Sisters Appearance

Hijab and Niqab - 'Object of Despair' - Other Points

Hijab and Niqab

Perhaps the most distinctive aspect as far as women's appearance is concerned is the requirement for hijab. This is covering up the body in public so that only the face and hands are visable. Only the women's husband and those who are mahram (forbidden to marry her; other women, and immediate family members such as parents, brothers and sons) are allowed to see her without hijab.

The whole point of hijab is to protect a woman's modesty. Therefore, her clothes should not be tight so as to reveal the shape of the body, nor should it be transparent or in any way see-through. A lot of muslim women, mainly from arab countries, wear a veil completely covering the face and gloves covering the hands and forearms (niqab). Some muslims regard this as obligatory, whereas most (myself included) see this as a matter of choice. I would only recommend this for sisters whose looks attract a lot of male attention, or who would just feel more comfortable wearing this.

Opponants of Islam often put across the arguement that the requirement for hijab is oppressive and forces women into being second-class citizens. However, the truth is that it is completely the opposite, as this helps to protect women from men's roving eyes (after all, it is a natural tendancy for men to look lustfully at attractive women).

This is best conveyed in a poem emailed to my wife by a sister:

"Object of Despair" by Fahim Firifiray - Abu Omar

Emma is a lawyer, and Aisha is too
Colleagues going into court at circa half past two
Its 1 o'clock right now, they grab a bite before the trial
They chat about this and that, conversing with a smile

Aisha's in full hijab with a loose all over suit
Emma's in her business wear with accessories to boot
Emma's really quite bemused at Aisha's godly ways
She looks Aisha in the eyes and very firmly says:

"You're a smart girl Aisha, why do you wear that across your hair?
Subjugated by "man"-kind, an object of despair
Take it off my sister, let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around, DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!"

Aisha is amazed, but not the least bit shy
She bravely puts her milk shake down and gives Emma the reply
My dear sister Emma, why do you dress the way you do?
The skirt you're wearing round your waist, is it really you?

Now that we've sat down, I see you tug it across your thighs
Do you feel ashamed, aware of prying eyes?
I see the way you're sitting, both legs joined at the knees
Who forces you to sit like that? Do you feel at ease?

I'll tell you who obliges you to dress the way you do
Gucci, Klein and St. Laurent all have designs on you!
In the main, it's men my friend who dictate the whims of fashion
Generating all the garb to incite the basest passion

"Sex Sells" there is no doubt, but who buys with such great haste
The answer is the likes of you because they want to be embraced......
They want to be accepted on a level playing field
Sure, with brain and intellect, but with body parts revealed

Why do you douse yourself with creams, to make your skin so milky?
Why do rip off all your hair to keep your body silky?
A simple shower's all you need to stay respectable and clean
The time and money that you spend is really quite obscene

Why do you wake up at dawn to apply a firm foundation,
Topped with make up and the like in one chaotic combination?
And if you should have to leave the house devoid of this routine
Why do you feel so insecure that you should not be seen?

Be free my sister Emma, escape from your deep mire
Don hijab today my friend, and all Islam's attire
Avoid all those sickly stares, or whistles from afar
Walk down the street with dignity, take pride in who you are

Strength lies in anonymity, be a shadow in the crowd
Until you speak and interact when your voice will carry loud
You're a smart girl Emma, wear this across your hair
Don't be subjugated by "man"-kind, an object of despair

To use your very words my friend, Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around. DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD!

It's also no surprise to know that in muslim societies where the majority of women wear hijab, things like adultery, underage or unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexually-motivated crimes such as rape are all markedly rarer in countries where women have more 'freedom'.

Other Points about Female Appearance

• Make Up - this can be worn in moderation, it shouldn't be excessive or too obvious
• Hair Colouring - this can be used, but only to enhance natural hair colour, especially if grey hairs are starting to appear.
• Piercing - it is only permitted to pierce the ears or side of the nose, all other body piercing is haram.
• Jewellery - as with make-up, jewellery should only be worn in moderation. Jewellery shouldn't be too big or obvious. There is no restriction for women on what materials can be used.
• Perfume - again, this can be used in moderation, it shouldn't be too strong or used excessively.
• As far as know, there is no restriction on what fabrics can be worn by women.

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