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What is modesty according to the Quran?
johan:
Salam,
I have a question on the concept of modesty according to Quran.
There are a couple of verses that intrigues me.
[33:33] Sahih International
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.
The word display here translated from the term تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ (the term root is baraja).
Another verse that uses the same root is:
[4:78] Sahih International
Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allah "; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allah." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement?
Here towers of lofty construction (fortified towers) (بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ) would have a notion of being covered with glittering ornaments, as in the stars glittering:
[15:16] Sahih International
And We have placed within the heaven great stars and have beautified it for the observers.
[15:17] Sahih International
And We have protected it from every devil expelled [from the mercy of Allah]
great stars (بُرُوجًا) were the reason for the expulsion of the devils..
so, wouldn't it be correct to conclude that to be in the state of tabarruj is to be in the state of fortified/covered/concelead the way it is described in the mentioned verses?
another verse that we could reinterpret on the concept of modesty is the following verse:
[33:59] Sahih International
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
So by bringing down(taking off) the veil of the women, she is more likely to be identifiable and hence less likely to be mistaken for someone else (abused).
this is in line with the understanding of tabarruj as concealing/fortifying the women, which is not liked.
opinions are welcomed.
Salam
Johan
Wakas:
salaa/peace,
you may like:
http://learn-about-islam.com/2011/11/01/muslim-women-must-fully-cover-up-in-islam/
DaresBears:
I always take it as to cover your sexual or sexually attractive parts. The Qur'an is quite clear on covering the breasts, and to lengthen your garment seems like, to cover your legs, your stomach and hips, and obviously your groin. I think it is vague in this area so that Muslims can adapt to the culture they live in, God is saying, make sure you always cover your breasts, but otherwise be modest by the standards of the society you live in. Because modesty is subjective and there is no defined length given.
johan:
--- Quote from: Wakas on June 18, 2012, 04:08:07 AM ---salaa/peace,
you may like:
http://learn-about-islam.com/2011/11/01/muslim-women-must-fully-cover-up-in-islam/
--- End quote ---
Salam Wakas,
Thanks for the link. :)
I'd like to add to the articles argument with a caveat of assuming CMIIW that the Meccans were pagans who didn't adhere to a strict dress code than that of the Medinas who AFAIK were people of the book(especially na9aara/christians and yahood/jewish)..
Now, with that assumption in mind it's only natural that the tendencies would be to follow that which what the majority were adhering to.. So when a new prophet came to introduce reforms to the religion, and one such reforms was that of dress code and others among were qibla(direction of prayers) etc, you'd expect some resistance or reluctance from the old establishment..
And this is why the Quran in the verses after the call to put down the jilbaab is against the hypocrites..
"O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (59) If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in al-Madinah do not cease, We will surely incite you against them; then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a little. (60)"
a person who look at a women who has her crown seen by men can only have a disease if that person looks at her in a flirty lustful way...it wouldn't have been meaningful to mention "those whose hearts is disease" if that women would to conceal her crown would it? but because with this command the women is told to show herself so that she may be more identifiable..
I have a feeling that the direction is to get back to simplicity with a minimalistic approach..
One wise man has it :
“The greatest ideas are the simplest.”
--- Quote from: DaresBears on June 19, 2012, 04:30:27 AM ---I always take it as to cover your sexual or sexually attractive parts. The Qur'an is quite clear on covering the breasts, and to lengthen your garment seems like, to cover your legs, your stomach and hips, and obviously your groin. I think it is vague in this area so that Muslims can adapt to the culture they live in, God is saying, make sure you always cover your breasts, but otherwise be modest by the standards of the society you live in. Because modesty is subjective and there is no defined length given.
--- End quote ---
Salam DaresBears,
I hope to get back to this when I have time inshaAllah..
But I would just say that a minimalistic approach is what I mean by a sufficient amount of concealment..
Wallahua3lam,
Johan
Jafar:
--- Quote from: johan on June 23, 2012, 08:34:27 PM ---I'd like to add to the articles argument with a caveat of assuming CMIIW that the Meccans were pagans who didn't adhere to a strict dress code than that of the Medinas who AFAIK were people of the book(especially na9aara/christians and yahood/jewish)..
--- End quote ---
I do think the assumption is incorrect.. the pagan arabs did adhere to a 'very strict dress code'..
A source written around 200 AD wrote this:
"Arabia's heathen females will be your judges, who cover not only the head, but the face also, so entirely, that they are content, with one eye free, to enjoy rather half the light than to prostitute the entire face."
http://www.tertullian.org/anf/anf04/anf04-09.htm#17_4
--- Quote ---Now, with that assumption in mind it's only natural that the tendencies would be to follow that which what the majority were adhering to..
--- End quote ---
The main objective is "Safety"...
--- Quote ---So when a new prophet came to introduce reforms to the religion,
--- End quote ---
I think Muhammad didn't invent any religion..
--- Quote ---and one such reforms was that of dress code and others among were qibla(direction of prayers) etc, you'd expect some resistance or reluctance from the old establishment..
--- End quote ---
Mmmm.. no....
The resistance was mainly due to Muhammad's telling the people that those gods and it's priests are fake..
Which threaten the main source of $$$ of the priests and their relevant political backers...
As it's always the case up until now..
Salam / Peace
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