What is the difference?

[SigurdReginson]

I've worked with Muslim women who have worn the hijab, and I've worked with some that prefer not to wear one. I personally think the hijab is beautiful.

The niqab or the burka, though? I don't think there is anything positive to say about those.

Also, I find it interesting that the Quran says that women need to cover themselves modestly to avoid temptation in men. What about men? Does the Quran say that they need to dress modestly to prevent temptation from women too? I guarantee you, women can be just as prone to temptation as men.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

As a muslim i often hear non muslims complaining about muslim woman wearing hijab.

But why is it no problem when a western female cover her head with a scarf?

Why the big harasment of islam when if we look at history mostly all females was cocering up their hair. Especially within religious practice.

Sometimes non muslims even know why islam still practice use of hijab for female? Did you know that hijab means to be modest both for male and females?

I don't mind hijabs if and when it was the woman's choice to wear it.
I do have social problems with niqaabs and burqa's and alike.

As for your actual question, I think it has a bad name in general because many women (and young girls) are kind of forced to wear it. Either through peer pressure (for example through a social backlash if they don't) or through actual forcing from parents or brothers. In some countries there are even state laws about this.


So, in general, the people who are hostile to the practice are rather hostile to taking away freedom and rights from woman, by removing their choice in the matter. These people won't have a problem with a hijab if and when it is the free choice of the woman.

I'm excluding "racists" / islamophobes from this, because they'll lash out at pretty much anything that even remotely looks or smells muslim / arab.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

They are free according to islam

As I always say in response to such statements...

It doesn't matter what the ideology is supposed to be like... what matters is how it is actually implemented in practice.

You be muslim means to practice islam, but unfortunatly if you are born in a "muslim country" it seems like you have to be muslim. And that is not correct practice

This problem isn't restricted to muslim countries by any means.
Muslim living in secular democracies, move around in muslim communities within those countries. They go to the mosques, have religious feast and other gatherings. There to, the social pressure can get enormous.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Yes the quran do say it is correct practice for a female to cover their hair. To not create temptation for men.

I've always found this curious.
Why do you think that the quran instead doesn't just say to the men to keep it in their pants?
Why does it put the responsibility on the woman?

Because such is what leads to the all-to-common idea that if a woman in a miniskirt is raped, it's "her own fault for dressing like a ****". It almost makes the man look like the victim because he was "ow so tempted", the poor guy.

As a muslim man i should not even look at a woman on the street, because she is not for me and if she speak to me, eye-contact should be avoided

So why would it matter what she wears?

Also, if I were the woman and you'ld behave like that during our social interactions, I'ld consider you extermely impolite. And a bit insulted.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

How would that matter in a western country?

Muslims in western secular societies, move in muslim communities too. Family, mosques, religious feasts,...
There is no state run "religious police" checking up on you, but there sure are daddies and brothers and cousins and uncles and grandfathers and imams and..... that peer pressure the muslim women of those communities to wear whatever they want them to wear, be it hijabs or niqaabs or burqua's.

I live near Antwerp. I have muslims in my family. I know some people at the mosque they used to go to. I know how it goes in some families.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Can you show the research and its findings where the majority of Muslim women "feel they have no choice but to wear a hijab"?

@Altfish didn't use the word "majority". That was your own addition.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I suspect that this is one of the reasons people have a problem with it.
The reason for the command for females to cover up is nothing more than to keep men from having unclean thoughts.
Interesting that Allah can not simply command men to behave themselves.

Oh men should behave in dame way ås female, and let the religious practice be what er think of, and not think of sensual pleasure

 

[Spirit of Light]

Do you really hear complaints about the hijab? I would have thought most objections would be to the burqa or the veil, not the hijab. But it is true that in some contexts, e.g. French schools, the wearing of overt religious symbols is forbidden, due to their policy of laïcité.

As a muslim Yes i do hear people ( where i live) mocking the muslim woman here, and speak bad about their husbands

 

[Spirit of Light]

That is a ridiculous requirement and one that cuts women off from half of society.

The very notion that to make eye contact is a sexual advance is prehistorically stupid.

Remember islam is about the spiritual, not about the lust of the flesh

 

[Spirit of Light]

I have no problem with a Muslim woman wearing a hijab or a western woman wearing a scarf over their head if that is their choice.

The problem I have with it is indoctrination to wear one, and the subsequent ridicule, and scorn for choosing to not wear such things. In my opinion, a person should be free to dress as they will.

Actually i do agree with you.
For those females who chose it by their free choice actually show a high degree of faith in Allah

 

[Spirit of Light]

Don't you consider it a bit misogynistic for a male to require a female to wear something to avoid having to exercise self-control?

In some cases yes.
For those who struggle to control their little Chap.....they would need more focus on the spiritual

 

[Spirit of Light]

I've worked with Muslim women who have worn the hijab, and I've worked with some that prefer not to wear one. I personally think the hijab is beautiful.

The niqab or the burka, though? I don't think there is anything positive to say about those.

Also, I find it interesting that the Quran says that women need to cover themselves modestly to avoid temptation in men. What about men? Does the Quran say that they need to dress modestly to prevent temptation from women too? I guarantee you, women can be just as prone to temptation as men.

Yes the quran do have dress code for men too

 

[Spirit of Light]

I don't mind hijabs if and when it was the woman's choice to wear it.
I do have social problems with niqaabs and burqa's and alike.

As for your actual question, I think it has a bad name in general because many women (and young girls) are kind of forced to wear it. Either through peer pressure (for example through a social backlash if they don't) or through actual forcing from parents or brothers. In some countries there are even state laws about this.


So, in general, the people who are hostile to the practice are rather hostile to taking away freedom and rights from woman, by removing their choice in the matter. These people won't have a problem with a hijab if and when it is the free choice of the woman.

I'm excluding "racists" / islamophobes from this, because they'll lash out at pretty much anything that even remotely looks or smells muslim / arab.

I like your answer

 

[firedragon]

Also, I find it interesting that the Quran says that women need to cover themselves modestly to avoid temptation in men. What about men? Does the Quran say that they need to dress modestly to prevent temptation from women too? I guarantee you, women can be just as prone to temptation as men.

I dont mind addressing your query.

But could you quote the verse in the Quran that says "women need to cover themselves modestly to avoid temptation in men"? If you quote the verse, I can address it.

But you are right. Women can also be tempted by men. I honestly think its quite equal. I dont have any research to back that up, but this is only my anecdotal experience. Women are attracted to men the same way men are attracted to women.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

One of the problems I have seen is that it appears most people (at least here in the USA) do not know there is a difference between a hijab, burqa, niqab, al-amira, shayla, khimar, and chador.

So they refer to all of them as hijab...

For those interested in the differences:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/24118241​

Some of them look similar like the Hijab and the Al-Amira, even the Shaya. Is there a different meaning with each of them?

If in Islam Muslim men have more of a pull to look at women and women need to be covered because of it, I'd think even the face would be covered. I haven't heard in America the majority of men have a predisposition to be with every woman he or she is attracted to nonetheless make an advance. Media tends to make out relations between men and women more then they are. I wonder if Islam culture follows that lead.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I dont mind addressing your query.

But could you quote the verse in the Quran that says "women need to cover themselves modestly to avoid temptation in men"? If you quote the verse, I can address it.

But you are right. Women can also be tempted by men. I honestly think its quite equal. I dont have any research to back that up, but this is only my anecdotal experience. Women are attracted to men the same way men are attracted to women.

The quran us حجاب and in English means veil. We can see it both as physical covering but also spiritual cover our attachments ( in my understanding anyway)

 

[firedragon]

The quran us حجاب and in English means veil. We can see it both as physical covering but also spiritual cover our attachments ( in my understanding anyway)

Brother. This is an entirely different subject altogether. You spoke of "Hijab" as its generally understood around the world today. I did not get into the meaning of it at all. I just asked that poster, who I think is a lady to quote the Quranic verse she referred to. Thats all.

BUT!! I must disagree with you. The word Hijab appears in the Quran many times. Again, BUT, not as a veil. I mean not as a clothing. Nowhere.

Your understanding of the word Hijab is valid, but its not Quranic. It is a later evolved concept of prudence in Islamic discourse. But that is not Quranic.

I hope you understand.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Brother. This is an entirely different subject altogether. You spoke of "Hijab" as its generally understood around the world today. I did not get into the meaning of it at all. I just asked that poster, who I think is a lady to quote the Quranic verse she referred to. Thats all.

BUT!! I must disagree with you. The word Hijab appears in the Quran many times. Again, BUT, not as a veil. I mean not as a clothing. Nowhere.

Your understanding of the word Hijab is valid, but its not Quranic. It is a later evolved concept of prudence in Islamic discourse. But that is not Quranic.

I hope you understand.

I learn something every day just like I did from your reply thank you

 

[SalixIncendium]

In some cases yes.
For those who struggle to control their little Chap.....they would need more focus on the spiritual

In what cases wouldn't you consider it misogyny?

 

[Altfish]

Can you show the research and its findings where the majority of Muslim women "feel they have no choice but to wear a hijab"?

Only the couple I have spoken to.
Are you denying that there is any pressure to do so?
In some countries even non-Muslims are required to wear them.
Hijab by country - Wikipedia).