OBSERVATIONS
ON HIJAB
Author: Unknown
Author: Unknown
It
has been my personal observation that some Muslim girls and women do not
realize the significance of hijab. Hijab is arabic for protection and cover.
Some people put a lot effort into their hijab, yet it serves no purpose. I am
referring to the pointless hijab that some girls wear.
The
first pointless hijab is referred to as the headband hijab. It is a band
of fabric approximately 4 inches wide. It covers the back of the head and
allows all the hair to be exposed. It doesn't serve much in terms of modesty,
but at least it comes in handy in case of an unexpected tennis match.
The
second pointless hijab is the dupetta, also known as the Saran wrap
hijab. It covers all the hair, but it is totally transparent. Again it doesn't
serve much in terms of modesty, but it keeps the hair nice and fresh.
The
third type of hijab is known as the Mickey Mouse Hijab. It is when a
girl wears a black scarf and tucks it behind her ear, so that her ears stick
out.
We
now move to my favorites:
The yo-yo
hijabs. The first yo-yo hijab, also known as the Benazir Bhutto
hijab, is the scarf that keeps falling down and needs to be constantly pulled
back up....up, down, up, down, just like a yo-yo.
The
second yo-yo hijab is also referred to as the convertible hijab. This
type of hijab is predominant at any type of social event, i.e. an Aqeeqah,
Bismillah party, Ameen party, wedding, etc. This is when an Imam or Qari
comes up to the microphone and starts to recite Qur'an. At this point, all the
convertible hijabs come up...until he says "Sadaqallahul atheem". I'm
not sure, but apparently in some cultures that translates to "ok sisters,
you may now take off your scarves".
I'm
sure this may seem odd, but what's even funnier is when people do not
anticipate the recitation of Qur'an at a social event, and are forced to be
creative and use accessories such as a purse to cover one's hair.
I was surprised to see a women hold her purse over her head as
"hijab"..as if the multitudes of men surrounding her are not a good
enough reason to wear hijab, but some guy reciting du'a compels her to hold a
purse over her head. Her friends were more creative...one friend used her dinner
napkin.
I was also laughing when I saw the communal hijab -- two or more girls draped under one dinner napkin during the recitation of Qur'an. Her other friend was still more creative. She used her coffee saucer on the back of her head. I wasn't sure if it was hijab or a Yamaka. I didn't know if she was a Muslim or a Jew. I felt like going up to her and saying "Shalom alaikum, sister".
I was also laughing when I saw the communal hijab -- two or more girls draped under one dinner napkin during the recitation of Qur'an. Her other friend was still more creative. She used her coffee saucer on the back of her head. I wasn't sure if it was hijab or a Yamaka. I didn't know if she was a Muslim or a Jew. I felt like going up to her and saying "Shalom alaikum, sister".
And,
people should remember that hijab is not just a protection from guys, but from
a girl's nafs (ego) as well. It should prevent girls from having to spend
hours in front of the mirror doing her hair. But, unfortunately, you see girls
in front of the mirror for hours doing their hijab as they would do their hair,
with all sorts of elaborate braids and the like. I wanted to go up to a sister
and say "Is your hijab naturally curly?" I also felt compelled to go
up to another girl and say "pardon me, but is your hijab naturally
that color, or did you dye it?".
Well,
the point to remember is that some people make an effort to wear hijab, but it
is futile, because it is not fulfilling it's purpose. It's like using an
umbrella with holes in it. Hijab is used for protection from guys as well as
from the girl herself, and should not be used as an accessory or for
beautifying one's self.
Anyway,
that's it. If anyone disagrees with me or is offended, then you are disagreeing
with the teachings of Allah subhanahu wa Ta'ala.
Great article on islamic way of life
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