hijab question?

Question

I am a fan of the showtime show "sleeper cell" and while on their website today, saw a clip where one of the muslim men who created the show said he has heard from a lot of non-muslims that the hijab seems opressive. he responds that it actually empowers women by allowing them to be judged by who they are without sex appeal or beauty being a factor. it sounds like a reasonable answer, but I have to ask....would anyone else, besides me, hear that answer and think "well, maybe it isn't oppressive, but it sure is submission to men"? I mean, is it a responsibility of a woman to keep herself covered up so she doesn't distract the poor, weak-willed men? to me, it's akin to the rapist who says "well, she didn't have any business leaving the house dressed so saucily if she wasn't looking to get lucky". maybe not on the same level, but similiar train of thought. agree or set me straight? ps-not trying to insult anyone. all faiths have the right to do whatever they please I just don't understand

Answer 1

I'm a Muslim Woman and I dont think your question is offensive at all :)

Well, I was born & raised Muslim in America, by 2 Muslim parents. I do not wear Hijab, but most of my Muslims friends do.
I can understand both perspectives. I'll be honest, on one hand, I think that in countries where the hijab is forced upon women--that is oppressive. Women should be able to decide for themselves what they want to do with their bodies. But, in countries where hijab is not forced--if the women decide on their own to wear it- then I respect it and admire it. I honestly think that hijab can be very beautiful and intriguing.

You must understand that many women throughout history have worn some form of Hijab. Every painting of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, shows her covering her hair with hijab. Mother Theresa covered her hair with hijab, and so do most Catholic nuns today--and No One says that any of those women are oppressed.

Muslim women who wear hijab-- nuns, and even Virgen Mary--all of them regard their bodies as being something very, very private. They only like to reveal their bodies to their familes, around women, and their husbands. Its how they feel comfortable.

I've worn hijab in public at times in the past. The attention you get is very different. I'm considered attractive--not trying brag, but people tell me this :) When I'm in public just going WalMart, lets say, I'm assaulted with "ooh's" and "hey baby" and "can I get your number?"--all the time. I've seen women's husbands looking at me with hard eyes, and I feel bad about that. But when I am covered with hijab, I dont hear all that--they immediatley know I am Muslim and everyone knows that Muslim women dont "put out" before marraige--so nobody wants my phone number anymore :)..No, those men dont have the right to act like jerks when I'm not covered, but at the same most men in America are not Muslim, so I can't expect them to be totally dignified when they see an attractive women. Hijab lets those men know not to even approach me.

Here's what disturbs me. I see how women today dress. They have cleavage hanging out showing off their breast implants, skirts up to their buttsand women even wear jeans where you can see thong underwear and "butt cleavage". If those women have the right to "let it all hang out" without anybody questioning them---why can't a Muslim woman be modest about her body without anybody questioning her? We need to respect women and what they choose to do with their bodies--Muslim and Non-Muslim alike.

Hope I helped :)

take a look at photos of famous Hijabed women!

Answer 2

Well I am a Muslim woman and have been for 2 years now so i can give you my point of view from both perspectives both wearing and not wearing Hijab. I certainly don't wear it because I'm submitting to men. I wear it to please God in that he asks women to be modest and keep there person beauty just for there husbands. I don't feel oppressed in the slightest quite the opposite i feel liberated. Like you said it does not matter what a woman wears if a man wants to rape her the clothing is not a factor. It is an act of violence after all. When i talk to someone they are not judging me by my cleavage or legs they are talking to me and trust me from before and after there is a clear difference in how i am approached and spoken too. If i was submitting to men i would be dressing to please them, wouldn't I? I am dressing to please God and respecting myself and my husband at the same time. Maybe you should try wearing one some day and see how different you are treated. I did not find your question offensive and it made a refreshing change to be asked how i feel rather than people telling me how i feel i.e. your oppressed, dis-empowered or submissive. And even if we don't agree we are adult enough to agree to disagree.

P.S. Just to add something about muslim men. They dont stare at women of any walk of life muslim or not. God says to look once its free to look twice its against you. So these men who are good followers of Islam have a great respect for women. They treat there mothers, sisters, nieces, daughters and wifes with great respect and protection. And they treat other mens sisters, daughters etc accordingly as they would want others to treat there female realtives . When i visit muslim countries I never feel anything but 100% safe. I truelly cannot say i feel that living in britain where i was born and raised.

Answer 3

Yes it keeps women from being seen as sex objects and being annoyed and it also indentifies the women as Muslims. No it is not oppressive or submissive. Yes it is a responsibility for a woman to keep herself covered up which means hair, face and body. It says in a Hadith that women are to cover their faces however I'm not sure which hadith it is. The entire idea is for women to guard their chastity from men other than the husband, sons, father, or close male realitives and for the woman to dress modestly.

Answer 4

Westerners do not understand the hijab. I don't see it as oppressive in any way. Too many women are leered at, whistled at, groped, and raped on the way to the store. It's the men who can't behave responsively. Wearing the hijab empowers a women to be able to walk down the street without having to put up with stupid men.

Answer 5

I'm not sure, but I do know the a mans primative nature is to get women pregnant; a womans primative nature is to select a man who is reliable, practical, hard working and a good provider.
I've heard alot of men say that literally they have to control them-
selves quite a bit, that it can actually be a challenge. For what its worth thats what I heard.

I need to say this: I noticed your p.s., and it is a real shame that in this category, if someone just simply wants to ask a question, they feel they need to beg for mercy not to be insulted, belittled and so forth. Is anybody ready for a change? Can we clean up a bit and act like adults? This is what I propose: if someone writes in an insult or an obvious joke or a mock, lets all just ignore the question and not answer it. That way, people will actually feel comfortable about asking real questions. Isn't that what this forum is for anyway??????

Answer 6

Anything people do out of their own free will is not oppression. It is only if Muslim women are forced to were the hijab, either by their family or if they live in a Muslim country by society, that they become oppressed.

Answer 7

I think it has nothing to do with men. See, the Quran and the Sunna tell men to look away when they see a woman.
The Hijjab is way to demonstrate women in modest way, it's a thing for women.
In a way, if u see a nun won't u for some reason feel respect? Well, what bout when you see a veiled woman?? At least I feel so (I'm not veiled)
It is in a way to tell women and men I guess that there is more than just looks...

Answer 8

You can add some fabric ( no matter if it's not same) to short sleeves T-shirts, so they will become long sleeves :) U might get the cheapest fabric and make a long sleeves something, whatever u name it, just long & loose. If u r not good on sewing a rectangle for front and back and other 2 rectangles as sleeves. old t-shirts will be good to make new jihabs. Do your best with whatever u have, if u need patterns or ideas.. let me kow I just added u, Allah Hafiz Salam

Answer 9

its not oppression...many wear hijab by choice including me. and saying the victim of a rape was responsible is completely wrong. the hijab is just to protect your modesty. i dont feel comfortable wearing revealing clothes but in no way do i feel oppressed or empowered. and people do look, thats a fact...its just a way to avoid that. you shouldn't see hijab as a sign of oppression or weakness but as a sign of strength

miss2sexc--
you are misinformed. please give support for your claims. please dont believe everything you hear without checking up on it.

Answer 10

It is not about being submissive to men. It is about getting respected and not being looked at with lust. A Hijabi women does not want those wandering eyes be of lust.

All my Muslim sisters that I know of wear Hijab because they want to.