Women In Islam

Europe and Hijab



Europe and Hijab

It began in France where Muslim schoolgirls were banned from wearing the hijab.Britain, politicians are mulling over whether to ban the niqab, which covers the face. In the Netherlands, there is serious talk of bringing in a new law forbidding Muslim women to cover their faces supposedly for reasons of security. And now the Vatican has jumped into the fray.

A senior Cardinal Renato Martino told members of the press that immigrants should adhere to the laws of their host country including any ban on face covering, while Archbishop Agostino Marchetto indicated Muslims must be made to realize that some of their religious traditions might be perceived as negative in Western societies.

It's surely an odd line for the Vatican to take when for centuries the nun's habit was pretty much all-encompassing. Members of some orders went a step further spending their entire lives in seclusion without speaking. Is there anything more separating than that?

Western brides traditionally wore veils (many still do) and so did Spanish and Portuguese duennas, while all over the world masked balls were common among the aristocracy.

The veil has long been perceived as a garment to protect a woman's modesty and this is the main reason Muslim women choose to wear it today.

It is true there is no compulsion in Islam for women to cover their faces and, indeed, there is an ongoing debate among Muslims whether this trend is advisable but surely this is a matter for the individual concerned rather than the state.

People who live in democracies traditionally have the right to dress as they please so this is much more than a debate over the veil. It's rather an attack on human rights and civil liberties.

If covering one's face is banned where does this leave people who don costumes for fancy dress parties? Will Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny outfits become a no-no? What about men who dress up as Father Christmas, their faces obscured by hoods and thick white beards? Will Halloween masks be removed from stores? Will kids be denied a Zorro mask and cape?

And if that isn't the case, why isn't it? How could it possibly be acceptable for people to wear a Dracula or Frankenstein mask to a party but unacceptable for Muslim women to don the veil out of cultural or religious conviction?

One may also speculate on how these new laws will affect accident victims, whose facial disfigurements preclude them from going out in public without some kind of covering. There may come a day when the police will be empowered to forcibly remove them under the guise of anti-terrorism laws.

In truth, there are very few Muslim women in Europe who wear the full face-veil and none to my knowledge have been responsible for any violent incident. Estimates suggest the new law would only affect around 50 women in the Netherlands, for instance. So, in this case, why are these women being targeted in such a high-profile fashion?

In reality, the veil is a mere pretext for something that goes far deeper - growing European bigotry against Islam emanating from governments, which is dangerously permeating down to the level of the street.

The problem is government actions are having the opposite effect of that intended. In many European countries, including Britain, Muslims feel under siege.

Following the announcement by the former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw that he would prefer Muslim visitors to his constituency office not to wear the niqab, young British Muslim women began adopting the garment as a mark of protest. At the same time, attacks on Muslims and mosques were stepped up.

In other words, a "them and us" situation is being created where formerly none existed. Holland, in particular was always famously tolerant of ethnic and religious minorities. It's a great pity that attitudes toward Muslims have changed so dramatically.Britain that once prided itself on its multicultural richness and tolerance of all faiths. What happened to that innate sense of fair play?

It's the same in Tony Blair must take a large part of the blame with his frequent references to an evil ideology to cover up his terrible foreign policy blunders in concert with George W. Bush that have led to so much devastation and bloodshed throughout the Muslim world.

Britons, in particular, should remember that there was no serious division between Muslims and the rest of society before Iraq and Blair's refusal to call for a ceasefire during the recent Israel-Lebanon conflict.Saudi Arabia have been holidaying in Britain for decades and nobody objected when they wore a burqa while shopping in London's Oxford or Bond Street.Turkey's entry supported by the Vatican.

It seems to me that the world I grew up in is becoming unrecognizable. There used to be a sense of live and let live in the Britain of my youth. If you wanted to walk down the street with spiky purple and orange hair, a painted face and a pierced nose, wearing a leather jacket covered with giant safety pins, you could.

Traditionally dressed ladies from the (Persian) Gulf and Nowadays, mere pieces of cloth - the burqa, the niqab or even the hijab - are being demonized as symbols of Islam. If European Muslims succumb to pressure and remove them, one wonders where this will all end. Perhaps Muslim men will be forbidden beards.

Maybe the thob will one day be outlawed in this Christian club, which has erected barriers to Few felt uncomfortable coming across such apparitions in a dark lane yet a modest young woman whose face is obscured by a wedge of fabric is seen as a major threat to society. How utterly ridiculous is that! Can anyone say mass paranoia?

SAYEEDA KHADIJA (s-a): A SUPERB AND SUBLIME BELIEVER.


Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) literally and truthfully lived and died for Islam, her sacrifice and never ending struggle in the Path of ALLAH (swt) is truly one of the greatest and inspiring stories in the history of mankind. She started her life as a princess of Macca and her life ended as a princess of Islam.

She was the first woman to embrace Islam, she was the best wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww), she was among the 4 best women of the world and of Paradise, she was the mother of Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a), the Mistress of all women of the world and of paradise and she was the grand mother of 11 of the Holy Imam (a-s).

The Marriage between Prophet Muhammad (saww) and Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) was divinely decreed by ALLAH (swt), their union was not of an usual meeting of two people. As we all know, the Seal of the Prophets (a-s); Prophet Muhammad was the first human created of a special light, ALLAH (swt) created him uniquely and his life on earth was to an event of great mercy and compassion for all mankind and all the 12 terrestrial leaders, who were created in a similar method would come from his progeny.

We can surely understand that Khadija (s-a) had a very important role in the future of Islam. For ALLAH (swt) chose her to be the wife of the Master of the Prophets; Prophet Muhammad (saww). And in their union they would be gifted with the blessing of their daughter Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) for who the Prophet said: "As for my daughter Fatimah, she is the mistress of all women". (Bihar Al-Anwar vol.10).

Khadija (s-a) was a woman of wealth and upon embracing Islam she would give all her wealth and her support to Islam. It was by her support that Islam survived through the blockade, which made her an essential part of the survival of Islam; this made her an indispensable maker of Islamic History.

Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) was of a pure heart, she was a perfect example of Qalb Saleem. She was free of jealousy and envy. Her generosity and kindness was enormous, she gave all her material goods, all her time, all her efforts to the Path of ALLAH (swt). Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) was a glowing example in all the possible ways of a true Mu'mina.


As the Great Mercy and Compassion of ALLAH (swt) was always on his beloved Messenger Muhammad (saww) and his most loving wife Sayeeda Khadija (s-a), ALLAH (swt) would fill their lives with the 'Beacon of Light' Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a), the Mistress of all women of the world and of paradise.

This Miracle would come about when the Holy Prophet (saww) would be commanded by ALLAH (swt) to leave Khadija (s-a) for a certain period of time, during this time he (saww) would fill his days and nights with deep worship, fasting and prayers, ALLAH (swt) would send Angel Jibreel (a-s) and Mikael (a-s) down with heavenly food to break the Prophet's (saww) fast and order him to rush to Khadija's (s-a) house. That's when this great Miracle happened.This is narrated in many Sunni books as well.

Therefore we understand that Sayeeda Khadija's (s-a) life was not an ordinary life, she was one of the important keys at the start of Islam and until the end of time, not only because of all her great contributions and efforts to the Path of ALLAH (swt), but also because she is the great mother of Imam Hasan and Imam Hussayn (a-s) and the 9 Imams (a-s) from the progeny of Imam Hussayn (a-s) and her light along with the great light of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) are shinning in the heart of our current Imam; Imam Al-Hujjah Al-Mahdi (a-s) (Allahumma 'ajjil farajahu-sh-sharif).

The year 619 would be remembered as the year of sadness, after Abu Sufian and his gang of cold hearted haters of truth, put an economic blockade on the Bani Hasheem and forced out to the dessert, both the loving wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and the first woman to embrace Islam. Khadija (s-a) and Abu Talib would stay firm in their faith and support the Prophet (saww).

After 3 years of living in the most harsh conditions the blockade was lifted, however, the suffering took its toll on the benefactress of Islam; Sayeeda Khadija (s-a), she became ill and departed this transient world, but a few days after the death of Abu Talib the one who was the protector of Prophet Muhammad (saww) since childhood.These events would be of extreme sadness for Prophet Muhammad (saww), Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) and Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s).


Both Abu Talib and Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) are perfect examples for all what true sacrifice and effort in the Path of ALLAH (swt) is. Ayatullah Shaykh Ja'far Subhani reports in his book the Message:

'The pressure and hardships suffered by them assumed unprecedented dimensions. The heart-rending cries of the children of Bani-Hashim reached the ears of the stone hearted people of Macca, but had no effect on them. The severity of the action of Quraysh in implementing their covenant did not diminish the patience and the fortitude of the Holy Prophet of Islam (saww) and the Muslims. Eventually the piteous clamouring of the infants and the children, and the tragic condition of the Muslims aroused the sentiments of some persons'(Ref: The Message p. 262-263. Ayatullah Shaykh Ja'far Subhani)

The above narration, without a doubt, reminds us all of the master of Martyrs Imam Hussayn (a-s) and his 'the Great Sacrifice' in the path of ALLAH (swt) in Karbala, when he (a-s), his family, his companions and his supporters were forced into the dessert lands of Karbala, the treacherous and cursed Ibn Sa'd would have all access to water cut off to all who were with Imam Hussayn (a-s).

The hunger and thirst became unbearable for the woman, children and infants. Their cries, wailing and weeping shook the earth just imagine that day, bodies of the true believers dead on the dessert ground, the heartless army of Shaïtins attacking the Holy Imam (a-s) and his supporters, like hungry wolves.

These terrible beasts watched Imam Hussayn (a-s) and his followers, their wives and sisters; their children and their babies' dying of hunger and thirst as they gulped down water and would continuously attack all on the field. This very small group of true believers and lovers of ALLAH (swt); who defended Tawheed and the holy Qur'an against a ferocious army of 33,000 gutless killers.


When the Holy Imam (a-s) stood alone among the dead bodies of his companions, his brothers, the sons of his brothers and his sons, surrounded by the enemy forces, he entered the tent one last time to find his baby son dying of thirst, this he could not bare, he picked up his baby Ali-e-Asghar and brought him to the front line, held him up high in hopes of getting water for his baby. Imam Hussayn (a-s) said:

"O'People! If you think that I am guilty of any crime or sin, this baby has done nothing to anyone, he has not had milk or water for 3 days; please can you spare just a few drops of water. If you suspect me of anything I can leave him here and you can return him to his mother with his thirst quenched".

It is narrated that many of the soldiers began to weep and cursed their commanders, Ibn Sa'd fearing a revolt, ordered a heartless murdering thug by the name of Hurmula, who shot a 3 prong arrow into the neck of the infant, Ali-e-Asghar looked at his father, smiled and stopped breathing forever. Imam Hussayn (a-s) smeared his face with the blood of his baby. Imam Hussayn (a-s) could not take his dead baby son back to his mother, who was waiting anxiously at the door of her tent, so he buried him there in the burning sand of Karbala.

This was a narrative on some people who gave their all for Islam; they gave absolutely all they had in order to be closer and nearer to ALLAH (swt). On this night we remember the great Muslim Abu Talib (a-s), we remember the mother of the believers Sayeeda Khadija (s-a) and as we do every day of our lives we remember Imam Hussayn (a-s). As-Salam Alayka ya Aba Abdi'llah, As-Salam Alayka ya bna Rasuli'llah, As-Salam Alaykum wa Ramatullah wa Barakatuh.

Brother Ali Ja'afary.

Islam is our religion. It is a complete code of life and the most prominent and distinguished system. Peace, Harmony, love , brotherhood and tranquility is its message. The topmost objective of Jafariyanews is to promote, enhance and thrive it by adopting the path of Muhammad-o-Aal-e-Muhammad(A.S).
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Zahra (SA) your light is shining…

By: Noor-ul Ayn

Oh Fatima (SA)
The lady of light
Daughter of our Prophet (SAW)
The soul that is whiter than white
On the highest of the heavens
You are praised by all the lands
Mother of Hassan and Hussain (AS)
Beauty of Islam
Zahra (SA) your light is shining
Brighter than the sun
Oh the flower of heavens
You are the only one
The apple of Muhammad's (SAW) eyes
The wife of Ali (AS)
The role model for all women.

Martyr Bint-ul-Huda

By: Sumaya MarhoonAmina Haider Al-Sadr, the famous Muslim author, also called Bint-ul- Huda, played a significant role increating Islamic awareness among the Muslim women of Iraq. She was in her twenties when she began writing articles in Al-Adhwa, the Islamic magazine printed by the religious intellectuals of Al-Najaf, Iraq in 1379 (1959).

Bint-ul-Huda grew up with a serious love of learning. She soon became aware of the Muslim women's sufferings and the great disasters, which were damaging Islamic ideology in her country.

In 1400 (1980), the religious leader Al-Sadr and his sister, Bint-ul-Huda, were arrested. After three days of unimaginable torture, they were murdered by the tyrannical Iraqi regime. Islam suffered a great loss when these two Muslim personalities were killed in cold blood.

Click here to view some of the stories written by Bint-al-Huda

Shaheeda Bin tul Huda

END

Hejab

Every day, while I am on my way to work, I see a sight that breaks my heart.

I see young girls waiting at the gates of the school, arriving every day, never missing a day in this freezing cold weather, while they know that they will not be allowed to enter the school...all this due to their wearing hijab. This sight has been repeated numerous times in the past years, but only in front of the universities, but now this has spread to the high schools (secondary schools), ...and it does not stop here. 

FULL STORY..