Why I Don't Wear Hijab.

OK, I was not going to post this video or comment on it however, it has annoyed me sooo much that I just have to. The woman is giving a list of reasons why she does not wear the hijab. YES, I know before anybody says that there in no compulsion in religion and she can do whatever she likes. There is a hadith I read recently which says 'live how you like because you will inevitably die', I am not debating that at all. What I do contest though, is every single one of her points. Just watch and see for yourself, if you are not left wanting to shout at the screen, kudos because you have a considerably longer temper than mine..

I'd just like to answer some of the points she made.

1. "The man who marries a non-hijabi has no intention of marrying 2nd, 3rd or 4th wives. From experience, I have learnt that the man who marries a hijabi wants other wives definitely.. To avoid such men it is better to be hijabless".

The word 'definitly' implies that every single man who has married a hijabi should have more than one wife. This is DEFINITELY not the case. What's more, many men want a hijabi because they want a woman who adheres to the law of Islam, after all the Prophet (S) said that faith is the best thing a man should marry a woman for. Also, a personal opinion but I would rather avoid men who preferred me not to wear hijab, thanks.

2. "Allah (SWT) has not assigned a reward/punishment in the Quran for wearing/not wearing the hijab"

It is true that Allah (SWT) has not stated a specific reward for the wearing of hijab - like He has not stated the reward for millions of other good deeds man can do. However, He (SWT) has listed time after time the rewards for doing righteous deeds for the sake of Allah.

BismAllah Al Rahman Al Raheem

"Never will I allow to be lost the actions of any of you; whether male or female" (Surah Al-Imran 3:195)

"And whosoever does righteous actions- whether male or female, and is a believer, will enter paradise" (Sura An-Nisa 4:124)

"Is there any reward for good – other then goodness?" (Sura Ar-Rahman 55:60)

You can't simply use the lack of a stated reward/punishment as an excuse not to do something. If you are truly submitted to Allah (SWT) then you will do what is commanded in the Quran, end of.

3. "I've worked with hundreds of men.. It's a bit late for hijab.. I'm over 40 and I look more attractive in a niqab.. etc"

I don't think that she is even convinced of these arguments. It's just like me eating pork all my life and then saying "oh well, I'm on my deathbed, it's a bit late to quit the bacon rashers now - make me a fry up!" It's never too late to change anything. The Prophet (S) himself was older than this woman when he received the risaleh. There are women in their 50s, 60s and older who convert to Islam and one of the first things they do is adopt the hijab. As for looking better with a niqab on.. The point of hijab is not to make a woman look ugly, it is to protect her modesty.

4. "Before Muslim men request I wear hijab, they should hang their heads in shame and veil themselves from ME"

BismAllah Al Rahman Al Raheem

Allah (SWT) (NOT A MUSLIM MAN) says in Surah Nur: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.”

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment. (Surah An-Nur 29:31)

Just some things to note about these iyas:

1. Allah (SWT) tells men to lower their own gazes first

2. Men are told to guard their private parts before women

3. There is a consensus amongst ALL Muslim scholars that based on this and another iya that (as a minimum requirement) women should cover everything but their hands and face.

5. "Muslim men need to pass their trials.."

And Muslim women don't..?

6. "Even if all Muslim women veiled, the non-Muslim women wouldn't.."

BismAllah Al Rahman Al Raheem

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments about themselves (when they go out). That is better so that they may be recognised (as Muslims) and not harassed. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [Al-Ahzaab, 33:59]

It is kind of the point that non-Muslim women don't veil and Muslim women do.

7. "The day I wear hijab will be the day all Muslim men behave with purity towards women.."

Let's just apply that rule to everything in life then, shall we? I won't stop eating pork until EVERY supermarket stops selling it. I won't stop stealing until EVERYONE keeps their valuables in safes. I won't start praying 5 times a day until EVERYONE else does. Why is your choice to wear/not wear hijab so revolved around what other people do? Muslim men, or anybody else should have nothing to do with the choices you make. Also, this argument can be switched around for men in that they can say the day they lower their gaze will be the day ALL Muslim women wear hijab. No doubt, if a man were to say that to you, you would brand him a hypocrite.

8. "I don't believe any other Muslim scholar has the knowledge I have"

Knowledge in engineering?

9. "Most Muslim men are ignorant about Allah's (SWT) creation and the world today"

Because sweeping statements about large groups of people indicates a vast amount of knowledge on creation and the world today..

10. "British tax office, interest etc etc"

Although some tax money is spent on wars, it also goes on public services like the NHS and giving money to people who cannot work. You can't use this in your argument, however, because if you work and live in the UK you are part of the tax and interest system making this argument immaterial (though it has nothing to do with hijab anyway).

11. "Muslims think that Islam is only about what somebody looks like on the outside"

That is not what Islam is about at all, HOWEVER, what is on the outside is important in Islam for several reasons - one is that people can only judge actions, not intentions, only Allah (SWT) knows the intentions of man. And another is that, in Islam, sins are made much worse when people do them openly rather than in secret. Of course intentions are important and what is in the heart is important but the Prophet (S) judged people according to their tongues and their actions, not their hearts, because that is what he could see and hear. Humans are not required to look into other people's hearts and speculate their intentions, that is for Allah (SWT) only. Allah hu a'lem.

  

(I have in no way written this post to backbite about this woman. I am simply answering the arguments that she has put out there. I have absolutely no problem with women not wearing hijab, I just like it when people's views - especially on Islamic subjects - are strongly backed and not riddled with bias.)