirely possible that, as you read these lines, you still do not expect to die soon after you have finished them or even entertain the possibility that it might happen. Probably you feel that it is too early to die because there are many things to accomplish. However, this is just an avoidance of death and these are only vain endeavors to escape it:

QURAN
Say: "Running away will not profit you if you are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (you do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will you be allowed to enjoy!" (Surat al-Ahzab: 16)
Man who is created alone should be aware that he will also die alone. Yet during his life, he lives almost addicted to possessions. His sole purpose in life becomes to possess more. Yet, no-one can take his goods with him to the grave. The body is buried wrapped in a shroud made from the cheapest of fabrics. The body comes into this world alone and departs from it in the same way. The only asset one can take with him when one dies is one's belief or disbelief.

On the authority of Ibn Umar {radhiallahu anhu} that he said:

The Messenger of Allah {sallalahu alayhi wa salaam} took me by my shoulder and said, "Be in this life as if you are a stranger or a wayfarer." Ibn 'Umar (radhiallahu anhu) used to say , 'In the evening do not expect to live to the morning, and in the morning do not except to live to the evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death." [Related by Bukharee]

Umm IbrahimAbdur-Rahman (Khadijah)
www.Khadijahsessence.50megs.com #703-624-8171

Khadijahsessence@yahoo.com

The shortest distance between a problem
& a solution is the distance between your knees & the floor in prayer.

[barbara]

Alsalam Alikom wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu Umm IbrahimAbdur-Rahman (khadijah):


Alhumduillah covering was not hard for me because I had the pleasure of being around muslim women and I always though they looked absolutely beautiful. .


Shukran for your words of encouragement. Insha Allah my Iman and Tawqa will increase daily as I study the Qur'an and receive words of wisdom from my brothers and sisters.

Perhaps not having sisters in my community for support is a challenge in and of itself, but having this community to rely on for support has meant all the world to me.

Barakallah Fik!

Jana

[SkyAboveYou]

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barkatuh my brothers and sisters :)

MashaAllah this is a good topic...& I'd like to contribute to it by adding this conversation about higab..it doesnt necessarily end the desired way but the points discussed r what matter..inshaAllah u like it..

A Conversation about Hijab

"I'm so tired"
"Tired of what?"


"Of all these people judging me."
"Who judged you?"


"Like that woman, every time I sit with her, she tells me to wear
hijab."
"Oh, hijab and music! The mother of all topics!"


"Yeah! I listen to music without hijab.haha!"
"Maybe she was just giving you advice."


"I don't need her advice. I know my religion. Can't she mind her own business?"
"Maybe you misunderstood. She was just being nice."


"Keeping out of my business, that would be nice..."
"But it's her duty to encourage you do to good."


"Trust me. That was no encouragement. And what do you mean 'good' ?"
"Well, wearing hijab, that would be a good thing to do."


"Says who?"
"It's in the Qur'an, isn't it?"


"Yes. She did quote me something."
"She said Surah Nur, and other places of the Qur'an."


"Yes, but it's not a big sin anyway. Helping people and praying is more important."
"True. But big things start with small things."


"That's a good point, but what you wear is not important. What's important is to have a good healthy heart."
"What you wear is not important?"


"That's what I said."
"Then why do you spend an hour every morning fixing up?"


"What do you mean?"
"You spend money on cosmetics, not to mention all the time you spend on fixing your hair and low-carb dieting."


"So?"
"So, your appearance IS important."


"No. I said wearing hijab is not an important thing in religion."
"If it's not an important thing in religion, why is it mentioned in the Holy Qur'an?"


"You know I can't follow all that's in Qur'an."
"You mean God tells you something to do, you disobey and then it's OK?"


"Yes. God is forgiving."
"God is forgiving to those who repent and do not repeat their
mistakes."


"Says who?"
"Says the same book that tells you to cover."


"But I don't like hijab, it limits my freedom."
"But the lotions, lipsticks, mascara and other cosmetics set you free?!
What's your definition of freedom anyway?"


"Freedom is in doing whatever you like to do."
"No. Freedom is in doing the right thing, not in doing whatever we wish to do."


"Look! I've seen so many people who don't wear hijab and are nice people, and so many who wear hijab and are bad people."
"So what? There are people who are nice to you but are alcoholic. Should we all be alcoholics? You made a stupid point."


"I don't want to be an extremist or a fanatic. I'm OK the way I am without hijab."
"Then you are a secular fanatic. An extremist in disobeying God."


"You don't get it, if I wear hijab, who would marry me?!"
"So all these people with hijab never get married?!"


"Okay! What if I get married and my husband doesn't l i ke it? And wants me to remove it?"
"What if your husband wants you to go out with him on a bank robbery?!"


"That's irrelevant, bank robbery is a crime."
"Disobeying your Creator is not a crime?"


"But then who would hire me?"
"A company that respects people for who they are."


"Not after 9-11"
"Yes. After 9-11. Don't you know about Hanan who just got into med school? And the other one, what was her name, the girl who always wore a white hijab.ummm."


"Yasmeen?"
"Yes. Yasmeen. She just finished her MBA and is now interning for GE."


"Why do you reduce religion to a piece of cloth anyway?"
"Why do you reduce womanhood to high heals and lipstick colors?"


"You didn't answer my question."
"In fact, I did. Hijab is not just a piece of cloth. It is obeying God in a difficult environment. It is courage, faith in action, and true womanhood. But your short sleeves, tight pants."

"That's called 'fashion', you live in a cave or something? First
of all, hijab was founded by men who wanted to control women."
"Really? I did not know men could control women by hijab."


"Yes. That's what it is."
"What about the women who fight their husbands to wear hijab? And women in France who are forced to remove their hijab by men? What do you say about that?"


"Well, that's different."
"What difference? The woman who asked you to wear hijab.she was a woman, right?"


"Right, but."
"But fashions that are designed and promoted by male-dominated corporations, set you free? Men have no control on exposing women and using them as a commodity?! Give me a break!"


"Wait, let me finish, I was saying."
"Saying what? You think that men control women by hijab?"


"Yes."
"Specifically how?"


"By telling women how and what to wear, dummy!"
"Doesn't TV, magazines and movies tell you what t o wear, and how to be 'attractive'?"


"Of course, it's fashion."
"Isn't that control? Pressuring you to wear what they want you to wear?"


Silence
"Not just controlling you, but also controlling the market."


"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you are told to look skinny and anorexic like that woman on the cover of the magazine, by men who design those magazines and sell those products."


"I don't get it. What does hijab have to do with products."
"It has everything to do with that. Don't you see? Hijab is a threat to consumerism, women who spend billions of dollars to look skinny and live by standards of fashion designed by men.and then here is Islam, saying trash all that nonsense and focus on your soul, not on your looks, and do not worry what men think of your looks."


"Like I don't have to buy hijab? Isn't hijab a product?"
"Yes, it is. It is a product that sets you free from male-dominated consumer ism ."


"Stop lecturing me! I WILL NOT WEAR HIJAB! It is awkward, outdated, and totally not suitable for this society ... Moreover, I am only 20 and too young to wear hijab!"
"Fine. Say that to your Lord, when you face Him on Judgment Day."


"Fine."
"Fine."


Silence
"Shut up and I don't want to hear more about hijab niqab schmijab
Punjab !"


Silence.

She stared at the mirror, tired of arguing with herself all this time. Successful enough, she managed to shut the voices in her head, with her own opinions triumphant in victory on the matter, and a final modern decision accepted by the society, rejected by the Faith:

Yes to curls or blowed dried hair, no to hijab