Hijab and Public Comments
Hijab and Public Comments
"She's not even wearing the hijab" - How We as Muslims Can Uphold Respect
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Assalamu alaikum and welcome!
Today I would like to talk about a topic that, on the one hand, has cost me a lot of effort. On the other hand, I often come across this problem, and it also causes conflict, which is why I need to share my thoughts on it.
It is about how we deal with our sisters in faith who do not or do not yet wear a hijab. Over the years, I have noticed that they are publicly reprimanded and admonished, especially on social media in their comments, when they seem to have a great influence on their followers. Often this public exposure is justified by wanting to reprimand them and remind them that in Islam (both as a man and a woman) you have to cover yourself properly.
I wear hijab myself and do not judge the fact that hijab is compulsory for Muslims. I support the need for it and also wear it out of conviction because I understand the wisdom and beauty behind it. However, why I bring up this topic is because I find it sad how people are admonished about it. And what makes me even sadder is that those who publicly criticize Muslims react even more angrily and abusively when the "admonished" sisters don't respond with gratitude and understanding. And I can fully understand this.
No one likes being admonished in public, let alone perhaps even being admonished at all, unless you admit fault for yourself. And you can't expect the person being disrespected to respond with kindness. Often, women who are publicly embarrassed because of this, don't even express hatred or anger, but are simply hurt and ask to be treated with a little more sensitivity in this regard. And unfortunately, most people react to this with resentment and a lack of empathy. And it is unacceptable for us to put each other down and expose each other publicly. Islam does not tolerate this behaviour in any way. Islam teaches us in many ways that we are not reduced to our appearance. That our origin with Allah (swt) does not elevate or degrade our rank. That women do not have to give up their bodies in order to be respected and contribute to society. So why are we reduced to our hijab?
The question sounds provocative, but imagine that as a Muslim woman you make an enormous contribution to the Muslim Ummah and society as a whole and do so out of pure intentions and a pure heart, and the first thing you are reduced to is not wearing a hijab. We must learn to see the character of our counterparts and value them as human beings. The hijab is compulsory in Islam - that is true - but it is also compulsory in Islam to treat each other with respect and appreciation, not to humiliate each other and expose each other to others.
Islam even teaches us how we should remind and advise each other! Islam places an incredibly high value on character and behaviour. In a hadith, the Prophet (saws) says that he was sent down to mankind for the sole purpose of perfecting good character. 1He (saws) also said: "The believer who is perfect in faith is the one whose character is perfect." 2 Shouldn't we all start there? Work on our character and behaviour, as this is the key to paradise?
Because one of the most important virtues we should have is sincerity in everything we do. Because that is the basis of our actions, and therefore also the admonitions and reminders that we give to our fellow human beings.
Therefore, it is also important, to start wearing hijab out of pure intentions. But we can not achieve this, when we are judged by our brothers in sisters in Islam for not wearing it yet. Which would lead us to start it so no one judges us for not wearing it ... and as a Muslim our deeds are supposed to be for the sake of Allah (swt).
I would like to remind you and myself with this post that we should always consider our actions and words and ask ourselves in advance whether it is intended with pure intentions. If we treat each other with respect, admonish and remind each other in the most beautiful way, and especially here with empathy, we can build a strong community based on appreciation and thus support ourselves and others. We are very strong as a community, but we must learn to keep this community strong through mutual respect. Especially because Islam is under attack from the outside.
It is also very important to me to show what Islam really is, in contrast to what is portrayed in the media. It is not for nothing that Islam bears its name, which means nothing other than "peace in submission to Allah". And with the character traits, virtues and behaviour that Islam teaches us with the help of the Qu'ran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws), we can achieve peaceful coexistence, in sha Allah.
It is also very important for me to sensitize us to this topic. It is by no means my intention to attack anyone. Furthermore, it is not easy to point out wrong behaviour to each other. But we are all humans and make mistakes, which is the most natural thing in the world.
I hope I have been able to make you think, and maybe one or two sisters will read this and find some comfort and support in my words. We will all continue to develop until the end of our lives. The only difference is when we develop and how. But with mutual support and understanding, we can make life's challenges a little easier. And in relation to this, I would also like to remind you and myself that Allah (swt) sent down the Qu'ran piece by piece and not as a whole. Let us take this as a parable to follow our development step by step and not be too strict with our brothers and sisters in faith.
Let me know in the comments what you think about this topic and what experiences you have had. Let's find support together!
Your MindfulMuslima
Muwatta, Husn al-Hulk, 8; Ahmad b. Hanbal, 2/381
Abû Dâwûd, Sunnah, 15