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?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
