Jilbab is a religious obligation for believing women and once you study how it was worn you will know shalwar kameez does not a jilbab make---though other things besides a traditional abaya can and DO (afterall, that is what this blog is all about---making proper hijab out of EVERYTHING available to the Muslim woman).On my post about the religious discrimination Shabina Begum was faced with when her school would not allow her to wear jilbab http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/girl-i-admire-shabina-begum.html I realized that alot of people are mixing up cultural terms with Islamic ones. The way they do when they don't realize that hijab isn't just a headscarf. Jilbab isn't an abaya, though it may consist of one. Jilbab IS indeed an obligation on the Muslim woman and must be worn over her clothing when she leaves her home.
In the Quran, Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 (33:59) says:
Ya ayyuha an-Nabiyy qul li azwajika wa banatika wa nisa al-mu'minin yudnina alayhinna min jalabib hinna; dhalika adna an yu'rafna fa laa yu'dhayn. Wa kana Allahu Ghafur Rahim
O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their JALABIB close around them; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle.
The word "jalabib" is the plural of "jilbab". Clearly, this ayah states a command for Muslim women to wear a garment which Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala has called "jilbab". It was never revoked as a commandment, and a great number of ahadith help back that up, and make clearer what jilbab is and how it covers http://www.muhajabah.com/jilbab.htm#sharia. Since it is a commandment in the Qu'ran from Allah the Most High, if you told me I could not have a job or go to school if I wore it (whether you provided me with a plaid school skirt or a shalwar kameez) you would be asking my to disobey my Creator and the Qu'ran to forgo the jilbab, so obviously that it discriminating against my religion.
Alot of people seem to have the image of this in mind when they think of the word "jilbab":
They think "abaya". Well, an abaya can certainly be worn as jilbab (it makes an amazingly practical one and is often stylish too) but the word "jilbab" in classical Arabic, and in the usage of the scholars, is a very general term that may be translated into English simply as "outergarment". Key: all the sisters who posted on my Shabina Begum post listed the criteria of a jilbab that the scholar's have given for it, but they neglected the fact that all the four madhabs are unanimous that the jilbab is firstly, an overgarment.
Any outergarment that meets the criteria given above is a jilbab. There are many styles that are possible, and there are many outergarments in many Muslim cultures that can be used for what the Quran means by jilbab. These may be called "abaya", "chador", "khimar +skirt", "djellaba", "burnous", "haik", "milaya", or a thousand other names. They may even be called "jilbab".
What we must always keep clear in our minds is that there is the Quranic jilbab, which is any outergarment that meets the criteria set out in the Shari'a; and there may also be a "cultural jilbab" that refers to a very specific style. As Muslims we are responsible for following the Shari'a not Arab culture. When a word is used in the Quran or hadiths, we need to give it the definition it has according to the Shari'a, not the definition it might have in Arab culture.
So whether you wear an abaya, a chador, a djellaba, or indeed a "jilbab", be sure that it meets the criteria of the Shari'a:
It is an outergarment, an extra layer, something that you wear over your clothes
It is made of thick, opaque fabric so that nobody can see what is under it
It is loose so that nobody can see the contours of your figure
If you are going to wear a coat-like jilbab, be sure that your head and neck are covered by your khimar and that your feet are completely covered by your garment or by socks and shoes (and, if you follow that opinion, that your face is covered by your niqab).
Here is a vid to show you how mixed up people are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia about the subject of jilbab (and hopefully people realize how hard is for women in supposedly Islamic countries to wear proper hijab against the wishes of family and friends and even husbands). I want to stress, there is no Caliphate in the world right now, and so there is no Islamic country, only a -cultural Muslim majority (the narrator of the vid doesn't mention this), and of course jilbab and khimar and even niqab existed before the advent of Islam as all the Prophets (allahi wa salaam) bore the message if Islam before their messages were corrupted. As one wise commentator on the vid wrote "of course the abaya [jilbab] was in Mesopotamia 4000 years ago before the Prophet Muhammad salallahu 3alaihi wa sallam because there were prophets there. We know that Ibrahim and Yunus 3alaihi salam were from Mesopotamia which is present day 3Iraq. These are the teachings of all the prophets. All the prophets taught hijab and the abaya or should I say jilbab is Qur'anic not cultural or traditional like people would want us to believe."
I am soooooooooo on the same page as the first Saudi girl. I wear jilbab because it is a religious obligation (and I understand it and interpret my clothes based on my understanding) but I don't think it should be enforced and disagree with any enforcement of hijab/jilbab/khimar on those who do not believe or have not yet the understanding the same way I object to anti-hijab anti-jilbab regulations. Here is the post I did on everything I think is proper Islamic jilbab http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/everything-i-think-makes-quranic-jilbab.html
Comments
Islam does not equal the four 'traditional' schools of thought - Islam is for everyone. Just because we do not follow what certain men said, does not make us less understanding of our deen.
There are people far more knowledgebale and wiser than you who understanding that jilbab in the sense that you understand it is not fard, but any clothing which meets the criteria of Islamic dress is. It would be helpful if you could stop demonising readers of your blog and other sisters who do not share the same worldview as you do.
-Fatima
whats even worse is when people dont take the time to learn why they wear it, or learn their religion enough to understand it. may allah guide this ummah inshaallah AMEEN
it is very sad that most of the people in the video don't even know simple islamic basics while living in KSA!! i mean they don't live in Syberia, they live in KSA! how can one be sooo ignorant about his/her own religion! to be honest, i'm shocked
One more question on this topic: if you do not beleive that a pants kamesee is a hijabie would she/i belabled as a.non beleiver/modest wearer b.a bad infulance on the idea of women in islam?
Welcome Christian mag :)
Pixie keep up the good work. barak allah feeki ;)
The only reason I say it is requirement is because the Qu'ran commands it. I say pants are not proper hijab because pants to me can never be an overgarment but some sisters are of the opinion that if the pants are loose enough that you could wear a mid thigh length skirt under them (to demonstrate their looseness) and the outfit meets all the other requirements of hijab, then it is halal and I think they could make a good case, but the evidence is stronger to say that pants are not hijab, so I always go with the stronger evidence. I am actually not judging anyone. I took history/archeology in my studies and I am very good at reading ancient texts to understand what people ate, what their clothing looked like, ect.....I have been working on a post on the evolution of jilbab among the Sahaba for this blog inshaAllah may I finish it sometime in the near future. It is nashia girl, nothing to do with judging someone. But the khimar (headscarf) is one commandment in the Qu'ran. The jilbab serriously is the other.
Since the command for khimar was revealed after the one for jilbab all the companions agreed that what could be "apparent of" was the hands, the rings on the hands, and the hem of a women's garment on the bottom and at the sleeve (what, is she invisible walking down the road?!) because her jilbab (outer clothing---that's why we know it has to be an outer garment) is described by them as what is allowed to show. Yes, please do research it, because it may surprise you.
By some sisters yes, and I did a post cateered to them even though I disagree with pants ever being an overgarment due to this evidence: Since the command for khimar was revealed after the one for jilbab all the companions agreed that what could be "apparent of" was the hands, the rings on the hands, and the hem of a women's inner garment on the bottom and at the sleeve (what, is she invisible walking down the road?!) because her jilbab (outer clothing---that's why we know it has to be an outer garment) is described by them as what is allowed to show. Here is the post on pants as jilbab http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-wear-pants-in-some-semblance-of.html
And they hate you then, and I just feel so bad because I love them so much.“…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion…” (Al-Maa’idah:3)
Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, rahimullah, said: "An innovation is dearer to Satan than a sin, for one can easily repent from a sin, but an innovation is not easily repented from (as an innovator thinks that he is on the correct path)."
I feel the subject of jilbab often comes up and people are on a misconcpetion and they believe it so much they don't bother with the evidence which is sooooooooo strong.
"as salamu alaykum so you mean abaya is not the exact islamic clothing? or can abaya act as a jilbab if you have actually clothes under it? i dont get it."
Not in the opinion of the companions of rasooolulah, who know more than any of the scholars: disagree with pants ever being an overgarment due to this evidence: Since the command for khimar was revealed after the one for jilbab all the companions agreed that what could be "apparent of" was the hands, the rings on the hands, and the hem of a women's inner garment on the bottom and at the sleeve (what, is she invisible walking down the road?!) because her jilbab (outer clothing---that's why we know it has to be an outer garment) is described by them as what is allowed to show. Here is the post on pants as jilbab http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-wear-pants-in-some-semblance-of.html
And dear sister, there is a very big difference between Sunnah, and a direct command from Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala. In the Qu'ran Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala did not say, "and the believers must ride on camels to be safe and different from the disbeliers" LOL, though I think that WOULD be funny, and Greenpeace would be very happy with us, Eid aside:D Jilbab is not the same concept because it a comman in the Qu'ran. I know some scholars say the sunnah garment is a single one piece jilbab but the Qu'ran states that the fard obligation is an overgarment that is not form-fitting or see through or worn to increase one's status and make other's seem less. When the ayah to wear khimar was revealed, we were given permission to make jilab (still an overgarment) out of more than one or two peices, because this is how the woman of the Ansaar made their khimars, and the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam approved of it, and Aisha r.a even commended it.
"One more question on this topic: if you do not beleive that a pants kamesee is a hijabie would she/i belabled as a.non beleiver/modest wearer b.a bad infulance on the idea of women in islam?
Welcome Christian mag :)
Pixie keep up the good work. barak allah feeki ;)"
Waiiiaki sister:D I do not think anyone who wears hijab but does not understand it fully is a disbeliever. I hate ignorant scholars that make harsh assertations of the like. Nor do I think she is necessarily a bad influence unless she preaches endlessly against the evidence in the Qu'ran in the sunnah. Her hijab is comprised of two things, her struggle towards understanding and ilm [knowledge], and her intentions within her understanding. Jilbab and hijab aren't the most important things in a believing woman's life though they are tools that will help her. Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala alone will judge her intentions and He will weigh it with her understanding and how she strove for understanding when she recieved nasiha, I am certain, inshaAllahkheir.
But I dispise people who disregard all the evidence in the world, even it is a clear command, and so obvious as what the Companions clearly spelled out, and say that I am forcing a veiw on them. It isn't A veiw. It was the consensus in the time of the Sahaba, a command from Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala. All I can do is ask sisters to read more. If they have knowledge and just struggle with wearing it, I am sure there is reward for them anyone, but not for those who deny the Qu'ran. And I totally understand the sisters who think uber loose pants is okay. I do think it could be true, but it is less strong than other evidence, and I always go with the strongest evidence (not necessarily a scholar single conclusion). Anyways, I hope you are having a great day sister!!!!!!!!
This fatwa states that jilbab isnt fard but that anything that complies with the requirements of islamic dress is fine, whether it be pants or an abaya
"There are so many women who do not fit into the category of Islam that you seem to be promoting. No offense at all sister, but I do not wear jilbab, I wear modest western clothing." The category of Islam I promote is what falls under the Sunnah of Islam. All sisters who are against shirk and bida and who testify there is one God and Mohammed is His Messenger are my kind of sisters. Hijab is just something that falls to evidence and understanding and it doesn't determine who my friends are. But this blog is about hijab, not ALL the qualities of a Muslim woman and jilbab is part of Qu'ranic hijab.
"Modesty has everything to do with the culture we come from." See, this is where we agree to disagree. To me, modesty comes from Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala and the sahaba, not a single one culture.
I just wanted to share some of my own thoughts about this. When I first started to cover in the late 90's when sisters here in the west thought of an overgarment they did think of a Jilbab...NOT an Abayah (for the most part) because abayaat from the GUlf had yet to hit the mainstream scene and pretty much the only overgarments you could get were the jilbabs from Jordan and even then the Gulf countries made jilbabs too.
Anyway, I'm saying this just to share it, because I find the everyone saying abayaah this and abayaah that kind of funny. They are kind ot new to the Western scene.
But I also wanted to share that basically jilbab that is mentioned in the Islamic texts is NOT like the type of Jilbab or Abayah worn now adays, back during the time of the Prophet the style was different. Some Historical scholars say the "jilbab" that is mentioned as being what the early Muslim women wore is actually very similar to the modern Chador or it was just a huge sheet of cloth that was layered over the dresses and pants that the women wore at the time. So I thinkw e shouldnt say that jilbab it's self is fard...but overgarments in general are fard according to, from what I know...the majority of Muslim scholars, the other smaller percentages say anything is allowed as long as the shape isnt shown and an even smaller percentage say everything must be covered except for 1 eye to see where your walking.
Overgarments are basically anything long and wide and doesnt show the body, personally I think the reason why the modern jilbabs and abayaahs r popular is they are quick and easy 1 step dressing with little thought involved but really a sister could be in an overgarment even if she has on a very long top over a wide pair of pants or a skirt and if her headscarf covers her very well. The more cultural forms of dress that Muslims wear around the world like the Baju Kurung or the SK could, basically fall under the overgarment criteria because unless you choose a form fitting baju kurung it does cover the sister fully and doesnt show the body...a Baju Kabaya nips in at the waist and so wouldnt be as covering, a long sleeved, loose SK with a headscarf and a properly drapped over shawl would work too.
So, Pixie, jan...I dont disagree with you, I do also think an overgarment is FARD as I think that a headscarf and modest dress is FARD I just think you need to understand that there isnt 1 or 2 specific forms of garment that consitute the "jilbab" but that the "jilbab" is basically used for overgarment and that any number of outfits could work as an overgarment.
Anyway, just my 0.2Cents...we get this topic a lot of Muslimahs in hijab and it seems like everyone has their own opinion and personally I think it's best to just take the middle path on issues like this.
En'shallah though sisters will read your blog and be more inclined to cover more modestly.
I still don't see in your argument how a knee length shirt and full skirt from Shukr are proper hijab. And to be honest, you and others highlight very beautiful abayas and jilbabs - with heels and jewelry - I assume as suggestions of what should be worn? If so, is that not making a dazzling display? Does the sister in a glizty abaya with matching shoes and bag rate higher than the sister in a neutral long shirt and skirt with flats? I sincerely don't mean to be antagonistic but you do highlight many things I would never wear for they are so demonstrably showy and yet you think my Shukr gear is inadequate -
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=4912&CATE=137
http://jannah.org/sisters/hijabfaq.html
Neither of these very mainstream Muslim sites mandate jilbab but do point out it shouldn't be showy or for display.
Same goes for anyone else wanting to send me something:D
I take that since the women of Ansaar cut their jilbabs to make their khimars we are allowed to wear more than once piece of clothing to constitute a proper khima rand jilbab. Whether it be a one peice abaya, a khimar and a long dress and a box coat, a khimar, tunic top and long modets skirt... these are all jilbab to me "Islamically" not culturally.
I guess I am of a more relaxed opinion as far as dressing goes, I am an American convert with influence from Malaysian Muslims, and yet I still find myself much more liberal..I follow the 5 pillars, I dress modestly, but I still wear jeans. Does this make me "unislamic?" I wonder this a lot, am I an outsider in this religion because I do not follow women from the prophets time and because I tend to follow female scholars, or feminist points of view? Such as Fatima Mernissi, Leila Ahmad, and Yanar Mohammed.. I guess this is a post for my own blog, not a comments section of someone else's blog :) But I guess I am searching for the female opinion on this matter. I always find I am much more open minded and am beginning to wonder if it means there is just not a place for me to be me and a Muslim.. Do I have to dress a certain way to be a good Muslim? Is modesty not enough? Of course your interpretation of modesty, and mine, may be different, hence cultural differences, but the Quran says to cover one's self, breasts included, and I do that.. In the Middle east of course I would follow what that culture considers modest, in Indonesia I would follow what they consider modest.. It is different around the world, don't you think? Yet we are saying it is the religion we are following.. Is it not just our perspective of what the religion is saying? How else do we account for the many varied ways Muslims choose to practice? Can we say that those who do not do as we do are committing haram acts? Or do they merely see it differently? Sorry, if you don't want to post this I understand, I know it is long... But I am curious to know your thoughts.
the beauty of Islam is that we cannot answer the questions you are asking.it is not our role as Muslims to pass judgement on you and decide whether you are fit to be a Muslim or not! but i will say this to "no one makes you inferior without your consent". unlike other religions Islam is one on one. you are in this alone. your none practising Muslim friends or your loose or jilbaby friends wont stand with you on the day of judgement while you explain to Allah why you believed so and so to be true.
on that note and in no way do i mean to shun you away from your friends but as the hadith goes something like: the company you surround your self with are contagious you either smell good like them or you smell bad like them. I'm a first hand believer in that.
when you choose your path you will subsequently move forward in either direction.
this fatwa also states that you can wear pants if you wear a long loose shirt over them
"Muslim woman have to wear clothes that will conceal the body and her `awrah (parts of the body which should not exposed in front of others); she must not wear transparent or see-through clothes or tight clothes that show the shape of the body. Pants or trousers fall into the later category; so for this reason it is not permissible for women to wear pants,unless she wears over them a wide or loose shirt."
hijab IS between a woman and her Creator yes, but the overgarment is what was worn when one studies the evidence. I personally don't think pants can be an overgarment but some sisters think if the pants are extremely loose and top is even longer and looser they are so I also did a post on that here: http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-wear-pants-in-some-semblance-of.html
Honestly, to all the name-callers "know it all," "ignorant", "incapabale of love and understanding" don't come on my blog if you don't like it. I am going to speak the truth of my understanding here and there is plenty of other blogs where sisters don't have the same understanding as me and they are gonna post pants things for ya'll. Since I don't think they are jilab (what you wear out of the house) I am only ever going to post them in prayer at home stuff, cuz you can pray in them, but to me they just aren't something Allah subhabu wa ta'ala commanded in the Qu'ran was suitable for me to wear alone outside of the home.
"i love reading everyone's opinions!" Me too! I love alot of sisters blogs but my favourite thing about any blog is when you learn a hadith or ayah that you hadn't heard before and it helps you change something that you are doing.
LOL I am a Canadian convert with the influence of the Qu'ran and Sahih Bukhari:D PLus alot of the sisters around me and their husbands, masha'Allah are schooled in matters of fiqh. Two of the men (not my husband:D) of the women in my life are qualified to give fatwas so it is always easy for me. People that want to suggest that my husband who is Saudi influenced me in the least, my husband knows nothing on the subject of hijab except that he warned me about perfume and plucking my eyebrows and the clothing he knew nothing on. He does not feel I need to wear niqab in the West though it is Mustahaab to his incomplete understanding, and he thinks loose pants and a tunic can be jilbab while I do not since he just thinks that from his own opinion, not from researching the evidences. LOL. Not ALLLLLLLLLL Saudis are likes mAriya fi Saudiyas online family:D
I feel I am pretty relaxed because I believe adornment means sexual beauty not colour and simple decoration and even eyeliner:D And both men who are qualified on making fatwas have different opinions on the subject so I feel safe with mine, though if I ever foudn some more concrete evidence on certain matters I might change my mind. It is after all, me who will be explaining my reasoning to Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala and I always pray to be guided. I LOVE HISHMA's reply to your comment was %100 true.
"Does this make me "unislamic?" By my understanding, it would make ME unislamic if I were to do that in regards with what I know but if you have not followed the same evidence as I have, or have evaluated it in a different matter, that is between you and Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala.
"Do I have to dress a certain way to be a good Muslim? Is modesty not enough?" We have to obey Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala and His messenger to the best of our understanding and education to be good Muslims, in what I have found.
"but the Quran says to cover one's self, breasts included, and I do that.." The Qu'ran says to cover one's self WITH a jilbab which means a loose overgarment that is not see through or resembling a man's clothing or overly decorated to raise one's status, and khimar (and in some opinions the jilbab covers the face---the minority opinion). "In the Middle east of course I would follow what that culture considers modest," my husband has the same line of thinking but in the MiddleEast and anywhere I live for that matter, I will wear what the Qu'ran commanded and what the Sahaba demonstrated was modest. "It is different around the world, don't you think?" No. Islam is for all peoples for all time. Sure, there are different ways to keep one's hijab and compose it from the clothes of one's surroundings, but if it isnt what Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala guided Islam towards, what is the point of it? Who are we obeying? Who are we pleasing?
"How else do we account for the many varied ways Muslims choose to practice? Can we say that those who do not do as we do are committing haram acts?" We can examine their evidence and their fiqh (jurisprudence for interpeting it) and see if they have all the same evidence and use it in a logical manner or if they simply desregard things to suit their own wills. Differences in fiqh are allowed, but not disregarding Qu'ran or what was approved or or forbidden by the Messenger sallalahu alahi wa salaam.
Could you do me a favor and post up different forms of jilbabs? Because you said abaya is not the only form of jilbab, but the notion of salwaar kameez not being considered islamic dress (not the tight ones but the loose ones with the shirt going to the shins) I can't vision any form of jilbab, so please if you can post some pics of other forms of jilbabs to your understanding, thankyou.
A Sister gives sound evidence from Quran & Sunnah and she gets attacked with names and accusations??
Certainly a sign of the Final Day...
I want to start by saying I agree with you totally. I'll write more later inshallah
The first thing that I always say when I start to get attacked for something in my blog is that its really not MY opinion they are attacking but that of the scholars I take from. All of what you have said about jilbab is correct. What has happened over the years is that people have become lax in what they consider jilbab and search out scholars that agree with them to fit their own desires.
I'm sure I'll get yelled at for that last line, but its true. The reason why a shalwar Kameez is not jilbab is because of the pants part. Even if its loose going down to the knees or beyond you can still see the shape of the leg. Also most of the SK's have that giant slit up the side of the shirt part exposing your leg all the way up.
Someone commented and mentioned western clothes. And asked about jeans... wear them all you want, but under something loose. Are your jeans tight on your leg? if they are, they are not proper hijab for you. Just covering the skin is not enough. if that is the case why don't we all wear spandex body suits and run around?
One of the signs of the day of judgment is that women will be clothed but naked. This is not talking about non muslims, its talking about muslims. It has been interpreted to mean that women are 'covering' but not really being modest. Most western style clothes that sisters pass off as hijab don't really qualify. If you are wearing some cute dress over pants... does the cute dress cling to anything? Your chest, your hips? well that is not hijab....
Anyway, that was my bit... hope it helps and if it bothers anyone... sorry
Yes, people call converts extremists all the time, simply because we pursue the ilm we were not raised with but I think trying to follow the Qu'ran and sunnah as much as you possibly can is not a bad thing. It is the the right thing to do.
The Prophet S.A.W warned that people would try to make halal all those things he wanred against, saying "Islam began as something strange, it will return as something strange."
AS IV'E STATED for the 100th time, there ARE mor eimportant things than hijab, like salat, an dkindness, and compassion, but this blog is on the subject of hijab, and if you are not wearing khimar and jilbab you are disobeying a direct command from Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala. You can explain that to Him, you don't have to to me, and you certainly don't have to accuse me of an illness like "convert syndrome":D Anyways, its always interesting to hear other peoples opinions, even when they infer something bad about one while imparting them.
-u said u dont want to have kids cos ur not ready to teach them religion-its ur private case but it shows how much u differ from arabic people,i mean ur converted muslim,not arabic women thats why many of ur views differ from those represented by arabic girls-from jilbab case to family issues,yes ur right Quranic jilbab may differ from arabic jilbab,the same is with life attitude,are u terribly realistic person,u dont ''feel like'' having kids as soon as possible with the person u love?
-u talk much that u wear skinny jeans,u show ur pink heels,why????its another strange action,u dont have to prove u wear them cos its really not so important,evrbody knows women in gulf dress up at home,its nth new i got impression like if i heard old hit-but this hit doesnt impress me as much as it was before many year
-u said heels are haram,why??because of those words about jewish women,well she made that in bad meaning,if u want to wear heels to please ur family,look nice for them its nth bad
-the completely strange opinion i read here is about feet covering:wossssshh is it ''limited pixie interpretation'' ,u may be right and wrong its not sure about covering ur feet,my fiance was shocked with ur opinion,all good muslimahs from my family,from my fiance family wear sandals!!they dont wear socks with sandals cos its ugly,strange and too hot,they dont live in canada they live in iraq,jordan,kuwait,emirates so they have to wear socks in this weather to meet ur condition,right?
-i got angry with some posts because i see some over-interpretation if we started to be agree with all ur words many of my relatives would appear to be sinful and i cant let to that
-u talk much about wearing niqab u mentioned u wear it part time,well u must know niqab is not for mood so take decision
-another case u said u put make for prays-thats extremely odd for me!!!!!u can make it for husband for friends but god doesnt wait ur make up,god see u as he created u god doesnt care about make up for god EVERYBODY IS THE SAME make up is sth very common its sth what shouldnt be included during prays,pray is ur meeting with god sth special but not the way u mean,its not as special as wedding its sth more,sth beautifull u cant compare it with any other experience,why u put make up?????its better to remove it and be clean
-why u put those words in about me section,what if men emailed u,its sth normal u dont have to answer and ur husband should understand that if he trust u,how u work with this sort of thinkin?if sb email u it doesnt mean u have to reply or make relation with this person
-islam is beautifull,arabic culture is beautifull but we live easier than u presented,when i shown some of ur ideas to my western friend she got afraid,sorry but dont u know covering feet in hot weather is even not healthy
-if ull put some perfume out home nth bad will happen,if u make it for urself,for ur husband,the same with some make up,c'mon u should stay longer in the middle east,see how we live,west is not good place to learn about islam
-i want to object to the words ''muslim playboys'' muslim cannot be playboy if he is he is not believing muslim
-pixie its very hard to understand arabic mentality for sb who is not arabic u will need many years to live in the middle east to understand evrth,i know many russian,english women who got married with arabs but it didnt last long time,its because arabic mentality really differ from western,and also because there are some comfortable men who search just for us,canadian,german,spanish,french visa thats why get married with women from there,unfortunately non arabic women many times meet this kind of men,i know how it is cos i have comparison between me and my fiance as both arabic people and other women who i know,who get married with little knowledge about arabic mentality
-i hope ull post my comment cos last time i think i send comment and it didnt appear,im dissapointed because it was true view on marriage issues
Of course. We are allowed that. But when it comes to Islamic issues, I take the Islamic standpoint over the Arab or the Western or African or Asian:D At least, inshaAllah may Allah subhanhu wa ta a'la guide me, I try to.
You also questioned "-u talk much that u wear skinny jeans,u show ur pink heels,why????its another strange action,u dont have to prove u wear them cos its really not so important,evrbody knows women in gulf dress up at home,its nth new" Actually, to alot of non-muslims and some new converts, it is. Some honestly DON'T know. I hadn't until I went to the Gulf. It is important to let girls know they can keep their sexuality and feminity but keep it for the private rather than the public sphere.
"-u said heels are haram,why??" I didn't say ALL heels were haraam and it wasn't me who had the ability to make anything halal or haraam. The Prophet Sallalahu alahi wa salaam said wearing shoes that considerably increase one's height was imitating the disbelievers. And the scholars, most of them say it is in the very least, makruh. I stated I am not certain whether this was only around non-maharam men like walking down the street, or if it included all occasions. I would consult a Sheikh for more information regarding that. I personally still feel safe at home but I am uncertain so am currently seeking more informations (just in case). You said "if u want to wear heels to please ur family,look nice for them its nth bad" that is of course right unless the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam considered high heels in the same manner her considered wigs, tatoos, and plucking the eyebrows, for when a woman came to him asking if her daughter could wear a wig even though all her hair had fallen out due to an illness "to be pleasing to her husband" he said flat out "no". Some things we cannot do that with the reasons of pleasing our husband, not if something pleases him which is not pleasing to Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala. I just wanted to share the hadith with sisters because it made me understand where scholars got the ruling about shoes being something to consider when getting dressed.
As to feet, some of the scholars are waaaaaaaay more strict than me. I don't think you have to wear socks if your jilbab covers your feet (the skirt or robe or coat that is long enough to cover), and one madhab says you don't have to cover them at all. I did mention that. I think it is safer to, though, if one's abaya or skirt is too short, ya know? Safest, but I wear sandals allllll the time with no socks and just have my clothes long enough to cover my feet. My abayas and skirts are all long except for my winter ones. Then I don't mind wearing shoes cuz it is cold and wet out. In heat, longer is best and no socks:D But I understand sisters that want shorted hems and thus cover with socks.
And again, they are not MY conditions, they are the opinions of respected scholars, and the FOUR madhabs.
Of course I didn't grow up with the gift of Islam, so I don't understand at all how someone who did, with all the resources, wouldn't pursue knowledge and doing all the sunnah that they can even MORE than me since they have witnessed the beauty of Islam more than I have, and they have more resources.
"-u talk much about wearing niqab u mentioned u wear it part time,well u must know niqab is not for mood so take decision"
Niqab can be worn when one is wearing make up or one feels uncomfortable with the way men are looking at them, without one having to be a fulltime niqabi, despite what people might think on the subject, I have consulted my Imam on the subject, but since I think niqab is in the very least, mustahaab, I have decided to start wearing niqab in late August, inshaAllah, may Allah make that decision easy for me, and provide me with support from my husband and family and friends. I will quit my job in order to wear it and that means becoming poorer so it is not something I have considered lightly.
well, why did the Prophet sallalahu alahi wa salaam tell us to wear kohl then? He said beautification, like henna and kohl, were good. I think Allah appreciates that I think He is more important than people and I like to look nice for prayer, though of course, make up absolutely isn't necessary. I feel pretty with and without and it totally depends. I always wash first. Perhaps you did not think I did? I stressed in that comment that I like to dress in my best clothes that won't distract me from prayer, and I line my eyes with kohl, and if I am within my home, I wear perfume and always use siwaak.
"-why u put those words in about me section,what if men emailed u,its sth normal u dont have to answer and ur husband should understand that if he trust u,how u work with this sort of thinkin?if sb email u it doesnt mean u have to reply or make relation with this person" I kept getting comments and emails from men and soon as I put that, I stopped getting them. It had caused a problem with my husband because he saw the comments pop up in my emails and thought I was getting emails from men. It is easier than being rude to an actually polite brother, to have the caution on my sidebar. It is on my profile for all my blogs.
If she had any questions about something on this blog I can explain just provide her with this email bm_pixie@hotmail.com (just a warning, I do not get the chance to check it daily only weekly). I often help new reverts in my community and I am more matter of fact on this blog than I am with new sisters cuz I expect Muslim sisters to be striving for jannah and if they are on this blog, they also want to study the sunnah of hijab as well as fing pretty pictures and shopping links.
"-if ull put some perfume out home nth bad will happen,if u make it for urself,for ur husband,the same with some make up," I don't wear perfume around non-maharam men, period, because of what the Prophet S.A.W said about such and such women who do. He did not say the same thing about makeup since women had better jilbab than we do today.
"c'mon u should stay longer in the middle east,see how we live,west is not good place to learn about islam."
Islam is for all peoples for all times. It isn't from the Arabs---it is from Allah. I don't need to come to an Arab country to learn Islam if I have the Qu'ran and the ahadiths of the Prophet sallalahu alah wa salaam. I first encourntered Islam in the MiddleEast remember. I learnt that Arab culture could be bad (I saw maids being raped and locked in a basement, racism against people with darker skin but me a non-muslim wa treated like a princess cuz I was white and blonde) and I also saw beautiful things like generousity, and random acts of kindness. The beautiful things were in Islam. The ugly ones were only part of Arab culture since Islam forbid them for practicing Arab Muslims. Islam absorbs the halal of every culture and excludes the haraam. That is why Islam is the way to go by. You learn Islam fromt eh Qu'ran and authentic sunnah, not from "Arab culture".
"-i want to object to the words ''muslim playboys'' muslim cannot be playboy if he is he is not believing muslim." K, I'll totally agree to that, they are only Muslim by CULTURE not sincere practice, but people get offended when I say Arab-playboys.... cuz a. not all Arabs are Muslim and have been raised with Islamic values, b. there other men from Islamic countries that call themelsves Muslims and are not Arabs... "pixie its very hard to understand arabic mentality for sb who is not arabic u will need many years to live in the middle east to understand evrth,i know many russian,english women who got married with arabs but it didnt last long time,its because arabic mentality really differ from western," K, I am married to an Arab, a Saudi, and the only REAL differences between us are that I react emotionally like a woman, and he reacts mentally like a man. My husband refused to get a Canadian visa when I wanted him to. Soooooooo. I also know Saudi men marrying Mexican reverts, certainly not for their passports. It does happens. I do post about warnings for converts who do get prayed upon by so-called Muslim men. My husband said he didn't want to marry an Arab woman because of the culture, drama drama drama, ostentatious spending, competative inlaws... And i LOve soooo much from Arab culture:D the food, the fashion, the treatment of guests, horses, gatherings... Anyways, Arab culture doesn't equal Islam. Islam is not one culture, it overules the cultures and brings together only what is good.
"-i hope ull post my comment cos last time i think i send comment and it didnt appear,im dissapointed because it was true view on marriage issues"
I always do unless the comments are anonymous, or slander Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala or the Messenger, or are useless gossip about another sister, or contain swearing.
It's such a shame to see this blog degenerate into these types of discussions. You know where one person thinks they are the be all and end all of knowledge on a matter, and anyone who disagrees is a sinner. How Islamic. As always, Muslims who have limited knowledge sit here and refuse to understand anyone else's point of view, and miss the bigger picture.
If you'd rather stick to arbitrary and meaningless literal interpretations that is your perogative, but do try not to assume everyone else is ignorant.
You don't have to explain your beliefs to me but I would love to see you write an essay with the evidence you would use to say whhy jilbab is not to be worn, or that it is not an overgarment. I am interested. Honestly. I am always open to learning more. But not to people accusing me of "demonising" "judging" or calling other sisters ignorant. That simply doesn't thrill me none.
My Dad almost disowned me over khimar and jilbab. A few sisters getting mad at me for quoting Qu'ran and ahadith just make me shake my head and repeat to myself "Islam began as something strange, it will return as something strange."
In short: I am believe that the REASON for wearing jilbab is more important than jilbab itself. Here's a quote from a Muslim writer who puts it way better than I can:
"Today, as Muslims, we have become servants of the law, instead of the law serving us in order to achieve higher spiritual perfection. Abiding by the law is not a purpose in itself: it is a means to an end. It is critical to respect the law, and our jurists and scholars, but we must be careful not to derive a false satisfaction from following the law for the law's sake over striving towards the underlying objectives of the law."
Wearing a jilbab in Rasulullah (saw) time was obviously fard, but not because of the garment itself, but what it signified. My understanding is that when it comes to social norms and practices (as opposed to worship), these are flexible and CAN change, so long as the reasoning behind them is fulfilled.
We are given the reason for wearing an 'overgarment' in the Quran itself, however, it is now no longer necessary to wear one in order to achieve the underlying objective. In my experince, and in the many, many brothers and sisters opinions I've asked, they all recognize that a Muslim woman in hijab (but not necessarily jilab) is just as respectable and not at all lesser than one in jilbab. Same goes for non-Muslims. In fact, most can't even tell when a woman is wearing an 'overgarment' in the first place, rendering it even more meaningless.
Many people also find that a women in simple jeans and loose tunic in the west is far more modest than a woman in a black gulf abaya.
On the other hand, you for example seem to believe that wearing kohl outside for women is halal. Whereas I understand that in time of Rasullah it was a cultural norm (and may be in certain parts of the world still), to wear dark eyeliner here in the West is completely counter-intuitive as dark lines eyes are considered very sexy and attractive. I will definietely not say it is haram for us to wear it, but again, it is the reasoning behind something that is more important.
I hope that has clarified some things on my behalf and if you would take the time to ponder over my thoughts maybe that will increase our understanding.
"If you read that into my post do you wonder it about it yourself?"
LOL don't even try to insinuate things like that. What a petty thing to say. It's honestly a waste of time to be here with people with this kind of attitude.
And in fact for your information you did say:
"...but this blog is on the subject of hijab, and if you are not wearing khimar and jilbab you are disobeying a direct command from Allah subhanhu wa ta'ala"
You do reject that that ayah in the Qu'ran should be obeyed today, don't you? I used to think that way, honestly, I studied the same explaination that scholar gave WHEN I FIRST CONVERTED. If we are to follow what that scholar you are following says, he says we only have to wear hijab because it serves the purpose that it was given in the Qu'ran while the jilbab does not. So if Christian and Jewish and Pagan women stop wearing clothes altogether (as they have khimar) is it okay to remove the hijab provided one still wears a blouse? I have heard anti-khimar arguments that state as such, that the Qu'ran only says to cover the chest (albeit with the headdress). We do not change Allah's commands without the guidance of His Messenger sallalahu alahi wa salaam. Remember the battle of Uhud? When the Messenger sallalahu alahi wa salaam commanded the archers to stay where they were? His command seemed to have no point to them since the battle was a good as done. They weren't fighting anymore. So some of them abadoned that clear command, and the battle was lost, and the Messenger sallalahu alahi wa salaam nearly slain. Unless the command is revoked it is not for men who are not Prophets to do such a thing.
Newsbreak: God doesn't work from the angle of "acceptance" and "love." God has His law. We are expected to obey it. All of this babbling about being "narrow minded" and not "accepting and loving" is pure nonsense.
"acceptence" and "love" are words used by people that want to ignore God's law and do what *they* want to do. Well guess what? Your man-made, worldly "acceptance" and "love" leads to HELL.
Obey the law of GOD, not the whiney emotional crap that's flying around today.
May Allah ta`ala guide us all
To anyone who does not like what Pixie wrote, look deeper. What makes you want to fight it so much? Is anything she said wrong? Is anything she said of her own invention?
For those who walk away from an argument is a beautiful house in paradise.
What scholar are you talking about? How do you know what that scholar supposedly teaches? Again, you are making assumptions based on nothing.
You mentioned somewhere that you think a maxi dress can be an overgarment, so long as something is worn underneath, like shorts. Let's examine this. If we are to compare a sister who wears a maxi without shorts underneath (and hence class her as not wearing jilbab) with one who does:
1. If you wear shorts underneath, no one can see them (I'd be worried if they could)
2. Hence, no one knows that you are wearing them
3. Therefore, no one knows that you maxi dress is acting as an overgarment
4. Therefore you are in fact simply abiding by the very literal meaning of the ayah, and not the actual purpose behind it! Your clothing needs to be recognised by others as being as overgarment, for it to apparently fulfil the commandment we have in the Quran.
Again, the way I see it, people are again assuming that it is the wearing of an overgarment itself that is important, not the reason behind it, so it is in fact you who is paying lip service to the Quran. Allah (swt) did not reveal things just so we could get stuck on the technicalities.
On a personal note, we are commanded not to wear garments of fame and pride, and I find that here when a woman dresses in abaya and shayla, everyone assumes she is a rich Gulf resident living a lavicious lifestyle. Everyone treats you differently because they assume you have money, which is my experience is utterly disgusting. So I'd much rather dress in regular clothes and be assumed to be average than have people treat me differently in shops because of the way I dress.
Your comparison of something like the method of wearing hijab to the battle of Uhud is unfounded. You can't compare an isolated incident with something like a change in social norms over hundreds of years. I am not rejecting hijab, or covering the awra, or jilbab itself, but rejecting the idea that we as Muslims must be static and not think for ourselves.
Sorry, but this is not the Islam that I know and love. I am not rejecting the ayah as you like to say, but I am in fact adhering to it fully. Whilst you are of the opinion that it is the shell of jilbab that is important, and the technicalities of it being an 'overgarment' - without proving its social necessity, I believe that the larger picture and reasoning behind women's dress is what we need to think about. Not whether someone is wearing shorts and a tee underneath their maxi dress...
It is my understanding that the jilbab was commanded because of what it stood for. That is why it was commanded, because that was what was used at the time! Just as camels are mentioned for various reasons throughout the hadith - does that mean we must only use camels for the purpose mentioned, and not their modern equivalent?
No one in their right mind would ever claim this, and yet, here we have people who insist on overgarments for the sake of them being overgarments, and nothing else.
Islam can change and adapt, we don’t only have to stick to what was practiced 1600 years ago in a primitive desert society. One example of this is the Islamic command that dead bodies must not be tampered with at all. This was emphasized by Rasulullah (saw) many times. However, scholars today say that removing organs from a dead body for the purpose of transplantation is halal. This obviously involves tampering with a dead body, however it is for the greater good of humanity, and Islam’s overall purposes. Would you claim that all these scholars are rejecting ayat and ahadith?
Just as organ transplantation did not exist 1600 years ago, our set of social norms (in most Western countries) also did not exist. Today, indoor and outdoor clothing is very different. Pants are acceptable as regular outdoor clothing, and no one associates them with immoral women, especially if they fulfil criteria for hijab.
But anyway, in reality you haven't even answered my comments in a way that shows you even tried to understand. But tell me this:
If we have a theoretical scenario where jilbab was worn exclusively by women of ill-repute; would you still say that Muslim women had to wear it, even if they would be thought to be prostitutes?
And to all those who discourage anyone from voicing their opinion, simply because they disagree with the status quo; ever thought that maybe that's the reason that Muslim are in the state they are in today? Because everyone is basically told to shut up and accept things and not think for themselves?
And you said in your second comment, if wearing jilbab made people think I was a prostitute would I still wear it aboslutely yes. After 9/11 wearing it and hijab made people think we were terrorists. We weren't, and what other people think of us isn't any excuse to dsiregard a direct commandment from our Creator.
Pixie - again, WHAT scholar are you talking about? Again you failed to understand what I was trying to say.
You really would rather wearing jilbab in a theoretical situation and be thought of as a prostitute, which DIRECTLY contravenes the intended purpose. Subhanllah.
P.S. re: your comment on organ transplantation; this is exactly what I mean. You have no idea whatsoever about the subject yet you make your own assumptions about it.
No thanks but I'd rather take my time to use my mind and understand Islam than follow meaningless interpretations.
Asalamu alaikum
All I have said is, since I know nothing on the subject of what to do with a dead body in Islam, I won't comment, but once I had researched the subject thoroughly I would not do something different than what the Prophet S.A.W told me to do. Since I have not researched the subject, I make no opinion, only that I will always reside within the sunnah. Maybe I would find something within the sunnah or maybe I wouldn't/ I haven't researched it. But I have jilbab.
Here is the Muslim writer you quoted whose reasoning (and similar) I heard in my early days in Islam [I don't bother with any modern scholars when I have the Companions as guides personally---who knew far more than we do now of Islam]: "Here's a quote from a Muslim writer who puts it way better than I can: "Today, as Muslims, we have become servants of the law, instead of the law serving us in order to achieve higher spiritual perfection. Abiding by the law is not a purpose in itself: it is a means to an end. It is critical to respect the law, and our jurists and scholars, but we must be careful not to derive a false satisfaction from following the law for the law's sake over striving towards the underlying objectives of the law." Wearing a jilbab in Rasulullah (saw) time was obviously fard, but not because of the garment itself, but what it signified. My understanding is that when it comes to social norms and practices (as opposed to worship), these are flexible and CAN change, so long as the reasoning behind them is fulfilled."
Marwa, your reasoning is, that if a jilbab no longer serves its purpose (which Allah must have known it would in history it would not---and yet He said He perfected for us our religion) i.e if it made us resemble prostitutes, even though it was a direct command, we could take it off. While our hijabs (headscarves) symbolize that we are suppressed and terrorists. Can we take those off too? That is, indeed, what your reasoning allows, if we are to apply it to whatever wish to in the Qu'ran. Aoothibillahi!
You have insulted me numerous times through out your comments and I have never inferred any such mean things on you. Every insult to yourself you have even inferred upon yourself. If I have insulted you I have not meant to, but your reasoning is to disregard things in the Qu'ran because they do not "fit" in society... they no longer serve a purpose. I say, it is not for you or me to decide and I feel safe in my conclusions and would not feel safe in yours. That is why, they are mine. I may also remind you, they were also the conclusion of the Companions.
And if I ever start a blog on Medicine in the Sunnah, LOL, feel welcome to comment on my transplant post....:D I don't know anything on the subject but to say that the sunnah it a Muslimah's true compass and it will never lead her astray. There is a big difference between a command from Allah and just a piece of history. As you pointed out previously, camels were ridden. But God never commanded us and said, thou must ride only camels. He did say "cover yourselves with jalabib"
Clear to me. Unless you can show me this command was revoked or that we are allowed to revoke direct commands from God because they don't fit the time period in which we live, then give up on me. You cannot save me from my "extreme" opinion. LOL, let me suffer with it. I have never found it very hard. Start your own blog. Say, wear pants, wear pants, wear pants. I won't because I don't want to lead anyone astray.
Follow the "spirit" or Islam all you wish, the way Christian "follow the spirit of Isa's message" but I do not advise you to put aside a clear guide in favour of obviously flawed logic.
Quit whining and trying to infer a direct attempt to avoid your questions which I have answered. It is your own doing (logic) that I cannot agree with it.
But maybe I'm wrong; actually I *hope* I'm wrong!!
Allahu `alum!!
Wow this really takes the biscuit.
Firstly, whoever this 'Marwa' person is, she is certainly using my arguments that I've posted on various blogs before (albeit in a condescending way). However, as I'm sure you're aware, I am not ashamed of my beliefs, and I am not one to hide behind anony usernames. I've stated my opinion on this issue and others publically and have left these comments up for everyone to see, even though I had to suffer from insulting comments and emails regularly from people who don't agree with my opinion. And I hope you realise the difference in tone between the way this person addresses others and the way I do. I have no enemity towards anyone, especially not my favourite fashion twin ;)
I decided to categorically refrain from taking part in these kins of discussions either on my own blog or elsewhere because they are fruitless. Marwa - don't bother to use my arguments when you don't have the ability to formulate intelligent dialogue.
Anyway I haven't been reading too many blogs recently, but I just came over to say salaam and ask you to pray for a safe journey for me, as I'll be flying out to Lebanon soon for a couple of months (and the security situation is a bit iffy..).
Wasalaam
If it is someone I might know IRL I don't want to know who they are. Some sisters serriously haven't been the nicest. Some sisters honestly came to ask another sister about my "wellbeing" when I missed the Eid prayer (soooooo sick) and were honestly disapointed when they found out I wasn't divorced---I just had a cold. A lot of women want my husband to turn out to be a creep just cuz he's a Saudi. Hum, ya. But there's so many better sisters out there who one can like and even disagree with and be friend's with. Aalia and I have a tonne of fiqh-disagreements and we're still close, same with Boxie, whose opinions are the same as yours. Alhamdulilah there are sisters out there that only want the best for eachother, whatever their personal disagreements may be.
I do wish you a safe journey, inshaAllah. Let us know how the situation is over there?
I still haven't found my magazines. LOL, I'l keep looking.
MashAllah great blog sister ..and I completely agree with you about jilbab being obligatory ..
One time I realized that after reading some hadiths telling that women at time of Prophet peace be upon him didnt even used to go out if they didnt have jilbab ..Since I read that I started wearing my only one abaya ..But the problem I made it too hard on myself ..I know its obligatory and I wear it because of fear of Allah and disobeying Him .But it became a struggle and very difficult for me ..I live in US and its hard to find normal abaya or jilbab .I ordered online many time ,but I never liked what I ordered ..SO I only have my 2 jilbabs and they both dont look good but I still wear it ,but I feel disgusted when I dont look good ,I feel depressed and loosing self confidence.I love wearing hijab ,but now wearing jilbab became so difficult because my jilbabs are ugly and I used to love always dress beautiful .You know every woman likes to feel good about herself ,this is what I dont have anymore ..It was easier just to wear normal western loose clothes ,I could feel myself ,now I dont feel myself anymore ,I dont like even to go outside ,because I dont have any nice jilbab or abaya..
I wish we had Islamic store near by I would buy jilbabs and would love to wear it ,if it fits nice and looks nice ,but not something that I have which is old and ugly ,but Im still forcing myself to wear it because I know its obligatory ...Its very hard ,but I guess its a struggle ...
Thank you for you blog ,mashAllah ..
Sorry I just needed to take my feelings out ,because I went to the Mall today and some women looked so down at me and said something behind my back ,it made me feel ugly and awful even more..
so if i wear shelwar kameez ( with those genie pant bottoms ) and a long cardigan that covers my figures shape with proper hijab is that okay ?:)
Jazakaalla khair
Dressing according to what is right in Islam is something that I am growing more and more interested in doing. I was not raised very religiously unlike many others, altough I was born a Muslim and religion is something that has come to me on its own and I am very grateful for that. I hope that Allah SWT may increase my faith and lead me on the correct path. I do not want to do what is wrong, but what is right. However, I live in a western country and I am sure Pixie that you can relate because from what I read you live in Canada. Well, I have to work to pay bills of course, school loans(lots of), and to put food on the table. We all know that it is so difficult to find a job in general these days and I have a fear that I will not be able to work simply because western countries want to inforce "proper work dress code." This means pants, blouses, blazers, high heels (in some cases), and at some places women are pressured into feeling as though they cannot even wear the hijab at all. I know women who are finding jobs wearing the hijab, but I am not sure I have ever seen significant numbers of women employed anywhere while wearing the jilbab (atleast not where I am I cannot say for other locations.) If they are becoming employed at places I am sure that they are not getting paid very well, and believe me I am not looking to get paid so I can buy myself a luxerious house or car, clothing or jewels, but simply to pay loans, bills, and provide for the essential necessities of life. Some women are very lucky because they have husbands or fathers who financially support them and they are not required to work and are free to adhere to proper Islamic dress code because they can stay home and also no one will stop them from wearing jilbab to places such as the super market, etc. Some women live in countries were jilbab is common, acceptable, and permissible and this lifestyle enables them to wear hijab/khimar and the jilbab. Well my point in all of this is what to do? It is frustrating and confusing. You want to be a good Muslim and follow what you believe to be right but it becomes so difficult when you feel as though outside forces are preventing you from both following your religion and providing for essential things you need in this life as well. I do believe that what has been decreed to us by Allah SWT and what was said and practiced by the prophet (pbuh) are what we should all adhere to in order to be true Muslims, and I am not making any excuses claiming that these reasons are enough for us women to not wear hijab or jilbab, but I guess more so just pointing out a problem that I believe many women face these days. I just wanted to bring this up because I am sure other women may be going through the same problem and was wondering what others had as an opinion on this matter. Thanks for your time,
Salam