Female Beauty

A great many Muslim women around the world wear a scarf or other covering to hide their hair while in public - this is considered modesty on the part of the woman. This modesty in dress is known by the generic name “Hijab”, which literally means “veil”.

No subject seems to receive more attention as an issue unique to Muslims than that of women’s dress. Muslims and non-Muslims alike dwell on this issue, using women’s appearances to categorize others in an effort to understand them.  In some instances, the dress of the Muslim woman ends up meaning more to others than it does to the woman herself with often far-reaching political and social implications.

Examining the reasons for such obsession is beyond the scope of this position paper, but deserves consideration nevertheless, as we ask ourselves why so many people are so preoccupied with the appearance of Muslim women. Among many Muslims today, hijab is often equated with piety, both by those who cover their hair and those who do not. Unfortunately, too many assume that a woman who covers must naturally be more religious or conservative that one who does not. This generates expectations and pressure on Muslim women in hijab , whose behavior is held to different standards, perhaps undesired on the part of the woman. On the other hand, according to popular opinion, the Muslim woman who does not cover her hair (even if she is otherwise dressed modestly) has not quite arrived at the perceived goal of all righteous believing women.

The scarf, an article of clothing, has sadly become a litmus test for a Muslim woman’s faith and devotion to God. Indeed, the importance which some Muslims have attached to hijab has made some sarcastically refer to it as the “Sixth Pillar” of Islam, on par with prayer, fasting, alms-giving, pilgrimage and bearing witness to the oneness of God.How Muslims dress is only one aspect of our identities. For some it is purely a matter of cultural fashion. But for many other women dressing conservatively and covering one’s hair are acts of faith. Therefore, discriminating against a woman for dressing a particular way violates her freedom to practice her religion, a fundamental right cherished here in the United States.

The non-Muslim community, particularly the media, needs to get beyond its own narrow one-dimensional view of the conservative dress of the Muslim woman as a sign of oppression. It is a choice that American Muslim women make, perhaps not the same as that of other women, but equally valid. Ultimately, what really matters is the attitude, behavior and demeanor of the person in question.

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.” (al-Qur’an 24:31)

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.” (al-Qur’an 33:59)

These are the only verses in the Qur’an (the Muslim Holy Book) which directly address the issue of clothing so specifically. There are also some ahadith, or traditions from the early years of Islam, that address the issue of hijab. Clearly, the basic principle is that of modesty.

The first verse emphasizes the importance of one guarding her or his modesty, lowering one’s gaze in order to remain pure. This means that, in order for women and men to have respectful relationships (such as at work or school, etc.) they must focus on modesty in their behavior. This is enhanced by dressing in a way that reinforces one’s image as a modest person. It must be emphasized that behavior and appearance are both important in setting the tone of respectful interaction between men and women.The second verse focuses upon how one is perceived by others and therefore treated by others - that dressing modestly in public causes people to treat the lady with more respect.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 19th, 2006 at 7:17 am and is filed under Personality, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.