Discourse

By: likhon Mood: happy Date: 08/18/2008 20:16:35 Music: None

Q. Despite what your writers say, there is enough evidence in the Qur’an to support the requirement that women should cover their faces when they go out. When someone tries to prove a different viewpoint, the argument becomes one of language. Unfortunately there are many people who try to persuade women not to observe the Islamic values and teachings. Thus they become a means used by Satan to lead people astray. If we look at many Muslim countries today, we find this to be common in many areas. The proper way to counter this is that women should fully observe the Islamic dress code.

A. The first thing we would like to point out is that we will always explain the Islamic point of view, without hesitation or alteration. We believe that every thing Islam legislates is for the benefit of the individual and society. There is nothing in Islam that is contrary to human nature or serves any interest other than human interests. Indeed, Islamic legislation is geared to bring out the best in man. We need not feel shy or ashamed about anything in Islam. When we do not see the benefit of a part of Islamic legislation, we realize that this is due to a gap in our understanding; it can be remedied by more study and research.

We must also realize that Islamic legislation is anced. It neither places undue pressure on man nor impedes his work, nor does it stifle his talent. It aims to bring about the best in man while steering him along a middle way that enhances virtues and enjoys pleasures. Unfortunately, people often try to impose a strict view that leans toward restriction. In so doing, they place people under heavy pressure. It is part of human nature that pressure is the first motive to try to break loose. When you confine a person within a building or an area, he immediately begins to look for a way to break out. If you want to keep him within that area and get him to go about life in the normal way, you need first of all to remove all restrictions on his movement. In other words, you need to tell him that he is free to leave at any time. You then explain to him why it is better that he should stay there.

Needless to say, this applies to men and women alike. Islamic legislation applies to both in the same way, with minor differences that serve their complementary roles in human life. Unfortunately, long periods of backwardness that affected many parts of the Muslim world led to placing women under heavy restrictions, which were given a religious guise. Thus, some restrictions that prevailed in certain cultures were associated with Islam, when Islam had nothing to do with them. A careful study of Islamic requirements of women will reveal that much of the restrictions people claim to be Islamic are cultural, prevailing within certain societies, rather than Islamic. The Islamic dress code, for example, is much more liberal than people’s impositions.

As for women covering their faces, this is a matter of choice. It is not a duty required by Islam. You say that there is enough evidence in the Qur’an to support this. The fact is there is none. When you take all relevant Qur’anic statements and study them carefully, you will realize that no such requirement is made.