Question
I am so glad that you finally have your question and answer section open again. You have answered a few of my questions before for which I am very grateful. Hopefully you will help me now as well.
I am a married young woman. I have been wearing the hijab (read headscarf) for about 8 years. I started when I was a teenager for a variety of reasons: part of me wanted to please Allah. On the other hand, I also thought I looked cool wearing it. In those days, it wasn’t as popular in Pakistan as it is now…so it was a “different” thing to do. I guess teenagers do most things just to be cool, and so did I.
Anyway, after a few years of wearing it, I stopped thinking it was so cool. I still wore it because there were other women around me who stopped and people would talk behind their backs, saying what kind of character do they have, giving up such a thing as hijab. I didn’t want people to talk like that about me, so I kept on wearing it thinking its a good thing anyway and at least I will get “sawab” for it.
For a long time your website and that of renaissance said that its mandatory for a Muslim woman to wear hijab. But suddenly you all have changed your opinion. Now I don’t know why I keep wearing the hijab (well, I guess I know: to escape criticism!). It’s not mandatory so I am not getting sawab. So am I just looking uncool (in my opinion) to keep people quiet??? Plus I can never argue about religious issues. People tend to get so hostile if you question their views…I would just rather do my own thing and not have to justify this.
Also, I never wore the hijab inside the house in front of non-mehrams (like servants or cousins or family friends). At least now I know it was no sin.
Another thing is that I sometimes wears short sleeves and people say it looks really weird to wear a hijab and wear short sleeves. I just don’t think its the point of hijab to cover every inch of your body. You just have to look like you’re from a decent family and no one should take liberties with you. Am I right?
Anyway, I am sorry that this turned out so long. I hope someone will be able to help me clarify this.
Thanks a lot.
PS: I know it’s much important to say your prayers regularly, fast, pay zakah, be nice to people around you and basically just be a good person. But still I’d like to get some peace of mind. thanks 🙂
Answer
It is true that covering of the head was at one time considered to be a part of the prescribed etiquette of Islam. However, now we do not understand that to be the case. Nevertheless, this does not mean that covering of head is something that is not approved by Islam. On the contrary, it is only that Islam does not make it mandatory for women to cover their heads.
Whether you continue to cover your head or not, is strictly your own personal choice. While making this choice, do however keep in mind that even though covering the head is not a part of the Shari`ah, it is most definitely a social tradition in all the societies which have grown under the influence of the teachings of the prophets of God. A noble tradition is definitely not something that we should easily forgo.
I hope this helps.
Moiz Amjad
September 30, 2004