Veil: the View From the Inside

Salem,

Great Article.

I would like to say here that No matter how we try to make excuses for ourselves why we don't cover the bottom line is this, that the words of ALLAH swt in the Quran Clearly tells us to cover. Period. That's it. No if's, and's or but's about it.

Assalamu alaikum,

I wonder, Sister Herjihad, from your above post, if you feel it would be better if sisters who say the hijab is obligatory would express pity for those who do not wear it?

No, sister.  That is what she said and what I bolded.  Mutual respect would be a fine thing to try to achieve. 

Allah's decree in the Qur'an is quite clear.  Perhaps Sister Suzanne could have expressed that with more piety or pity, or at least with more tact - but I doubt that would have made the truth of the statement any more palatable to some.

Many erudite Muslimeen disagree with this.  Not only that, the focus on a head scarf and not on moral certitude of the whole community is very disconcerting to many of us.  Many, many muslims disagree about the scarf and coat and just because you get the last word or repeat yourself endlessly does not make your statements true.

May Allah reward all of the good you do in this life, including your apparrel.

Pages and pages of sisters who don't agree with wearing hijab does not make it so. 

Why must some always show such an argumentive attitude for those Muslimahs who follow the law of Allah and say so on the forum?

You can follow Allah's law as you see fit and will receive the reward for that from Him, but as I stated above, many muslims have different intepretations of the Holy Quran than yours and the mainstream thought of this cite.  The argument is the rude statement in Sister Fatima's post by the sister who wrote the article denegrating non-hijabis.  It shouldn't have been included if a peaceful presentation of support for hijabis were the goal.

I am sure the original post in this thread was not to rehash the same old arguments nor to open the same old wounds.  Rather, I am sure that Sister  Fatima posted it as a piece to boost the moral of the hijabi's, who in this world climate are bearing the brunt of hateful stares and worse from those who have decided to hate Muslims.

I disagree with your assessment.  The article openly put down non-hijabis as pitable. You want me to let that pass?  No.  I don't think so.

By the way, I wore the hijab and coat for 15 years and still wear it to mosque.  I've experience the paranoia and hatred that it arrouses in people personally, and still do sometimes.

It is non-Muslim (and "liberated" Muslim) women who are to be pitied for displaying their private self for all to see.

Sister, I (and many others) greatly respect your choice of apparel, as everyone's choice is surely between Allah and themselves.  You are also respected as a prominent member of this forum.  Let's not let the issue of "a piece of cloth" cause bad feelings or arguments between the Sisters

I respect others choice of clothing.  You're not going to see me "pitying" a hijabi!  You need to realize that insults like this need to be stopped at least on this forum so that we can finally have a real dialogue on the subject.

Calling one's words that express the decree of Allah "arrogant" is surely not called for.  Of course you have the right to your opinion, as does everyone, but let's all try to express our opinions without the hurtful words. 

Sorry, sis.  I haven't changed my original assessment of the sister's statement.  It was condescending and arrogant.  Calling an acorn a rose just won't make it so.

The whole world is quickly spinning out of all reason and we Muslims are all in a very bad situation.  We Muslims need to stick together, support one another and be each others best friends.

Let us all try a lot harder to speak with kindness toward one another and express opposing views with out malice or harsh words.  It is getting to the point where petty disagreements just have to be put aside so we can all unite.  We can agree to disagree, but let's try hard to do it kindly.

I agree, sister.  We need to discuss things politely and respectfully.  When are you going to recognize that millions of muslim don't wear scarves and don't intend to and don't believe it to be required?  We acknowledge your point of view, you need to acknowledge our in order to have a dialogue.

As mother's like to say to their fighting toddlers "make nice!"  And if that doesn't work for you ladies, just watch the news for five minutes or so - this slip of decorum will seem like nothing compared to the problems others are facing right now!!!!

All of people's problems are important.  If little Joey gets a nail in his foot, it hurts.  We all need to individually examine our own priorities and thank Allah, The Provider, for all of the things we have in this life. 

But we still need to talk about things and tell people when they've said something inappropriate when it is.  Otherwise, they'll just keep stomping all over people's feelings and rights, and that sounds familiar right now too, doesn't it?

And Sister Fatima, thanks for the original post in this thread - in these times I can use all the spiritual boosting I can get.

I do agree, Sister Fatima, that a post encouraging and supporting each other in Islaamic decisions is important.  Maybe next time you could judiciously delete the one condescending, arrogant statement that will offend many people who never respond to this forum and won't take part because of this type of attitude.

May Allah forgive me if I have hurt any feelings or said anything in error.

Ameen.  You and me both.

Salaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Peace, ummziba.