From: ali@utrcv1 (ALI BABA)
Subject: Re: Hejab
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: United Technologies Research Center
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 14:58:00 GMT

In article <4328@copper.Denver.Colorado.EDU>, aaldoubo@copper.denver.colorado.edu (Ohm Jihad) writes...
>In article <1992Nov7.014132.8724@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> mkarimna@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Melissa Karimnamazi) writes:
>>
>>What is the exact translation of "hejab"?  What is the exact
>>koranic passage that requires a woman to cover her hair, face, ect?
> 
>Hijab/hejab literally means covering.  It refers to the covering of
>the body in modest dress but more specifically refers to covering
>of the head.  There are different names for the various outer garments
>worn, according to the different countries - abayyah, jilbab, chador,
>etc.  But overall, when you mention the word hijab, it refers to
>the scarf which is worn around the head.
> 
>There are several references to the covering for Muslim women, with
>the most well-known in Surat An-Noor/The Light (24:31):
> 
>	"And say to the believing women that they should lower their
>	gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display
>	their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily)
>	appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their
>	bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands,
>	their fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers
>	or their brothers' sons, or their sister's sons, or their women,
>	(other exceptions not written here for sake of brevity) ..."
> 
>You will also find it in Surat Alahzab/The Confederates (33:59):
> 
>	"O Prophet!  Tell the wives and daughters and the believing
>	women, that they should cast their outer garments over their
>	person (when abroad *); that is most convenient that they should
>	be known (as such) and not molested."
> 
>* Note:  The translator and commentator on this edition of The Quoran,
>       Abdullah Yusuf Ali, says:  "This is for all Muslim women, those
>       of the Prophet's household, as well as the others.  They were
>       asked to cover themselves with outer garments when walking around.
> 
>There are also many Hadith (recorded sayings of the Prophet - peace be
>upon him) which mention specific situations of wearing the veil (which
>is done specifically so that other men did not recognize the woman on
>the streets - this out of respect for her), and the different schools
>of thought vary to accordingly on what was written (both in the Quoran
>and Hadith) concerning the hijab and what their interpretations of it
>were.  I believe that the majority of Muslim women who observe the
>commandments in the Quoran to cover, go according to the passage which
>states that what is permitted to be seen from a Muslim woman (what is
>referred to in Arabic as awrah) is her hands and face.  The awrah of the
>man is from the abdomen to the knee, although in observing complete modesty,
>every part of the body is covered.  You might also know that many Muslim
>men wear hats, which is usually as an identification that they are Muslims.
>I believe this was also another reason why women were required to wear the
>hijab.
> 
>>I was always under the impression that the Koran prescribed "modest"
>>dress for women AND men.  I have never heard it said that the
>>Koran requires a specific area (besides the bosom) to be covered.
> 
>The Quoran does prescribe modest dress for both.  Lets go back to
>Surat An-Noor (33:30):
> 
>	"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze
>	and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity
>	for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do."
> 
>I would also like to quote from the book "Islam In Focus" (Hammudah
>Abdalati - p. 111):
> 
>	"In man's clothing and adornment Islam takes into serious
>	consideration the principals of decency, modesty, chastity
>	and manliness.  Anything in clothing or adornment incompatible
>	with the attainment, maintenance and development of these
>	qualities is inhibited by Islam.  The clothing material and the
>	dressing manners which may stimulate arrogance or false pride
>	and vanity are strictly prohibited."
> 
>	"Islam does not let women go loose or wander unrestricted.  It
>	allows her the things which suit her nature and, at the same
>	time, cautions her against anything that might abuse or upset
>	that nature.  The manner in which women should dress up, beautify,
>	walk and even look is a very delicate question, and Islam pays
>	special attention  to the matter.  The vision of Islam in this
>	respect is focused on the general welfare of women.  Islam has
>	served advice to both man and woman to help women in particular to
>	retain and develop their dignity and chastity, safe from being the
>	idle gossip or vicious rumors and suspicious thought."
> 
>	"Islam is very sensitive to the manners of clothing and ornaments.
>	It makes it crystal clear that both man and woman should be confined
>	to their respective natures to safeguard their natural instincts and
>	endow them with modesty and high morality."
> 
> 
>>My point is this:  There is a difference between "modest" dress
>>and a law naming a specific type of dress or covering.
> 
>I hope you understand the picture a little more clearly now.  It is
>confusing to people who do not know about Islam, or what the stereotypes
>are - which is extremely misleading and usually false.  My point here
>is not to convince you of anything, but to present it in a manner which
>we as Muslims feel is fair and equal for both men and women.  Islam is
>a religion that calls for modesty, devotion, practice, and observance
>of the Holy Quoran as the Word of God The Almighty.  Orthodox Jews
>similarily have very strict observances and practices, yet they are not
>judged on the standards of western culture and society; but do whatever
>is in their power to ensure that prejudiceness and slander against their
>beliefs is not permitted.  And people respect that.
> 
>Mellissa, if you are interested, you can call ISNA (Islamic Society of
>North America in Plainfield, Indiana (very close to you) for information
>on where you can obtain literature on Islam and everything you would like
>to know about Muslim people.  There are many good books written by
>converts, which help people to understand a little more clearly about
>the basic philosophy and teachings of Islam.  I would also recommend
>"Islam in Focus" (Hammudah Abdalati) and "The Lawful And The Prohibited In
>Islam" (Yusuf al-Qaradawi).
> 
>I would also like to add something else here, and that is that there are
>many misconceptions about Islam and unfortunately not a lot of Muslims
>take the time to confront them and clarify certain issues.  But when we
>do, people should have the respect and courtesy and not use it as an
>excuse to add insulting remarks about the different cultures and societies
>where Muslims live.  Unfortunately there will always be people who abuse
>Islam for power and prestige, as well as many others who present Islam in
>a negative and inaccurate light.
> 
>I would also like to use this opportunity to address this thread about the
>hijab and the Muslim women in general to this newsgroup.  This is getting
>out of hand and needs to be stopped - unless the questions and comments are
>not flammatory, abusive, and/or biased.  There needs to be a line drawn
>for the sake of decency for other beliefs and cultures.  We can discuss this
>and other related issues in a manner where respect and overall courtesy are
>upheld.  This is only fair.
> 
>Anisa

Dear Anisa;
Excellent job ! well done
We tremendously enjoyed you article on soc.culture.Iranian. It did cleard up
a lots of misunderstanding which was going on for a long time in this group.
Please feel free to enlighten our group with more of your nice articles.

Sincerely yours;

Ali Eslami



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                    * ALI BABA, not an old legend, * 
                    *   But a new guardian angel   *          
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Internet = Ali@utrc.utc.com