abaya for prayer?
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Peace to all you, Brothers and Sisters!
I have a question...and no, I haven't used the search function to research it, but will, God-willing.
This is my question. I have read that Qur'aanically there is no dress code calling for hijaab/niqaab/gloves, etc, but only that we are to put on the garment of righteousness, cover our breasts, and lengthen our garments.
What is your opinion if one WANTS to wear an abaya or dress & hijaab for prayer? Out of devotion only, not because the tradition or custom says we are to.I loved wearing hijaab, niqaab when I hung out with the Salaafi's, but my husband absolutely HATED it. He is middle class American white boy through and through, and he saw immediately that it was a Middle Eastern custom and nothing more. Not to mention all the looks and stares I got in my little city--very few Muslims here, you know.
But anyway, I think putting on a prayer garment is lovely, if one is doing it out of devotion and not blind tradition. Anything wrong with that? I'm sure that I will get mixed and varied answers, as this group seems to me that everyone thinks for themselves, and lets others come to their own conclusions. I guess I'm asking if that would be a stupid thing to do? Kind of like the prayer issue--3 or 5 times a day? Some say 3, some say 5, some say ritual prostrating, some say freely meditating. I have my own thoughts on salaat, and am still reading the Qur'aan in prayer and love and faith to God's Word.
So about the abaya issue, I say, what say you?
Love,
Lost Muslimah -
I would say "go ask an imam or shiekh because they're always right"
If I was a sunni. But i'm not. so this is what i will say
You should wear whatever you find comfortable. Islam has no law about wearing too much clothing. So i think you can definately wear an abayah or burqah or a tent or anything you feel comfortable with.
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You said "What is your opinion if one WANTS to wear an abaya or dress & hijaab for prayer? Out of devotion only, not because the tradition or custom says we are to."
I dont believe there is anything wrong with wearing an abaya or hijab for prayer or outside prayer as long as you do it with reason not just blind following..
The Quran says Yusuf Ali translation of meaning "3359 O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad) that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful. "
Anyway in this verse in arabic it uses the word "jalabeebihinna" in the translation it's translated as "outer garments". I think the word jalabeebinna derives from the word jilbab, maybe it has another meaning I'm not sure (I could be very wrong so God forgive me if I am) anyway jilbab is a similar dress to abaya... my point is I don't see it as being "wrong"
lets say the verse means to wear garmets that is modest. Abaya is,so I can't see you going wrong D by the way just because salafis have varying views on some issues doesn't mean everything they do is wrong...
Anyway don't take my word others here would probably give you much better responses
Take care
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Emotional attachment? Yes, that may be true. Can I be devoted without it? Absolutely! I have been praying without the abaya for a while now.
As for Salaafi's being totally wrong--NO WAY do I think that. The Muslimah I spent my time with, and also the group of Muslimahs we also spent our time with, were extremely devout. The men as well as the women, although I never hung out with the men! My Salaafi friend taught me many good things about Islaam--things that will never leave my heart. I always remember her and the other friends, and still pray for them.
Modesty IS a virtue that I wish more American women were concerned about. I don't know about hijaab or niqaab, as here where I am at, that only serves to make Muslimahs stick out more, instead of blend in. I did enjoy it though!
Thank you for your thoughts.
Love,
Lost Muslimah -
hi Lostmuslimah
I had the same question concerning praying and hijab. After studying the subject I found out that we don't have to wear hijab and/or abaya.
Nevertheless I didn't stop wearing a big scarf on my head couse it shields me and I feel that i can concentrate/medidate more when wearing it. And since I do pray most of my daily prayers outside with others where I have to wear the scarf anyway I am very used to it. But this my personal view.Concerning the abaya or any other dress I think it is just a matter of respect. Of course you COULD pray in whatever you are wearing rightnow, but me personal when I feel that I am not dressed adequate I put over my Galabija in order to be dressed in an appropriate manner when praying to my Creator. But again - this is my personal view and I see nothing wrong in praying in the pyjama or tight trousers... .
Salam
warda -
Dear All, asalaamu alaikum!
Thank you all for your responses.
This question has gotten me thinking...(watch out, people!)
If I were to go to our local masjid for Friday, I would have to cover fully. Well, maybe not gloves (I hated the gloves!) but abaya, hijab, niqaab, everything. I have been reading this site and that site, and some say that Friday worship is obligatory, and some say that it is better for the Muslimah's to stay in their homes and worship. Since 2002 when I accepted Islaam, the only time I went to the masjid was the day I became Muslim, alhamdulillaah. I went there so someone could witness my shahaada. Then I was told that women didn't HAVE to go to masjid... that according to hadith (and Qur'aan 3333) it was preferable if they stayed in their homes. I am torn between what I should believe...is Friday worship in the masjid obligatory or not? No, I have not researched the Qur'aan...I am only on The Cow. Okay, what is my question? Yeah, IS it obligatory for Friday worship?
I would like to connect with other Muslimahs...I know that some in my city are extremely conservative, fully covering. I would love to get in touch with some progressive Muslimahs, if any exist in the city...but if not, then I'm content to stay secluded in my home, worshipping alone. I DO have the internet to connect, I guess. It's just nice to get out and meet others, you know? I don't mind wearing niqaab to go to masjid, but I'm not going to wear it, or even hijaab, when going out, especially with the way my husband feels. (I'm "Lost Muslimah" btw, just changed my name.) My husband hates it and I finally see the hijaab as a tradition/custom, not a mandate from the Qur'aan.
I only want to follow God's word, and I am busily studying it. I have a busy life, so usually the only time I can read the translation of the Qur'aan is in the early morning or late at night. I read all the footnotes, as well, then sometimes go over the verse again and mull it over just to make sure I understand it. It's slow going, but worth it.
I thank you for all your time thus far. Let us all seek the Truth!
Love,
Maataga Mummuch (Moon Woman)
(was "Lost Muslimah") -
Salam utendn
do you mean you are going to the masjed fully coverd where only your eyes can be seen (Niqaab)? Why that? What for? And even gloves? Where in the Quran is it saying that you have to cover your full body? Nowhere!
In my opinion one of the major "sins" the Hadith/Sunna Islam of today is doing is that they bann woman even in the religous affairs to their homes. And when they pray in the mosques on friday or high Eids, they have to pray in any side room or upstairs which mostly has nothing in common with the wonderful clean mosque in which the men pray. This is just stupid and makes everytime my blood boiling.
The aya you are stating 3333 is to the wifes of the prophet. In these days it was dangerous for them outside as the situation then can be described as civil war in which the followers of Islam were against the pagan arab tribes. So for that reason it was better for the wifes of the prophet to stay at home - for their safety. And the hadiths about women praying outside you should forget them anyway. Because only what God tells us in the Quran is what counts. And there we cannot find, that women shouldnt pray outside or pray in a seperated room. Its ok with me if they make a hajez, a curtain or something like that between women and men, but lets pray together!!
To your question is it obligatory to pray the friday prayer I cannot remember having read something like that in the Quran and i think it just a question of how important it is for you to pray with others. If you feel like praying with others go to the mosques if you dont care about it pray at home.
God reminds in the Quran again and again the muslimuun and the muslimaat - men and woman to follow His words. The Quran is written for both, men and woman.
Salam
warda -
Salaam, Warda. Thanks for your response.
From what I have read in the Qur'aan, it does not say we must fully cover with hijaab, niqaab, etc. And I know the statement from 3333 was directed to the WIVES of the Propeht pbuh. But I learned from an extremely conservative (or read "fundamentalist") Muslimah regarding practices, Sunnah, Hadith, Qur'aan, etc., and I am also aware that wearing at least hijaab would be mandatory if I were to go to the masjid for the Friday service. Since I'm not really WANTING to cover all up, I'm not really interested in going to the masjid. OTOH, I would love to make contact with other Muslimahs locally, and the only way I can think of to find them is to go to Friday service. So that's my dilemma. IF the Friday service is obligatory (which in itself is subject to question) I shall strive to go and will have to cover, at least with hijaab. If the Friday service is NOT obligatory, then I may stay at home and continue to pray by myself, as I have been doing. But then that leaves me alone still. Thank goodness for this forum!
Maybe I'm dicing it up too much--making much ado about nothing. My intent in joining this forum was to breathe some fresh air, and connect with others who don't interpret Islaam the Wahabi way. I've been there and done that, and don't want to go back! I know Islaam has room for many, not just Muslimahs who wear niqaab, stay away from dogs and black dogs in particular, don't listen to music and walk behind their husbands! That interpretation of Islaam is to restrictive to me, and the Qur'aan specifically states that Allaah has not made our religion burdensome or difficult.
May we all seek and find the Truth!
Love,
Maataga Mummuch