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Concept of Veil in Hinduism, Christianity & Islam

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The Truth Message – Part – 4.2:

Concept of Veil in Hinduism, Christianity & Islam

Wonderful is the fact that not only The Holy Qur’an but The Holy Bible and even The Holy Bhagvad Gita agree on the veil concept.

Let’s see then… Concept of Veil in the Holy Bible:

The covering of the head is not a concept that is unique to Islam, but is found in Bible as well. The Bible taught the wearing of a veil long before Islam.

In the Old Testament we read:
“When Re-bek’ah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, ‘What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?’ And the servant had said ‘It is my master’. Therefore she took a veil and covered herself.” [Genesis: 24:64-65]

In the New Testament we read:
“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”(1 Corinthians: 11: 5-6)

Whenever a Christian imagines Mother Mary (pbuh) or wherever we see a sculpture of her, we find that she [Mother Mary (pbuh)] is always a lady in hijab (covering her hair with a cloth), however, there are certain Christian women who desire to dress up with the least possible cloth material today. Even if they wear a good measure they’ll make sure that it must be all very revealing.

Can’t they expect that Mother Mary (pbuh) might actually hate them for their extremely vulgar dressing sense? And can’t they understand that if we do something that is not permitted by the laws of our lord we will be punished?

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Concept of Veil in the Holy Hindu Scriptures, the Bhagvad Gita:

Describing the state of world in the latter days, which are called Kalyug [dark-age] in the Holy Bhagvada Gita Maha Rishi Vuyas, explains… Women, with uncovered faces, will walk about in the bazaars like prostitutes.

Doesn’t that clearly mean that even Hindu religion supports the veil concept?

In fact if you tour the traditional part of India you’ll see all females doing hijab in their own ways… few even pull down their head covers upto their chins so as to cover their faces as well. Now tell me isn’t the old traditional culture of India itself standing as a strong proof to their original beliefs? Wonder why the modern Hindus took leave of this one right route while accepting to follow the rest of wrong routes! Is the right way so hard? While I wouldn’t approve the latter but the former is fairly acceptable.

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Concept of Veil in the Holy Qur’an: 

In chapter 24, verse 31 Allah says addresses the believing men saying:
‘Say to the believing men that they restrain their looks… That is purer for them. Surely Allah is Well-Aware of what you do.

And continuing the point to the next verse (same chapter 24, verse 32) Allah addresses the believing women saying:
‘And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts, and they display not their beauty and embellishments except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-covers over their bosoms, and they display not their beauty or their embellishment thereof save to their husbands, or to their fathers,… And they walk not in a style that such of their beauty as they conceal is noticed. And turn you to Allah all together, O believers, that you may succeed.’

In Chapter 33, verse 60 of the Holy Qur’an, Allah says:
‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters, and the women of the believers, that they should pull down upon them of their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. That is more likely that they may thus be recognised and not molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’

Now, Veil Is An Islamic Commandment, not an option as many consider today.

To explain:
Muslim women wear hijabs and loose clothing to not only fulfill the above command of God but the basic purpose of hijab (veiling) in Islam is primarily to inspire modesty in both men and women.

Note that the order to lower the gaze was addressed first to men [though many Muslim men of today conveniently choose to ignore it] and then women are admonished to cover their heads and to pull their coverings over their bosoms.

Explaining the purpose of veil at another place we read… And when you ask them for anything, ask them from behind a curtain, that is purer for your hearts and theirs [Al-Ahzab 33:54].

The wearing of outer garment is intended to save a Muslim woman, when she goes about her business, from the mental anguish of being stared at or molested or in any other way inconvenienced by persons of questionable character.

Qur’an requires women to behave with dignity bordering on austerity when talking to stranger men – they’re strongly recommended not to dress in a manner that attracts men. In hijab women is better protected from harassment and intimidation and would have better access to education and would enjoy greater freedom of expression and representation in political parties.

Imagine a lady prime minister or a queen wearing a low-cut blouse or a miniskirt in an international conference! Can she command as much respect there as she would get if she were in a more modest attire? Pure commonsense, people… please use your head!

A woman in hijab is seen by onlookers to be guarding her modesty. Her message is clear – she does not want men to look at her. No attention demanded, it is actually repelled.

People these days talk about freeing the women from the covering… A point which needs to be understood is: Lifting the Veil Will Not Uplift Women!

Certain Non-Muslim societies claim to have uplifted women via allowing them to expose their bodies, but on the contrary, this has actually degraded them to mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketers, hidden behind the colorful screen of “art” and “culture” or “… well, you write the rest of uses women are put to today!

A controversy:
Scholars throughout the centuries have agreed that woman is required to cover her hair. We’ve seen how christianity came before Islam and had figured how important it is for a woman to wear hijab however today when Islam says the same – it is attacked!.

Why doesn’t woman have the right to cover herself in public? Why is it looked upon as oppression if she chooses to be modest?

It is interesting to note that the very same people who find fault with the Islamic dress code for women do not find anything improper in the dress of nuns. It is evident that the hijab of Mother Teresa did not prevent her from social work: The western world honored her with the Nobel Prize! Most excellent is the example of Mother Mary: Whenever Mary, Mother of Jesus is shown in a painting, a picture or as statue, she is shown to be wearing the veil. Quite naturally she appears extremely modest in every depiction. If she is the symbol of the most revered woman and she is the one wearing a veil, then shouldn’t she be the one we all look up for inspiration? Well, the actual question is: Does any Christian have any problem against her now? I’m very sure nobody has it, but the same people would argue that the hijab is a hindrance for a Muslim girl in a school or for a Muslim lady working as a cashier in a super market! This is the kind of hypocrisy or double standards which some sophisticated people find debatable!

We all know and we accept that Mother Mary (pbuh) worshipped behind a hijab. Even Qur’an, the book of lord stands as a proof to it:

[19:17-18] And relate the story of Mary as mentioned in the Book. When she withdrew from her people to a place to an eastern place, And screened herself off from them, then We sent Our angel to her, and he appeared to her in the form of a well-proportioned man. 

Well, coming back to the point: We know that those verses are clear commandments from our Lord.

Care to follow it – disobedience might not always be pardoned. God knows what’s in your heart – He can’t be fooled.

Islam uplifted women, gave them equality, and expects them to maintain their status (Status of Women in Islam)… but if Muslims of today want the other way, it’s their choice.

And yeah! Hijab of the clothes should be accompanied by hijab of the eyes – the heart – the thought – and the intention. It also includes the way a person walks, talks, and behaves. Therefore, the hypocritical use of hijab is not a good example of Muslim conduct.

O Women, please understand: The ultimate goal of veiling is righteousness of the heart.

Yes, people may stare at you because you’d look different from them but better to be stared at for being different than for exposing some flesh for the sake of fashion & entertainment.

Our hijab is a mark of distinction, something we should wear proudly. And if people treat us with a bit more respect for our hijab, there’s nothing wrong in it.

I must remind you and others that Islam means “submission to Allah” and we trust that what He orders us to do is for our own good.

We must learn to obey, even when we don’t see the wisdom in His commands.

We have to always remember that He created us and knows better than any of us as what is good for us. To think otherwise would be a gesture of arrogance and tantamount to rejecting his right upon us.

Your obedience will be the mark of your true faith. Your desire to feel closer to Allah is commendable and you should do everything you can to develop that relationship. Obeying His orders is one of the steps that must be taken to be closer to Him.

[4:27] Allah desires to make clear to you, and guide you to, the paths of those before you, and to turn to you in mercy. And Allah is All- Knowing, Wise.

And Allah wishes to turn to you in mercy, but those who follow their low desires wish that you should incline wholly towards evil… (An-Nisa’ 4:28).

May Allah bless us and guide us to see the wisdom behind His commandments, so that we may follow them with more conviction!

Certain people today are banning the wearing of veil which amounts to rejecting the command of Lord – Beware people! Do not invite the wrath of Lord – Be warned!

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A question to all:

This practice of veil, as we all know, was followed in olden days, but now if a woman does hijab, she is called: … Primitive? Oppressed? Backward? What else….??

One would ask: Why?

Let’s see: Women have changed? Men have changed? Times have changed? What has changed?

Nothing has changed except our tolerance to evil.

Our perspective of chastity has changed…..whatever comes in the way of our lust, for women or men, we consider backward……dark dust! We have started accepting more nakedness in others and in our own homes in the name of changed values. No, no the values have not changed.

Values were defined by the message of Allah in Holy Qur’an and exemplified by His Messenger the Prophet of Islam Hadhrat Mohammad (Peace and blessings of Allah may descend upon him) and all other divine scriptures as well. So this is not only for Muslims to stop and think about this: but it is a command to all mankind. 

If you get my point please explain it to others – May Allah reward you for it. 

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A word to the Christian & Muslims Westerners:
As you’ve seen, the directions set out above are designed to secure the highest standards of good behavior for men and women, and that they should comport themselves with dignity and self restraint in all situations. Sobriety, modesty and purity are to be the hall-marks of Islamic society. Free and unrestrained intermixing of the sexes is barred.

Unfortunately, western world no longer considers chastity a virtue, indeed it has become a reproach. Experimental living together and promiscuity have become the norm. Perversion and sensuality, inside and outside wedlock, are deemed the true purpose and object of sex. Woman has been degraded into a mere instrument of sexual indulgence.

Unrestricted and unregulated association of men and women, and the women’s decking themselves out for the set purpose of attracting men has become the bane of Western society, so that all considerations of modesty and decent deportment have been cast aside and all the old, prized values have fallen into contempt and are ridiculed. It is, indeed, a matter of great concern that a section of Muslims have not been able to resist this suicidal trend that prevails in the West: It is devoutly hoped that the dangers inherent in this line of thinking and conduct will soon be recognized, and the beneficence of Islamic values being appreciated will be more strictly adhered to, Insha’Allah

Continue reading The Truth Message – Part – 4.3:

Similarities in all Divine Religions

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