I'm a hijab wearing Muslim woman, ask me anything!

[hijabijabi]

Happy to answer all questions, but most comfortable with questions about my experiences - I can try to answer questions about Islam but am no expert, and other Muslims may hold different opinions.
I'll only be checking the thread intermittenty, so my answers might not be immediate.

How do you view women who walk round with tumbling hair and sleeveless dresses? Do you think of them as being indecent?

What about little primary school girls wearing the hijab, but not primary school boys?

Clionba Yes, why are little girls being sexualised at such a young age?

The Quran actually requests that women ‘put on an outer garment’ when they leave the house, not that they cover their head or indeed any specific part of them. As such, in modern western society the guidance of the Quran could be complied with by putting on your coat when you leave the house.

I work in various parts of the world and depending on which Muslim country I am in women can be expected to cover anything from just their head to their entire body, hands and face. Why do you think it is essential to Islam for women to cover their heads? Do you believe that women who do not cover themselves as you do are not worthy of as much respect? How do you feel about women who wear niqab looking down on your level of undress?

Apparently the reason given by Islamic scholars for women dressing modestly outside the house is so that they are not mistaken for promiscuous women - how does this sit with your requirements that younger girls cover themselves?

I am frequently told on visiting countries in the Middle East that women cover themselves but men don’t because it is for the protection of women - do you not feel that men ought to be able to control themselves sufficiently that they can see parts of a woman such as their face, their hair, hands, legs, arms, knees, shoulders, etc without to much trouble? After all, the Quran also states that men should dress modestly and act with dignity. Yet from where I sit as a regular visitor to the ME I see men acting and dressing as they wish and enforcing restrictions of freedom on women. For example, in the hotel I stay in in Saudi Arabia I am not permitted to swim in the hotel pool but the men are and they do so in swimming trunks.

How do you feel about the fact that by voluntarily wearing such clothing that is NOT specifically described anywhere in the Quran (but is in fact a vague interpretation) you are adding to the oppression of women in countries where the men give them no choice?

I ask because as a non-Muslim I was outraged recently at being told to cover myself by a man physically forcing a black chador on me. FWIW my stepmother and her sons are Muslim, and my dad converted at her request.

fontof both a bage of faith and a way of being modest I think. I'm aware of some arguments made by Muslims that it is unnecessary, and I'm not convinced by them - I find it hard to beleive I ever would be. I don't see why covering one head is oppressive, and as Allah is neither male or female, it's not patriarchal either, in my opinion.

Can I ask why you converted? Were you daunted by Islam at first?

care, my husband is Muslim and was brought up in a Muslim family. I had been Muslim for several years when I met him.

re leggings, it's all about the fabric, I always have leggings or trousers underneath my dress, it doesn't make me hot. maybe it's partly just what your used to.

I am imagining this scenario:

muslim mum - why are you wearing that? You'll trip over it while your playing!

little girl - but I like it!

muslim mum - save it for the mosque, you'll rip it.

little girl - no but I like it, I want to look like a muslim lady.

etc!

Nono i love swimming outdoors and do it if I find somewhere secluded! Or in a burkini.

I don't think it's worth feeling upset for people when you don't know how they are feeling - that could have been me, I would have been perfectly happy.

I don't think women should be forced to wear anything - I'm exercising my free choice to wear what I want, and I wish those women had the same choices. But the key is choice - would you wish to take my choice away from me?

I firmly believe that modest dress, including hijab, is a personal obligation and not one that should be enforced by any government. I think forcing women to wear hijab makes it meaningless.

sockeating Muslims don't (or at least shouldn't) take their rulings directly from the Quran, for the reasons you describe. Quranic verses need to be understood in context of other relevant information like when and why they were revealed, sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that relate to the matter, and other things. Scholars have studied for years to do this and compiled books of Islamic law which summarise their findings. If you looked only at the Quran, you would not clearly understand the need to cover the head.
Sorry if I've not explained that very well, it's quite late!

DieAnt I think the style of covering the head had always been quite distinctly different. Even so, I would still wear it for reasons of modesty.

PaintedHorizons no definitely not! They are making choices based on what they know and understand about the world, albeit a different viewpoint to mine. I'd most likely be admiring their flowing locks, I love long hair...

Clionba there's no need for girls that age to wear hijab.

Nono I think it's more about 'copying the grownups'.

backinthebox
(answering each point in turn).

see my earlier response about the Quran not being taken in isolation.

I'm convinced by the evidence compiled by scholars of Islam. I have respect for people no matter how they dress. I have friends who wear niqab and I have never felt that they look down upon me.

I don't have any requirements that younger girls cover themselves. Nor does Islam.

RE the Middle East - Muslim countries are not always (in fact rarely) good examples of Islam. Men should also follow a dress code and behave respectfully.

I don't feel I'm adding to the oppression of women in other countries by exercising my choice.

I'm sorry you had that experience - that's dreadful.

waltham I was inspired to find out about Islam because of the kindness and dignity I saw in Muslims I knew. After a time of researching I felt it was the truth. Yes I was very daunted at first, because I knew my life would need to change a lot, but I also knew there was no going back, so I asked for Allah's help and took one day at a time.

That's an interesting point, thank you. One thing I haven't really considered is little girls 'playing at being grown ups' and wanting to look like their mum in the way they dress!

Not so different especially in places where both communities lived (such as parts of Russia, parts of the Middle East, obviously over different time scales). I mean I know you said you don’t do the black thing but compare an Eastern Orthodox nuns headdress to a black chador for instance.

Care my friends 7 year old daughter begged her to buy a niqab for her (which she doesn't wear herself). She gave in and bought her one in the end - I don't think she lets her wear it outside though, can you imagine what people would think?

What's new in hijab fashion?

DieAnt yes I see what you mean. I would still wear it, and I think the issue of being identifiable is still relevant, as you would be identified as religious.

MrsToasty there are always endless new hijab fashions! As a working mum of 2 I don't have time for such frippery!

How do you style your hair under the scarf? I appreciate there will be different fashions, but I always mentally think of the 1960s hair wrapping chic when I see a nicely turned out Islamic lady.

TheABC just a boring ponytail with the ends tucked in for me I'm afraid!

Not a hijab-related question so hope this is okay.

Friends of mine are Muslim. The father is in hospital and due to be discharged home. He has cancer and not long to live. There will be an overnight carer brought in but the mother is insistent that she will not sleep in another room.

Are there specific religious reasons why this might be? For instance, is it expected that a Muslim wife attend to her dying husband, not leave him alone, etc? Similarly, following his passing away? Is care of the body mainly her responsibility? And, can she remarry?

Hijab - have you or do you intend to make pilgrimage/the Hajj? Is this still an important aspect of your faith?

If you have, do you feel that you are treated differently away from the UK? How do you feel about the segregated worship practices?

hijabijabi I would never expect you to stop wearing whatever you like. But I think you’re are putting feminism back 100 years. Your lack of care for your Muslim sisters who are forced to wear these coverings is astounding. Do you not see how you are perpetuating this oppression of woman?