Sunday, March 10, 2013

Religious modesty and a women's place


Brian Laufer
Stacy Knapp
English 1A
March 10th 2013

Why cover the body? For Muslim women it means protecting yourself from lustful eyes (gender 723). The veil is considered the embodiment of protection. It not only to keep the wearers heart pure, but everyone around that person will be compelled to be less lustful. And if every woman in a society is modest about how they present themselves there will be less crime/violence. At least that’s the idea. This may be some of the Quran’s reasoning.
 Scarves and veils have been used by countless cultures before Islam. At times only wealthy women wore veils, whilst the poor farmers did not. The many styles of Islamic dress in the world today reflect local traditions, and the differing interpretations of Islamic requirements.
Originally spoke of in the Quran, the veil was reserved for the Muhammad’s wives, more precisely the prophet’s wives. The prophet, as wealthy as he was, had the means to keep his women behind a hijab, or (screen) as it was. He did this when he had visitors. Having multiple wives was common at the time, but is perhaps now more so given that there are many wealthy men in the Middle East these days. The prophets stood for purity of  thought, action, and intentions, and being men of Allah would not allow their wives to flaunt their beauty and encourage sin. The veil developed into a symbol of wealth as well as purity.
There are many positive reasons that a woman would hide her beauty that some in America would not consider. They way you dress tells people your intentions. The garb can help one feel safe in public situations. A woman’s beauty is very much a temptation, covering it protects the onlooker and the looked upon from sinful thoughts and actions. By shrouding yourself you and others become interested in who you really are. Without constantly worrying about how you look in the world you will have time to go within. For many, veiling one’s self is an opportunity to find and keep lasting happiness, contentment, and fulfillment.  “A Muslim woman in Hijab is dignified, not dishonored, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute”. -(Rafed.net)
Being reserved as a Muslim woman is very important. This includes covering the body obviously, veiling the voice: tone, emotional outbursts. Boisterous laughter is not permitted. Neither any form of public sexual expression. Not acting in a way that is promiscuous or that might sexually arouse a male who is not in the family.                     
It is the religious leaders that make the guidelines. The responsibility of interpreting the Quran’s teachings has been their shoulders for centuries. Under the Taliban’s regime the burka, which is the full covering was mandatory for all women. It is interesting that the church has so much influence for Muslims. Some of the ideals of religious modesty sprout from the implications of the story of Adam and Eve. Forbidden fruit anyone?




Works Cited

Sources
-http://en.rafed.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=880:-hijab-the-reasons-and-the-advantages-&catid=143:hijab&Itemid=996

-       http://www.academia.edu/372795/Meanings_of_Modesty_and_the_Hijab_amongst_Muslim_Women_in_Scotland

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