The Mahdi Times October 2011 | Page 27

We know from Imam Ali PBUH: “He who recognizes his self recognizes God.” And to not do this is to perish, because the self must be considered as worthless before Allah s.w.t, but not through abuse and oppression, rather through allowing the self to slowly undergo the journey of recognition, in which case this understanding that we are, in fact, nothing, must bloom like a flower gently tended, not pitilessly crushed. The other extreme of hijab is where the woman abuses the hijab itself, simply by not observing the correct rules. Breaking these rules to suit our whims is unfair and inappropriate. Of course, there are different forms of hijab but this does not mean that hijab is super-flexible. Different styles, while keeping the rules in order, are great. Different styles and no rules just lead to a mutated mess. So what is the best way of ensuring the beautiful concept of hijab is kept intact?It is surely to understand the essence of the concept. In order to do this, one must understand the advantages of observing hijab and of not observing hijab. What are the advantages of observing hijab? True hijab preserves and perfects the identity of a woman. It grants her respect in society. It depicts her as somebody who demands respect in a world filled with intolerance. Her identity allows her to have a sense of freedom, which is freedom of thought, expression, and belief. This sense of freedom enables the woman’s family to grow a sense of confidence and love for each other, because the mother of the family is somebody who is sure of herself. Hijab also strengthens the relationship of mutual affection between the woman and her husband. What happens in a society where the woman does not observe hijab? Of course, it is first necessary to understand that the way she is looked at will differ from the way the hijabobserving woman will be looked at. For one thing, the hijab-lacking woman will be displaying her physical appearance in a manner that goes against the criteria set down by Allah. This means her appearance will have negative consequences on both herself and her society. She will not be demanding respect. The way she looks at herself may become dependent on the way others look at her. Looking good for others will be her priority, whereas the hijab-observing woman will want to look good qurbatanillAllah. Big difference.  Also, the woman who does not observe hijab will be i