Tutorial Hijab Ala Paris

Hegab Rehab by Ange recently posted a new article, titled "Hijab Rules Rant".

And not too long, there's an interesting discussion going on there! Check out the post and get involved in the discussion. I really want to know what your thoughts about this topic raised by Ange. She talks about

What is hijab really? What is modesty?

Is hijab in its purest form the simple essence of modesty, of making sure you look decent on the street? Or is it a long list of strict rules we must abide by and if we don't we must be lectured by everyone under the sun about it?

And about various hijab style Muslim women around the world wear.

Here is my opinion I dropped in the discussion section. I stressed out especially on the various hijab style worn by Muslim women:

Of course, for me, hijab is about the essence of modesty. In my opinion, like you and Alia said, hijab highlights the important to dress, to look decent on the street. So that you aren't bothered, so that you feel comfortable with yourself, and so that you connect to people on an intellectual level rather than a physical one.

Islam's mandate is to cover the whole body, except hands and face (for feet, as far as I know, it's still in grey area whether they can be showed or not). Islam doesn't prescribe the rigid rules about what color we can wear, or what fabric we should wear.

People, or in this case, Muslim women, also have their own identity (nationally/ethnically, professionally, culturally, etc). They also have creativity and expressions. Dressing is one of their ways to keep their identity, to be creative, and to express their self through clothing. These are allowed in Islam. Wearing hijab doesn't mean that you have to lose your identity or personality, and it's important for us to develop our unique identity or self. As Erik Erikson, a famous child development expert, said (in one of articles in Islamic Horizons magazine, titled Serving Tawheed and Turkey page 44):

"Failure to achieve an identity can lead to confusion and despair".

And I believe that Alloh SWT loves diversity :) He creates beauty in this planet from the diversity of things and creatures who live in it.. :)

As a muslim woman who wears hijab, there is a whole new realm of possibility for our clothes, from traditional clothes to urban or modern outfits, there aren't any rules on what styles it should be. We can wear clothing (hijab/jilbab) in various styles.

In the Qur'an Surah 7:26,

"O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition."

Regarding to the discussion that's still happening, so far, I like and agree with the comments from Alia, Zainab, and Hijab Revival.

Zainab and Hijab Revival have a good opinion about what is Hijab really, not only about how we dress (outer hijab), but also how we conduct ourselves in public, how we act towards others (social hijab), and then of course inner hijab (our inner being like our character, thoughts, etc). And even though some scholars have disagreements about some aspects of hijab, the majority agree on the core aspects of hijab in the Qur’an.

So, what is your own opinion about that?

You can read their comments and all other opinions here, in the comment's section of the article.