I have not read yet the article, but I was really surprised to find this topic because believe it or not, only last night this topic was really bothering me!!

As you all know, last night was the start of the 20th morning of Ramadhan. I had Iftaar with a friend who wanted then to go to a sheesha place, which I tried my best to wiggle out of. First, it's a place I am never comfortable with, and second it was the start of the last 10 nights of Ramadhan. Anyways, since it was really a long time since we got together, I agreed to a 20 minute tea time.

Off we go and usual I was not comfortable with the place. Youngsters, mainly westerners and westernized arabs all smoking against a background of hard arabic rock music, both genders mixing so openly and closely in a tight spot. Not a good spot for the God fearful. I braved myself for atleast 20 minutes.

But, then I saw something so much more troubling. For there at a table of about 4 guys there were 4 women, one of which was in HIJAB! There she was, smoking away, talking as loud as any of the other guys, mixing and having fun! At first, I wasn't sure if that was an Islamic hijab or just some new fashionable scarf worn by some White lady. But, nope. You could clearly hear her talk loudly about pop artists in arabic. She was Muslim.

I left with one thought: what is the hijab becoming theses days? Is it becoming only a fashion garment with no understanding of what it actually stands for (modesty). It really disturbed me. I was not so much disturbed by all the other girls there. But a Muslimah in a Hijab in that place acting like that. I don't know. It was troubling.

So, a long answer to your question: I think it is, unfortunately, becoming less and less about modesty these days. Just like many other aspects of the religion: Muslims are forgetting the true essence of their religion.

May we all receive His mercy these last 10 days.

Ramadhan Mubarak to you CP. Hijab is not a piece of cloth on one's head but a symbol of modesty.

Just so as not to offend anyone, Ali has really nailed what is and what is not hijab:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAwHx6HcUIQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4jQi0Gjy3M

I dont hijab is a symbol like wearing a cross is a symbol of christianity. Hijab is a COMPULSORY practice and a means in order to achieve the modesty a muslim woman should posses.

By making the hijab compulsory for woman ALLAH has chosen women to be the flag bearers of islam.

However, I personally believe that the hijab has been given so much more importance in this increasingly shallow world we live in than other more important islamic practices. There is this growing culture of people feeling that they are able to judge a girl who wears a head scarf like she's a public figure and they are not. Chaotic peace who gave u the authority to judge this girl. This girl's struggle is her private business, if so concerned go and advise her!

Especially boys believe they can judge girls for wearing the hijab or not wearing it. When they themselves are not exemplary muslims. However u dont get a visual sign if they miss a prayer like you do with the hijab.

It is because of this percieved authorisation to judge a mota7ajibah a lot of girls no longer choose to wear it. Many worry that they'll get judged. Many of my friends that i advise to wear the hijab come up with the same reason "im still working in my islam" or " im not at that stage yet" even though they believe in it so much.

Girls that wear the hijab are just as prone to ma3asi as those that dont and men.

I hope inshaALLAH we can all work towards an islam were we all have the strength to advise our friends without making them feel cornered.

Also chaotic peace, its funny how you excused urself from being at this location of sheesha and mixing. The other girl doesnt have the same privilege!

jazakALLAH khair

my sister why do you think that Hijab is not so important as Salaat, zakaat n Fasting? thats your personal view but you can't give ne personal views in Islam. It's an act of Faith and you are ordred to do so by Allah subhanahu ta'ala in quran:



Quranic Verses about Hijab:

“O you Children of Adam! We have bestowed on you raiment to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition.” (Quran 7:26)


“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 therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants 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 you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Quran 24:31).

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)

and saying the people judge u with your scarf thats not at all right,

"ll tel u one thing if I see a Muslim Sister in the market or College it really hurts me!

Al-Kathiri:
I don't think that's what she meant.


I agree that "looks" nowadays are being given too much attention and they are used to "judge" people. This is one of the plagues of Salafiah, but Allah Al-Mosta3aan.
You see a person with a long thick beard wearing a white short robe, sandals and the head turbine; and you think "oh, Here's a religious guy!" while in fact he could be the worst enemy to Islam; such as the Salafy "Jihadists" (Al-Qaeda people who have made the blood of Muslims HALAL to them even in Ramadan).

Anyways, girls who are not wearing hijab should be advised to, in a manner that does not accuse/judge them, belittles their capabilities, or even doubt their intentions.

And yeah, I would rather know that a girl prays her 5 daily prayers and not wear hijab that to know she wears Hijab but does not pray!!


Salamz now


P.S. I did not read all the previous replies!! I will do that later in sha Allah.



Salamz

choatic peace just proved that! and so did the article. Muslim woman hijab or not shudnt wear revealings clothes.



why?

also prayer being more important is not mere opinion. the 5 pillers of islam dont include the hijab! however, that is not to undermine its importance at all. But demonstrates the completeness of our religion that one thing soon leads to another. We all know that scholars are actually at war when it comes to deciding whether those that do not pray are considered muslim or not.

My point was that we shud not sit idle and judge each other but instead aim to advise one another. Religion in the world we live in today is a struggle at times, and when a person comes and advises u in a good manner they can turn your llife around in a second. It cud be the best gift you can give a person and lets not forget as muslims we have an obligation to spread our knowledge for the common good.

Shallow aspects of religion are given too much attention sometimes. For instance, a revert becomes muslim they first thing they are told is "oh brother/ sister you need to change your name"!
or "let me show you where the halal chicken shop is!"
instead it should be " how about i teach you how to make wudu and pray this weekend?"

Thanx for the ayat brother its always good to be reminded of how sub7aneh asked the women to wear the hijab, thus, giving them something soo easy for a big reward.

Thats it! this is what i wanted to explain, actually m not so good wid my english. hope u can undrstand, huh?