IS HIJAB COMPULSORY?

Related Articles in IRFI : Women in Islam: Hijab,  Issues: Hijab

Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D.
President
Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc.
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E-mail: IRFI@INAME.COM
Website:  http://WWW.IRFI.ORG
 

One of the verses in the Quran protects a woman's fundamental rights. Verse 59 of Surah A1Ahzaab reads: "O Prophet! T'ell thy wives and daughters and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when outside) : so that they should be known (as such) and not molested".
According to the Quran, the reason why Muslim women should wear an outer garmcnt when going out of their homes is that they may be recognised as "Believing" women and differentiated from streetwalkers for whom sexual harassment is an occupational hazard. The purpose of this verse was not to confine women to their homes, but to make it safe for them to go about their daily business without attracting unsavoury attention.
Older Muslim women who are past the prospect of marriage are not required to wear "the outer garment". "Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage, there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not wanton display of their beauty; but it is best for them to be modest; and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things". (24:60).
The Quran does not suggest that women should be veiled or they should be kept apart from the world of men. On the contrary, the Quran is insistent on the full participation of women in society and in the religious practices.
Morality of the self and cleaniness of conscience are far better than the morality of the purdah. No goodness can comc from pretence. Imposing the veil on women is the ultimate proof that men suspect their mothers, daughters, wives and sisters of being potential traitors to them. How can Muslim men meet non-Muslim women who are not veiled and treat them respectfully, but not acccord the same respectful trcatmcnt to Muslim women?
To wear the Hijaab is certainly NOT an Islamic obligatory on women. It is an innovation (Bid'ah) of men suffering from a piety complex who are so weak spiritually that they just cannot trust themselves!
 
Muslim women remained in mixed company with men until the late sixth century (A.H.) or 11 th century (A.C.). They received guests, held meetings and went to wars to help their brothers and husbands, and they defended their castles and bastions.
It is part of the growing feeling on the part of Muslim men and women that they no longer wish to identify with the West, and that reaffirmation of their identity as Muslims requires the kind of visible sign that adoption of conservative clothing implies.
For these women the issue is not that they have to dress conservatively, but that they choose to. In lran, Imam Khomeini first insisted that women must wear the veil and chador, but in response to large demonstrations by women, he modified his position and agreed that while the chador is not obligatory, MODEST dress is.

Ayatul Kursi with Urdu Translation

Surah Al Fatiha with urdu translation

What is Namaz?

Namaz is the Urdu word for Prayer. The Arabic word for Prayer is Salah. Namaz is the form of Worship of Allah S.W.T performed by Muslims.
Namaz is one of the most important of the 5 pillars of Islam. Allah S.W.T has mentioned the benefits and the importance of Namaz as many as 500 times in the Holy Qur’an. Apart from the spiritual benefits that Namaz offers to Muslim worshippers, it is also one of the best forms of exercise that one can do on a regular basis. Namaz has been made compulsory for Muslims 5 times daily the five times are:

Fajr: Early morning just before sunrise. It consists of 4 Rakats.
Zuhar: Afternoon paryers post the period of Zawaal (when sun is perpendicular to earth). It consists of 12 Rakats.
Asar: Post afternoon and before Sunset. It consists of 8 Rakats.
Maghrib: Just after Sunset. It consists of 7 Rakats.
Isha: Late evening after the Sunset is complete and darkness of the night is complete and the cooling effect of the atmosphere begins. It consists of 17 Rakats

A Rakat is one complete cycle of Standing, Bending, Prostrations and subsequent Sitting or Standing up again in the Namaz. Each posture of the Namaz has a standard defined procedure and recitations that are observed by every Muslim irrespective of where he lives or what race he belongs to. Muslims follow the methods as taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Praying Namaz requires one to be clean in all respects, be it’s the physical self, the surroundings or the intent. No matter how hard a person prays or for how long he lies in prostration (Sajda), unless his intention are clean and motives selfless, the Namaz will not be accepted by Allah.

It is required that a person ensures the surrounding is clean and free from sins where he intends to offer Namaz. The Prophet (SAW) advised that except for the washroom or where one relieves himself and the graveyard, Allah has made the whole world as a place of worship for his believers.

For men, it is advisable to pray in a Masjid in congregation behind an Imam, as it is 27 times more rewarding than praying alone at home, but for women it is equally rewarding whether she prays alone within the confines of her home or in a congregation in a Masjid. The distinction does not signify that Islam discriminates men from women, as during the times of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), men and women would pray inside a same Masjid in separate lines or separate areas marked specifically for women, behind one Imam, and it is practiced even today in many Masjid's around the world the Haram Sharif or the Kaba and Masjid-e-Nabvi included.

One should ensure before praying that the surroundings are clean and also advisable to lay out a clean piece of cloth called the Musalla (Prayer mat), on which to pray rather than on bare ground. Another important requirement in preparation for Namaz is the Wuzu (ablution) which requires one to clean his mouth, nose face, hands, head, neck and feet with running water to purify oneself physically. Running water does not mean wasting of water with taps opened as is observed amongst most of us, but to use a minimum and sufficient amount so as to thoroughly clean yourself.

Namaz is basically to purify oneself, seek forgiveness for the sins we commit intentionally and unintentionally, and pledge not to repeat it. It teaches one to have his feet on the ground and submit to the Will of the Almighty, before Him all are helpless. Namaz makes us compassionate and believe in the equality of mankind. It gives a message that when the Jamaat (congregation) stands before Allah for observing Namaz, there is no distinction between the prince and the pauper. All will stand alongside each other and pray in a similar way and recite the same verses from the same Holy Qur’an.

Namaz makes us disciplined and brings feeling of regularity and gives a direction to our daily life, 5 times a day, if we make it a routine to get up on hearing the Azaan, do the Wuzu (ablutions) and head for prayers, either in a congregation or alone, we feel a sense of Time Management in our daily chores.

Maulana Tariq Jameel beyan in PUNJAB UNIVERSITY 3-10-2011 part 2

Maulana Tariq Jameel beyan in PUNJAB UNIVERSITY 3-10-2011 part 1

What is Islam?

Islamic method of Slaughtering animals is better ...scientific reason...

Al Shaddad Bin Aous has quoted this tradition of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) "God calls for mercy in everything, so be merciful when you kill and when you slaughter, sharpen your blade to relieve its pain".Many allegations have been made that Islamic slaughter is not humane to animals. However, Professor Schultz and his colleague Dr. Hazim of the Hanover University, Germany, proved through an experiment, using an electroencephalograph (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) that *Islamic slaughter is THE humane method of slaughter* and captive bolt stunning, practiced by the Western method, causes severe pain to the animal. The results surprised many.   Experimental Details: 1. Several electrodes were surgically implanted at various points of the skull of all animals, touching the surface of thebrain. 2. The animals were allowed to recover for several weeks. 3. Some animals were slaughtered by making a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on the neck cutting the jugular veins and carotid Arteries of both sides; as also the trachea and esophagusHalal Method. 4. Some animals were stunned using a captive bolt pistol humane slaughter by the western method. 5. During the experiment, EEG and ECG were recorded on all animals to record the condition of the brain and heart during the course of slaughter and stunning.     Results and Discussion: I - Halal Method 1. The first three seconds from the time of Islamic slaughter as recorded on the EEG did not show any change from the graph before slaughter, thus indicating that the animal did not feel any pain during or immediately after the incision. 2. For the following 3 seconds, the EEG recorded a condition of deep sleep - unconsciousness. This is due to a large quantity of blood gushing out from the body. 3. After the above mentioned 6 seconds, the EEG recorded zero level, showing no feeling of pain at all. 4. As the brain message (EEG) dropped to zero level, the heart was still pounding and the body convulsing vigorously (a reflex action of the spinal cord) driving maximum blood from the body: resulting in hygienic meat for the consumer. II - Western method by C.B.P. Stunning 1. The animals were apparently unconscious soon after stunning. 2. EEG showed severe pain immediately after stunning. 3. The hearts of the animal stunned by C.B.P. stopped beating earlier as compared to those of the animals slaughtered according to the Halal method resulting in the retention of more blood inthe meat. This in turn is unhygienic for the consumer. (Many thanks to Muslim Students Organization - University of Miami)

Assalam-U-Alaikum

QURAN & SCIENCE.....NAMAZ KE FAIDAY.

1) Qayyam:-

Science : Straight khara hona Aur pairon ko seedha rakhnay say Insaan ki legs ki balanced aur straight growth hoti hai.
Namaz : Namaz main pairon ko seedha Qibla ki taraf kiya jaata hai.

2) Takbeer:-

Science : Body ki Left aur Right sides ko saath saath move karnay say Body Structure balanced rahta hai.
Namaz : Doonon haathon ko taqbeer kay waqt ikhatay kaanon tak latay hain.

3) Sajday Ki jagah per nigahain Rakhna:-

Science : Agar insaan kisi bhi cheez ko kuch dair kay liye daikhta rahay tu Concentration aur visual ability increase hoti hai.
Namaz : Hum Qayyam main Sajday ki jagah per aankahin jama laitay hain.

4) Qayyam main Right hand say left hand ko pakarna:-

Science : Agar right thumb aap ki left wrist(kalai) ko daba lai tau Insaan ka Blood Pressure decrease aur stable ho jata hai.
Namaz : Qayyam main hum Right hand say apnay left wrist ko pakar laitay hain.

5) Naaf kay ooper aur neechay haath ka bandhna:-

Science : Man aur woman Ki entestine positions different hoti hain , Agar male naf kay neechay hath rakhay tau digestion problems nahi hoti............
Namaz : Hum Males namaz main naaf kay neechay haath bandhtay hain.

6) Rukooh:-

a) Science : Insaan ki bending position agar straight ho tau us ko kabhi backbone main kabhi problem nahi hoti (Reerh ki haddi).
a) Namaz : Hum rukooh main bilkul straight kartay hain apni kamar ko.

b) Science : Ghutnoon ko internal side per dabanay say Bonemarrow ki growth hoti hai aur Kabhi jooron ki problem nahi hoti.
b) Namaz : Hum Rukoh main ghutnoon ko zoor say dabatay hain.

7) Phir qayyam:-

Science : Baar baar kamar ko bend aur straight karnay say backbone main agar koi disbalancing problem ho tau thek ho jaati hai.
Namaz : Hum Rukooh kay baad phir qayyam kartay hia.

Sajda:-

a) Science: Agar insaan doonon aankhon say apni nose tip ko daikhay tau us ki nazar barhti hai agar kharab ho tau thek hoti hai.
a) Namaz: Hum sajday main jab qayyam walay point ko daikhtay hain tau hamari doonon aankhain nose tip per aa jaati hain.

b) Science: Agar insaan apni dody ko bend kar lay aur head ko pairon kay level per lay aye tau Blood flow poori body main stable ho jata hai aur blood barhna shoroh ho jaata hai.
b) Namaz : Halat-e-Sajda per ghor karain , hum isi position main bend hotay hain aur hamara head hamaray feet kay level per aa jaata hai.

9) Repetition of Sajda:

Science : Agar insaan above mentioned exercise ko baar baar repeat karay tau us ki body ka blood baar baar dimagh(Brain) main aata hai , jis say Memory increase hoti hai.

Namaz : Hum 2 Rakat namaz main 4 times is exercise ko repeat kartay hain .......... 4 rakaat namaz main 8 times repeat kartay hain ...................... 5 times Prayer kay sirf farz rakaats 17 hoti hain aur 17x2=34 times aik din ki sirf farz namazain hain jin main hum 34 times exerccise kartay hain....

Result:

Science : Physical fitness + Concentration + Ability to do anywork untill completion.
Islam : Allah ki raza + Buray kaamon aur khayyalat say nijaat.