WHY SHE WON'T WEAR 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."

"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 like 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 to 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 consumerism."

"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]

[Silence]

"Shut up and I don't want to hear more about hijab!"

[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 - but rejected by the Faith)

"Yes!" - to curls on the hair - "No!" - to hijab!
____________________________________________________________

To Muslim women who won’t wear hijab… why you don’t want to obey and follow what have been mentioned in the Qur’an? Is it too difficult to wear hijab? Don’t give any excuse of the difficulties and challenges that you will overcome for wearing it since you will never know what has been determined by God for you in the future. And please do muhasabah yourselves… do you think you are brave enough to face the God on the Day of Judgment?? Answer it by yourselves…

SPECIAL POEM FOR THOSE WEARING HIJAB

This poem really motivates and inspires Muslim women to wear hijab. It explores the positive aspects of wearing hijab. So, keep on wearing the hijab!

DON’T BE SUBJUGATED BY “MAN”-KIND!

"Object of Despair" (by Fahim Firifiray - Abu Omar)

Emma is a lawyer, and Aisha is too
Colleagues going into court at circa half past two
Its 1 o'clock right now, they grab a bite before the trial
They chat about this and that, conversing with a smile

Aisha's in full hijab with a loose all over suit
Emma's in her business wear with accessories to boot
Emma's really quite bemused at Aisha's godly ways
She looks Aisha in the eyes and very firmly says:

"You're a smart girl Aisha, why do you wear that across your hair?
Subjugated by 'man'-kind, an object of despair
Take it off my sister, let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around, DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!"

Aisha is amazed, but not the least bit shy
She bravely puts her milk shake down and gives Emma the reply
"My dear sister Emma, why do you dress the way you do?
The skirt you're wearing round your waist, is it really you?"

"Now that we've sat down, I see you tug it across your thighs
Do you feel ashamed, aware of prying eyes?
I see the way you're sitting, both legs joined at the knees
Who forces you to sit like that? Do you feel at ease?"

"I'll tell you who obliges you to dress the way you do
Gucci, Klein and St. Laurent all have designs on you!
In the main, it's men my friend who dictate the whims of fashion
Generating all the garb to incite the basest passion"

"'Sex Sells' - there is no doubt, but who buys with such great haste
The answer is the likes of you because they want to be embraced
They want to be accepted on a level playing field
Sure, with brain and intellect, but with body parts revealed"

"Why do you douse yourself with creams, to make your skin so milky?
Why do rip off all your hair to keep your body silky?
A simple shower's all you need to stay respectable and clean
The time and money that you spend is really quite obscene"

"Why do you wake up at dawn to apply a firm foundation,
Topped with make up and the like in one chaotic combination?
And if you should have to leave the house devoid of this routine
Why do you feel so insecure that you should not be seen?"

"Be free my sister Emma, escape from your deep mire
Don hijab today my friend, and all Islam's attire
Avoid all those sickly stares, or whistles from afar
Walk down the street with dignity, take pride in who you are"

"Strength lies in anonymity, be a shadow in the crowd
Until you speak and interact when your voice will carry loud
You're a smart girl Emma, wear this across your hair
Don't be subjugated by "man"-kind, an object of despair"

"To use your very words my friend, Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around - DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!

COMPARISON BETWEEN HIJAB AND NIQAB

As posted before, niqab is not compulsory to be worn by Muslim women. However, it is better and perfectly fine for those who wish to do so.

These are some comparison between hijab and niqab:

(1) Hijab is a screen of privacy → Niqab is a better screen

(2) Hijab helps develop taqwa → Niqab helps develop more taqwa

(3) Hijab is a jihad that purifies the soul → Niqab is a greater jihad

(4) Hijab is a protection for sisters → Niqab is a better protection

(5) Hijab is an assertion of Islamic identity → Niqab is a stronger assertion

(6) Hijab is fard → Niqab is mustahabb

___________________________________________________________

So, which one do you prefer? Hijab or Niqab? Just to remind all of you, wearing niqab is not obligatory, but it is the specific form of extra-modest dress set by the Shari'ah for Muslim women. As such, it is sunnah as well as mustahabb.

With regards to this issue, I think if a woman chooses to wear Niqab, make sure she really understands the reason/s for wearing it. Wearing the Niqab should be consistent, meaning that she must wear it each time she goes outside her home as well as in the presence of her non-mahram.

And Allah Knows The Best...

REASONS WHY YOU WEAR HIJAB

Reasons for wearing the hijab:
[compilation from various muslimahs]

1. Because the Qur'an and Sunnah states so. Allah ordered us to wear the hijab and cover up to protect ourselves so we get the proper respect we deserve and not be treated like we are a piece of meat.

2. You can dye your hair any colour you want and no one can say anything at all, because its all hidden, you can have blue hair, or purple, or bright red, or neon pink or green, long or permed or short, or rainbow colors with sparkles and glitter, jewellery in your ears, and all over.... :D

3. Children think you are a ninja, and you can say you are 'niqabi ninja' They will think of you as this heroine and will admire you.

4. People think it is your costume. Or at least some will think of it as a costume you are wearing for your party, or work, or that you were forced to wear it. LOL and you have to explain to them no it is your CHOICE to wear it though in the Qur'an it says it will Protect you.

5. People think you might be bald, but then you have to tell them no, I have hair...no I don't have cancer. You can show to the little kids, see I have hair....

6. You get a lot of respect in the hijab from all your brothers and sisters and other people, than you did before your hijabi days.

7. You can wear whatever you like under the abayah, light and cool dresses are good.

8. Despite that this world has hot weather, HELL IS HOTTER, so you rather suffer a bit on this world than the Hereafter.

9. Have you noticed that some people that are really maybe ignorant about Islam and women and Muslims that they speak extra loudly and clearly to you wherever you go. "Wwwoould yooooou llike ttthat in beeeeeels/noooottes or ch change ma 'am?""I speak english clearly, change please."

10. No bad hair days to worry about!.

11. People know that you're a Muslim. You can distinguish yourself in this society.

12. Your hair isn't exposed all kinds of crappy pollution and UV rays.

13. Your hijabs smell nice cause they start smelling like your shampoo.

14. Only the people you want to see your awrah, will see it...not every wierdo walking on the street.

15. your skin is protected under the niqab.

16. No bugs in your hair (no having to worry about catching nits from other people!).

17. you won't age prematuredly, since you don't wear makeup.

18. you won't have to waste time in the morning deciding on the perfect outfit in the morning, if you wear jilbab.

19. because you know your beautiful and you can keep all that beauty to yourself.

20. No one dares to mess with a hijabi sis while taking a walk. :D

21. you will feel a closeness to every muhajabah you see on the road and to every muslim you ever encounter.

22. The inner feeling of peace you get when you wear it.

23. little girls or little boys look up to you, and want to be like you.

24. When guys see you, they respect you, they cross the street so they dont pass by you and offend you.

25. They see muslims as trustworthy people and give you discounts at stores, and restaurants, and esp if you are in hijab they give you like 5 or 10 dollars/pounds off what you buy.

26. because most pious brothers WON'T EVEN CONSIDER marriage with a non-hijabi (caution: your intention for wearing hijab should still be to observe the command of Allah).

27. If you ever get in trouble.. you can pretend like you dont know any English and either flip out on them in Arabic/Urdu/any other language or run away crying as if they offended you.

28. Because theres more freedom in deciding who gets to see you rather than having anyone look at you and your beauty.

29. People treat you for your mind not your body. In the sense that you succeed in things (ie. job because of your performance and intelligence and not because how short your mini skirt is.

30. Because Muslims are required to practice Islam in every aspect of ur life including everyone, not just nuns like in Christainity or only on saturday. for Jews, or only Sunday for Catholics all of whom cover on those days, I am told as a respect to God. Muslimahs should respect God at all times.

31. Beauty fades eventually, and with hijab people learn to love your inner beauty without the hindereness of your outer beauty.

32. Your husband and loved ones learn to appreciate your beauty both outside and in more, and these tend to be the most important people in your life of which you grace those special people with your gifts from Allah.

33. You are a shining example how women in Islam are sooooo highly respected and valued and powerful in islam. For example you are no mans torphy to adorn his hand, you are a companion, mother and friend of the insha'Allah religous brother who appreciates you and your beauty. There are other things where this applies as well.

34. Thourghout history those that where scandalessly dressed and showing off there beauty, etc. tended to be the whores and prostitutes of the street, dancing girls etc., and those that were coverd tended to be the pious, respected women of history and many times they were the more powerfull then the other. (Sorry if I offeneded anyone with this one just a thought that has been in my head. I am not saying that these days that the people that don't dress correctly do things that I mentioned, I am just saying in history in the past this tened to be the case).

35. Hijab is a source of confidence. Non-Muslims easily recognize you to be different and do not stare when you stand up for you Islamic rights and beliefs which are often considered strange in the western society.

36. It keeps you warm in the winter. You dont have to worry about trying to keep a hat on to stop your ears from freezing up! Plus the head is medically known for the place where a HIGH level of heat is released from the body!

37. Long Lasting. Hijab protects your hair for longer and keeps it shiny, healthy and in good condition.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/mutmainaa/quiz/reasons_for_hijab.html

________________________________________________________

So, why do you wear hijab? I think the most acceptable answer should be no.1…

Whenever it is something that comes from the Almighty God, and together supported by the Sunnah, therefore, as a Khalifah in this earth, we should not give any excuse for not following the commands.

And remember, whatever we do in our daily lives, we should always do it for the seek of Allah… May God Bless you in every good thing you do in your life…Aaamiiin….

HIJAB INCLUDES CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOUR AMONG OTHER THINGS

Besides the six criteria of dressing, complete hijab should also include moral conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only fulfilling the criteria of hijab of the clothes is observing hijab in a limited sense. Hijab of the clothes should be accompanied by hijab of the eyes, hijab of the heart, hijab of thought and hijab of intention. It also includes the way a person walks,talks, behaves, etc.

# Hijab prevents molestation #

The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab: “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 Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”[Al-Qur’an 33:59]. From this verse, we can see that the Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being molested. Therefore, Muslim women should always remind themselves that wearing hijab is not only fulfilling the criteria of hijab of the clothes, but it is more than that!

RECITING QUR’AN, BUT NOT WEARING HIJAB OUTSIDE

Salam to all of you… sorry for not posting for quite long time… I’m too busy with so many assignments and examinations as well as presentation... And to release my tension doing all that things for continuously two weeks, I have read a magazine... (sorry, I can’t tell the name of the magazine) and it is about a celebrity with his wife who gave birth last month.. (For your information, the wife is free hair, not wearing hijab/tudung).

In the story, it mentions that the couple hopes that their baby boy will become a good man in the future. According to the celebrity, he and his wife always recite Quranic verses especially Surah Yaasin in Friday night, and put the baby just besides them so that the baby can also listen to what his parents recite…

From that story… I start to think…

To recite Quranic verses which is also including Surah Yaasin, a woman should cover her aurah properly whereby she should wear hijab to cover her hair and the head. Similarly, when a woman wants to perform prayer, she should well-covered herself before facing the God in the prayer. There is no situation whereby it is allowed for women to perform prayer without covering her aurah properly.

Then, I’m now wondering…

If a woman knows that she should not expose any part of her self while performing prayer because she is facing the God at that time, then what makes her feels not guilty for not wearing hijab outside in the public area? If facing the God, Who is the Creator, she has to cover herself properly, then why it is not being applied also to the life while facing and being around with so many people including those of opposite sex?

Is it the matter of hidayah? Those free hair people always say, when exclamation (hidayah) comes, they will wear hijab at that time. But do they know the date of their death? Exactly no! Then why they just easily say so? How if they die tomorrow or at the night at that day? Hidayah is totally out of our control. It is the God’s matter. Only the God can give hidayah to whoever He wants. And we should always remind ourselves that hidayah is something which people have to ask for, not just waiting without any effort to seek for it.

So, what are the other reasons for Muslim women for not wearing hijab outside while at the same time, they still reciting the Qur’an as well as performing prayers? Is it because they themselves don’t want to wear the hijab? Or is it they are forced to do so? If they are forced to do so, why don’t they fight for it? Isn’t the God’s commands should be given priority? Think about it!

Some people argue that it is not about how they dress up, but the most important thing is behavior. What is inside their heart will only known by the God. We always hear people say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Do you agree with the statement? I personally don’t agree with it. For me, it is normal for us to judge something based on what we can see with our naked eyes. The truth is, rather than saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the proper way to say it, is by saying, “Don’t judge a book ONLY by its cover”.

WALLAHU ‘ALAM…

MUSLIM WOMAN WON THE GOLD MEDAL IN 200M SPRINT WHILE WEARING HIJAB

Beginning the race ...

During the race ...

Near the end ...

At the end ...

Thank God ...

Asean Games 2006 in Doha proved something to the world. It was a day of victory when a Muslim woman from Bahrain, Ruqaya Al-Ghasara won the well-deserved gold medal in 200m sprint while maintaining her Muslim’s attire complete with hijab.

Participating in the games, the Bahrain sprinter wore a traditional Muslim hijab (headscarf or tudung) featuring a Nike logo when she won the 200-meter event. It made people confuse and start questioning whether Nike provides the hijab because what people already knew is that Nike provides footwear and apparel to Bahraini athletes but does not include the hijab.

Responding to the issue, Nike spokesperson Brian Tacchini said, “I’m not sure if it’s something that she requested to have made, or if we offered it, but she chose to wear it”. On the other hand, BOF General Secretary Abdulrahman Askar said in a statement, “Al-Ghasara added the Nike logo as a sign of respect for the corporate sponsors of the Federation. As Nike does not make the hijab, Al-Ghasara took it upon herself to have her hijab embroidered with the Nike logo. There was no political or religious motivation”.

No matter what, it was the big won over other none wearing hijab sprinters. Even this was a three years ago story, but I think it is a good story to put in here, about the excellency of Muslim Women. Hail to Muslim Women who are wearing hijab! We are respecting you!

These were some of the news regarding on her success:

No bother at all: Bahrain sprinter Al Ghasara says Muslim dress only makes her faster http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/11/sports/ME_SPT_ATH_Asian_Games_Muslim_Sprinter.php
Veil no bar to glory for Muslim women says Doha champion
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/dec/12veil.htm
Veil no barrier, says Al Ghasara
http://archive.gulfnews.com/indepth/doha2006/more_stories/10089009.html
Bahrainian sprinter Ruqaya Al Ghasara in first high-tech top
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24201257-5017489,00.html
Bahrain's Ruqaya Al Ghasara wins Asian Games 200, dedicates victory dedicated to all Muslim women
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/11/sports/ME_SPT_ATH_Asian_Games_Athletics.php
Muslim sprinter wins Olympic sprint dressed head to toe in hijab
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1046912/Muslim-sprinter-wins-Olympic-sprint-dressed-head-toe-hijab.html

Make a comparison:

JUST LOOK AT IT:

Al-Ghasara wore the Muslim woman attire and style. Still covering her aurat, she participated in the game in relax, but still speedy and won the game. Compared to the other sprinters with sexy and exposed attire, we can prove that Muslim Women dressing style is not a barrier toward speed type sport!

OBLIGATION TO WEAR HIJAB (TUDUNG)

Tudung? Hijab? Headscarf? Is it all of them refer to the same thing? Yup,literally all of them carry the same meaning.. But what it is?...Can we separate tudung and Muslimah? Both are interrelated I could say.Tudung or hijab is a kind of clothes worn by Muslimah to cover their hair. It is a reponsibility for them to wear it since it is commanded by The Almighty God.

In the Quran, ALLAH says :

"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 bosoms" (An-Nuur : 31)

After we've read the verse from Holy Al-Quran, we should know that:

(i) - Wearing Hijab is a 'must do' thing which is compulsory for all muslimah
(ii) - The one who wears the Hijab must draw their veils over their bosoms

Wearing the Hijab means the person shows one of the characteristics of a true muslimah.....so, she should not just easily let other muslimah with the Hijab doing bad attitude.And as we always hear," Islam is beautiful and the one who practices Islamic way of life also will look beautiful "That's why women or girls those wearing the hijab as tought by the Quran will look nice and attractive in which people will say "cool to the eyes" referring to them.

As mentioned above, tudung is something which women wear to cover their hair. But is it totally refers to the hair only? If it is so, then wearing mini scarf or "selendang" also can be considered as wearing tudung. Is it so? It is not! Regarding to the Islamic teachings, we learn that wearing tudung or hijab is not only by covering the hair, but more than that, Islam instructs the muslimahs to wear the tudung that is not transparent or translucent, not tight until the others can see the shape of the head, ears and neck, and also covering the chest. The only part that can be shown only the face. About the length of the tudung, it is not been mentioned specifically, but the condition is that it must be long enough to cover the chest.