The Freedom of a Muslim Woman

One day I was speaking with my friend, whom happens to be an African-American Muslim women who wears a nikab (an Islamic face covering worn in the presence of men). She was very frustrated that when she went out with her husband a strange lady approached her and said, “You don’t look free! Your husband does but you don’t look free.” My friend was offended and said defensively to the lady, “I am free! I wear this on my face by my choice and I even wore it before I was married to him.” This disturbed my friend and it also disturbed me since I too am a Muslim women. I don’t wear nikab, however, it has been something that I have been considering doing in my future. Why would this woman just come up to her and say a thing like that? I ask myself questions like this all the time especially when I get strange stares in public or hear the madness that is being said on television about Muslim women. Many people don’t believe that the women of Islam are free. However, that is because many of these people go by propaganda and their own perceptions of the religion of Islam.

Women’s Rights was the “big thing” in the 1800’s up into the late 1900’s. Many women were not allowed to have the same freedoms as men and this caused many women to want to become liberated. Being “liberated” meant voting, working, and dressing the way that a woman wanted to. Women no longer had to hide their bodies behind knee high skirts to be accepted they now could wear bikini tops and mini skirts. However, in the present day this so called “liberation” has caused women to become exploited and used as sex toys in the media world. Not to say that “women’s liberation” is bad, however, certain aspects of women’s liberation has caused much controversy in our world today.

Not even a half-century ago, if a young girl stayed out all night dressed in revealing clothing and had a face full of makeup, it would not have been socially or morally acceptable. Now with Britney Spears and Beyonce showing their bodies to the world, young girls believe that this is the way that women should be. They are almost forced into believing that if they show their bodies like the women on MTV than they will too acquire the finer things in life.

So are the Women of Islam free? Or are we prisoners in our own religion? Well to tell you the truth, I have never been freer in my entire life. I have been a Muslim for almost 2 years now and, the fact is, that before I was a Muslim I felt like I was a slave to the ways of the world. I felt like I had to show my body like the women in music videos in order to make it in everyday society. I craved the attention of my male peers because it was a rush or an extreme high to be glanced at and noticed. I thought that by decorating my body it would open up doors to rap stars, fancy cars, and expensive jewels. However, that lifestyle was only an illusion and the reality of dressing revealing soon hit home.

I began to realize that I was worth more than the catcalls and that I was beautiful no matter what I wore. I had always admired the women who had the strength to cover their hair and wear clothing that was not revealing, and yet they were still considered beautiful. I began to search for my own true self and to leave behind the fallacies of becoming a temptress. I decided to step out of my element and search down into my soul to find the true woman that I was suppose to be.

Many women will say the same thing that I said in my preislamic days, “I could never cover my body like that, it’s too hot, and if you got than flaunt it.” However, once I realized the significance of covering my body it became one of the most beautiful things that I have ever experienced. I no longer receive lustful looks, but men and woman look at me with respect. Many men lower their gaze when walking past me and I love it. I love the fact that I only show my body to my husband and that other men no longer have a share in that part of my beauty.

So if Muslim Women are free, then why are we perceived as being confined? Many people go off what they see on television and they do not understand the whole picture. Looking into Islam woman are commanded by God (Allah) that they must cover themselves because He has created the woman as being beautiful and He does not want us to be susceptible to the evils in the world. What evils? A person might ask. Evils including, adultery, rape, degradation, and other forms of hate that targets women who reveal their bodies. Muslims believe that the same rules apply to the people of today’s society as they did when Allah revealed to Adam and Eve to cover their shame after they ate the forbidden fruit. The Holy Qu’ran, written by God and sent to earth by the Angel Gabriel and then to the Prophet Muhammad, states:

Surah An-Nur, Verses 30 and 31

And Say to the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bossoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim women) (i.e. sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.

Many people need to look beyond the everyday stereotypes and understand for themselves that the Woman of Islam are free and many of us are covering ourselves out of the fear of God. Muslim woman believe that by being righteous servants to Allah, then He will reward them on the Day of Judgment and admit them to Paradise (i.e. Heaven). However, in this life, men and women must obey God’s commandments and serve Him rightfully.

So is it really fair to stereotype Muslim women while not understanding the true purpose for looking the way that we do? I feel that it is not fair and I hope that by writing this short article that I am able to help at least one person understand the truth about Muslim women.