Majd

Hijab: a Male Perspective

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:40:00 -0600

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الحمد لله رب العالمين

وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم

“There are men among the believers who honored their pledge to God: some of them have fulfilled it by death, and some are still waiting. They have not changed in the least.” (Qur’an 33:23)

There is no doubt that, as of late, many Muslim women have decided to remove their head-scarves, despite a consensus among scholars that hijab is required. Oftentimes, when modesty as a virtue is discussed within our communities, the discussion almost always exclusively surrounds the modesty of Muslim women. Personally, I feel that when discussing modesty (both character (inward) as well of clothing (outward)), a greater focus needs to be put on men as contributors to the decline of modesty within the community. Although there are many factors that play into Muslim women’s decisions to remove their head-scarves, that is not part of this particular discussion. It is my belief that many of the causes in the decline of modesty are based mainly upon the lack of modesty amongst Muslim males (and the double standards they tend to enjoy). Through reviving Prophetic chivalry and masculine modesty within themselves, Muslim men can more effectively contribute to sustaining modesty within the Muslim community.

In a profound noble prophetic narration, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) gives us an understanding of communal modesty and chastity which places the greater (but not exclusive) responsibility upon men. He says (peace and blessings be upon him, “Be kind to your parents, and your children will be kind to you; be chaste, and your women will be chaste.” [Tabarani - classified as hasan]

The first half of the Prophet’s statement (God bless him and grant him peace) is general, whereas the second half of the narration is directed specifically at men. One way of understanding this prophetic narration is that if Muslim men implement modesty and chastity within themselves, their virtuous character will spread and positively influence women as well. By extension, the opposite is also true: if men lose their sense of chastity, their immorality will negatively influence women within society. If one takes a moment to reflect on the way this plays within society, they will see its truth, especially in today’s world. It suffices to say that the pornographic industry which essentially turns women into sex-slaves is largely run and sustained by males.

The fact of the matter is that we live in a hyper-sexualized world obsessed with appearances, and this presents severe challenges upon the Muslim spiritual psyche. We are bombarded with immodest images (oftentimes against our will) of the human body that affect us consciously and unconsciously, making it an uphill battle to be a chaste and modest human-being. Nevertheless, the definition of a righteous Muslim is one who fights against their lowly desires and purifies their souls from the tarnishes of this world. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and mercy be upon him) said, “Islam began as a stranger and it will return to being a stranger as it once was. Therefore, blessed are the strangers who remain virtuous when everyone else becomes corrupt.” [Muslim, Tirmidhi].

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.

Being a male does not make you a man. A man is made through uprightness, dependability, and virtuous character. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and mercy of God be upon him) was the greatest human being and the greatest man to ever walk this earth, and one of his most outstanding virtues was his intense modesty. He is our standard; he is our master; he is our model - may God bless him and grant him peace! We have to hold ourselves to higher standards and not unjustly place the entire burden of communal modesty upon our sisters’ shoulders. When men step up and take greater responsibility in their own modesty, it will show our care for and solidarity with our Muslim sisters, and create a sense of cooperation between the believing men and women. When Muslim men show greater appreciation towards the struggles of Muslim women by being upright men, it will make our sisters feel truly appreciated and create a sustainable moral environment within our communities.

As the great poet, Amir Sulaiman once said, “When a man is truly a man, it makes a woman comfortable to truly be a woman.”

And success is from God.

"Islam began as a stranger and it will return to being a stranger as it once was. Therefore, blessed..."

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:35:00 -0600

“Islam began as a stranger and it will return to being a stranger as it once was. Therefore, blessed are the strangers who remain virtuous when everyone else becomes corrupt.”

- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). [Muslim, Tirmidhi]

“O God, suffice Thou me with what is lawful, to keep me...

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:16:05 -0600

“O God, suffice Thou me with what is lawful, to keep me away from what is prohibited, and with Thy grace make me free from want of what is besides Thee.”

"Surely man transgresses when he deems himself independent."

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:45:28 -0600

“Surely man transgresses when he deems himself independent.”

- Qur’an (96:6-7)

"…like the desert palm: rooted in Africa, watered by Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe."

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:57:00 -0600

“…like the desert palm: rooted in Africa, watered by Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe.”

- Barnaby Rogerson on Morocco

Starry Night (interactive animation)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:21:53 -0600

Starry Night (interactive animation)

I desired to praise the Chosen One and was hindered By my own...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:26:00 -0600

I desired to praise the Chosen One and was hindered
By my own inability to grasp the extent of his glory.

How can one such as I measure an ocean, when the ocean is vast?
And how can one such as I count the stones and the stars?

If all of my limbs were to become tongues, even then –
Even then I could not begin to praise him as I desired.

And if all of creation gathered together in an attempt
To praise him, even then they would stint in his due.

I have altogether ceased trying – awestruck, clinging to courtesy,
Tempered by timidity, glorifying his most exalted rank.

Indeed, sometimes silence holds within it the essence of eloquence,
And often speech merely fodder for the faultfinder.

— Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi

"I envy the sand that met his feet I’m jealous of honey he tasted sweet."

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:32:43 -0600

“I envy the sand that met his feet
I’m jealous of honey he tasted sweet.”

- Hamza Yusuf

Allah is with me, Allah sees me, Allah is my witness.

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:38:00 -0600

Allah is with me, Allah sees me, Allah is my witness.

Arabic calligraphy of the word “Freedom” shaped...

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:41:57 -0600

Arabic calligraphy of the word “Freedom” shaped after the map of Syria.

Mishary Alafasy singing for Syria.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:12:19 -0600

Mishary Alafasy singing for Syria.

"Majnun would stare at the full moon. When asked why, he replied: maybe Layla might look, too, and..."

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:15:43 -0600

“Majnun would stare at the full moon.
When asked why, he replied: maybe Layla might look, too, and our glances meet.”

The Garden

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:52:00 -0600

Walking within they do not know it,
Planted at their feet, the buried memories;
They only see a garden, bushes, trees
Not the secrets so delicately knit.
The flowers are silent to them, silent;
They do not say a word, but quietly
They are looked at, and admired quietly,
They whisper nothing and nothing relent.
Yet for me all the flowers keep you near,
The orchids and the heliconia,
Bromeliad and bougainvillea;
The plants you love that I in turn hold dear.
It is a living temple wherein
I come to find you; you smell of jasmine.

— Rafael Alejandro Jara.

"How I swoon! pale as the light of the moon Remembering the fragrance of a rose!"

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:41:00 -0600

“How I swoon! pale as the light of the moon
Remembering the fragrance of a rose!”

- Rafael Alejandro Jara

Photo

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:03:52 -0600

— Sīdi Aḥmad al ‘Arūsi.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:12:00 -0600

— Sīdi Aḥmad al ‘Arūsi.

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:07:13 -0600

Check out this tooth I extracted yesterday. I’d never seen...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:45:00 -0600

Check out this tooth I extracted yesterday. I’d never seen a cracked tooth like that before. it was completely split in half and you couldn’t even tell from the radiograph.

Desiderata

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:20:00 -0600

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

— Max Erhmann.

Hamza Yusuf - “The Critical Importance of Al-Ghazali in...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:22:14 -0600

Hamza Yusuf - “The Critical Importance of Al-Ghazali in Our Times”