Niqab : an introduction of later days ?

[USResident]

Bro

@psyah

Peace Code_Red

I feel you bro totally. In their defence however, I would like to make a few clarifications:

a) Though cultural impacts exist in Islam, it is not to say that those cultural impacts are not valid just because they are cultural. The idea of Arabisation cannot be totally rejected purely because it undermines other cultures. Arabic is part of Arabian culutre too, yet the Qur’an is established in Arabic. What I am trying to say is however much I like my own identity, controlled Arabisation is a part of Islam.

b) Also there are some people who are ultra literal and zealous, those who want to impose total Arabisation.

c) But on the other side we have total anti-Arabisation those who only see the symbolic value in the actions of Muhammad (SAW) and reject any inference of literalism.

Should we not try to balance the literal with the symbolic?

Instead of rejecting dates entirely why should not give them preference only, and when they are not available we turn to other sweet things. This way we ackknowledge the literal act by way of preference rather injunction and that let’s us exercise our own cultural practices on a secondary level?

I think Code_Red made some very valid points and so have you. The one thing I do not agree with is that we make our cultural practices or amenities secondary. I think we should not as long as they are not in violation of Islam. What I would agree with is that we should be able to adapt between the good things of cultures shared by muslims from different ethnicities. Each culture develops for the ease and extravaganza of the its society, its the extravaganza we should be weary of. However when living in another cultural domain we should try and adapt to those things which make it living easier in their native domain as long as they are in compliance with Islamic principles.

@psyah

With niqab however; I think we need to take a step back before jumping the gun. We have not even satisfactorily established that it IS a cultural practice, that:

• is used to prevent sand in the face in the desert
• just a fashion statement

According to my understanding and research niqab was specifically designed for Islamic purposes in a time when the Islamic society was very mature. Unfortunately we have regressed from that position. My qualms are not with niqab being an imposition of culture, my qualms are niqab being viewed as a requirement, when at most as a new thing it should only be viewed as an additional counter-measure. A thing mustahab.

Here I don’t think it is as much as an issue of Arabisation as it is Zealousness.

I agree, niqab is not mandated as a requirement. Its more an issue of zealousnessless of Arabization. Another one from our own regional culture would be the famous saying that a Pathan keeps his wife behind seven veils.