I can't understand in what way parents can justify forcing 5 and 7 year old girls to wear hijab. -\ They're not even NEAR the stage where it's even an issue...and even then, you can't force anyone to wear anything.
Hijab is way over-discussed, and I'm very happy I took mine off.
People argue too much.
There is no proof Quran alone is in error.
In fact all Muslims take Quran on it's own as divine. no one divines the hadith, but they try to.
there is no doubt some truth in hadith, some truth mixed with falsehood doesn't become a great guide.
people can falsify meanings in anything.
people can find comfort in conformity.
peoples problem is their dogmatic approach. what is the point in life? to emulate the prophet in all actions and deeds? are we simply producing clones? is that what God wants? Seriously?
just because someone prays 5 times a day, makes dua, grows a beard or dons a hijab, they're not automatically guided. there's more to life than that.
Awesome post!
Thats not actually true about saudi arabia. A lot of the stuff we get on tv here has saudi music with long haired girls doing what appears to be a hair dance. All they seem to do is fling their hair from one side to the other while doing not very much of a dance while Arab men sort of bob up and down -\
i meant more as a societal "norm" rather than that they've never seen hair. sorry i wasn't clear. )
hair dance, lol.
are guys really that turned on by forearms/scalp hair of any random woman on the street?
i have a feeling that depends on where the "guys" are. in America and most countries and cultures, men are used to seeing women's hair, so i suppose that alone wouldn't turn them on. i bet in Saudi Arabia it's a whole different issue since they're not used to seeing women's hair at all. i'm a believer that you dress for the culture you're in (within reason, of course, lol).
Brother Rashidala
I have a question, not meant to challenge but it is more of a curious question....
Why would like to be identified as a muslim?
You ARE a muslim, no doubt about it, and you are very brave, not many people here (me included) have the guts to use a picture of themselves as profile pic.
My outer exterior is probably the furthest away from the muslim. I am covered in tattoos, clean shaven....If you saw me you would probably ask me where I parked my Harley...but I am still a muslim, and even though people cannot physically see I am a muslim that they can still see the way I protect my family, love my wife, respect my parents and kindness towards my neigbours.
i have the same question; i don't get this "identify oneself as a Muslim" thing either. our actions should speak for themselves.
I personally believe modesty lies in how I behave and represent myself. I can wear the headscarf and not-too-tight clothes, and yet still be sexually attractive, if I use my gestures to "send out signals", as Bro Emil has put it. Anyway, I find it in many occasions that 2431 works wonder in shunning unwanted attention. When I find some guys "oogling", I just lower my gaze and most of the time, guys will get the "I am not interested" signal and back off.
That being said, I try to dress by taking into account the social values and modesty standards of the environment where I live in. The absolute modesty limit prescribed in the Qur'an is to cover my breast and private parts, so I'll have to say goodbye to clothes with low neckline. Then I will use my reasoning as to how I should dress according to my environment. I live in Australia, so I figure that short-sleeved top and jeans will be okay, and most will not find that sexual. The most I will push it is sleeveless and knee-length skirt (which will be rare, unless the temperature hits 40 degree). If I go to any Southeast Asian countries, then I will set my limit to long-sleeve top and long pants/skirts, because that is what is considered modest over there. But if I go to any Middle Eastern countries, then I will wear the hijab or maybe even niqab if that is what equates modesty for women.
As a woman, I know well what my intention is when I dress. Surely, I know it is immodest to walk around the street in strapless top and a mini skirt (cause most of the time it will turn people's heads). Anyway, I'd love to think I can still dress to look beautiful, but not sexually attractive (but then again, I don't know what men's opinions are).
this makes total sense to me, and i'm the same way...although i stick to long sleeves and jeans.
oh, and i should add...i wore the hijab for over 8 years. at the time i put it on, i truly felt it was required of me because everyone told me it was. i started struggling with it when i got pregnant with my fourth daughter...i found it bothersome and hot. i know that sounds petty, but i'm being honest. i kept it on for 6 more years and two more daughters...yes, i have six daughters, lol...and i decided just over a month ago that i need to choose between fulfilling others' ideas of what is required of me or being happy and fulfilling what Allah requires of me through His book. i removed the hijab and i have to say i'm a much happier, devoted person since. the hijab had become a source of anger for me and that wasn't healthy.
luckily my husband is supportive and understanding...some others? not so much, but that's their problem.
i'm a new poster here, but i've been lurking for a while
i rarely (if ever) see Qur'anists judging Sunnis and Shias...let alone call them Khaffar, etc.
more often, however, i see the reverse; the Sunnis (in particular) lashing out at Qur'anists.
it's sad on either side; we all have the same mission of worshipping Allah as He deserves to be worshipped.
thank you for the kind welcome. )
Salaams to all,
i too am a seeker of knowledge. i come from a mixed background; my mother is Christian (now practicing) and my dad is Muslim (not really "practicing" and never really did). i put "practicing" in quotes because although my dad doesn't do the rituals of religious practice (pray, fast, etc.), his daily acts of charity, morality, gentle kindness and love for humankind is "practicing" in my eyes. i believe that Allah is the final judge, not us. i began looking into Islam in college and have been practicing and seeking knowledge about Islam ever since. i started wearing hijab several years ago but recently took it off; i think there is a lot of gray area there and i couldn't do it anymore.
i'm married to a Sunni Muslim; we have several children. i am exploring all aspects of Islam, because i truly believe that the Hadiths which so many Muslims follow is what divides us. i'm not sure i reject all of them, because i do think there are some that coincide with Qur'anic teachings. but i do see lots of problems with MANY of them.
anyway, i've been lurking for a while; i had trouble registering about a month ago, but it seems to have worked this time, and i'm glad.
i look forward to many fruitful discussions with all of you.