Can you dress provocatively and be religious?
I've just got back from BBC Asian Network discussing the issues around revealing clothing and being a person of faith. Can you wear a short skirt and low cut top and call yourself religious? Can you show off your assets in tight jeans and a teeny tight white t-shirt (I'm talking about the men here!)
It's a topic of passionate discussion, and that's because it is much more complex than it appears. First (and let's be honest about this), the conversation is almost always sparked off about complaining about women not being properly covered up. Rarely is the question asked in relation to men. Muslim women who do not wear the headscarf are immediately assumed to be less religious than those who wear it. Those who do wear it, are immediately assumed to be over-zealous and seated on their prayer mats for 22 hours each day. Those who do and don't wear hijab are constantly frustrated by these caricatures which block their path to exploring their faith and spirituality. Why should we judge an individual's constant struggle to be a person of faith by what they wear? We cannot judge that status. Judgement is only for God. What we can do is comment on the impact that their dress makes on those around them, and what we think it reveals about their understanding of modesty - for whatever is inside, always shows itself on the outside.
More challenging for our modern society is the issue this topic raises with regards to public and private faith. Even when you have strong inner values, we are told that they can and should be divorced from your participation in the public domain. Faith, we are told, is a private matter. But faith, de facto, must be public because it shows itself in the relationships you build with the people around you. For example, faith encourages compassion and kindness. There is no point exhibiting these values only at home - you need to demonstrate them in the world 'out there'. In fact, you must exhibit them out there, because part of being a person of faith is making the world a better place.
Modest dress and behaviour is part of all religions, in order to maintain humility, but also to make it easier to build relations with others. We have forgotten in our post-modern society that everything we do has an impact on others, and that whilst we have the freedoms of individuality, they come with responsibilities to others. It's not just all me-me-me. If modesty is an inner value, it must and will show itself to the world around us.
It's a topic of passionate discussion, and that's because it is much more complex than it appears. First (and let's be honest about this), the conversation is almost always sparked off about complaining about women not being properly covered up. Rarely is the question asked in relation to men. Muslim women who do not wear the headscarf are immediately assumed to be less religious than those who wear it. Those who do wear it, are immediately assumed to be over-zealous and seated on their prayer mats for 22 hours each day. Those who do and don't wear hijab are constantly frustrated by these caricatures which block their path to exploring their faith and spirituality. Why should we judge an individual's constant struggle to be a person of faith by what they wear? We cannot judge that status. Judgement is only for God. What we can do is comment on the impact that their dress makes on those around them, and what we think it reveals about their understanding of modesty - for whatever is inside, always shows itself on the outside.
More challenging for our modern society is the issue this topic raises with regards to public and private faith. Even when you have strong inner values, we are told that they can and should be divorced from your participation in the public domain. Faith, we are told, is a private matter. But faith, de facto, must be public because it shows itself in the relationships you build with the people around you. For example, faith encourages compassion and kindness. There is no point exhibiting these values only at home - you need to demonstrate them in the world 'out there'. In fact, you must exhibit them out there, because part of being a person of faith is making the world a better place.
Modest dress and behaviour is part of all religions, in order to maintain humility, but also to make it easier to build relations with others. We have forgotten in our post-modern society that everything we do has an impact on others, and that whilst we have the freedoms of individuality, they come with responsibilities to others. It's not just all me-me-me. If modesty is an inner value, it must and will show itself to the world around us.
Labels: british, comment, faith, Hijab, Muslim, Muslim Veil, Muslim women, religion, spirituality, Veil
posted by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed at 11:44
15 Comments:
Salaam waleykum!
YEAH! Great post!
I hope you don't mind if we link to it on Friday.
In our times of such mounting pressure and awkwardness, what we have forgotten, believe it or not, is that it is that provocative dress and behavior that are meant to make it easier to build relationships, being at ease and putting others at ease. Sexual provocation ought to be a nonthreatening and friendly gesture, and as such, actually an expression of faith. Perhaps it is exactly such immodest faith and hope which is so alien to you. But the world would be poorer and narrower with the ideological bankruptcy of any such motive.
zeynab - please do link to it, that would be great
aaron, the clue is in the word 'provocation'. To provoke someone by definition is to take away the ease and cause a violent reaction.
non-religious people are finding the link between covering and humility almost meaningless now. Calling covering 'modest' might even become outdated. I think it's important to discuss the hijab in the context of what it's really about- sexuality. Then you can start the debate about what its purposes are(to stop men being distracted, to protect women etc), and how relevant it is to Islam.
I think sexuality is part of it - but not the whole story. Your comment actually brings out the problematic obsession that everything is about sex. It's not.
Your assumption that modest dress is all about 'saving' men from being distracted and 'saving' women from men is actually a misunderstanding. BOTH men and women must be modest in dress and attitude in order to create a balance in social relations. It is about mutual respect.
have u read the comment made by Cherie Blair about the burkha? It is sad that prominent figures of British society can so easily belittle our beliefs without delving further into the reasons why modesty is encouraged in our faith.
Ignorant comments about the burkha by Cherie Blair quite clearly indicate that she needs to educate herself further before she spouts off in the public arena.
Men have to be modest; women have to be modest in front of women and men in front of men, all that has been established, but my point was that, as far I understand, there really is only one purpose behind this modesty. Based solely on the Quran, women are told to cover so that they are not molested. Nowadays men wish for women to be covered so they are not tempted. I don't see where humility comes into this: you can be clothed and arrogant, naked and humble.
ala abbas
women were told to cover from being molested by non muslim men intent on causing mischief to the muslim community in which ever way they could. muslim woman shouldnt have to cover(as in fully covered head to toe) from "true" muslim men(from any man as all men should refrain from molesting all women) who should be observing their own modesty..and lowering their gaze...and definitely not molesting muslim women...or any women for that matter. besides...that particular ayat was meant for that place and time...its all in the context...learn that and your half way there(general you...not you specifically)
Excellent article.
Personally I think the way people dress is important, but I try not to judge people too much on the way they dress, afterall, if, the wearing of Islamic clothes made people true Muslims, there would be no crime in countries that have an Islamic dress code. Similarly, I believe that the imposition of strict dress codes is foolish (I hope I don't offend by saying that) and misses the point of religion - if the version of Islam being put forward by any particular sect of Islam was truly pure and beautiful, people would desire toe embrace it in it's entirity, including the dress code, rather than it having to be imposed.
I personally don't have a problem with short skirts or revealing clothes within reasonable limits, but I also find many Muslim clothes beautiful, and I have seen many examples that catch my attention far more readily than a short skirt. And when sexual characteristics are played down, there is more need to focus on a persons personality and character, it is my view that this can lead to better relationships and friendships, after all, sexual characteristics will fade with time, but a beautiful personality will not.
You are a bit quiet...
Sallam alaikum sister
I am so impressed with your writing i bookmarked your blog to check daily!! you Deserve the awards you received and i hope to go through your archives reading each post properly, best wishes and luck
Just a note you are right on target about faith being more public than private, its not to seek approval at all. Faith in Islam is getting your ass out of the house and doing some good in this world its completely the opposite of other faiths that request your seclusion from society, and practicing faith in solitude. Its getting involved connecting with others making a difference gaining wealth helping others, raising kids ... all that, ultimately is what you believe in ,which is ..your faith.
thanks muhajababe! you may notice that you 'muhajababe' get a mention in my most recent article.. thanks for the support and keep reading...
I really enjoyed reading this entry, it was reasoned and insightful.
I'm doing my dissertation on Jack Straw's comments on the veil and the media response to it. I was wondering, how do you feel when politicians call for Muslim women to take the veil off? Do you feel angry or under attack?
Thanks,
Sarah
http://sarahxsarahx.blogspot.com/
Certainly there are those who extol the freedom to choose, but edify me, dare may I ask: Who actually and explicitly presses anyone into more modern dress, how so and why? Or do I misunderstand?
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