My answer is, Are You?
Being a Muslim woman I get this question plenty of times. Women from all walks of life are embracing Islam. I will take the example of a typical western women, living in a free country, usually highly educated, independent, working… yet still wanting to embrace Islam and often put on the head scarf and cover her body.
I believe that true oppression is not knowing what your purpose of life is, living an empty life, choosing richness of money or other worldly desires over spirituality, being a slave to fashion and fashion designers, feeling low after looking at
Hollywood stars, being treated like an sex object…I could go on forever!
There are many sites that will explain the reason for covering (modesty). I will discuss my personal experience of covering and respect I get from being a Muslim women.
- Islam gives me a very high status for being a mother and going through child birth, rather than being made to feel low about wanting to have children and not having to feel the pressure of having to have a career but miss out on having kids.
- My body is my business. In this world it’s sad that women are portrayed as sex symbols. My purpose in life is not to be a sex symbol or waste time trying to look beautiful for everyone but my husband (ie. walking around in your worst clothes and no makeup at home, but putting on the sexiest dress and full face of makeup and hair done for the public).
- I get rewards for beautifying myself for my husband (and he making an effort for me too of course, it goes both ways!)
- The focus is on piety and righteousness not how small my waist is.
- I still can interact with other men, but its all done within boundaries, rather than flirting like mad, I’m focusing on having intelligent and educational conversations.
- I have fun, but it’s all clean fun, no need for drugs and booze. Real fun comes from within. I don’t have to rely on being drunk to make others laugh or find me good company.
- I do cover my hair, but even if I wasn’t to wear the scarf, I still would dress modestly. Thank God I don’t have to put up with all those nasty wolf-whistles and disrespectful comments anymore. I don’t feel I have to compete with other females for male attention. Got better things to focus on.
- I truly feel I get more respect and dignity. It’s like the pictures of Mary (Mother of Jesus) you see. You would never see her in a bikini (God forbid).
- We get rewards for obeying our Lord, and our rewards are in this life and most importantly, the hereafter.
- Islam gives women so many rights and says we are equal but recognizes the differences (for example women can bear children, men can’t, men are generally physically larger etc)
- Men and women are to complement one another, not try to compete and out do each other. I found this to be very beneficial with my relationship with my hubby.
And sooo much more!
