Debating the hijab

[AnGeL_EyEs]

Re: Debating the Hijab

@fartguru

AnGel Eyes,

Extremely sensitive question cause it represents not only a particular beilef or mindset, it also represent in today’s world a form of rebellion against western values.

Hijab is of the eye (beauty is in the eyes of the beholder) as very clealrly defined in Quranic text which refers to both men and women. Gist of the message was of decency, modesty, dignity, propiety and above all respect for each other.

According to historians and religious scholars such as Karen Armstrong, Bernard Lewis, Dr Fazlur-Rehman (late), Fatimma Mehrinissi to name a few, Muslim world of the Prohpet did not exercize Hijab as practiced today. It was the Byzantine Christian’s who practiced Hijab representing a status symbol where upper classes kept their women in cover projecting a symbol of superiority. When Muslims interacted with these people another 100years after the prophets passing, they too adopted these standards.

Quranic text which talks about Hijab or Jaluba refers to very particular situations and Holy Prophet’s wives and daughters. There is a difference of opinion on interpertations of verses which relates to the subject of Jaluba, Yusuf Ali has a different explanation compared to other Tafaseers. Please do read Yusuf Ali’s explanation.

Most Importantly, Quran talks of punishment for Mushriqeen, Adultery, non-believers, thieves, murderers etc etc. Nowhere does it use same language for women who do not cover themselves, yet Muslim Ulema have made this into a challenge comparable to the basic pillars of Islam, which it is certainly not.

One must keep inmind the time when message was delivered, it was a very tribalistic society with many problems. Not all problems were imediately resolved, it was a gradual process, even the message itself was delivered in a way and language which the people of that particular region could understand and comprehend.

One should focus on gist of the message.

thank yo so much for this post