Shield or unshield yourself

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

Credit image to graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=987

In one of my previous entries, I've discussed about wearing the hijab. In this entry I would like to express my views about exposing the skin publicly.

During my past experience, people usually advise about covering oneself to avoid from getting harassed but I would like to take a different angle on this. Instead of reminding one to cover themselves, I would like to pose some questions to make one think about their intention of exposing their skin or hair.

In the world we live in today, it becomes a norm that most of us, regardless of our gender, expose a large part of our body. My question is WHY? Is it really important in this 'new age' that we expose ourselves? Is it really necessary? What benefit does it gives us? Should we be inside this 'box' of mentality that it is okay to expose our body?

I'll start off by mentioning about females exposing their bodies. Females most of the time expose more of their body than guys when they have actually more to cover. Compare the common male and female work attire for instance. Guys wear shirt, tie, pants and shoes. The girls will USUALLY wear skirt (short or tight), a tight shirt and occasionally a blazer on. These sort of dressing is normally called the 'career woman' attire. Why is it a 'career woman' attire? Apparently, it is because the 'career woman' attire shows high level of confidence. Is this really true? Does a person needs to expose more to show their confidence? From my personal experience and point of view, I've seen a lot confident ladies covering from head to toe. Sometimes their level of confidence are so high that they may look tough and stern. So does one attire really shows the character of confidence? My opinion, definitely not. Ones attire does not necessarily reflects ones character unless in certain cases. A rich man or woman can dress up moderately in spite of their status.

Let us now look at the casual attire. Women's tops are usually tight and there's the low cut, the bare back and etc. Why do most women want to dress this way? Most women, of all sizes dress up this way... to show off? To gain attention of a man? The ones who are single hopes to gain the attention of a man by exposing themselves, but those who aren't single why dress in this way? So that other man are attracted to them??

There are many different guys that have different preferences. Some like big sizes, some small, skinny and so on. Is it really important for a women to show off her exact figure? By showing off the figure, wouldn't it hurt those who are slightly unfortunate? Should we be selfish and not think about those who are unfortunate?

Most women who are used to this dress up lifestyle will argue that they have the right to wear what they want. But I don't think its a good idea to make other envious, jealous or hate one another by just not dressing up properly. We should strive to create a more peaceful community. These women will also argue that any person who doesn't like the way they expose their body is narrow minded, backward and traditional. They will say that those who criticise their dressing are perverts and socially lost! Is this really true?

If a husband and wife were to make love, isn't it normal for the couple to expose their flesh to each other? By exposing each others flesh it will make the couple more aroused to each other. So why should one expose their body publicly if they are not trying to arouse or to have sex? Clearly these women who are exposing themselves are confused and are caught in this 'reality' where this trend/modernism are acceptable.

This also applies to men. Lately it is the trend where guys work out just to show off. Apparently when one work out, it boosts their confidence to approach the opposite sex. Why does it have to be like such in this case? Taking care of health is different than making your body go through a tough routine and ending up not using effectively. Sportsmen or one who does labour work, they need to work out so that they can be useful. I'm not trying to say that working out is not good, but working out to show off is. Sharing good health with one's married partner is good.  

I've read somewhere that apparently it is good to wear a red shirt for an interview because it shows confidence. Why do we have to be stuck in this normality? We are too 'inside the box' by thinking this way. Our minds have been trained to follow this norm. Try to imagine what other norms can be created that we would blindly follow them.

In my point of view, we shouldn't be too tied up to this phenomenon where if it is acceptable in the eyes of the society we should follow. We should always stick to what Allah tells us to do. Certainly Allah knows what is best for us for He is the creator of the universe and all the laws and physics in it. So why should we rely the eyes of society rather than Allah Himself?  Here are a few verse on hijab

“O Children of Adam! Indeed We have sent down to you a garment which covers your shame and provides protection and adornment. But the finest of all is the garment of piety. That is one of the signs of Allah so that they may take heed.” Surah Al-A'raf verse 26

"(O Prophet), Enjoin believing men to cast down their looks and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is well aware of all what they do." Surah al-Nur verse 30

“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 therof; 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 servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” Surah Al-Nur verse 31

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw a part of their outer coverings around them (when they go abroad). It is likelier that they will be recognised and not annoyed (harrassed). Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah al-Ahzab verse 59

The importance of the Holy books

Bismillahirahmaniraheem


The Holy books were provided by Allah to His messengers as a guidance for the community at that certain point of time. Originally there was only one religion. As time passes by people got confused and therefore Allah sent His messengers and sent His words for the people to be guided back to the right path.

"And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (Between right and wrong): There was a chance for you to be guided aright." (Quran, Al-Baqarah verse 53)

"Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. Allah by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guided whom He will to a path that is straight." (Al-Baqarah, verse 213)

"Or do they envy mankind for what Allah hath given them of his bounty? but We had already given the people of Abraham the Book and Wisdom, and conferred upon them a great kingdom." (Al-Nisa, verse 54)

Who sets the guidance to mankind or to the community? If a ruler sets the law and the community as a whole agree on something to construct their law, it might be applicable only towards that community because of their tradition or customs. Since they are a community, it would be easier for them to accept the law. For example, it might be modest for a lady to wear a short skirt in Western culture but it might not be offensive for a lady to wear a short skirt in the Arab countries. Why is that so? Is it because of the customs and traditions? Is it because they follow the law from the Holy Quran? An ayah from the Quran mentions about ladies limitation on exposing their body in public. In Islam man also cannot exposed their body too much. It is understood that man are more physically capable to do labour work hence they are allowed to expose slightly more flesh compared to a lady. There is always a wisdom on why the body should not be over exposed. Our creator has warned us to not expose too much of our flesh/body. Certain community has accepeted and tries to adapt it as their custom. Many argues that the words in the Quran is made up by a human being (Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wassalam). If that is so, what benefit does it give to him to set such a law? Obviously it will not benefit him in any way by asking all mankind to do certain things. Since the law in the Quran is NOT 'man made' it is then made by the creator to suit and benefit ALL mankind.

Take for instance the news on French President Nikolas Sarkozy who called for a ban on hijab.
France have the estimated population of 5 million muslims and the interior ministry says JUST 1,900 women in France wear the full veils. The number might just be 1,900 and they are afraid that it might spread to the rest of the 5 million muslims. They are afraid to be labelled as an Islamic country rather than their proudly secularise government. Why not make it compulsory for every women to wear hijab? Hijab does not neccessarily represent Islam. Anyone can wear a hijab (headscarf) without being a muslim. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8480161.stm)

Here are some ayah from the Quran about hijab.

“O you Children of Adam! We have bestowed on you raiment to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition.”(Surah al-A'raf verse 26)

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." (Surah Noor verse 30)
“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 therof; 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 servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Surah Noor verse 31).

"Those who harass believing men and believing women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a grievous sin. O Prophet! Enjoin your wives, your daughters, and the wives of true believers that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad). That is most convenient, that they may be distinguished and not be harassed. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." ( Surah al-Azhab verse 58-59)

There's a tradition in Spain where they have a festival for throwing tomatoes everywhere. It might be acceptable in their country to do so. Imagine if that custom or tradition were being applied in a third world country; where food is insufficient. Of course people from the third world country will find it bizarre and would certainly not throw or waste the tomatoes. So who is entitled to guide mankind? A man? or Non other than our Eternal and All Knowing Creator?

These are only a few examples of why Quran is important. Insha'Allah this would be a step to open our mind and heart to accept each and every word sent to us to guide through our life. This is a reminder not just for the readers, but also a reminder to myself and my family.

This is a clip from the "tomato festival" in Spain from ITN