amisb65
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 Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the vei |
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I know that my article is not related to this group ,but it might be
useful. PLEASE read it.
Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?
Question:
Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?
Answer: The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks
in the secular media.The 'hijab' or the Islamic dress is cited by many
as an example of the>subjugation' of women under Islamic law. Before
we analyze the reasoningbehind the religiously mandated 'hijab', let
us first study the status of women insocieties before the advent of
Islam
1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust
The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the
status ofwomen in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent
that they were deniedbasic human dignity:a. Babylonian
Civilization:The women were degraded and were denied all rights under
the Babylonianlaw. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being
punished, his wifewas put to death.b. Greek Civilization:Greek
Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient
civilizations.Under this very 'glorious' system, women were deprived
of all rights andwere looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an
'imaginary woman' called>Pandora' is the root cause of misfortune of
human beings. The Greeksconsidered women to be subhuman and inferior
to men. Though chastity ofwomen was precious, and women were held in
high esteem, the Greekswere later overwhelmed by ego and sexual
perversions. Prostitutionbecame a regular practice amongst all classes
of Greek society.c. Roman Civilization:When Roman Civilization was at
the zenith of its 'glory', a man even had theright to take the life of
his wife. Prostitution and nudity were commonamongst the Romans.d.
Egyptian Civilization:The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign
of a devil.e. Pre-Islamic Arabia:Before Islam spread in Arabia, the
Arabs looked down upon women andvery often when a female child was
born, she was buried alive
..2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects themto
maintain their status. Islam uplifted the status of women and granted
them their just rights 1400 yearsago. Islam expects women to maintain
their status
..Hijab for men
People usually only discuss 'hijab' in the context of women. However,
in theGlorious Qur>an, Allah (swt) first mentions 'hijab' for men
before 'hijab' for thewomen. The Qur>an mentions in Surah Noor:"Say to
the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guardtheir
modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah iswell
acquainted with all that they do."[Al-Qur>an 24:30]The moment a man
looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thoughtcomes to his
mind, he should lower his gaze.Hijab for women.The next verse of Surah
Noor, says:" And say to the believing women that they should lower
their gaze andguard their modesty; that they should not display their
beauty andornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that
theyshould draw veils over their bosoms and not display their
beautyexcept to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands'
fathers, theirsons..."[Al-Qur>an 24:31]
3. Six criteria for Hijab. According to Qur>an and Sunnah there are
basically six criteria for observinghijab:1. Extent:The first
criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This
isdifferent for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on
the maleis to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For
women, theextent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body
except the faceand the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can
cover even theseparts of the body. Some scholars of Islam insist that
the face and the handsare part of the obligatory extent of 'hijab'.All
the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women.2. The
clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.3. The
clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see
throughthem.4. The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to
attract the opposite sex.5. The clothes worn should not resemble that
of the opposite sex.6. The clothes worn should not resemble that of
the unbelievers i.e. theyshould not wear clothes that are specifically
identities or symbols of theunbelievers' religions.
4. Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things Complete
'hijab', besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the
moralconduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A
person onlyfulfilling the criteria of 'hijab' of the clothes is
observing 'hijab' in a limited sense.'Hijab' of the clothes should be
accompanied by 'hijab' of the eyes, 'hijab' of theheart, 'hijab' of
thought and 'hijab' of intention. It also includes the way a
personwalks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.
5. Hijab prevents molestation The reason why Hijab is prescribed for
women is mentioned in the Qur>an in thefollowing verses of Surah Al-
Ahzab :"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing
womenthat they should cast their outer garments over their persons
(whenabroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as
such)and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."[Al-
Qur>an 33:59] The Qur>an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the
women so that they arerecognized as modest women and this will also
prevent them from beingmolested.
6. Example of twin Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are
equally beautiful, walk downthe street. One of them is attired in the
Islamic hijab i.e. the complete body iscovered, except for the face
and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister iswearing western
clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there isa
hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom
will hetease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing
the skirt or the mini?Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the
skirt or the mini. Such dresses are anindirect invitation to the
opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur>anrightly says that
hijab prevents women from being molested.
7. Capital punishment for the rapists Under the Islamic shariah, a man
convicted of having raped a woman, is givencapital punishment. Many
are astonished at this 'harsh' sentence. Some evensay that Islam is a
ruthless, barbaric religion! I have asked a simple question tohundreds
of non-Muslim men. Suppose, God forbid, someone rapes your wife,your
mother or your sister. You are made the judge and the rapist is
brought infront of you. What punishment would you give him? All of
them said they wouldput him to death. Some went to the extent of
saying they would torture him todeath. To them I ask, if someone rapes
your wife or your mother you want to puthim to death. But if the same
crime is committed on somebody else>s wife ordaughter you say capital
punishment is barbaric. Why should there be doublestandards?
8. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted womenWestern talk
of women>s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form
ofexploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation
of her honour.Western society claims to have 'uplifted' women. On the
contrary it has actuallydegraded them to the status of concubines,
mistresses and society butterflieswho are mere tools in the hands of
pleasure seekers and sex marketeers,hidden behind the colourful screen
of 'art' and 'culture'.
9. USA has one of the highest rates of United States of America is
supposed to be one of the most advanced countriesof the world. It also
has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in theworld.
According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an
average1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another
report saidthat on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are
committed in USA. Theyear was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or
1993. May be the Americansgot 'bolder' in the following years.Consider
a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenevera
man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to
hismind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijab, that
is thecomplete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the
wrist. Afterthis if any man commits rape he is given capital
punishment. I ask you, in sucha scenario, will the rate of rape in
America increase, will it remain the same, orwill it decrease?
10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes
Naturally as soon as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results
will beinevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of
the world, whether itis America or Europe, society will breathe
easier. Hijab does not degrade awoman but uplifts a woman and protects
her modesty and chastity
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