Do these girls have to suffer from their mum’s desire to comply to what she perceives as right, in such a way that it renders them sick of heart and might even prevent them from even wanting to hear another word about Islam, ever … or is it better if she backs off a while untill her choices will not influence her daughters’ life as much any more, giving her more chance to let them discover Islam from the inside first ?

What if the girls get really fed up and run away to go live with their father, who does not watch them at all, letting them run the risk of getting into bad friends circles because they feel unsuported and abandonned by what they perceive as their mother’s utterly selfish behaviour – caring more about her own “salvation” based on outward sign than about their inner balance ?

I see lots of women lose their children when they convert, and it is usually due to the heavy punishment society or their own family members place on the veiling matter – this of course tends to increase the general prejudice against Islam around here, and does not really seem to help in spreading the inner comprehension of Islam … how have sisters who were confronted with this situation actually tackled this in a way that shows mercy to those who yet have to learn so many things in life ?

my wish has been fulfilled: one soul who has seen and understood – Allah swt bless you and those you meet, may his great love and compassion find an ever growing fertile soil in our hearts and lives and melt all the spiritual ice around us, as we try to serve him wholly and let him guide us in every one of our steps.

Barakatoullah ‘aleykoum wa ‘alayna and to all who are looking for his grace, wherever they may be, whatever burdens they may be carrying. Dear Allah please teach us how to be your servants in all humility, and to distribute your word freely amongst the hungry.

Your words have resonated in my heart and I understand how you feel. Please continue on your righteous path.

Ma salam
Aimee

How can a person even hope to profit from obeying Allah’s dear commandments only externally – and even flee his task of promoting His Word amongst those who crave for its authenticity (because all they have tasted so far was imitation and twisted things meant to control their minds and actually prevent them from getting real contact with their Creator, who has a right to their hearts and devotion) by running away to a country where observing so and so external rule is easy ?

Really ! Is there someone who does care enough to care in a visible way ? Can hijabis not cross the border to touch a non hijabi’s heart without losing her self respect ? Is intention not of any value then, because external behaviour is much easier to measure “hey – I am complying to what Allah asked of me, leave me alone” – well I say, I cannot comply to rules that make it impossible for me to live out my love for Islam, and no I do not have a muslim family where I can find a satisfying role serving inside the house, and no ! I do not trust that every man who says marry me, I am a good muslim, I will give you a home where you can shine without having to face the dangers of the outside world and its temptations … is he going to fulfill my heartfelt mission of showing Islam to those who have no idea of it then ? No, heis going to go to his job, get his pay and do his prayers at home in one big series, and he is not going to work in his sunnah outfit either, and he is not going to preach to his colleages either because he knows at a certain point he is going to face questions he may not know how to answer.

If he wants to have a good feeling about himself at all, he may go do da’wah in another city once in a while, where his collegues don’t know him, and he is not going to focus on the Dutch there anyway, but on the youngsters from muslim background, pushing onto them the responsability he does not know how to carry : Islam is meant for the whole world population, but how on earth can we carry it into the hearts when radicals have spoiled the entrance ? By stepping over the hurdles that prevent us from doing so, I honestly feel – and if so many brothers and sister feel that is too much risk to take, I do not mean they should – everyone should follow his/her heart felt mission. Mine is clear to me, I am just writing these lines to tell you all about it, and to remind you the mercy our Prophet saws showed to so many people, considering their state of mind when judging their actions … but then he was a man, and I have not found details on how women spread Islam yet before the hijab was descended to the muslim community in Madinah, I just cannot imagine they kept silent about what made them happier than anything else.

To B. from NYC : yes, I agree, consistency is what it’s all about – it is not just the terrorists with guns and boms, hoping to get to paradise cheap by one act based on one line taken out of context, that are spreading a negative image of Islam, but all those who say “hey, studying the contexts is too much of a job, let me be well wrapped (o.k. it sticks to my skin but I did not read about that detail), get my social allowance and hang out in the streets shopping with my girl friends because I cannot get a job and my three muslim husbands have quit me one after the other for a younger version of me, my kids are in school and I am free now – please do not overcharge my mind with anything else, cauze I cannot take any more, praying is already hard enough” … even the muslim based women suffer – is that how Allah wants things to be ?

Read some Malek Bennabi, please – social responsability is the basis of Islam, not saving oneself first and letting the rest perish – if that were so, The Prophet saws would not have forbidden ascetism. Show some heart, each in his/her own way, please ! and also : we need to stop seeing the animalistic drives as the only thing that exists in the human soul, and let our lives be controlled by the prevention of its workings, selling every other talent we have for this sole purpose – don’t you know that it is impossible to avoid someting when thinking about it all the time ? Ever heard of positively directing your mind to the service of the lost ones ? Of people who went to help set up a community that gives some social structure to the lepers, knowing very well he/she would also get the sickness and die from it, eventually ? Was it pureness of heart or pureness of skin that counted there ?

I love hijab, and I love to serve my Lord, and when people hate the effect hijab calls up in their emotions, but I see they would love to hear more about the real Master of the Universes, and will end up loving the hijab after gaining true understanding, I am willing to sacrifice my so-called external guarantee for the much stronger inner one I feel and have to deal with. An unhappy sister running around in a cloth hijab that spells failure to accomplish her real task, is not what I want to be, Allah protect me from straying from His path by following advice that lacks the spiritual depth I need to know that a person with real love and understanding is giving it to me, as a mercy from my God who is His God, from heart to heart – mercy is what I miss in the comments that stress “this has been said” – without consideration for time nor circumstances. I just do not buy it. I only take what Allah puts into my heart as a burning proof, and that is what I willfully and wholly obey, on the spot. His work with me is a going on project, as with all of us, and I still am to meet the first believer who will state “hey, I am perfect now”, because in saying so, he is proving just the opposite.

Salam to all, hope to have touched at least one heart who feels the care I bare and want to put forward as an option of living our mission.

“One of the main reasons for the hijab ban in a country such as France is a concept known as secularism. (Secularism is a system in which government functions with little or no connections to religion or religious institutions.)” In other words, systems were religion is unimportant and place second to every one’s life. Were society is decadent and empty. Were God plays second in command?
In the United States secularism, is downplayed. In the United States we don’t mix state with religion. Separate entities. In other words, we have secularism undercover.
Where is the real oppression; to wear a hijab by choice, humility and submission to ones Lord and Creator or to choose what society and few Muslim women that are confuse and overwhelmed by this society expectations? Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet? Allah subhana wa tallah, Islam and Prophet Muhammad sallah lahu alehym wa salam. If you answered these questions accordingly you are a Muslim.
The real oppression comes from within wearing hijab was never questioned. The Muslim women should to read Surah 24:31 and stop taking it out of context. Some of them say that this ayat is miss interpreted and others saying is obligatory to wear niqab. (This will be another subject) Get it together sister, it says what it says. No if or buts. Is plain and simple, cover your chest, head, and dress modestly. “Oh Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves (part) of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Ahzab 33:59).
All trough out religion history the Jewish, Christian and Indian (that profess Hinduism) women have cover, dress modest and had not question it. Until societies introduce new styles, magazines, television and beauty was given a new standard. Then women started questioning themselves. You never see anything wrong with your life, the way you talk, walk and the way you dress until someone brings it to your attention. Then questioning what is more important, dressing for the sake of Allah subhanna wa tallah or dressing to conform to society. What will be your choice?
We talk about countries like France, Turkey, Germany and Tanzania where hijab has been banned, try to change the system, it work in Find a loop hole, like they did in France. School girls are allow to wear bandanas, is better than to opt for the no hijab at all. A median point can be found for any situation. Why we want to be in countries that don’t want us? Make Hijarah to a country that Muslim women are appreciated, were we all look the same when we walk down the street and are no compromising when it comes to hijab. Were hijab is understood and not taken for granted. Indeed those whom the angels take in death while wronging themselves the angels will say, “In what condition were you? They will say we were oppressed in the land.” They the angels will say, ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to emigrate therein? (4:97) I know a lot of people will say we don’t have the money to do so. Is difficult to up root our children from what they know and the list goes on and on. Mashallah, we are willing to stay where we are not wanted and compromise or deen. I am more than sure if the company you work for, a job position is open in another country, even another state opens up, and you will actually pack your bags and go. But Allah orders you to do something and you have to find many ways to defy His commands. He demands of us total submission and we find loop holes every time we read the same passages in order not to wear hijab. How can you bargain with your deen? Can you stand in front of Allah subhana wa tallah and tell Him; “Well, my job did not allow hijab, my friends were uncomfortable, the government ban the hijab and I was afraid for my life or my neighbor thought I was a terrorist and they call the FBI on our family.” How you are going to bring such a bargain to the table, with such lame excuse. Is like saying, “the dog ate my homework.”
Allah subhana wa tallah, demands of us total submission. He tells us to obey the Qur’an and to follow the example of our Prophet. What other proof do you need? As a Muslim what more proof do you need? We hear more of women stating that the verses in the Qur’an are not interpreted correctly. When in fact is cut and dry and doesn’t give way to any other interpretation.
Think about this: you are walking down the street and a woman, not wearing a hijab, salaams you, what do you do? Just say “Walekum” or give her the full greeting she deserves? How do you know she is a Muslim sister and not a non-believer? You don’t.
We need to study the Qur’an, the Sunnah of our Prophet and other good sources of Islamic teachings. We have to teach our daughters to love Islam and their Hijab.