[WordsAplenty]

Assalam Alaikoum. For you Muslim ladies, do you cover? Why or why not?

[omya]

Yes, I do Alhamdel Allah.

I was doing so since I was 13, not forced to it

i believe this is the natural thing for a woman to do, and that's why Allah ordered it, He's the one who created us, and He knows better.

[shoshanna]

What is the reason behind wearing the scarf? I it for modesty or is it something different? I know that some Christians wear coverings on their head because they believe that women should not pray without their heads covered and that they should cover "the glory" of their long hair. Is it the same with Islam?

[WordsAplenty]

Originally Posted by shoshanna

What is the reason behind wearing the scarf? I it for modesty or is it something different?

Yes... it is for modesty. Muslim women are to cover their hair and conceal their figure. Some women will even cover their faces, leaving only their eyes visible. Now, exactly how this is practiced in everyday life is a bit open for interpretatioon. Some women wear long, loose shirts and baggy pants; others do not wear pants at all. Some will only wear a long, shapeless tent-like covering.

For the same reasons, a Muslim woman generally doesn't wear perfume or a face full of make-up.

This is done for many reasons-- many believe it "protects" the family, keeping men and women free from temptation. Others believe it preserves a woman's dignity, allowing her to be respected for her mind and not her looks. I know, as a convert, I have never once been hit on since I gave up short skirts and tight pants!

Now, at home it is a different story. At home women are encouraged to beautify for their husbands. Islam is very family-focused. Think about it-- if all women were covered up and simple outside, it would be difficult for a man to be tempted. Then he comes home to a woman who looks and smells nice...

I have to admit, I do not cover. I know, I know... I sound like a hypocrite. Sometimes understanding a rule and following it are not the same things. I do have a reason (excuse?), though. To me, one of the main reasons a woman covers is to avoid drawing attention to herself. In a Middle Eastern or Muslim country, a woman who is uncovered definitely draws attention to herself. Here in the West, though, it is the other way around. I honestly believe that if I were walking down the street in my conversative long skirt and long-sleeved, loose top w/ my hair neatly brushed and no make-up, I would attract NO attention. Imagine I am walking w/ a woman in a tank top and hot pants and a woman in hijab. Who will attract the most attention? It will not be me. I'm guessing the hot pants will attract the majority of the looks, followed closely by the hijab. I bet no one would even notice me!

Don't get me wrong-- I'm not issuing a fatwa (Islamic ruling) here! I'm no scholar-- this is just what I feel about covering. I do admire all of the sisters here in America who cover. It takes a great deal of faith and courage to dress that way when so many are practically naked. Especially after 9-11, when hostility towards Muslims escalated.

[shoshanna]

What you said makes sense. Thanks for sharing. I was rasied as a conservative Christian (I am not so conservative anymore, though I am a Christian) and wore a headcovering and long, modest dresses as a teenager. I think it is interesting that you mentioned that women are encouraged to look beautiful at home for their husbands. That is not something that I found in the conservative (often called "Plain") way of life. I always got the impression that many of the wives were not doing what they could to appeal to their husbands. I'm not in anyway saying that everyone is like that, but I do think that it was a tendency in our group.

[WordsAplenty]

Originally Posted by shoshanna

I was rasied as a conservative Christian (I am not so conservative anymore, though I am a Christian) and wore a headcovering and long, modest dresses as a teenager.

I didn't realize that any Christians (aside from the nuns) cover today. I had heard of Orthodox Jews covering. What type of Christianity is this? What are some other things they do? Is the modesty limited to dress, or to they shun make-up, jewelry, and perfume, too? What about mixing of the sexes?

[shoshanna]

The closest thing to the way I was raised could be called Mennonite. Basically, you dress in a "plain" way that does not draw attention - small prints on your clothes and often just solid fabrics. The women wear long dresses and often dark stockings to cover their legs. They also wear a covering on their head all of the time - we even slept in them. Some coverings are fittend and look like a little cap. What we wore was more like a scarve. They definitely don't wear makeup or jewlery or purfume.

This denomination of Christianity takes very seriously the verses in scripture about living simply and not being "of the world". It is very common for them to homeschool or to have their children attend small private schools that are run by the church. They also don't usually have TVs and don't go to the movies or to amusement parks.

There are definitely wonderful aspects of this lifestyle. The families are very close-knit and the slower pace of life allows you to enjoy the little things. However, it is not how I have chosen to live my life. I'm probably still more conservative than a lot of people - I'm careful about what I watch on TV and I dress more modestly than most. I have taken from my upbringing an appreciation for family and a love of children.

[margem63]

I'm so glad that you brought this up! I am very interested in reading the responses on this. once again, WordsAplenty, I'm with you. You would think it would be an easy decision and I suppose for a lot of us it is. My reasons are the same as yours as far as drawing attention to yourself. I often talk with my husband about this. He'll see a Muslim woman in Hijab and say something like Oh, look what a good religious woman she is. well, once he said this about someone and we found out soon after how she was the epitomy of evil, treating her husband terribly, making trouble in the family, and other things. I dress conservatively for the most part but do not cover my head. I told him that I think I am a better Muslim than her because I am a Muslim in my heart first. You could put a scarf on anyone but that doesn't make them righteous. Now for sure it is up to Allah to decide when the time comes of course.
Also another thing is that being noticed more. I defintely think that wearing a hijab in this society can bring you more attention. What really gets me is the women who wear hijabs that are bright colors and bold print and layer on the make-up and perfume. Whats that about? I told my husband again that I am definetely more modest than that! For those that wear hijab correctly and follow the rules accordingly, you have my utmost respect and admiration. I hope that someday I find it in myself to follow your example! This has been the hardest part for me as far as becoming Muslim. A lot of the reasons I read here made sense but then there is that part of me that can't imagine never feeling the sun beat on my head again or my hair blowing in the wind! I think that these too are beautiful things that are gifts from Allah. I've read a few websites that state it never said in the Koran for a woman to cover her "head" ( it was her bossom) and that it was something Mohammad (pbuh) preached for certain women of his time like his wife and the wives of other important men. and yet another site said that this was a custom to tell the women apart from the servant women. Anyone ever heard this?

[WordsAplenty]

I wrote about this issue in a recent blog entry. Let me know what you think!
Muslim Women Dress Code

[Muslim Mom]

As a convert to Islam I had the same internal discussion about not covering, “why should I cover my hair and be conspicuous when I can dress as plain and undesirable as possible without drawing attention to myself by wearing hijab. This worked for a while ‘til I really contemplated the following verse from the Qur’an:

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 more convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. –Holy Qur’an 33:59

Muslim women should also remember God told us we should be recognized as Muslims when out and about. Hijab is about more than modesty alone; it is another declaration of faith. Frankly, I wish I didn’t need to put on a scarf every time I leave the house–although after all these years it would feel like going without underwear–it’s hot in the summer, it makes your hair flat and people give you dirty looks in the grocery store.
I don’t appreciate the cold stares or rude treatment I sometimes receive from non-Muslim strangers, but I consider this my jihad, (dare I use the word!). Allah gives all of us tests and this is a test for American Muslim (and especially American Muslim Converts) women. After 9/11, there were many women who took off the veil out of fear, and it was well-founded fear. Many women don’t wear it still because they don’t want to be identified as Muslims by strangers on the street. Right after 9/11 it felt like wearing a big target on your back, but I decided that I had better fear Allah more than I feared the reactions of misinformed strangers on the street.
Every Muslim woman who grows up in America will have this decision to make, some will wear it early on, some will put it on and then take it off, some will wear it later and some never at all. It’s important not to judge each other by this outward sign of faith, don’t assume a woman is really pious because she covers and don’t assume a woman isn’t faithful if she doesn’t. In some countries, everyone covers, in others hardly any women cover, in America, it will be a combination of all attitudes.
Just be proud of your faith, be proud of who you are and what you believe.