Muslim Women Are The Diamonds Of Islam

chapter 3

Misconceptions and Stereotypes Of Hijab

The hijab is often displayed in the media as an object of oppression towards Muslim women; this stereotype is the basis for many misconceptions within the media and society. Misconceptions such as Muslim women being limited or backwards. But these statements are false; Hijab does not by any means stop Muslim women from attaining what they want. At times media portrays the hijab as something that suppresses the Muslim women, but in Islam the hijab is understood as one of the commandment by God almighty just like the prayer, the fasting and the good treatment of parents etc.

Allah (The Almighty) says"(O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (and/or veils) over their bodies. That is better that they should be known so as not to be annoyed and molested. Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.) [Quran 33:59]

This verse clearly states that the reason the woman is obligated to cover herself is to distinguish her to be identified as a respectable Muslim lady, to avoid the annoying glances and glares of the men. Muslim women believe that the hijab protects their chastity and leads them to achieve respect through their character rather than their appearance. Due to the lack of knowledge of hijab and Islam in general, by many people whose only source of knowledge of Islam is through media and its propaganda it leads to these false misconceptions of the hijab.

Many people do not know of the hijab's origin or how it plays a key role in a Islamic society.The hijab in Islam was established fourteen hundred years ago when the revelation of the Qur'an was received . One of the main reasons a Muslim woman wears hijab is that it guards her modesty and protects them from having people judge them for their appearance. Rather the hijab causes people to judge the women based on their character and who they truly are as a person. This is what Islam teaches the Muslim women to really focus on her character as a being and how they should interact with others not based on appearance but through their moral value and character.

The hijab does not oppress nor limit the Muslim women in any way. In today's society we see Muslim women with hijab contributing to society in many ways. Muslim women work as educator,engineers, doctors, business owners all while wearing the hijab. I myself in no way or shape of form feel restricted and I am confident to strive what it is that I'm looking for as an individual like so many other Muslim women. Another key aspect is that media portrays Muslim women being forced to wear hijab But this is not allowed in Islam, one must have the intention of doing something for the sake of Allah(God) only. No men or women has ever forced me to wear the hijab and no one will ever force me to wear it, because I don't wear for the sake of any human being rather I cover myself because I want the ultimate pleasure of Allah (God).It wouldn't be right to force someone to wear hijab because in islam nobody is allowed to decide for you otherwise you'd be doing it for them and not Allah(God).

Withthe hijab Muslim women can have the time to explore their mind instead ofthinking of how she can please society and its beauty standards. Not onlyMuslim women but all women should accept themselves for who they are and nottry to be what society wants them to be. In Islam the Muslim woman's truebeauty is their beauty of their character. At a young age the thoughts andideas instilled in a Muslim girl is accepting how they were created and beingtrue to themselves. So the mentality of the average Muslim girl is how can Iachieve the highest level of faith or how can I please my Lord. I truly built my confidence when I understood that you can never always please people and it isn't worth changing yourself to please another person. I realized I wanted to be true to myself and not have to be somebody else. Because of this I developed a thirst for knowledge, the very thought of expanding my mind excites me. Hijab is my rightand crown, and in no way do I feel oppressed or limited in achieving what I want.

There will always be stereotypes no matter how hard we try, but we can however educate people about hijab to at least reduce some negative stereotypes. Educating would not completely diminish all stereotypes or prejudices, but it will certainly let people aware of what hijab really is.