Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Muslimah Next Door

Home
Muslim
Hijab and Modesty – Two Unique Perspectives (No, Really!)

Hijab and Modesty – Two Unique Perspectives (No, Really!)

Last updated on: April 17, 2012 at 6:20 pm by Dilshad Ali

Hijab and Modesty – Two Unique Perspectives (No, Really!) 2012-04-17T18:20:33-04:00 Dilshad Ali

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When it comes to Muslim women and hijab (whether we’re talking literally about wearing or not wearing the headscarf and other forms of modest dressing or about the act of modesty), the subject matter has been dissected to death – from how a woman dons the hijab (She’s being too fashionable! Clothes are covering the body but are tight-fitting, so what’s the point? A headscarf is not enough. You must wear a burqa.), to how others perceive the hijab (If you wear it, you’re a “good Muslim woman,” if you don’t, well then the jury’s out on you.), to heads of state taking stands against the hijab and its stricter cousin, the niqab.

It gets to a point that I read the word “hijab” or “headscarf” or any play on the word “veil” in a headline, and I think, “Move on, folks. Move on.” But two blog posts recently provided some fresh perspective on the hijab — perspectives worth sharing.

The first is from Amjad Tarsin, who writes at the blog “Capturing Light.” He offers a male perspective on the hijab, arguing that the decline of modesty amongst men and women is due to the decline of modesty in men. Wow – turning the hijab discussion back on the man. Because, as many non-Muslims may not realize (since it seems like all discussions of modesty and Muslims center on women), there are modesty guidelines for Muslim men too.

Tarsin writes:

Regardless of what we are surrounded by, Muslim men must hold themselves to a higher standard of morality and virtue. Once Muslim men take their piety, education, and character seriously, our noble female counterparts will recognize and appreciate that within us. We must abolish the double standard that exists in our communities – not by lowering the standard of feminine modesty, but rather by demanding Muslim men live up to standards of modesty already given to us by God and His Messenger. When Muslim males gawk at half-naked women (whether in public, on television, or on the internet), act and speak lewdly, and show a greater appreciation for immoral women, then what kind of message does that send to Muslim women who attempt to maintain their dignity inwardly and outwardly? Oftentimes, when Muslim women see so many Muslim males acting this way, they lose hope in finding a righteous husband and sometimes ask themselves why they even bother to wear the head-scarf. If Muslim men held themselves to a higher standard, acted like gentlemen, and appreciated the greater qualities within women such as mercy, trustworthiness, loyalty, and modesty – then Muslim women would feel more appreciated for their struggle to be modest, or at the very least feel that Muslim men can relate.

He goes on to offer scriptural sources for his thoughts. Really, it’s a post worth reading – for Muslim men, but for everyone so as to see that modesty is not just for women.

The second piece I want to point out is from Pantheon, a Pagan blog at Patheos. Did you know that some Pagan women cover their hair? I didn’t. What fascinated me about this piece (written by the Pagan Portal’s Managing Editor Star Foster) were the reasons why — to please “my Gods,” to gain confidence and show devotion to one’s deity, as a representation of maturity, and most interesting, because it makes one feel sexy.

Sexy?

That’s like literally the opposite (as far as I know) of the reasons why many Muslim women wear the hijab and modest clothing.

But read this:

Somewhere amidst the many blogs I read a woman made a comment that she veiled because she didn’t have to share herself with everyone. She made the choice on who saw her hair. She deemed a part of herself sacred and set it apart from everyone else, to only share with a select few.

I find that concept interesting, that idea of reserved power. A woman may be showing cleavage, wearing a short skirt, and dancing in heels, but her covered hair would represent that she was fully in charge of her body and the decisions made over her body. As the birth control debate rages, it’s a rather empowering image to consider.

It’s a fascinating read, and I urge you to check it out. Whereas I had heard of forms of headcovering in Christianity and Judiasm, and of course I am quite familiar with it with the context of Islam, it was something new to read about how modesty and headscarfs play out in Paganism.

Previous Post

April 16, 2012

'Hind's Hands' - New Children's Book on Autism from Umm Juwayriyah

Next Post

April 20, 2012 Little Feet Meet - Relishing The Good Days with Special Needs

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Global Voice for Autism Autism Awareness Month 2016 Autism Awareness Month 2017 Autism Interlude Hajj and Eid ul Adha Jenin Autism Project Ramadan Three Questions Uncategorized WISE Global Conference

Select a Month November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul tell Timothy to fan into flame?

Select your answer to see how you score.

His faith His zeal The Holy Spirit The gift of God