As a human rights lawyer I've represented women seeking justice my entire career.
As Iranian women protest Iran's hijab enforcement—while the 'morality police' murder Mahsa Amini—I want to post this thread about Hijab in Islam. I hope every guy (esp in Iran) reads this.
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As Iranian women protest Iran's hijab enforcement—while the 'morality police' murder Mahsa Amini—I want to post this thread about Hijab in Islam. I hope every guy (esp in Iran) reads this.
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People often conflate "Hijab" & "headscarf." Wearing the headscarf is one form of Hijab, but men often forget that Hijab is much more.
Accordingly, when addressing Hijab, the Qur'an does not address women first. It addresses men first.
What? Men observe hijab? Since when?
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Accordingly, when addressing Hijab, the Qur'an does not address women first. It addresses men first.
What? Men observe hijab? Since when?
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Well, since always. The primary responsibility of observing Hijab is not on women — it is on men. It's critical to understand this point.
How must men observe Hijab? Men are commanded to not stare at women & to not be promiscuous. The Qur'an commands men to observe modesty.
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How must men observe Hijab? Men are commanded to not stare at women & to not be promiscuous. The Qur'an commands men to observe modesty.
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For example, Qur'an 24:31 rebukes forced laws on women that say "Women must cover otherwise men are distracted." This verse destroys rape culture.
The Qur'an commands men,"Don't stare at women," demolishing absurd complaints that "what she's wearing is too provocative," etc
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The Qur'an commands men,"Don't stare at women," demolishing absurd complaints that "what she's wearing is too provocative," etc
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Men have an obligation to God & to women to observe Hijab. Simply—if a guy chooses to accept Islam, Islam says he must observe Hijab
Thus Prophet Muhammad(sa) rebuked men, "Be chaste yourselves & women will be chaste as well,"—again putting the primary burden of Hijab on men
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Thus Prophet Muhammad(sa) rebuked men, "Be chaste yourselves & women will be chaste as well,"—again putting the primary burden of Hijab on men
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In a famous incident Prophet Muhammad (sa) saw a companion staring at a woman who was not wearing a head scarf. Rather than scold the woman Muhammad (sa) admonished his companion to stop staring as it was rude & unIslamic—again placing the primary burden of Hijab on men.
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Once the Qur'an & Prophet thoroughly command men to observe Hijab by being modest, not staring, & reforming themselves—then the Qur'an addresses women
Now, many men magically & suddenly discover the concept of Hijab for women—ignoring the primary burden first placed on men🤦🏽♂️
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Now, many men magically & suddenly discover the concept of Hijab for women—ignoring the primary burden first placed on men🤦🏽♂️
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And you end up with draconian regimes like Iran, where for some reason men think they can simply force women to observe Hijab.
No. Such. Permission. Exists. To. Force. Hijab. On. Women. In. Islam.
None. Nada. Zip. Cero. صفر Zero in whatever language you speak. Zero!
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No. Such. Permission. Exists. To. Force. Hijab. On. Women. In. Islam.
None. Nada. Zip. Cero. صفر Zero in whatever language you speak. Zero!
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But as His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) reminds men who force Hijab on women—don't, and instead control yourself.
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Hijab is a critically important Islamic teaching. No one denies this. But it seems too many men forget it applies to us FIRST and we should worry about ourselves.
So that's my thread on Hijab in Islam. To learn how Hijab applies to Muslim women—ask Muslim women.
Finally...
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So that's my thread on Hijab in Islam. To learn how Hijab applies to Muslim women—ask Muslim women.
Finally...
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If Iran actually wanted to empower women, they'd ensure women have self-determination. Such truth is grounded both in human nature and Islamic history
The Prophet's wife Khadija was a CEO. His wife Ayesha was the premier jurist. Muslim women were warriors, poets, & scholars
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The Prophet's wife Khadija was a CEO. His wife Ayesha was the premier jurist. Muslim women were warriors, poets, & scholars
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I mourn Mahsa Amini's murder, and stand in solidarity with Iranian woman fighting for the most basic human right to self determination & free thought.
As Qur'an 420 declares, "It is unlawful to inherit women against their will."
Iran must stop its oppression of women.
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As Qur'an 420 declares, "It is unlawful to inherit women against their will."
Iran must stop its oppression of women.
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