Taking off the Hijab
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If the idea of headscarves is to protect men from having "lustful thoughts" then headscarves do not solve anything when most of the women in the world don't wear them. They are great for women who wear them out of modesty and devotion to Allah. However the best way for men to protect themselves from lustful thoughts is to lower their gaze as the Quran says. I think some men like to place the blame on the women for their own actions instead of taking responsibility.
Well said.
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Just curious Ayisha how long had you been wearing the headscarf previously? and how did everyone react to your decision?
Salam Sarah, I had been wearing it for almost 7 years before I took it off. People here (Egypt) reacted well actually because they had 2 years of me dripping sweat everywhere before that ;D I first took it off because I had to for work then I left it off. I still sweat everywhere but I dont feel like my brain is boiling now
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Yes I know... most would wear niqab. But at least in the day they don't wear skimpy.
Ghost princesses are those females that practically cover their face with a mask and have flowy big jilbabs. Not straight ones like niqabi ninjas or what not.
Not wearing a scarf still makes me aggitated if I was next to you. Chemically aggitated. I don't know why, when such women are around, I don't want to be next to them.
You're not a man, you wouldn't understand.
oh I do understand sir, I understand because our local veg man felt the need to touch me while I was fully covered and during Ramadan, I understand because the man who collects the rubbish felt the need to put his foot in the door and try to get inside, with his dick in his hand under his galabaya, also during Ramadan, I understand because the local butcher felt the need to grab me from behind while the Quran was playing on the tv in his shop, I fully understand that its MEN that have a problem and not me who needs to cover myself up, all these happened while in a MUSLIM country while I WAS wearing the hijab. >(
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Salam Sarah, I had been wearing it for almost 7 years before I took it off. People here (Egypt) reacted well actually because they had 2 years of me dripping sweat everywhere before that ;D I first took it off because I had to for work then I left it off. I still sweat everywhere but I dont feel like my brain is boiling now
7 years.. quite some time.
you had to for work? in an 'Islamic' country very weird.
Here anti discrimination laws exists, i couldn't use the "had to take it off because of work" excuse
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7 years.. quite some time.
you had to for work? in an 'Islamic' country very weird.
Here anti discrimination laws exists, i couldn't use the "had to take it off because of work" excuse
That wasnt an excuse. For many years I have not believed this was an obligation or instruction from Allah but wore it because its what I did in the beginning, without it I felt naked. The place I worked was an American owned restaurant with Muslim and Christian employees and he wanted a manager without hijab. It may be a Muslim country but many girls take off the hijab in work and discrimination is rife here as is racism and all other wonderful non-Islamic things
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oh I do understand sir, I understand because our local veg man felt the need to touch me while I was fully covered and during Ramadan, I understand because the man who collects the rubbish felt the need to put his foot in the door and try to get inside, with his dick in his hand under his galabaya, also during Ramadan, I understand because the local butcher felt the need to grab me from behind while the Quran was playing on the tv in his shop, I fully understand that its MEN that have a problem and not me who needs to cover myself up, all these happened while in a MUSLIM country while I WAS wearing the hijab. >
I can fully relate to that, having experienced similar things.
About 90% of the women in Egypt cover their head or more, yet sexual harassment is a daily occurence for almost every female there. So the argument that hijab prevents harassment in any way is ridiculous. In fact, it increases it because women are being made responsible and men are being told that it is normal to leer at and harass women. They are given a free pass, so to speak.
nopeIn regards to the original subject ... I never understood why hijab has to be an all-or-nothing issue. Once you decide to wear it, you can not take it off and vice versa. Why?
Obviously everyone's understanding of it varies, depending on how we interpret the verses in question, where we live etc. So why not experiment with different ways of covering until you find what suits you best?
peace
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I've been thinking about it for a while and I almost took it off yesterday but I chickened out at the last minute -\ Would it be ironic to say that I feel just the way I did when I first put it on?
I guess I'm kind of afraid of the reactions of people I know who care about me and the fact that I'm not yet ready to be berated about leaving Sunnism. I remember when I first put it on and hearing my (Non-Muslim) Mother tell me that the Quran doesn't even say to cover your hair, it's strange that she should say this to me a year ago and yet it was as if I put my fingers in my ears refusing to listen. It angered me that she was right and whenever she would ask me to bring the Quran to prove that Hijab = hair covering, I would always put it off until some other time.
Now I'm at a point where I simply don't want to endorse it any more but kind of see it as a bit of a safety blanket and it sounds weird but it's a bit of an ice-breaker? If that even makes sense. Plus, as I mentioned before, I'm not yet ready to come out of the closet about my 'apostasy'. I think the Muslim community around here see me in an unrealistic way (they are usually like this with converts) and I guess putting a foot wrong might warrant some horrible reactions.
I'm sort of in two minds about it right now. I want it off but I just don't know! >_<
Are there any Sisters here who took it off (or kept it on)? Any advice would be nice from girls and guys.
Thanks peace
First reading of the original post so sorry if its been said or covered already.
I think once you get to the point of fully accepting that YOUR relationship with God is YOUR business and His only, and no one elses, then you will feel tough enough to take it off. What we wear and how we think regarding Islam and God should be nothing to do with anyone else but you and Him. We adopt many labels and uniforms when we convert/revert that we are told is right, we look later if we dare and find they are customs and traditions that are nothing to do with Islam or what God said. Fear God only, not the people that would judge you for a piece of cloth. peace
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In regards to the original subject ... I never understood why hijab has to be an all-or-nothing issue. Once you decide to wear it, you can not take it off and vice versa. Why?
Obviously everyone's understanding of it varies, depending on how we interpret the verses in question, where we live etc. So why not experiment with different ways of covering until you find what suits you best?
peace
I did have shopkeepers and others that knew me ask if I had given up Islam or no longer muslim but when I assured them I was still as much a muslim they were fine. Many also agreed that it wasnt in Quran and was cultural. I did have one young girl in a clothes shop that was quite rude to me though. I went in and said Asalamu Alaikum as I always do and one replied and was interested if I was muslim. The other made a gesture that I wasnt covering my hair so I said its not in Quran, she insisted it was and refused to speak to me! The other was lovely and agreed its not and told her off. She was quite indignant though and muttered under her breath a lot
Here in Egypt 50-60 years ago women were not wearing hijab and were wearing mini skirts even! old movies show women with a scarf that is used only as decoration with huge flowers on them ;D Egypt was still a muslim country back then so I can only assume it was mass hypnosis that made them all decide this was now part of Islam ;D
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Peace Ayisha
Not saying work was your sole purpose for taking hijab off but you still had to take it off.. it?s interesting, if it was me.. my family would tell me ?quit the job and God will guide you to a better place because you?re going through a jihad? bla bla bla.
I know in muslim countries it's more ?normal? to see girls wear hijab or not wear it or even take it off. the issue of being a muslim identity is less because majority are muslims.
People in Australia like 15 years ago wore hijab showing the legs, and some even short sleeve shirts, can you imagine today a hijabi in a skirt to her knee.. I remember my mother telling me to wear a dress that went just below my knee but I refused because I didn?t consider it proper and she was like ?but you?re young and it?s still modest? if only she thought the same thing today.
People?s ideologies have shifted, that?s part of societies fault by the way they uphold certain practices and get brainwashed. So I guess it?s upto us to make the changes we want and make a paradigm shift may God help us!
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oh I do understand sir, I understand because our local veg man felt the need to touch me while I was fully covered and during Ramadan, I understand because the man who collects the rubbish felt the need to put his foot in the door and try to get inside, with his dick in his hand under his galabaya, also during Ramadan, I understand because the local butcher felt the need to grab me from behind while the Quran was playing on the tv in his shop, I fully understand that its MEN that have a problem and not me who needs to cover myself up, all these happened while in a MUSLIM country while I WAS wearing the hijab. >(
No way your kidding me lady.
http//gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/private-quran-teacher-in-dubai-to-stand-trial-for-rape-1.602093
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Isn't it funny FAR concocts this amazing verse in his head where Allah instructs women to cover their hair yet he misses where Allah tells him to lower his gaze? I find it a subject of particular hilarity. You stay there looking at the Ghost Princesses but don't you dare place or take away verses from Quran.
oh I do understand sir, I understand because our local veg man felt the need to touch me while I was fully covered and during Ramadan, I understand because the man who collects the rubbish felt the need to put his foot in the door and try to get inside, with his dick in his hand under his galabaya, also during Ramadan, I understand because the local butcher felt the need to grab me from behind while the Quran was playing on the tv in his shop, I fully understand that its MEN that have a problem and not me who needs to cover myself up, all these happened while in a MUSLIM country while I WAS wearing the hijab. >(
UGH! Seriously, one of the main reasons I put on the Hijab is because of disgusting men and their inability to control themselves!! Filthy excuses for men!
Since wearing Hijab I have been approached less, and less forcefully but still I get the odd perverted Salam and 'Brothers' initiating conversations under the guise of asking for the time and then requesting they can have my number so that we can be 'friends'. I live in London and I have the Police and Law at my disposal and I won't lie, plenty of good Muslim Brothers to defend me if need be.
I came across an Egyptian blogger a while ago, I'll try and find the link. She covered with Hijab and suffered Sexual harrasment in Egypt which she reported to the police only to be molested by them too! Astaghfirullah... The worst? She was 'felt up' while on Hajj, in Makkah.
Now to the Brothers in this thread, tell me do you think the problem lies with the Sisters who are doing their so-called duty? We are covering our hair to please Allah and that's not enough for you, some wear it to appear less attractive to all of you and yet you still harass us.
You keep blaming it on the women but if you all did your duty commanded by Allah (swt) there would be no need for Hijab.
-Rant Over-
baring her skin?
It's like almost non existent here, they might wear a dress or something but always with tights or stockings under
Yeah in my area of London you can just about get away with the North-African Hijab (showing the neck) but wearing a 3/4 length skirt with long boots is a BIG no-no. Even the showing of the neck is changing, many who wear that style have now opted to drape material round so the neck is covered. In my town there's a sort of Hijab uniform, you either go for the colourful Hijab, skinny jeans look (which is the majority) OR you're a 'ghost princess' and then a couple of Niqabis around. But to be honest around here the majority of the Brothers are decent, they don't look at ladies and they keep their beards )
In other areas, vast majority are Niqabis and if not Niqab, fully black with Abaya.
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If you want to be fully covered then be fully covered. If you don't want to be fully covered, then don't be. But please don't come with this b@@@@@@t that it is non Islamic and you are more prone to be harassed whilst wearing the 'Hijab' then if you weren't thus using the excuse for not wearing 'hijab'.
How do you explain the following ayat and how do you recognize believing women?
3359 O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters, as well as all believing women, that they should draw over themselves some of their outer garments this will be more conducive to their being recognized and not annoyed. But God is indeed much- forgiving, a dispenser of grace!
What is an outer garment? Coat, shawl, jumper, shirt? What exactly is it and how is a believing woman recognized if both believing and non believing women are wearing the same outer garment? Come on ladies, please enlighten me.
Bear in mind that I have family members and extended family members that do wear hijab, jilbab, no hijab, no jilbab, skirts, trousers, are christian, jewish, muslim, are born into the deen, are reverts, have left the deen, cult followers, black, white and asian. So I do have a very round mix of different scenarios that I can relate to. So once again, please enlighten me.
Peace
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But please don't come with this b@@@@@@t that it is non Islamic and you are more prone to be harassed whilst wearing the 'Hijab' then if you weren't thus using the excuse for not wearing 'hijab'.
Firstly, nobody needs an "excuse" for not wearing hijab / headscarf.
Secondly, the point was not that you get harassed more when wearing it (although that is sadly true in some cases), but that hijab does not prevent harassment, as is so often claimed.
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Dear Leyna
But nothing is 100% harassment proof. Wearing 'hijab' is more effective on a ratio basis, as a deterant/preventative measure from harassment than wearing say a mini skirt or so, but this is only if one is defining harassment is a singular term. Harassment can be any unwelcome physical or verbal sexual advance designed to intimidate, harm, or belittle another person. Okay there are some men that get turned on with women in full 'hijab' but that is there sexual fantasy.
Unfortunately, yes men are the perpetrators of the harassment 99.9% of the time but men have also dictated terms to the women from day one whether it be directly or indirectly on what to wear, how to work, how to look, where to work and literally any other thing that they do. Wearing of 'hijab' is derived from the Quranic ayat 3359 and it should be for females to determine what that verse means to them because it is directed at them.
Peace