to cover or..uncover??

An overwhelming majority of Muslim women nowadays believe that they must cover their ‘awrah but feels that they are not ready yet to do so. They feel that they will do so sometimes when they are fully prepared, normally when they are no longer young.

It is not an uncommon scene in Malaysia and almost all part of world that Muslim women with tight and transparent clothes enter the mosque and put on the “telekong/hijab” to pray. After prayer they went out to the streets showing their body parts for all to see. And they are doing this while they are still believed in Quran and Allah. The discussion of why it is happening is a very important topic since it shows that Muslim women themselves are confused. To cover or uncover? To veil or unveil? The more important discussion is what we as a Muslim brothers or sisters can do to confide them that it is actually not a matter of choice.

‘Awrah is an Arabic word which literally means private part or defect . Technically ‘awrah refer to the body part that must be covered and showing it is forbidden or haram. The Quran tells women to cover the whole body part exclusive of their face and hands in front of a non-mahram.
In front of other Muslim females, their awrah is between the navel and knee. ;Awrah in front of non-Muslim woman is a point of debate. According to some scholars they must cover all except face and hand. Some other scholars say that it is the same as when they are with other Muslim female.
The ‘awrah of a woman in front of her mahrams such as her father, brother and nephew is her entire body except that which usually appears such as the face, hair, neck, forearms and feet. Allah says in the Quran.
“and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women”
For Muslim men however their ‘awrah is much simpler for their ‘awrah is from the navel to the knee. This difference does not mean inequality for reasons that I shall discuss later.

The Westerners always have a misconception that Islam discriminate women because they have to cover more than man. When Allah asks women to cover, it is a protection to her body and dignity. It is undoubted that woman is centre of attraction. Everything about her is appealing. The temptation posed by woman is bigger than temptation posed by man. The eyes, mouth and smile, hair, leg and everything in their body is a form of attraction to men. Man falls in love with woman for various and weird reason, even by looking at how she walks or eats! Thus it is reasonable that women are not allowed to show the body part as man is free to show.

This regulation does not mean to hide women’s beauty but it is to protect them from being regarded as sex symbol. In Western society for example, women are no less than a doll, they can be uncover anytime as men please for any reason. Their women are being mocked that beauty is measured by body shape and curve and how they sway it when they walk and the make-up they put on. And they must be proud to be blessed with this beauty by showing it! They then will be looked by men with lewdness and evil intention.

O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Muslim women may find covering ‘awrah difficult is because of the often negative ideas surrounding propagated by the opponents of Islam. For instance, that wearing Hijab kills marriage and job prospects. We must dispel such myth. It is proven through history that many Muslim women succeed in their life while being observant to Islamic code of dress. Many Muslim women attain high status in life and career, leading big companies and institutions and even holding an important position in Ministries, making crucial decision everyday. What you wear does not really ensure you position in job. Employers rationally look at your ability and capability, knowledge and skills and your integrity.

This issue must be tackled with wisdom. All part of the society plays an important role in educating our Ummah. Parents must familiarize their daughters with the Islamic code of dress since they are small. When they attain the puberty and able to discern the Syariah, they must be acknowledge why they are obliged to do so.

Muslim activists on the other hand must take more proactive measures and think positively. Many of this women are believers, thus it shows that there is a seed of faith that need to be nurtured. We must not simply accuse them as ignorant or stubborn. They should be guided and shown the beauty of this regulation.

For Muslim women who are practicing what has been ordained upon us, congratulations! Praise be to Allah for we are guided to become obedient. However, please do not forget that it is not simply covering ‘awrah that make us true Muslimah. The condition is extended to how we bring ourselves, our conduct with others, the way we utter words and our sincerity. Let us pray that Allah guide us and our Muslim sisters all over the world that what makes us beauty is our modesty.

Choosing a career path.

assalamualaikum

dealing with students almost everyday makes me think that it is important to decide your future and work towards it. in short you have to got plan for future or you should plan for future. i got students, who after a few semesters decided that they do not want to do law. law is just not their cup of tea!and they decided to change course after they faced a few failures in law papers? of course it is demotivating to fail a few times and it is troublesome procedurally also. so how to avoid this from happening to you?

i am sharing my opinion on this matter hoping that it helps our young brothers and sisters out there who might be thinking a lot now about pursuing studies. what course to choose? which uni/college? overseas or local? the list of wh questions continues! perhaps, this also can be useful to parents (who actually think more on this subject matter!, in positive way)

you are indeed very fortunate if you got offered to do what you want to do soooo eagerly!this happens normally when you secure excellent result that put you in safe zone!(no comptetition)however, thats always not the case with everyone.

sometimes you got offer to do what you most unlikely want to do. for example you wish to pursue reading law, but rather you were offered to do science matriculation programme. you are always dreaming about becoming advocate or solicitor, sort of those glam people in legals series you watch on TV. but what is frustrating that those dreams are no more possible.

you are now in deep dilemma! at this young age, you have to decide on important decision, probably the most important in your life.

At this juncture, sit with your parents.ask for their opinion. see what are other options available. what are other ways that you and parents can work to pursue your dream? if you turn down that offer, would you be able to choose what you want?or if given try, is it possible that you will like and succeed in doing the course offered to you?

personally, it's gonna be difficult if you are forcing yourself to do what you really do not like to do.i'm imagining myself doing engineering or nursing programme! o God, please. that would be a total mess!!

you should be asking those questions above, so that you will not making immature decision. some students decide prematurely without actually know what is it that they like to do. i got an e-mail from unknown spm leaver who some sort of "appealing" (better term than begging) me to help her to do law at my uni. (not my posession, but where i work)

what you guys need to remember that interest alone is not sufficient. your interest is nested maybe because those limited info that you gained from TV series and so on. i have students who choose to do law because of prestige, want to make a lot of money, can dress "styloly" (sorry for the wrong term), and all baseless reasons! and these students (not all) did not even score in the law papers.

today, everyone wants to become a doctor so that they are gonna have a bright future, can secure job, have a prestigous life so on so forth. but do they really think that they can survive the years in uni/college. can they bear the unlimited pressureds during housemanship? there are real cases of students who failed in their university days and some who gave up during the final step before becoming a doctor. they cannot tolerate the pressure!and some ended up as a psychotic patient!

i am a living example of the opposite situation. initially, law is not my first choice.i'd rather doing something else. but my parents decided that i should put law as my first option, which i did. i enrolled to IIUM with mixed feelings. but later, i decided to give it a try and open myself to it. alhamdulillah, i managed to skip one year and finish my matriculation early than others. Now, here i am. it is not a big success, but at least i am a normal human being who is still struggling to find happiness in world and hereafter.

that is why i would like to advise you all bro and sista to ask for adults opinion before you decide to accept/reject the offer. those adults could be your parents, brothers/sisters, families, teachers and others. consider their info and opinions to make a conclusion. sometimes you may not like to do something but it is good for you.

interest should come with hardwork. that is the recipe for success.Aptitude + Attitude. if you have a high taste, remember! it demands a hardwork.

my stomach is crying for food.got to go.