Imagine you and a friend sitting on the couch watching TV. All of the sudden, your friend remembers that she needs to pray. She jumps off the couch, makes wudu, and comes back into the room. You, having already prayed, are sitting on the couch continuing to watch TV. Your friend stands up, faces the qiblah, puts her hands to her ears, and says the takbir.
What do you do? Turn the TV off? Or leave it on? Isn’t having the television on during salaah distracting for your friend? And wouldn’t it be a courtesy to her to turn it off? Or do you think that she should just have enough khushoo‘ to concentrate over the TV and that her imaan is strong enough to focus on her prayer. You, after all, were sitting there first, and were enjoying whatever show was on. And concentrating on her salaah is her duty, not yours. You already fulfilled your obligation of praying, so now she must deal with the consequences of waiting, and having to pray in a loud environment.
You’re nicer than that, aren’t you? And wouldn’t you agree that it’s easier for you to turn off the TV than it is for your friend to concentrate in her prayer? We all know how hard it is to concentrate even when the room is quiet.
Now apply this story to the concept of hijab. I’ve often heard girls complain that they have to wear hijab “because boys can’t control themselves.” First of all, that’s not correct. Muslim women wear hijab because Allah subhanu wa ta’ala commanded us to do so. But, maybe as a secondary reason, we wear hijab to protect ourselves AND help our Muslim brothers to protect themselves from sideways glances.
It is a fact that it is easier for a woman to cover herself than it is for a man to lower his gaze. Ask any man, and he’ll tell you this is true. Lowering their gaze is difficult for them to handle, and Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows this, that’s why there is so much emphasis placed on it in the first place. Secondly, I think that Muslim women know it isn’t that hard on us to cover ourselves better, ask any woman who has tried and they will tell you it isn’t that big of an accommodation to make.
Muslim men are our BROTHERS in Islam, it isn’t so much to ask that we look out for their best interest, and sacrifice a little to help them do a better job at lowering their gaze. Let’s just face the facts, women are stronger than men in this regard, so it’s our job, Muslim women, to pick up the slack for our brothers.
yeah. keep pretending you’re some amazing scholar and blah blah.
in the end, you backbite just like the rest of us. you emphasize how wrong it is yet you turn around and do it yourself.
have some self respect.
and also, about your other blog discussing "if you won’t stop anyone from wearing hijab, why stop yourself"… It’s a personal choice. yes, it’s a command. Whether we choose to wear it or not is our problem, not yours. So stop preaching and do something else with your time. Thanks.
JazakAllah khair for your comment and advice.
Anonymous,
Why do you not take your own advice, i.e.
"Stop preaching and do something else with your life"
Ayesha,
Keep up the good work.
sigh. i heart ayesha siddique.
Dear Anonymous,
As Muslims, you and I both know what is written for us in our Deen, correct? We know what is obligatory on us and the responsibility we take on by stating the Shahadah and essentially engraving it in our soul. Our Deen is perfect, this is common knowledge.
Muslims, however, are still human beings. Human beings inherently make mistakes. So, first of all, as Muslims we should continuously push each other toward what is good and what we know is right. We are weak, and it’s clear that we could always use a reminder. (Verily, man is in loss. Except those who do have faith, do good deeds, and join one another in the teaching of Truth, Patience, and Constancy. [103:1-3] ) A good Muslim brother or sister in Islam will act as that reminder for you. We all make mistakes, and, who knows, backbiting may be one of them. Even if we, personally fall into the trap of the sin, writing about it, and thus informing yourself and others about it, serves as a continuous reminder for oneself and one’s fellow Muslim brothers and sisters.
Also, it’s apparent that hijab is one’s own choice. Whether or not you wear hijab is usually your own decision. (It’s not "preaching" when someone inserts "In my opinion..") I’m not quite what it means when you say "pretending" to be "some amazing scholar," because the blog quite clearly serves as a mere outlet, not some cynical ruse to gain followers. I do know that there’s an issue when someone has so much anger that, not only do they express it childishly, but they have to express it anonymously.
If you don’t wear hijab, then it is your problem. Fine. But commenting rudely on a blog – someone’s own personal thoughts, ideas, and suggestions – really proves a greater problem within yourself. In my opinion, I suggest you express your insecurities to your Lord, not on a striving Muslimah’s WordPress. If you can’t bring yourself to direct your issues to the correct place, then rant on your own blog. I’d love to read it.
Ayesha I hope you are referring to full Sharayee Hijab which includes covering face and not just head.
Its been nice to read your post and I’m happy I’ve explored your blog!
Your old blog, cataloging various Eeyore & Plucky Duck moments throughout your life, was much less controversial.
By the way, I’ve always found it interesting that people hide behind the label of "anonymous" when they are making bold, impassioned statements.