Sisters' Appearance
» Hijab and Niqab » 'Object of Despair' » Other Points
Hijab and Niqab
Perhaps the most distinctive (and for some, controversial) aspect as far as women's appearance is concerned is the requirement for hijab. This is covering up the body in public so that only the face and hands are visible. Only the women's husband and those who are mahram (forbidden to marry her - other women, and immediate male family members such as parents, brothers and sons) are allowed to see her without hijab.
The whole point of hijab is to protect a woman's modesty. Therefore, her clothes should not be tight so as to reveal the shape of the body, nor should it be transparent or in any way see-through.
A lot of muslim women, mainly from arab countries, wear a veil completely covering the face and gloves covering the hands and forearms (niqab). Some muslims regard this as obligatory, whereas most (myself included) see this as a matter of choice. I would only recommend this for sisters whose looks attract a lot of male attention and feel more comfortable wearing this.
Opponents of Islam often put across the argument that the requirement for hijab is oppressive and forces women into being second-class citizens. However, the truth is that it is completely the opposite, as this helps to protect women from men's roving eyes (after all, it is a natural tendency for men to look lustfully at attractive women).
This idea is well-conveyed in a poem emailed to my wife by a sister:
"Object of Despair" (by Fahim Firifiray - Abu Omar)
Emma is a lawyer, and Aisha is too
Colleagues going into court at circa half past two
Its 1 o'clock right now, they grab a bite before the trial
They chat about this and that, conversing with a smileAisha's in full hijab with a loose all over suit
Emma's in her business wear with accessories to boot
Emma's really quite bemused at Aisha's godly ways
She looks Aisha in the eyes and very firmly says:"You're a smart girl Aisha, why do you wear that across your hair?
Subjugated by 'man'-kind, an object of despair
Take it off my sister, let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around, DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!"Aisha is amazed, but not the least bit shy
She bravely puts her milk shake down and gives Emma the reply
"My dear sister Emma, why do you dress the way you do?
The skirt you're wearing round your waist, is it really you?""Now that we've sat down, I see you tug it across your thighs
Do you feel ashamed, aware of prying eyes?
I see the way you're sitting, both legs joined at the knees
Who forces you to sit like that? Do you feel at ease?""I'll tell you who obliges you to dress the way you do
Gucci, Klein and St. Laurent all have designs on you!
In the main, it's men my friend who dictate the whims of fashion
Generating all the garb to incite the basest passion""'Sex Sells' - there is no doubt, but who buys with such great haste
The answer is the likes of you because they want to be embraced
They want to be accepted on a level playing field
Sure, with brain and intellect, but with body parts revealed""Why do you douse yourself with creams, to make your skin so milky?
Why do rip off all your hair to keep your body silky?
A simple shower's all you need to stay respectable and clean
The time and money that you spend is really quite obscene""Why do you wake up at dawn to apply a firm foundation,
Topped with make up and the like in one chaotic combination?
And if you should have to leave the house devoid of this routine
Why do you feel so insecure that you should not be seen?""Be free my sister Emma, escape from your deep mire
Don hijab today my friend, and all Islam's attire
Avoid all those sickly stares, or whistles from afar
Walk down the street with dignity, take pride in who you are""Strength lies in anonymity, be a shadow in the crowd
Until you speak and interact when your voice will carry loud
You're a smart girl Emma, wear this across your hair
Don't be subjugated by "man"-kind, an object of despair""To use your very words my friend, Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around - DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!
It's also no surprise to know that in muslim societies where the majority of women wear hijab, things like adultery, underage or unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexually-motivated crimes such as rape are all markedly rarer in countries where women have more 'freedom'.
Other Points about Female Appearance
- Make Up - this should not be worn outside the home.
- Hair Colouring - this can be used, but only to enhance natural hair colour, especially if grey hairs are starting to appear.
- Piercing - it is only permitted to pierce the ears or side of the nose, all other body piercing should be considered haram.
- Jewellery - as with make-up, jewellery should only be worn in moderation. Jewellery shouldn't be too big or obvious. There is no restriction for women on what materials can be used.
- Perfume - again, this can be used in moderation. It shouldn't be too strong or used excessively so as to be noticed by others. It should be avoided outside the home, and especially when going to the mosque. Ideally, perfume should only be used to cover body odours in areas such as the armpits and, during menstruation, the lower body.
- Unlike men, women aren't restricted with regards to what fabrics or materials can be worn.
Return to Top - © Amir Brooks - 2006 / 1427
- (covering the body): The Holy Qur'an, 24:31 - 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 thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves 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 ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss. (return to 'covering the body' reference)
- (protecting one's modesty): The Holy Qur'an, 33:59 - O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (return to 'preserving the modesty' reference)
- (permissibility of showing the face and hands): Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 027, Hadith Number 4092 - Narrated By 'Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin : Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, entered upon the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) wearing thin clothes. The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands. (return to 'displaying face and hands' reference)
- Haram: Forbidden or prohibited according to Islamic law. (return to 'haram' reference)
