TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE KAABA

There is no place on Earth as venerated, as central or as holy to as many people as Mecca. By any objective standard, this valley in the Hijaz region of Arabia is the most celebrated place on Earth.

Thousands circle the sacred Kaaba at the centre of the Haram sanctuary 24 hours a day. Millions of homes are adorned with pictures of it and over a billion face it five times a day.

The Kaaba is the epicenter of Mecca.

The cube shaped building is at the heart of the most well-known real estate in the history of mankind; it is shrouded in black and its fair share of mystery.

Here are just a few things that most people may not know about the Kaaba:

10. It has been reconstructed several times

The Kaaba that we see today is not exactly the same Kaaba that was constructed by Prophets Ibrahim  and Ismail  From time to time, it has needed rebuilding after natural and man-made disasters.

Of course, we all know of the major reconstruction that took place during the life of the Prophet before he became a Prophet . This is the occasion when the Prophet  averted major bloodshed by his quick thinking on how to place the Black Stone using a cloth that every tribe could lift up.

Since then, there has been an average of one major reconstruction every few centuries. The last renovation took place in 1996 and was extremely thorough, leading to the replacement of many of the stones and re-strengthening the foundations and a new roof. This is likely to be the last reconstruction for many centuries (insha'Allah) as modern techniques mean that the building is more secure and stable than ever before.

9. It used to have two doors … and a window

The original Kaaba used to have a door for entrance and another for exit. For a considerable period of time it also had a window situated to one side. The current Kaaba only has one door and no window.

8. It used to be multi-coloured

We are so used to the Kaaba being covered in the trademark black Kiswah with gold banding that we can't imagine it being any other colour. However, this tradition seems to have started at the time of the Abbasids (whose household colour was black) and before this the Kaaba was covered in multiple colours including green, red and even white.

7. The keys are in the hands of one family

At the time of the Prophet , each aspect to do with the rites of Hajj was in the hands of different sub-groups of the Quraish. Every one of these would eventually lose control of their guardianship of a particular rite except one. On the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet  was given the keys to the Kaaba and instead of keeping it in his own possession; he returned them back to the Osman ibn Talha ® of the Bani Shaiba family. They had been the traditional key keepers of the Kaaba for centuries; and the Prophet  confirmed them in that role till the end of time by these words

“Take it, O Bani Talha, eternally up to the Day of Resurrection, and it will not be taken from you unless by an unjust, oppressive tyrant.”

Whether Caliph, Sultan or King – the most powerful men in the world have all had to bow to the words of the Prophet  and ask permission from this small Makkan family before they can enter the Kaaba.

6. It used to be open to everyone

Until recently, the Kaaba was opened twice a week for anyone to enter and pray. However, due to the rapid expansion in the number of pilgrims and other factors, the Kaaba is now opened only twice a year for dignitaries and exclusive guests only.

Watch the video attached here to witness the doors of the Kaaba being opened (at 50 seconds) – and the simultaneous gasps of a Million people as they cry out at this auspicious moment.

5. You used to be able to swim around it

One of the problems with having the Kaaba situated at the bottom of a valley is that when it rains – valleys tend to flood. This was not an uncommon occurrence in Mecca and the cause of a lot of trouble before the days of flood control systems and sewage. For days on end the Kaaba would be half submerged in water. Did that stop Muslims from performing the Tawaf? Of course not. As the picture below amply shows – Muslims just started swimming around the Kaaba.

Modern adjustments to the surrounding landscape and flood prevention techniques mean we may never see such sights again. Or will we? Check out this recent video.

4. The inside contains plaques commemorating the rulers who renovated it

For years many have wondered what it looks like inside the Kaaba. Relying on second or third hand accounts from those who were lucky enough to enter just wasn't satisfying enough. Then one lucky person who went inside took his camera phone in with him and Millions have seen the shaky footage online.

The interior of the Kaaba is now lined with marble and a green cloth covering the upper walls. Fixed into the walls are plaques each commemorating the refurbishment or rebuilding of the House of Allah by the ruler of the day. Watch the video below of the only place on Earth that you can pray in any direction you want, the House of Allah, the first place of worship for mankind – the Kaaba.

3. There are two kaabas!

Directly above the Kaaba in heaven is an exact replica. This Kaaba was mentioned in the Qur'an and by the Prophet .

The Messenger of Allah  said narrating about the journey of 'Isra wal Miraaj

“Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).”

2. The Black Stone is broken

Ever wondered how the Black Stone came to be in the silver casing that surrounds it?

Some say it was broken by a stone fired by the Umayyad army laying siege to Mecca whilst it was under the control of Abdullah ibn Zubair ®.

However, most agree that it was most damaged in the middle ages by an extreme heretical Ismaili group from Bahrain called the Qarmatians who had declared that the Hajj was an act of superstition. They decided to make their point by killing tens of thousands of hujjaj and dumping their bodies in the well of Zamzam.

As if this act of treachery was not enough, these devils took the Black Stone to the East of Arabia and then Kufa in Iraq where they held it ransom until they were forced to return it by the Abassid Caliph. When they returned it, it was in pieces and the only way to keep them together was by encasing them in a silver casing. Some historians narrate that there are still some missing pieces of the stone floating around.

1. It's not supposed to be a cube shape

Yes, ladies and gentleman… the most famous cube in the world actually started out shaped as a rectangle.

I'll give you a moment to pick your jaws off the floor.

Right, where were we?

Oh yeah, the Kaaba was never meant to be a cube. The original dimensions of The House included the semi-circular area known as the Hijr Ismail.

When the Kaaba was rebuilt just a few years before the Prophet  received his first revelation, the Quraish agreed to only use income from pure sources to complete the rebuild. That meant no money from gambling, looting, prostitution, interest etc. In the ultimate sign of how deeply mired in wrongdoing the Jahili Quraish were, there was not enough untainted money in this very wealthy trading city to rebuild the Kaaba to its original size and shape!

They settled for a smaller version of the Kaaba and put a mud brick wall (called “Hijr Ismail” although it has no connection to the Prophet Ismail (A) himself) to indicate the original dimensions. Towards the end of his life, the Prophet  intended to rebuild the Kaaba on its original foundations but passed away before he could fulfill his wish. Apart from a brief interlude of a few years during the reign of Caliph Abdullah ibn Zubair ®, the Kaaba has remained the same shape that the Prophet saw it in.

The history of the Kaaba is not just an interesting story from our past. The Kaaba is a real and present symbol that connects all Muslims together wherever they may be. It also connects us to our glorious and not-so-glorious past so that we may derive lessons and feel that we are a part of an eternal mission. In a day and age where Muslims are increasingly disconnected from our history,as well as each other, the Kabaa reminds us of our shared heritage and bonds. It is a symbol of unity in an Ummah sorely in need of it.

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Muslims in America: Thanksgiving

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Living in the west creates many questions about how far a Muslim assimilates or participates in western holidays. Often, we look to the origin of the holiday, and make decisions on whether we will participate based on how the holiday started, the important traditions and their meanings, and the significance of it today. I believe Halloween and Christmas are fairly obvious holidays to avoid (and yes, I realize many people do not avoid them, but generally, most Muslims in America do), but holidays like Thanksgiving and Independence Day (both American holidays) are less clear.

I am not here to offer a fatwa (religious ruling) on whether you can participate or not.

With that said, I’d like to offer some thoughts, insight, and information.

Origins of Thanksgiving

• http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving
• http://americanhistory.about.com/od/holidays/a/thanksgiving.htm

Rulings on whether you can celebrate

Not all of these agree. It is all food for thought.

• http://muslimmatters.org/2013/11/22/islamic-ruling-regarding-celebrating-thanksgiving-day/
• http://muslimconverts.org/2011/09/16/can-i-celebrate-thanksgiving/
• http://islamqa.info/en/947

Personally, I have a hard time celebrating something that only means to people what we are told it means in the media. We are told Thanksgiving means giving thanks, and celebrating the bounties in the last year, regardless of their size and significance. We are told it is a time that we bring families together to bond and reconnect after a possibly busy year. Some of these things are true, but I personally have issue with glazing over what Thanksgiving means to the Native Americans. I would love if we could bring in traditions that honor the sacrifices they have made, and the troubles they still face because of the immigration of Europeans just a few short centuries ago. In sha Allah (God willing), that can be a beneficial addition if one chooses to participate in Thanksgiving traditions.

Eid is always #1

One thing all scholars agree on is Eid should never be overshadowed by the celebration of another holiday. Ever. For the sake of our families, our faith, and our kids, we should make Eid as exciting, enjoyable, and enriching as possible, in sha Allah (God willing). I recognize with the media and the ease of finding decorations, it takes more work to make Eid bigger and better than the other holidays. Even if you don’t participate in western holidays, if you own a TV, or head to a store anytime between October and February, you are overrun with advertisements for various holidays. No one said the right thing is going to be easy, but it will be worth it, in sha Allah.

The meaning of Thanksgiving

We know that the reason behind Thanksgiving should be something we concentrate on every day of the year, but in practice do we make that happen? Is Thanksgiving the only time we share what we are thankful for? Is it the only time we reflect on what we are thankful for? Muslim or not, we should be reflecting and speaking our thanks throughout the year. Let’s work to make it a daily practice to be thankful, inside and out.

Family ties

Some families put incredible significance on certain holidays, and choosing not to participate is akin to a slap in the face. Each person knows their own family, but remember: slow and steady wins the race. If you came to Islam, or decided to start seriously practicing Islam relatively recently, and now your family is grappling with how you are changing, then on top of it you are refusing to attend their special event, even for a short period of time, it could be doing more harm than good. On the other hand, pacifying family members year after year with your continued participation as if nothing changed isn’t beneficial for you either.

We should live our Islam each day. Not just the days it is convenient for us.

Make the steps you are able to make, but remember that life and its inevitable changes do not happen within your comfort zone.

Western holidays look different for everyone. Everyone takes different steps to their ultimate goal: Jannah (Heaven/Paradise), but in sha Allah we are all making steps. Decide for yourself how western holidays affect you and your iman, but don’t confuse this with how comfortable you feel. Comfort is not a sign of iman necessarily. Shaytan (Satan) is wonderful at helping us feel comfortable.

What does Thanksgiving look like for you as Muslims in America?

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What Came First? The Man, or Islam?

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Most people won’t flat out ask if you converted for a man, but I think it’s safe to say that most people assume that a man had something to do with it (or a woman, for the men out there). This assumption seems to be cloaked in the question, “Where is your husband from?” See, but I don’t have an answer they are expecting.

“My husband is from here (the US).”

If they look confused, I tack on, “He was born and raised here.” Most times, I get a look as if I didn’t fully answer their question, because really, I didn’t answer the question behind the question. That’s okay. But let’s talk about this.

What came first? The man, or Islam?

Everyone’s answer is different. Many people came to Islam through knowing someone, and oftentimes that someone ends up being their spouse. Some people will openly admit they only said their shahadah (declaration of faith to become a Muslim) so they could marry the man they loved. Others believed in Islam before marriage. There are far fewer of us that came to Islam, spent some time as a single Muslim, and found our spouse later.

I’m one of those people.

There’s a large backstory on how I came to Islam, and it does involve some Muslims I met along the way. Still, those Muslims didn’t actively try to convince me of the truth of the message. I found the truth through the Qur’an, mashaAllah (Allah willed it to be).

After finishing the Qur’an, I was convinced it was written by the Creator of the everything there is. What other choice is there than to submit my will to His? Tweet this

After nearly a year of being Muslim, I decided to start wearing hijab (head scarf), which shook up life considerably. Many people at work started asking questions, including a conservative Christian guy in my department. He had numerous questions, and believed many of the stereotypes about Muslims because he simply had never had any reason or experience to think they weren’t true.

Right or wrong, from a dawah perspective, I took it upon myself to help him understand the true meaning of Islam. He was genuinely curious, and as any teacher knows, an eager student is one you look forward to teaching.

Fast forward, and this conservative Christian man in my department at work decided Islam was the truth and took his shahadah also. We married soon after. As you can imagine, he tends to get more of the suspicion that he only became Muslim because he was interested in a relationship. It’s a hard thing to overcome. You can only defend your intentions and what is in your heart to a certain extent. Beyond that, people just need to believe what you say.

I encourage you to question your own motives and intentions when you assume someone has come to Islam because of a relationship. Why is it hard to believe someone wouldn’t make the choice on their own? Why is it so easy to believe that someone’s relationship with their Creator is fickle enough to change based on the person they adore at that moment. True enough, it is the case in some instances, but let’s assume better before we have honest information.

Do people assume that you came to Islam because of the person you love?

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Redefining Family Traditions – A Holiday Guide for Muslims

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As Muslims we have two festivals of celebration, Eid al-adha (festival of sacrifice) and Eid al-fitr (festival of fast-breaking). Then you have  your other celebrations mixed in there such as niqaa (celebration of marriage) and akhiqa (celebration of birth), but in general it is the main two Eid Festivals that we look forward to yearly.

I, like many other Muslims living in America reverted to Islam as an adult. I know first hand that this revelation of having only two festivals of celebration can be a hard concept to swallow for new Muslims.

Think about it for a minute, the time between Halloween and New Years Day is filled with family traditions. The Holiday season is what brings families together, its a time of year when you get to visit and celebrate with family members that you don’t see every day. Not celebrating the Holidays is a drastic change that represents a loss of family and can bring on feelings of loneliness.

Don’t fret there are some steps you can can take to make the transition easier on you and your family. You can counteract the feelings of loneliness by Redefining Family Traditions within your own home.

Redefining Family Traditions

• Attend a Conference – Most Muslim Communities will have some type of conference that correlates with each major Holiday on the Georgian Calendar. You could plan ahead and travel to one outside of your community, this will be a fun time that you’re family will look forward to.
• Learn Together – Do a family research project! Yay, this could actually be really fun. Research different Holidays to find out what their origin is then pull together some proofs from the Quran and Sunnah to explain why Muslims should not participate in these Holidays.
  Make the most of your Eid Celebrations. We as Muslims celebrate two festivals each year, make the most of it.

Get Everyone on Board

• No Call List – Call your most important family members in the days and weeks leading up to a Holiday. Give them a kind reminder that you do not celebrate the Holiday in question and ask that they please not call with well wishes on that day. You can take it a step further by educating your non Muslim family members about the two Eid celebrations and explain that this would be a great time for them to call and express their well wishes or send gifts for your children.
• Notify Teachers and School Staff – Both public and private schools are required to follow Federal and State mandated Holiday schedules. If your child attends public school the school may even have scheduled Holiday celebrations. Notify your child’s teacher and other necessary school staff ahead of time letting them know that your child will not be participating in any Holiday celebrations. Request that your child be allowed to go to another area when these celebrations are taking place, if the school can not accommodate your request don’t second guess the idea of keeping them home.

Benefits of Not participating in Holidays

• Save Money – Most of these Holidays are surrounded by the idea of spending money. Spending money on food, gifts, new clothes, costumes, decoration, etc. I mean really the list is endless, but you don’t have to worry about that. Keep your money in your pocket, in the bank, stuffed in your mattress, whatever your desired savings method is, I’m not one to judge.
• Days To Relax – You’ll get paid time off of work regardless of whether you’re celebrating or not. Now you have more time to spend with your non Muslim family and get some much required rest and relaxation. P.S. the two Eid Festivals are easy days to get off of work because most likely no one else is requesting those same days off.
• Extra Pay – If your job is open on Holidays you can sign up to work and make some extra money. Some employers offer an incentive of Holiday pay.

Reminder

Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment. (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 2)

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4/314). And he said, “Be different from the mushrikeen.” (narrated by Muslim, 1/222, no. 259)

What strategies do you have for getting through the Holiday season with your head held high? Share your beneficial reminders in the comments below.

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How to Love Your Job from an Islamic Standpoint

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Oftentimes you force yourselves into doing something you don’t even like. For instance, your job. It is rare to find one person who sincerely fancies handling the same task daily. Be that as it may, as a Muslim, you realize that certain situations are inevitable and that responsibility is an obligation one needs to fulfil. So, when it comes to facing your duty, you should know by heart that there is more than one way to go about it to ensure happiness before, during and after the completion of the assignments.

How can the way a person look at things makes a difference in his or her working time thus producing fruitful results?

How to love your job

To this Allah has already prepared an answer:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves”. [Ar-Ra’d: 11]

This verse indicates an entitlement of freedom in choosing, bestowed by Allah for humans, Alhamdulillah (praise be to God). That means, you have to do something in order to change the way you feel about work. Otherwise, before you know it, you’ll be retired and still miserable. Now is as good time to start as any.

To note, changes in this context focus on the present job and not suggesting to look for a new one. In other words, you can find ways to experience fulfillment in your job that you have right now.

Here are some tips that you may find workable:

Straighten Out Your Intention of Working

“Verily, all actions are but driven by intention and for everyone is what he intended.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Most people neglect the interconnection between their inner thought and productivity. Intention, in fact, is the anchor of one’s mission. It’s the navigator. That being said, taking it lightly can perilously impede the progress of a job. In order to relate to your task, it is suggested to re-evaluate the reason(s) of why you’re doing it. Is it because of money, convenience or status? Truth is, objectives that exclude Allah from the equation are short-lived. Once they are achieved, you’ll feel lost. Remind yourself frequently that what you do is only because of Allah and nothing else. That you are doing it not for other people and not expecting to be rewarded by none other than God Himself. In sha Allah (God willing), you’ll feel more contented with your task and your enthusiasm lasts longer.

Perform Night Prayers

Atha al-Khurasani stated that “when a person gets up to pray tahajjud (one of the night prayers), he will feel calm the next morning”. Tweet this

Night prayers are special. Despite lack of sleep, you’ll feel more energized than ever. It builds your sincerity because waking up at night is private thus entitles you to deserve Allah’s praises. That sincerity can be channeled into your attitudes to finish your work progressively. Upon gaining the pleasure of Allah, He opens up the door of your sustenance generously. Plus, in seeing such good results, it may convince you to liking your job. So, make a plan with yourself to sleep early and ask Allah to awake you in the middle of night to spend some meaningful time with Him. A word of advice, when you’re awake because of a crying baby or a need to use the bathroom, don’t go back to sleep right after. That could be Allah’s way of waking you up for a night prayer. Thence, take ablution and pray.

Read Al-Qur’an

Reading Al-Qur’an as a start of the day truly creates a difference in your opinions about your job. Tweet this It bears thoughtful reminders consist of happy news, stern warnings as well as relatable lessons for each individual:

“And We have certainly diversified [the contents] in this Qur’an that mankind may be reminded…” [Al-Isra; 41]

As a Muslim and a believer, it elevates your motivation through verses that emphasize on rewards and happy news. On the other hand, it admonishes you to be grateful of what you have as opposed to thousands of people out there who are still jobless. In addition, it strengthens your will to work harder to emulate the ancestors who were happier and more successful in a less modern setting.

Abstain from Small Complaints Even Jokingly

You would think it is normal to grumble because it’s a cultural norm, but such behaviour has a silent effect in your productivity. Tweet this It can also indicate obliviousness to Allah’s blessings.

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe”. [Ibrahim; 7]

Small complaints to a likeable job are like flies circling a clean food. You can’t reach the food until the flies are cleared. Islam instructs the Muslims to be prudent in word selection and Islam is right. Words, once out, you can’t take them back and they are transformed into invocations. If a pray is granted, let it not be out of complaints and silly jokes. Alas, most people do it all the time, addressing complaints in a sarcastic, whiny manner until it becomes habitual. As a result, you’ll end up feeling wearied and unmotivated. While jokes are not entirely prohibited, there are limits to making them. If something is bothering you, speak up about it politely or remain silent as a sign of a believer. When you stop feeling sorry for yourself and assigning blames, you’ll notice an improvement in the quality of your work and the time spent is genuinely valued.

Embrace Optimism and Share with the Others

Some suggestions instruct you to cut the cord with negative people. However, it is not easy to stop hanging with the people you work with, not to mention it is against Islamic teaching to break the established rapport. Therefore, what you can do is cultivate positive thoughts by demonstrating them in front others. Waiting for them to change their mind set would be futile, so you have to be first to act on it. You may also initiate pleasant conversations and creatively find a way to digress from controversial issues. In addition, feelings are known to be contagious, so spread a smile and practice kindness.

Umar (may Allah be please with him) said,“Generosity is an easy thing. It is a smiling face and kind words.”

People around you will pick up the positive energy from you. Thus, a job satisfaction can be obtained collectively in a happy environment. Who knows, one day, all of you may actually look forward to coming to work!

Challenge Yourself

How, you asked? You can do it by learning something new at your job. Boredom emanates from routine activities and you need some novelty to keep your job interesting. In other words, you are under-challenged. An optimist will see that as an opportunity to acquire something new, for an improvement.

It is possible if you venture out and engage in new skills that may be useful for your job position. Keeping it busy with new knowledge may distract you from thinking how much you dislike your job. At times when you are available, find something that can spark your interest and you’ll survive. The real enemy is not having too many things to do, it’s doing nothing.

A wise person fully utilizes his time because he doesn’t want to be among the losers:

“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time.”  [Bukhari].

Dear brothers and sisters,

It might be overwhelming to try out all these tips at once causing you to feel frustrated after few days diving into them. The best is to elect one that you’re inclined to do and keep it consistent. Insya Allah (God willing), you’ll witness some good transitions within yourself. Remember, every journey to making changes begins with the first step.

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Personality of Hijab

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There is more to being an ideal Muslim woman than her Islamic compliant clothing; her personality. In other words, a woman is in need of two kinds of hijab (cover) and both are equally essential. The first is outward hijab and the second is the inward hijab. So, what is an inward hijab?

Shyness (Haya’)

Sisters, let’s face it. We attract attention just by being women, even when we are not trying. Everywhere we go, we are observed by people around us, mostly male strangers. It is therefore vital to watch our every step and move by applying praiseworthy manners as a personality embellishment.

Shyness is paramount and the absence of it has the power to promote misconduct and create problems that didn’t exist in the first place. Unfortunately, the world today has become too liberal for anyone’s good where shyness is rarely practiced. In fact, it is perceived as a person’s social weakness while free intermingling is practiced worldwide.

It is worth noting that interaction between men and women is not completely disallowed. Under some circumstances like in a workplace and educational institution where it is necessary to have a direct contact, it is permissible as long as it does not transgress the limit stated by Allah.

Having said that, let us take a thorough look into the elements of shyness as our inward hijab that is to be donned in the presence of public, especially non-Mahrams (marriageable men). 

Hijab of the eyes

An ideal Muslimah controls her gaze and abstains herself from making inappropriate eye contact with the non-mahrams, be it alone or in the presence of a crowd. Even if she is sitting with her girlfriends and a cute guy happens to pass by, the whole group should lower their gaze in shyness. Just because the guy does not look back, it is not a license to stare at him. A good Muslimah always reminds herself that Allah is watching her behaviour and so she must behave.

Sadly, in today’s case, some Muslim women are not serious in guarding their eyes due to influences from the corrupted way of thinking and weak link with the Islamic understanding. Instead of looking away when they see the opposite gender, they collectively stare at the man and giggle. Some even dare to tease, or should I say, flirt with him! Masha Allah. Islam strongly advises against unnecessary contact with the males even in a needed situation, let alone in a paltry one. If there is no requirement to look up, it is best to lower the gaze in the remembrance of Allah.

Hijab of the mouth

Silence is not just a wise exchange for swearing and insulting, it is also a perfect replacement for gossips and enticing speeches. In Islam, utterances represent self-image and every word that comes out will be recorded by the dutiful angels down to the last detail. So, an ideal Muslimah is wise in picking her words. She runs them by her mind before she speaks, knowing too well that obscenity displeases her Creator and stains her personality. To wear thehijab of the mouth is also an indication for a Muslim woman to refrain herself from engaging in small talks, laughs and jokes with Non-Mahrams. If she must interact, she avoids using attractive voice and keeps the conversation succinct. She also refutes the popular belief that women have to be friendly with the male counterparts or they’ll end up alone for the rest of their lives. What a false notion! Such fear won’t exist in the mind of a pious Muslimah since she is rest assured by the promise of Allah.

Hijab of the mind

Is it uncanny to think that the mind needs a hijab? Similar to the other visible body parts, the inward entities such as heart and mind require some concealment. Donning this type of hijab proves to be amongst the hardest task since humans can’t simply shut down the brain. Humans think more than they hear, speak, smell as well as sense. So, an ideal Muslimah trains her mind to focus on what’s beneficial and divert from harmful thoughts like the images of non-Mahrams, forbidden relationships and people in revealing attires. In any way that she gets distracted, she immediately refocuses. She fills up her mind with the Quran and useful knowledge that can formulate positive thoughts towards reaching her goals and brings her closer to God.

Hijab of the behaviour

This hijab is subtly attached to the hijab of the mind. It receives instructions from the mind which is portrayed in one’s behaviour. Enough to say that a God-conscious Muslimah is aware of her presentation in the presence of Non-Mahrams. She realises that wearing decent clothes is supposed to be harmonized with decent attitudes. Meaning, an ideal Muslimah keeps her distance with her male companions as well as strangers and avoid bodily contact on every level. She declines handshakes and says No to being alone with a non-Mahram in a secluded area, unless there’s no possibility for corruption and no lustful desire involved. If needed, she’ll bring along her Mahram or holds the meeting out in the open.

Sisters,

Our social attitudes construct the perceptions of others about us. While we are not responsible of how they perceive us, we are totally responsible for what we give them to think about. In admittance, we have witnessed the ugly truth that evil is dominating the world by depriving especially women of the feelings of modesty and shame through an insertion of negative connotation into the word shyness. It is time to retrieve the foundation we have ditched for a while by balancing modernization and Islamic practices.

What can we do to stay in moderation?

• Pray to Allah that He makes us among those who shield our pride with shyness. Also, straighten out our intention. I.e. what is the reason we go out?
• Double-check our attire and make sure it is not flashy and our makeup is not extravagant because we do not dress for attention. We dress for protection.
• Bring along the Quran or any other book to help us lower our gaze between times. Interestingly, reading is a productive distraction.
• Choose to hang out with friends based on piety not popularity. They will make us voluntarily shy away from useless conversations.
• Be empathetic towards men. It is tough enough for them today, having been surrounded by women who refuse to cover themselves appropriately, online and offline. Let’s not fan the flames.
• Be steadfast in practicing Allah’s rules. Despite the reality of today where most people we know are too ashamed to hold on to Islam. Do not in any way give in to temptation just because it is conventional and on-trend.
• Enough with the dubious fairy tales. Instead, study the stories of prophets (peace be upon all of them) intensively, since there are incidences and situations of their times relatable to our lives. Their journeys are the best of examples. In this case (shyness as a hijab), we may find the story between Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and the daughters of Prophet Shuaib (peace be upon him) a helpful edification (Quran, Al-Qasas, verse 22-25).

Allah promises glad tidings for those who are modest and watchful of their actions for the fear of transgression.

Surely the Muslim men and the Muslim women, the believing men and the believing women, the devout men and the devout women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and the charitable women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember Allah much – for all those, Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. [Al-Ahzab; 35].

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Honor Killings in the Name of Religion

A few weeks ago, ABC News magazine, Nightline, televised a documentary, originally produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), titled, A Matter of Honor, on two consecutive nights -- February 15 and 16, 1999. The drama that enfolded on television during these two one-half hour programs was stunning, incredible, and heinous. It dealt with a barbaric custom of murdering Muslim women for immoral activities in rural Pakistan, at the hands of male family members, including fathers, brothers, and even husbands, to maintain the purity of tribal honor.

In my view, this program should have been renamed: "A Matter of Dishonor." Similar documentaries, with different titles, from other geographic regions including Jordan and Lebanon, have been produced and shown before -- all with the same results -- the victims invariably were Muslim women, killed by male relatives to "restore family honor." It seems that blood -- women’s blood -- is the price of men’s honor in some parts of the Muslim world.

This article will briefly discuss issues raised in this documentary, including "consent and marriage, adultery and false accusation," and the "legality of honor killings," on the basis of the Prophetic Tradition and the Sacred Qur’an, the pre-eminent Book of Laws for all of Islam. Honor killings for female sexual misconduct (real or imagined) is a practice that is outside my living experience, and that of millions of Muslims born and bred in the West. Undoubtedly, this type of gender homicide is an aberrant relic of a feudal patriarchy that is alien to Islamic teachings and the Muslim way of life.

• Preface to Part I of "A Matter of Honor"

ABC News introduced Part I of this documentary as follows:
Journalists should always think twice before embarking on a report critical of another culture or another religion’s practices. It is simply too easy to judge, too easy to believe that our ways are better ways. But some practices are so disturbing -- and in the case of tonight’s broadcast, so horrific -- that they demand a painful closer look.
Such a practice found in a number of Muslim countries is called "honor killing," women murdered when they are suspected of immoral activities. This might include marrying someone the family disapproves of, being seen with the wrong person, going out alone at night, or just being the subject of gossip. Honor is recovered only when the woman dies. . . .

• Preface to Part II of "A Matter of Honor"

Part II of the documentary was introduced by ABC News as follows:
Since our broadcast last night, we have received numerous emails and phone calls from people worried that a report on how brutally women are treated in parts of the Muslim world may be a criticism of the religion of Islam. It is not. Nothing in Islam demands the murder of women suspected of immoral behavior.
But it is true that countless fundamentalist Muslims, and in some parts of the world other religious groups as well, believe that the behavior of their women must be strictly controlled, and they believe even the appearance of a woman’s misbehavior spells death or else the men in the family will be dishonored. . . .

The broadcast portrays a dominant and inelastic patriarchal system, in which male members make life-and-death decisions on the physical well-being of their women. These Muslim women are essentially illiterate and are totally subjugated under the pernicious system of purdah -- seclusion of women from male society and covering from head to toe when in public. The primary reason given for female homicide was "alleged sexual misconduct," ranging on the moral continuum, from "suspicion of adultery" to "rumor of adultery." The program showed that male members of the Pakistani feudal patriarchy have exclusive prerogative over marriage arrangements of their daughters, who are helpless and have absolutely no recourse but to obey the chauvinist dictates of a backward system. This barbarism over Muslim women by a tyrant patriarchy is a travesty that is outside the pale of the Islamic model, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w).

Asma Jahangir of Pakistan Human Rights Commission analyzed the women’s dilemma in the program as follows: "You are seeing these people who are ignorant and who are sick and it has nothing to do with Islam, except that these people have been allowed to get away with it by our state machinery. . . . So it is really the state that is allowing them to do it. It has nothing to do with religion. . . ."

Consent and Marriage

In the program, we met a father (together with his son) charged with the killing of his daughter and a man with whom she had allegedly eloped. When questioned about the murders of his daughter and her "man friend," the father responded: "My daughter ran away with someone, so we killed them both. When she eloped, she wasn’t my daughter anymore. I did the right thing. I’m an honorable man. I killed them both. There is no greater honor anywhere. . . ." This is the "life-and-death hold" that fathers have over their daughters in this tribal enclave, a practice that violates all Islamic tenets.

The custom of "arranged marriages" is an ancient, time-tested system, practiced by all societies and by all religious traditions from time immemorial. Even in twenty-first century America today, this practice is alive and well. Islam is not averse to "arranged marriages" provided that the woman’s consent is safeguarded. Islam views marriage as a contract for life, and as such, the man and the woman must reach a mutual understanding as to their compatibility as life partners.

The sacred Qur’an enjoins: "Marry such women as seem good to you." (4:3) The Prophet recommended: "When one of you makes a proposal of marriage to a woman, he, if he can, should look at what attracts him to her." (Abu Dawud) The canonical hadith texts (al sahihain) of Islam’s two most distinguishedmuhaddithin, Imam al Bukhari and Imam Muslim, contain chapters with headings essentially titled: "To Look at a Woman Before Marriage." According to the Prophet’s teachings, it is recommended that marriage partners see each other. The Messenger of Allah directed a companion, Mughira ibn Shu`ba, to go and see the woman to whom he had proposed marriage because "it was likely to bring about greater love and concord between them." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and al Mishkat al Masabih)

Muslim jurists are in general agreement on the principle of approval (istihbab), i.e., looking at the woman one intends to marry and vice versa. Moreover, the marriage contract is a mutually agreeable document requiring the consent of both parties (man and woman). Since the man is allowed to look at the woman, it would seem fair that the woman has the same right to look at the man before giving her consent for marriage. This conclusion is based on Islam’s bedrock principle of equality in rights and obligations, between man and woman.

Thus, according to tradition, the consent of both the man and the woman is an essential element of the Muslim marriage procedures. The noble Qur’an clearly lays down that the two must agree: "Prevent them not from marrying their husbands when they agree among themselves in a lawful manner." (2:232) Ahmad Shukri, in his noted work, The Muhammadan Law of Marriage and Divorce, page 43, (on the authority of `Abd al Qadir, al Nahr, page 218), states: "The time for seeing her should precede the betrothal. . . . The woman is recommended to have a look at the man if she wants to marry him, because anything that would please her with him will please him with her . . . ."

In the Islamic tradition, when a man agrees to marry a woman, he makes a proposal of marriage to the parents or guardians. Some jurists contend that the proposal can be made directly to the woman herself. Once the man makes this proposal, other suitors are forbidden to propose to the same woman until the first suitor withdraws, or until his proposal is rejected. (al Bukhari) A woman may also make a proposal of marriage to a man. (al Bukhari) Generally, it is the man who makes the proposal. It should be noted that it was the Prophet’s wife Khadija (r.a) who proposed to him, and not vice versa.

As shown here, consent is a requirement in Islam’s marriage procedures, a principle that is completely violated by the ironclad practice of "male-controlled marriages" in the Pakistani patriarchal system. Much of the evil of Pakistan’s tribal marriage practices is also compounded by abject ignorance and religious illiteracy, by both the "so-called mullahs" and the "misinformed lay" masses.

Note on Purdah

Purdah was defined earlier in this paper. In my opinion, probably no other individual in the twentieth century had more to do with the degradation and subjugation of Muslim women in the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere than Maulana Sayyid Abul A`la Mawdudi. His work on women, Purdah and the Status of Woman in Islam (1939), is a pernicious book that has set back the Muslim woman’s cause, to a time reminiscent of the jahiliyyah (age of ignorance) that predated Islam. One ironic note is that while the theologians of Saudi Arabia have praised Mawdudi’s Purdah and have been its main distributor, they have totally rejected other fine works of the great Maulana. [A detailed analysis and review of Purdah by the Islamic Study Academy of Maryland is forthcoming soon.]

Adultery and False Accusation

The broadcast showed that women were killed on the "slightest suspicion of adultery" (zina) or on the "mere rumor of sexual misconduct." The mother-in-law of one woman, who was killed along with her "alleged" sweetheart cousin, stated that "the couple was seen alone together and this was enough to tarnish the family’s honor. They had to be killed. . . . If somebody dishonors us, he should be killed. No matter how old, even if they are innocent." One Muslim man in jail for such killing boldly claimed: "We are Muslims. Our Shari`a says if you see them, kill them. We cannot spare them if we see them. It says so in the Shari`a and the Qur’an. Even the Mullahs say it. . . ." What abject ignorance!

Presented here is a layman’s summary of "adultery and false accusation" -- offenses which are punishable under the laws of Islam. As a general proposition, it is nearly impossible to prove a case of adultery under Islamic jurisprudence, simply because the "four required witnesses" have to testify that they actually "witnessed" the sexual offense, i.e. copulation. "Suspicion, rumor, or hearsay" is legally inadmissible.

The Qur’an mandates: "The adulteress and the adulterer, flog each of them (with) a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them detain you from obedience to Allah . . . ." (24:2) The Qur'an also stipulates that the punishment for adultery committed by "slave-girls" is half that imposed on "freed married women" (4:25). These two verses were the last revelation in the Qur’an mandating flogging, and not the practice of stoningto death, for the offense of zina (Click here for a related question and answer). An earlier revelation of two verses (4:15-16), stipulating "house arrest" for women fornicators and "punishment" for homosexuality, was superceded by the two later verses noted herein, according to some commentators.

Another punishable offense is "false accusation of adultery" (al qadhf), essentially slander. The Qur’an commands: "And those who accuse free women and bring not four witnesses, flog them (with) eighty stripes and never accept their evidence, and these are the transgressors -- except those who afterwards repent and act aright; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful" (24:4-5). Thus, false accusation is a serious offense in Islam.

The Qur’an makes it clear that "death," either by "stoning" or by any other means as a punishment for adultery, is unlawful based on divine law. This is in direct contradiction to death by stoning for illicit sexual conduct, practiced in countries such as, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and others.

The Right to Life

Riffat Hassan, professor of religious studies at the University of Louisville, explained the women’s plight in the broadcast as follows: "Unfortunately, most religions of the world developed in patriarchal cultures, which were male centered, male dominated, and gave men a sort of sole authority to interpret the texts and assume proprietary rights in some cases over the lives of women . . . . To these men who are killing their wives and sisters, their honor is something that is priceless, and the lives of these women are worth very little. . . . women are replaceable . . . . but honor is not . . . . but it’s, you know, certainly not reflective of Islamic teachings."

The fact is that Islam has laid down universal fundamental rights for humanity, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances. For example, human blood is sacred and may not be spilled without strong justification. It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the sick or the wounded; women’s honor and chastity must be respected; the hungry must be fed, the naked clothed, and the wounded or diseased treated medically. All Muslims within an Islamic state must recognize these rights.

The first and foremost basic right in Islam is the right to life. The Sacred Qur’an lays down: Whoever kills a human being, except as punishment for manslaughter or corruption on earth, it is as though he had killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind. (5:32) The Qur’an also makes clear: Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the due process of law.(6:151)

Based on these injunctions, the calculated murder of Muslim women shown in the broadcast cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Responsibility of the Islamic State

The Sacred Qur’an envisions that the aim and purpose of the Islamic State is to promote in humans behavior that is innately good, and to suppress actions that are evidently evil. The demand of Islam is that principles of morality must be observed at all costs and in all walks of life. Hence, it lays down an unalterable policy that the state should base its policies on justice, truth, and honesty. It is not prepared, under any circumstances, to tolerate fraud, falsehood, and injustice for the sake of political or sectarian expediency. Islam also imposes similar obligations on the state and the individual to use power and authority in pursuit of justice, and to regard power as a trust from God to be used equitably, on account of the fact that man is responsible to God for his actions.

Conclusion

On the basis of Islamic practices and regulations noted herein, it is easy to conclude that only a legally constituted state has the right to adjudicate moral offenses committed by citizens. At the same time, not even the state can impose capital punishment for sexual misconduct, since this is strictly prohibited by the sacred law itself, as documented above. Hence, the barbaric practice of "honor killings" prevalent in the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere is an atrocity that is wholly illegal and without scriptural basis. What is more abhorrent and immoral in the eyes of millions of Muslims today, is the abject failure of the government of Pakistan to reign in and extirpate this heinous and criminal tradition. We thus call on Muslims the world over to denounce the gruesome murders of Muslim women on the mere suspicion of sexual misconduct -- wherever in the world such injustice takes place.

For, as the sacred Qur’an commands in this bedrock regulation: You who believe, be upholders of justice, witnesses to Allah, even it be against yourselves, your parents, or your kinsmen -- whether he be rich or poor. . . . And if you distort or turn away from (truth), surely Allah is ever Aware of what you do. (4:135)

Posted March 9, 1999. This article was printed in the February/March 1999 issue of the Voice of Islam newsletter. (This newsletter is published by the Islamic Society of the Washington Area).

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