Three dimensions of the word "hijab"

"The concept of the word hijab is three-dimensional, and the three dimensions often blend into one another. The first dimention is a visual one: to hide something from sight. The root of the verb hajaba means 'to hide'. The second dimension is spatial" to separate, to mark a border, to establish a threshold. And finally, the third dimension is ethical: it belongs to the realm of the forbidden. So we have not just tangible categories that exist in the reality of the senses-the visual, the spatial-but also an abstract reality in the realm of ideas. A space hidden by a hijab is a forbidden space."

-Fatima Mernissi, Women and Islam: An Historical and Theological Enquiry, trans. Mary Jo Lakeland, Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1991

The Circle Scarf

About a year ago, when Lady Gaga's first album was released, she was seen making appearances while wearing a scarf around her head:

I was hoping that it would become more popular for the general public but I haven't seen much of it yet. It looks like Rihanna was supporting the look as well:

I would prefer not to promote American Apparel's clothing but, in the interest of this post, they are selling a version of "The Circle Scarf" in their stores and online...so maybe this headcovering is being recognized as fashionable in the west...again.

American Apparel's Circle Scarf Online

The Realm of the Unspeakable

"[There is] a radical difference between interior and exterior, which relfects the split between the intimate and the social life of the metropolitan being: outside, the realm of exhange, money, and masks; inside, the realm of the inalienable, the nonexchangeable, and the unspeakable."

(The Architecture of Fashion, p.210)

This is another beautiful quote that is used to describe architecture but can unquestionably be applied to fashion and modesty in Islam.

I especially enjoy the way the quote describes the "inside", "the realm of the inalienable, the nonexhangeable, and the unspeakable". I wonder what thoughts this invokes in you because for me, the inalienable, the nonexhangeable, and the unspeakable in realtion to our private lives is a beautiful thought for me. The unspeakable is not a negative thing; something which is so beautiful, one would not dare to articulate its beauty in fear that words could not do it justice.

Protecting Sexuality in Design

"a cauldron of sexuality behind apparently innocent surfaces"

(The Architecture of Fashion p.198)

Personally, when I read this quote, I automatically thought of the designs of many courtyards in the United Arab Emirates. The exterior facades or "innocent surfaces" hide and protect the beautifully decorated interior designs.
















The arabesque designs and flowing tile work can be associated with the "cauldron of sexuality" that the quote suggests.

Similarly to architecture, the concept of the hijab can also be related to this quote. A "innocent surface" of basic cloth behind the "cauldron of sexuality" which, to me, is a beautiful description of women. Describing sexuality as powerful and beautiful thing that is protected by an "innocent surface".

I also want to note that I took this quote from the book, The Architecture of Fashion, and this book does not talk about fashion and architecture of the Middle East. It focuses more on design in the West. This is important to note because I want to emphasis the fact that our concepts of sexuality, and protecting it is not unique to any part of the world. It is a shared view, different cultures have evolved to express this in different ways.

Hijab Cartoon

Hijab in Christianity

I have studied traditional clothing from around the world but I was particularly interested in the use of head scarves worn by the women in many European countries. I bring this topic up because, living in America, I find it important to look at the similarities between the East and West and between Islam and Christianity in order for us to better coexist.


After researching this topic more, I discovered that there is a passage in the Bible which suggests that women cover their heads.


Here is the passage from the Bible:

I Corinthians 11:2-16.
2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were haven. 6 For if a woman will not be covered, then let her be shorn! But since it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For indeed a man ought not to cover his head, being the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 For this reason the woman should have authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 In any case, woman is not independent of man, nor man of woman, in the Lord; 12 for as woman is [created] from man, so man is now [born] through woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Putting the obvious sexism aside, it is interesting to think about what happen to this tradition. Many Christians cast this passage aside saying that the practice of covering your head is an ancient custom which has "gone out of style" and is no longer applicable. It is also hard for many modern women in Christianity to accept this passage since it implies that the head covering is a symbol of man's power over women (see verse 10 in the passage above).



What I am wondering about is why the Jewish and Christian traditions of head covering went "out of style" where as in Islam, tradition and adherence to the Koran has been able to last this long. Is it possible that it could be due to the Middle East's isolation from the developed world for so long?



I hope no one take offense to this post, it is not a reflection of my beliefs, I am just proposing a topic of discussion and I would like to hear what others feel about this.

Here is an interesting website which discusses many Christian women's modern interpretation of the above passage: Head Covering Today

Here is another interesting website which analysis each verse in the above passage: Women's Headcovering in the Bible

Haya and the Hijab in Islam

here is some information regarding Modesty in Islam and its relationship to the hijab:

1.An act of obedience.
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur'an: `It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.' (S33:36).
Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).

2.The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).
Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.' (S33:59). In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.

3.The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab: `And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.' (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts:
`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.' (S33:32)

4.The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said: "Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer (Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)." The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah's shield upon her. "The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).

5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: `O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.'(S7:26). The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).

6.The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.

8.The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.

information taken from Virtues of Hijab

Conservative Yet Chic Garb Gaining Ground

Article from gulfnews.com



Dubai: Farashati aims to provide "conservative chic" clothing options for women who want to be stylish without compromising their values.

Gulf News sat down with Farashati creative director Farhana Farooq about her views on the 'modesty clothing' industry.

What are the key selling points of this product?

I'd say the key selling point remains the design philosophy behind Farashati. Customers who dress conservatively do not have to layer their clothes any more to cover up. Our designs are in line with the latest trends and come with longer sleeves and longer length. It's a one-stop shopping experience where customers also experience the choice of a matching head scarf.



How confident are you that this concept will pick up?

There is clearly a 'gap' that exists. Our target audience has a distinct set of needs that is not being met by the current fashion retailers. Currently, the only option conservative women have is to layer their clothes - which isn't just uncomfortable but also offers them minimal fashion options even if they are ready to pay the price for it. So the gap we're discussing has always existed - whether in the Middle East or otherwise - and is market-induced since fashion houses tend to concentrate only on liberal styles. I am confident that coupled with good quality, the concept of Farashati is bound to gain popularity in the retail industry.

How many women in Dubai and in the GCC do you think actively use/prefer modesty clothing?

Research figures strongly support the need for conservative fashion options. The UAE is a diverse country with a large population of expatriates belonging to Islamic countries - 15 per cent from GCC countries and eight per cent Iranians in addition to 19 per cent Emiratis. The survey also revealed that over 96 per cent of UAE residents follow and practise Islam - a possible indication of the expected demand for conservative clothing. Farashati also conducted a dipstick research on shopping patterns among UAE residents, 30 per cent of those surveyed answered in the affirmative about the regular use of head scarves, 54 per cent wanted 3/4ths if not full-length sleeves and 68 per cent preferred tops that would cover their hips.




You can check out Farashati designs at:
http://www.farashati.com/

Introduction to Modesty In Vogue

This blog is intended to discuss issues about Modesty and Design, particularly in fashion and architecture in relation to Islam and Islamic culture.

Some people may ask how I can discuss these four things in one blog (modesty, fashion, architecture, and Islam) and that is a reasonable question.

For one, Fashion and Architecture are both intimately related through design. Fashion is the design of clothing to protect the body and Architecture is the design of a structure to shelter and protect space. These two types of design are both used as a basic part of life but are also representative of an idea, culture, personal image, and function.

Secondly, Modesty, or Haya in Islam is a basic part of life in Islamic culture and can be exhibited in many different ways but most notably in behavior and even dress. The hijab is a primary example of how women in Islam represent their modesty. Modesty can also be exhibited through other forms of dress but also architecture. When talking about modesty in architecture, especially in Islamic societies, one can image the traditional courtyard houses of the Arabian Gulf where the walls and exterior facades of buildings are minimal and purely functional while the interior of the buildings are decorated in ornate tile work.

Throughout this blog, I don't always plan on discussing all four things at once in every post, but my main focus is on how we represent our Modesty or Haya in relation to design and our aesthetic world.