When I started middle school, in the 7th grade, my father told me to wear a scarf around my neck, in order to cover my already clothed chest. Not only that, I was only allowed to wear a T-shirt if a cardigan covered my arms. Never have I ever worn shorts without leggings underneath, or even tank tops after the ripe old age of 7 years old, not that I minded of course; Being modest was etched into my brain, knowing that's what Allah, our God, wanted from his believers. Modesty. I did, however, fight the scarf rule, asking why. Why must I shield what is already covered? Why must I cover myself when my attire is already modest?
The Holy Quran never stated that a woman must veil herself from the world to prove her honour and modesty. In fact, the word 'hijab' merely means a barrier. Not once in the Quran is the word 'hijab' used in that context. However, the word hijab was mentioned. It was used to describe the barrier that shielded our prophet's wives from our prophet, Muhammed, as he spoke to her.
A fine point made by a wonderful novelist, and a Muslim woman, Samina Ali goes back 1400 years ago. Enslaved women in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia were being harassed but free women were, well, free. Women of status were safe from harm's way due to their appearance. They wore a jilbab, a coat, that others could no, and that was enough for predators to assault those without power, knowing they could do nothing to identify the guilty, nor do anything to stop the assault. Seeing the women of his time being mistreated, Prophet Muhammed consulted Allah, wondering what he shall do. A verse in the Holy Quran was revealed. 'O Prophet,' it read, 'tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw upon themselves their garments. This is better so that they not be known and molested.' This verse translates to women dressing similarly so they may not be singled out by those with unholy intentions.
Still, as so wonderfully said by Samina Ali, people did not agree with the verse. How would enslaved women pursue their duties with a heavy coat on their backs? So, it was decided that the way a woman dressed would be determined by two things; Her occupation or role in society, and the traditions of the community she lives in. For a Muslim woman living in the western civilizations in this modern era, a place where shielding one's self is not the regular, in fact so much out of the ordinary that veiling might trigger an attack, it is not necessary for me to wear a hijab. As long as I am dressed modestly, Allah is content.
So, why am I so caught in the middle? People who are Muslim ask me why I have no taken up a hijab yet. People who are not Muslim tell me I'm not a true Muslimah until I have done so. Education. Rather, the lack of Education, but that is another conversation for another time.
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Hi! I know no one will actually find this and read but, to those who did, thank you very much. Please check out Samina Ali's speeches and works, she truly is a wonderful figure, especially for us Muslim women struggling in a demanding society.
-Acacia
YOU ARE READING
Muslimahs in Baseball Caps
Non-FictionBreaking out of a stereotype is hard work, but worth it all at the end. They say you truly aren't pure, faithful Muslim until you put on a veil. They say men are superior to women. What if THEY are wrong?
