Muslim womens dress Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Muslim womens dress - Essay Example Based on their writings, it is possible to argue that the Niqab and Hijab were incorporated into the Islamic code due to exceptional and temporal circumstances; and that their continued usage in modern times is subject to the demands of changed sensibilities. The following passages will offer evidence from the readings in support of this thesis. In the reading titled Is Wearing the Niqab Obligatory for Women, author Yusuf al-Qaradawi gives copious examples from the sacred texts to suggest that the covering of face is not part of the original holy decree. He argues that in the early years of Islams assimilation into Arabic society, there are numerous references to men being attracted and fixated by a womans beauty and these occurrences would not have been documented had womens faces been obstructed by a Niqab. Complementing the inference of this observation is the fact that in a predominantly trade-oriented society at the time of Islams origins, it would be a big encumbrance for women to carry out everyday tasks such as receiving and giving merchandise, receiving and giving money, etc, if their hand was covered by clothing. Furthermore, although a womans hand is considered to be an aspect of her beauty, there is no consensus as to whether it is classified as an awra. For example, from the following translation of ShÄ «rÄ  zÄ «, the ShÄ fiÊ ¿Ã„ « author of the Muhadhdhab, we learn that â€Å"As for a free women, all her body is her Ê ¿awra, apart from her face and hands—NawawÄ « states, up to the wrists—because of the verse, (and let them not display their beauty (zÄ «na) except what [usually] appears of it).9 Ibn Ê ¿AbbÄ s states that [what is excepted] refers to her face and her hands,10 because the Prophet r prohibited women in the state of iá ¸ ¥rÄ m11 from wearing a niqÄ b and gloves.12 If the face and hands were part of the Ê ¿awra, it would not have been impermissible (á ¸ ¥arÄ m) to cover them, and [in addition,