A Question

I am just curious really, about your thoughts on the hijab. (I am not a muslim, I am a christian).



1 - Are you offended when non-muslim women wear the hijab? Or, is it frowned apon? Is it a symbol of your faith, or just a statement of modesty?

2 - Do you wear the hijab, and if so, do you think it improves your self esteem / body image? Honestly, I love wearing simple clothes that cover me, it makes me feel like I cant be judged for my fashion sense or how much money I have to spend on fancy clothes, or the shape of my body or sex appeal.

Hey.

I'm a muslim. I have not been brought up in a strict muslim household and my family friends aren't strict either. I wear shorts, singlets etc...

In regard to your questions

1. I am not offended at all. In fact, i don't like it one little bit. I know it is part of our religion, but i just don't like it. I get scared of seeing women in the black "attire" and think why?? Why do people need to take things overboard??

i am sure you can be modest and not wear a hijab.

As you can see, i am not a fan of any kind of covering...

Makes sense I was just curious really. I am not about to start wearing the hijab.

oops.
I missed this.
I wear hijab. I don't mind if non-Muslims wear hijab. Nuns wear hijab and lots of Christians choose to dress in a modest fashion.
I think that it helps self-esteem. No-one can judge me on my body (not that it would matter if they did coz I'm scorching hot - don't hate me ).
It's a lot of things to me. It's a feminist statement, a religious statement, a political statement but most of all it is a part of my religion.
I don't mind what kind of hijab people wear. I rock mine in lots of differant ways. Personally I'm not scared by the all black look. Black is very sophisticated and slimming - that's why all the women who work at Vogue never wear colours.
I can hook you up to some hijab style blogs if you like.

I do not take offence to a non-Muslim women wearing the hijab. A Muslim woman that has received Islamic education does not hear the hijab because it is a custom, tradition but she wears it because it is her belief that it is a command from Allah, revealed to protect the Muslim woman, to make her character distinct, and to keep her away from the slippery slope of immorality and error.


I wear the hijab. The hijab does improve self esteem and body image. Just like how you feel when covered is how a Muslimah (Muslim woman) feels. She doesn't feel judged for her fashion or her body but rather the one she carries herself and how she treats others.

nice posts everyone, Masha'Allah. I love how you all are so respectful of each others views on things

I dont get offended when non-Muslim women wear hijab, it makes them all look beautiful I think. I knew a lady who was wearing hijab when she wasnt Muslim for about a year, just coz she said it felt right to her, then she later became Muslim.

I also wear hijab, have for about 5 years now. since wearing it I have never wanted to go back. the feeling of freedom and liberation I felt was just amazing. although my hijab has changed styles over the years (started off with long skirts and small scarf, now wear abaya, long khimar and niqab) the feelings still remain and it is just so natural to me now, the only setback with it is the rude comments from some ignorant cowards. They yell abuse at me (even if they see me pushing a pram with my toddler in it) then they ran/speed off, such chickens. If you wanna say something, come say it to my face! (not that you can see it , I like to poke my tongue out at people when they are rude to me)

How Muslim women dress is their freedom, regardless of how it is percieved by others. Modesty is both in conduct and in the way you dress. Someone who does not dress modestly is not modest.

I would love to see non-Muslim women wearing Hijab, They will be free from the shackels of the fashion industry. So put simply, I would not be offended but delighted.

Islam as a religion has guidelines for women and men. The guideline pertaining to womens dress is very clear and requires covering up.

Regards.

I would never be offended if a non Muslim woman wore Hijab. Its a concept of Modesty, which includes covering of hair. Its modesty which can apply to anyone, no matter who, and if they choose to observe it.

I myself don't wear hijab, for a number of reasons, but I do cover up. No showing of legs, no bare arms, definitely no cleavage and nothing that will show off my body (eg sheer fabrics, form fitting and tight clothing). I like to wear "modest chic" - knee length dresses over jeans, nice scarves covering my bust, long hippie skirts etc. I feel that covering up makes me feel even more beautiful and lovely than when I used to wear revealing clothing. I love fashion, but I choose to use it as expressing my love for colours and styles, not as a way to attract the opposite sex.

Hi and assalamualaikum to all. I read this post with a smile, it's always nice to know when someone is curious about Islam only because that was how I first started to get into the religion. Curiosity and questions.. lots of them !

well referring to your first question : I would not get offended if a non muslim woman were to wear hijab. why? Because other religious scriptures tell their believing women to cover and be modest. for example nuns or orthodox jews... or maybe just an atheist who happens to realise that she feels safer when covered? Allah knows best. Hijab really translates to being modest (although most people refer to it as only the head covering) Hijab includes modesty in clothes, character and speech. If you are all covered head to toe but you toss profanity at everything that comes in your way .... THAT'S NOT HIJAB. thats just a covered person who swears a lot.

Modesty or hayaa (in arabic) is essential to the life of every practicing muslim. It protects and dignifies us.
Aside from being a modesty thing which is a bonus, it is prescribed to us through the Quran and our pious predecessors. We have multiple proof that during the time of the prophet (peace be upon him), women use to cover themsleves and lower their gaze (men also have this rule to abide by) It is an obligatory duty upon every muslim to obey Allah, and being modest is one of them. It is not a choice, it is an obligation. The same with praying, fasting, being kind to your neighbour and parents.

To your 2nd question.: I started wearing hijab 2 years ago. I got on the right foot thanks to Allah by understanding WHY HOW WHEN etc. Once i understood all that, i put the scarf on and more than a year later i started wearing the veil. My parents were against the veiling but once i got married, I had the freedom to put it on full time. I moved to australia and everyone was afraid for me, being all covered up in a non muslim country. But Allah has protected me and so far, i receive more respect even from non muslims. I am all dolled up when i am home (when im not in rags doing the house work that is) and i beautify myself for my husband and my husband only. MAkes him feel very special and boy does he appreciate it! I am a more satisfied person and I never feel the need to conform to any latest fashion or feel like I am under dressed for an occasion. I have one uniform when I am outside the privacy of my home and I am very content with that. When people look at me, I know they are not criticizing/admiring my physique. But on top of it all, I know I am pleasing my lord and that alone is an enough reason for me to stay covered.

I am a free woman and I am very thankful that I have this freedom to be modest. God willing, I will never go back to being un-hijabed.

MAy Allah guide us all to the right path and keep us firm in our religion.

If you have any questions.. feel free to ask

I loved reading these replies. I have had an interest in religion for a while, I am a non practising christian who almost borders on aetheism. Recently I have wanted to get as much information as possible on Islam to help me open my eyes and my mind to a culture that is not my own. I come from a small country town, bred by small country minds and I find it hard to have a discussion with people around me because I feel that I am more open to multiculturalism than they. It hurts my heart to see that a minority in your religion, gives you a bad name.

I think you all look beautiful in your hijab. I often wish I could wear it, even for a day to see what it feels like. I would love to only have to dress and look my best for my husband rather than look like I am on display for the judgement of the whole world. I want to be the best I can be without the pressures and constraints the western culture place upon me to be aesthetically perfect.

Anyway I have rambled on enough.

i personally like the headcoverings that muslim women wear, i think they look very attractive (love the indian womans traditional sari's too)....but to be completely honest, i dont like the full face hijab

Im all for wearing modest attire, but I dont believe that full face covers are about modesty. I dont believe one should need to cover their faces to be modest, i think there is more to it then that and i'd be intersted to hear a muslim womans perspective on why they are worn.

You mean the Burqua?

I too would like to hear all of your opinions on it and enlighten us on why a woman should choose (or a man would choose? - sorry showing my ingorance) for her to wear it. I know alot of western women think of it as a form of opression but to someone in the religion it is about choice and freedom of religious expression. Just like a catholic or other christian woman would choose to wear a cross or another symbol of their religion and faith.