Inspired Muslimah

When you are stressed come to rely on this book, when you need someone to talk to, talk to Allah! I soo wish I could read and write arabic, this is a goal inshallah. Next summer I plant to take arabic classes and I am soo excited. I know quite a bit,for a beginner but to fully appreciate the Quran,one must be able to read arabic. I will have to settle for my english translation for now. With the end of the year approaching, I am not waiting for the new years for resolutions, I am beginning now.

Thanks Pixie, for commenting on my last post. I actually went through your blog because I remember you had touched on this topic somewhat a while back.

Ok sisters, before I even began, I know Iam entering a very dangerous territory in the subject of Hijab and whether or not it is mandatory.  Many of you may know Iam not a full time Hijab but Inshallah I will be soon.  Please make Duaas for me, inshallah. Iam currently reading the Quran and Hadiths to gain a better understanding of Islam. However, I cant help but to feel some of the more strict rules of Islam come from the hadiths and not the Quran. With that said, Allah (s.w.t.) Is perfect and so Is the Quran, and it just makes me wonder why he would leave such important intricate details out.  I mean, the Quran is extremely detailed on everything…except Hijab.  Hijab is a muslim womens symbol to the world that she is a muslimah.  However, is it from the Quran or the Hadiths??  I invite you to explore both and come up with your answer.  With the Quran being the only perfect book, since it was sent from Allah (s.w.t.) I would believe it would be more than sufficient as a guide to how a muslim should live its life, even in absent of the hadiths.  I know hijab refers to modesty, but what says a women who shows her hair is not modest? Do you agree?? I have been doing some major research regarding Hijab and this is what I have found:

Hijab is mentioned in the Quran 7x:

(7:46,33:53,38:32.41:5.42:51.17:45.19:17)

Hijab or ħijāb (, pronounced: [ħi.ˈdʒæːb]) is the Arabic term for "cover" (noun), based on the root حجب meaning "to veil, to cover (verb), to screen, to shelter".

The problem is I have read so many different definitions of the Hijab and I cant help but wonder Allah(s.w.t) would not leave such an important topic up for interpretation, but would have been very clear in saying women should cover their hair, specifically.

Some of the main surah’s that are often used to prove the purpose of Hijab follow.

“And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, (with their Khimar) and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed." 24:31

This verse is very definitive in its instructions to muslim women. Allah (s.w.t.)mentioned in great detail, how we are to dress and act.  Allah (s.w.t.)mentions subduing the eyes and covering the chest, why would he forget to explicitly mention, COVER THE HAIR ?”  Allah (s.w.t.)knows best and I am not saying that women shouldn’t wear Hijab. Iam not saying that by any means but I do want to understand is where does it say Hijab to cover ones hair specifically.    The only reason this is so important because there are muslims who don’t really even acknowledge that another sister is muslim if she doesn’t not observe Hijab. Surely something that is this important and that separates the believer from the kaffir would be more detailed. 

Allah (s.w.t.)mentions that this is the only perfect book because it is from him:

"Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt." 6:114

And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered. 6:38

So where did the meaning of Hijab to cover a muslim womens head come from? Perhaps the hadiths.  I learn soo much from reading the hadiths and Iam in no way discrediting them.

This is from the Quran also:

"Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all the things God has created? Does it ever occur to them that the end of their life may be near? Which message besides this (Quran) do they believe in?" 7:185

As for proof from the hadiths that women are to observe Hijab, meaning specially cover their hair, I am still working on it. I have more research to do before I give my opinion on it.  I welcome all comments on this topic (respectful comments, that is). Iam not saying Hijab isn’t mandatory. I am just trying to find out where is says it is. Iam a new Muslim so I know I have a lot to learn and I am just trying to make the most educated decisions on how to live my life as a muslimah. If anyone knows other surah’s in the Quran or different places where it is mentioned please feel free. I want to learn from this.

The reason why this is so important for me is because of the variability of the hadiths. I have read mixed feelings on makeup,niqab, eyebrow waxing, and much more.  I really feel it is important to fully educate myself and not just do what I am told.  I want to feel good about wearing Hijab and not just wear it because other muslims may judge me for not wearing it.  May Allah guide us all on the right path.

Part 2 will be an indepth look into the hadiths to see what they say regarding hijab.

Surat al Fatiha 5-7: "Thee (alone) we worship; Thee alone we ask for help. Show us the straight path, The path of those whom Thou hast favored; Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who went astray."

This is what we all strive for; direction in the right path. Recently I have been finding solace in relying on the Quran and authentic hadiths. With my limited knowledge of Islam, I find the hadiths to be the perfect bridge from the Quran though I know the Quran is the only perfect book written since it is from Allah (s.w.t). I am on a journey to learn as much about Islam as I can because while I enjoy learning from others, its time to start exploring myself.

According to the Cambridge history of Iran there are six major hadiths collections. Al-Sihah al-Sittah, is literally the translation for authentic six.

According to University of southern California, compendium of Muslim text, they state there are 4:

Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim,Sunan Abu-Dawud, and Malik Muwatta.

I will start my personal journey with Sahih Bukhari and will strive to share my knowledge with others, inshallah.

BACKGROUND

Sahih Bukhari is a collection of sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), also known as the sunnah. The reports of the Prophet's sayings and deeds are called ahadith. Bukhari lived a couple of centuries after the Prophet's death and worked extremely hard to collect his ahadith. Each report in his collection was checked for compatibility with the Qur'an, and the veracity of the chain of reporters had to be painstakingly established. Bukhari's collection is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim world to be one of the most authentic collections of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).

Bukhari (full name Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Ismail bin Ibrahim bin al-Mughira al-Ja'fai) was born in 194 A.H. and died in 256 A.H. His collection of hadith is considered second to none. He spent sixteen years compiling it, and ended up with 2,602 hadith (9,082 with repetition). His criteria for acceptance into the collection were amongst the most stringent of all the scholars of ahadith.

It is important to realize, however, that Bukhari's collection is not complete: there are other scholars who worked as Bukhari did and collected other authentic reports. Sahih Bukhari is divided into nine volumes, each of which has several books.

We are in the final stretch of ramadan and I feel horrible because I have soooo behind in my Quran reading so shame on me..I have a week to redeem myself so Iam going to double up on my reading and try to complete it by Eid. There is really no excuse for me to have not finished. I suppose its because I am sooo worn down and school is extremely demanding. Inshallah I will be able to complete this last week of ramadan with extra prayers and increased quran reading. After school today,I have to go to work and then I have to study but I still cant let all of these obligations keep me from doing what I need to do and what Allah(swt) is worthy of.