Hijab

(Women in Islam)

“[24.31] And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known; and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! so that you may be successful.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Light”

“[33.59] O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments; this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Clans”

“[11.5] Now surely they fold up their breasts that they may conceal (their enmity) from Him; now surely, when they use their garments as a covering, He knows what they conceal and what they make public; surely He knows what is in the breasts.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Prophet”

In the three verses above the word cover is used in two ways. In one place women are commanded to cover their ornaments except in the presence of those who share their private lives. In the second verse, cover is used to denote an attempt to conceal evil thoughts and deeds from Allah. Far from commanding women to cover their heads, the first verse commands them to take their head coverings and use them instead to conceal their bosoms. There is no doubt that Muslim women are commanded in the Koran to dress modestly. In the first verse commanding this, it is to prevent women from inciting men to sinful thoughts, in the second verse commanding this it is to protect women from harassment by showing that they are proper, believing women who may not be molested. Still, in most of the places in the Koran where the words cover and veil are used they are used to indicate blindness to the teachings of Allah, or an attempt to cover a sinful nature.

Always, the Hypocrites, have dressed in public to cover their hypocrisy from the eyes of the world. Extreme ‘modesty’ in dress has been the mark of the Hypocrite and false ‘believer’ forever. The second verse above assures us that Allah is not fooled by the Hypocrites. Isa (Jesus) taught the same lesson in much the same words when he walked the earth.

Matthew 6:1-34

¹^{Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.}²^{Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.}³^{But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:}⁴^{That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.}

⁵^{And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.}⁶^{But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.}⁷^{But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.}⁸^{Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.}

⁹^{After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.}¹⁰^{Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.}¹¹^{Give us this day our daily bread.}¹²^{And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.}¹³^{And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.}¹⁴^{For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:}¹⁵^{But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.}

¹⁶^{Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.}¹⁷^{But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;}¹⁸^{That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.}

We have seen in earlier sections of this book how the Fundamentalists have erected the Sharia as an Idol to be worshiped instead of Allah, and how they increase the laws and create new laws which Muhammed never made in order to make human sacrifice to their new idols as the pagans who persecuted Muhammed in Mecca made human sacrifice to their false gods. We have seen how Muhammed condemned the Jews of his time for making and Idol of their Law instead of worshiping Allah, and that the Fundamentalist Muslims of our time do exactly the same thing which Muhammed condemned in his.

“[7.55] Call on your Lord humbly and secretly; surely He does not love those who exceed the limits.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Elevated Places”

Over and over again Muhammed condemned those who exceed the limits.

“[5.78] Those who disbelieved from among the children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of Dawood and Isa, son of Marium; this was because they disobeyed and used to exceed the limit.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Dinner Table”

“[4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Women”

In discussing the limits and exceeding them Muhammed makes it very clear in several places that Allah places a limit on strictness in enforcing the Sharia.

“[5.87] O you who believe! do not forbid (yourselves) the good things which Allah has made lawful for you and do not exceed the limits; surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Dinner Table”

A good Muslim is commanded to live a virtuous life, but not to exceed the limits in that practice.

“[23.1] Successful indeed are the believers,
[23.2] Who are humble in their prayers,
[23.3] And who keep aloof from what is vain,
[23.4] And who are givers of poor-rate,
[23.5] And who guard their private parts,
[23.6] Except before their mates or those whom their right hands possess, for they surely are not blameable,
[23.7] But whoever seeks to go beyond that, these are they that exceed the limits;” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Believers”

Excess in interpreting the Sharia is a sign of vanity. The public display of ones holiness is a sign of vanity. The multiplication of the Sharia and the increasing of its strictness is a vanity and an idolatry condemned by Muhammed and Isa. These are all the marks of the hypocrites and false believers. These are all the marks of the Fundamentalists who call themselves Muslims today.

The Hadith on the Hijab is discussed in detail by a noted Islamic scholar, Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph.D at http://www.geocities.com/forpeoplewhothink/Topics/Hadith_on_Hijab.html. He discusses the fact that the tradition of requiring the Hijab is based on a very weak Hadith. In fact it is based on a Hadith so weak that no true Sharia can be based on it.

“As stated above, Imam Abu Dawud himself said that this is a mursal tradition (i.e. the narrator who transmitted it from 'Aisha is missing). What I interpret is that the narrator of this hadith is Khalid B. Duraik, who did not see 'Aisha (radhi Allahu anha, may Allah be pleased with her). Since this is a weak hadith, it has no value for the purpose of Shari'ah. That means that no Muslim, Islamic Republic, or government can pass laws punishing a Muslim woman who does not observe hijab, particularly covering the hair on her head. This is not being practiced in the so-called Islamic countries, where religious police with their canes are threatening and punishing Muslim women who do not observe hijab.” Ibrahim B Syed

The fact is, and it is a well known historical fact, mentioned in many sources including “The Story of Civilization” by the Durants, women in Muhammed’s time, women in Muhammed’s presence did not wear the veil or the Hijab. It is an idol which has been added to Islam, against the specific command of Muhammed by the hypocrites who in their vanity insist on multiplying what is Haram to impress the world with their holiness.

When did the veil and the tradition of Hijab begin to be followed? This is detailed in several places, the history is not unknown, or hidden, any conscientious Muslim can research it easily. One place is on the web at, http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/essay-01.html.

“The veil did not appear as a common rule to be followed until around the tenth century. In the Middle Ages numerous laws were developed which most often placed women at a greater disadvantage than in earlier times. In some periods, such as under the Mamluks in Egypt, repeated decrees were issued, urging strictness in veiling and arguing against the right of women to take part in activities outside their home.”

This was the same time that Muslim Fundamentalists began to persecute Muslim scientists and philosophers. This was the period in which Muslims first began to forbid Christian and Jewish pilgrims from visiting Jerusalem. This was the time when Allah began to turn his face away from Islam and allowed the Crusaders to Conquer Jerusalem and humble Islam.

Excess in the observance of the Sharia makes it into a burden, not a gift. Allah created the Sharia to guide Muslims so that they could live better lives and avoid things which are harmful to them. The Fundamentalists have made the Sharia into a yoke, as the Rabbis make Allahs law for the Jews into a yoke, a burden worn about the neck used to oppress, degrade, torture and kill Muslims. This is the opposite of Allah’s will and Muhammed’s teaching.

“[6.145] Say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the name of) Allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Cattle”

Far from desiring that the Sharia should become an excuse to persecute, torture, and murder Muslims, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful, those driven by necessity are forgiven if they violate the Sharia. This is the law of Allah, this is the teaching of Muhammed, and every day, in every way, it is violated by those who call themselves Muslim Fundamentalists.

They are not Muslims, they are the liars and hypocrites who Dawood (David), Isa (Jesus) and Muhammed condemned. When they grew in power in Islam, Allah turned his face away from Islam and allowed the infidels to humble Islam and conquer Jerusalem. They came first, and the humiliation of Islam came next. They are the cause of the weakness of Islam in the world, not its strength. It is from them that this false idol, this Hijab comes. It is an idol, and enforcing this law is idolatry, the worship of false gods. They are the descendants and inheritors of the pagans who worshiped false gods in Mecca before Muhammed came. They are the descendants and inheritors of those who sought kill Muhammed and destroy Islam in its beginnings, and today they attack and destroy Islam from within by corrupting and perverting it in all the ways which Muhammed condemned in the Jews of his time.

Muhammed was very kind to women in his day. The Koran commands the fair treatment of women over and over again. It commands respect for their property rights, it commands respect and fair treatment when they are divorced. This is the law of Allah and the teaching of Muhammed.

“[2.229] Divorce may be (pronounced) twice, then keep (them) in good fellowship or let (them) go with kindness; and it is not lawful for you to take any part of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah; then if you fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame on them for what she gives up to become free thereby. These are the limits of Allah, so do not exceed them and whoever exceeds the limits of Allah these it is that are the unjust..” Muhammed, “The Koran”, “The Cow”

To abuse women is to exceed the limits, always forbidden by Muhammed. The teaching of Muhammed were given to Muslims to help them live better, more fruitful, lives. The commandments of modesty to Muslim women were to protect them from being mistreated by men, not to provide men an excuse to mistreat them.

There is room in real Islamic tradition for much greater freedom for women than they have today. It is true that a Muslim woman should dress modestly according to the standards of her nationality and culture, but there is no hard and fast rule about how she should dress. Only that she should dress in a manner which shows she is modest and a believer. Obey Allah and Muhammed his Prophet, PBOH in these matters, and avoid the false teachings of the hypocrites and those who make false gods out of the Sharia which they worship instead of Allah.