1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

145 Questions

If one's parents like for them to appear beautiful by wearing clothes and Hijab in a way that attracts the eyes of men and women, would it be right to disobey them in this case if the daughter prefers complete chastity?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

There is a hadith that says: 

لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق

There is no obedience to a creation through disobedience to the Creator. 

We cannot obey the laws of others at the cost of disobeying Almighty God. If hijab has been mandated by Almighty God, then we as His worshippers must comply to His law. So, we must not disobey God just to follow what someone else says, even if they are our parents whom we must obey. Our obedience to our parents is obligatory, but not in performing haram acts. 

Clearly, in this case, the parents have a misconstrued approach to how their daughter should appear or conduct herself in public. They might be under the impression that by doing this, she will get married, but of course this is the worst way and its a very damaging approach. 

The daughter should not comply with what her parents want, and respectfully decline, by explaining how unhealthy this approach is.

It's not just a matter of religion, but also on a human value and social level as well. 

In Islam, attraction should not be by the gazing of onlookers, but by personality and moral qualities and righteousness. 

With prayers for your success. 
Is it a sin to not wear Hijab once a girl becomes Baligh, even if she is not mentally ready for it? And when does one become Baligh?
Amina Inloes

The previous answer is complete; I just wanted to add that "not being mentally ready" could mean a number of different things.

My first impression when reading that was that it could mean she is not mentally ready to wear the hijab in a minority society (or a Muslim area where hijab is uncommon) - for instance, at a school where there are no other girls who wear hijab, and she might be under pressure to explain herself (but not be able to do so yet), or be teased, ostracized, or bullied, especially if she is shy or sensitive and does not have an assertive personality or a strong ability to stand up for herself. 

In some places, Islamophobic harassment might also be a concern. 

Not that it necessarily has anything to do with her personal sexuality.

I just wanted to add that because sometimes there is a tendency to discuss the hijab wholly in the context of sexuality or modesty, wheres in minority societies, the main challenges and pressures regarding hijab are usually social and relate to things like Islamophobia. 

In any case, it is good to acknowledge, respect, and nurture the inherent maturity of young people. Even if they are still maturing in many ways, throughout much of history, young people have taken on many lifelong commitments at a young age, such as apprenticing to a profession, training in sports or the arts, or a religious conversion. Of course it is also good to acknowledge the limits of a child's maturity, since one doesn't expect someone who is 9 to be mature in every way. Still, in this day and age, in some societies, everyone who is under 18 is treated as a child which does not benefit them either; it is good to have a balance. 
Is it a sin to not wear Hijab once a girl becomes Baligh, even if she is not mentally ready for it? And when does one become Baligh?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

Inner and outer modesty, chastity and hijab is something Almighty God has mandated for all men and women. 

It is necessary for us as Muslims to familiarise ourselves with the many benefits of inner and outer hijab, and the earlier we learn this the better. 

Young boys need to be modest, and so do young girls, even though they might not be intellectually mature enough. As long as they are aware of their surroundings, and have entered into the age of religious maturity, they become responsible and accountable for what they do. 

This is what bulugh and takleef means. 

Furthermore, being modest and having hijab does not necessarily mean one is sexually active. It is a process of engaging with the natural and mental development of a male/female. 

An Islamic lifestyle prepares us for the world, and whether this particular girl might be mentally ready or not, she must adapt to what it is that our religion wants from us, as the Almighty has accommodated to all that is required for us in our natural needs as humans. 

A young girl who reaches the age of taklif will realise how beneficial and positive hijab is when she prioritises her spiritual and moral conduct over everything else, and she will realise how intellectually mature she becomes. 

As for the age of bulugh, for a female it is completion of 9 lunar years. For a male, it is the occuring of one of the following, whichever one occurs first is the sign of his bulugh:

1. having a wet-dream.
2. growth of thick pubic hair. 
3. completing of 15 lunar years. 

And Allah knows best.
Why do women have to cover their hair and wear the Hijab when men can also have hair that is attractive for women?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

First of all, we as Muslims believe that Allah is The All Knowing, Most Wise, Most Merciful and we believe that everything comes from Him is based on full wisdom for our interest, that is why we never question His Wisdom in any matter. We believe that the full reason is best known by Allah (SWT), the Messenger (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) who are the real successors of the Prophet (SAWA).

We also believe that our human abilities of thinking are limited and can never reach to everything. We know for sure that every order from Allah (SWT) is based on our benefit and we don't question the details.

Hijab is obligatory on females because Allah (SWT) who created males and females made males more attracted to females than females to males in usual situations. Hair of man can be attractive to some females in some situations but females are in general are much more attractive to males. This can be one of the reasons. Men are responsible to work hard to earn livelihood for their families. Hijab of women is for maintaining her dignity, modesty, safety and honour. Hijab also provide safe atmosphere away from sinful acts. Allah (SWT) says in Quran about Hijab on women (So that they are known so that they should not be harmed ( كي يُعرَفنَ فلا يؤذَين)) 33:59).

Wassalam.