Is Veil/Hijab Becoming a Symbol of American Muslims?
By Dr. Bashir Ahmad
Wildwood, MO

I was dismayed to read an article by Mr Moin Moon Khan, under the above caption, in the Pakistan Link dated July 1, 2005.
Mr Khan appears to abhor seeing Muslim ladies in hijab. In reality those brave women are faithfully following the injunctions of the Qur’an, which forbids Muslim women to openly display their beauty and charm to strangers. Hijab is the most suitable attire to accomplish that objective.
Hijab is only a small part of the moral behavioral code that the Qur’an has so beautifully ordained. Muslim women wearing hijab should be appreciated and applauded for their courage and conviction, being in compliance with the Qur’anic code of personal conduct. Mr Khan appears to be irked seeing those Muslim ladies in hijab; probably he wants them to flash their beauty like western women do.
The Qur’anic verses re very explicit about hijab and chastity.
“ O prophet, direct thy wives and daughters and the women of the believers that they should pull down their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. This will make it possible for them to be distinguished so that they will not be molested. Allah is most forgiving, ever merciful.” Qur’an AL-AHZAB 33/60
The same theme is repeated in another verse.
“ O wives of the prophet! You are not like any other women if you are righteous. So be not soft in speech, lest he, in whose heart is a disease, should feel tempted, and speak decent works.” Qur’an AL-AHZAB 33/33.
The wives of the prophet are here enjoined to maintain the dignity of their very exalted position and to conduct themselves with due propriety and decorum while talking to the members of the opposite sex. All Muslim women are included in this injunction.
In another verse the Qur’an details the code of moral conduct both for men and women.
“And say to the believing women that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head coverings over their bosoms, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment save to their husbands, or to their fathers or the father of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers or the sons of their brother or the sons of their sisters, or women who are companions or those that their right hands possess, or such male attendant as have no desire for women, or young children who have not yet attained knowledge of the hidden parts of women. And they strike not their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become known. And turn yet to Allah all together, O believers, that you may prosper.” Qur’an AL-NUR 24/32.
In verse 33/60 the word jalabib means outer covering --- and that they draw their head coverings over their bosom.” ---24/32
This verse vividly points to the attraction which the coiffured hair and augmented bosoms have for those who have lust in their heart. The Qur’an very appropriately commands the Muslim women to cover their head and bosom.
In another verse, a stern command of restraint is placed on the looks of Muslim men.
“Say to the believing men that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is well aware of what they do”. Qur’an AL-NUR 24/31.
The fact is that all the evil thoughts enter the mind through the eyes.
It is extremely sad that some of the Muslims living in the Western world are so much enchanted by Western culture that they are emboldened to ignore or discard the fundamental tenets of the Qur’an. They forget to realize that Islam instills in the believers the spirit to create a society of very high moral standards. Ignoring those moral values the Western culture is entrapped in a vicious circle of higher divorce rate, extramarital affairs, infidelity etc. Would Mr. Khan prefer and opt for the Western promiscuous life style?



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