I Am A Woman

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A Letter To The West That Raised Me
By Yasmin Mogahed
Growing up, you read me the Ugly Duckling. And for years I believed that was me. I am a woman—that ugly duckling among men. For so long you taught me I was nothing more than a bad copy of the standard.
I couldn’t run as fast or lift as much. I didn’t make the same money and I cried too often. I grew up in a man’s world where I didn’t belong.
And when I couldn’t be him, I wanted only to please him. I put on your makeup and wore your short skirts. I gave my life, my body, my dignity, for the cause of being pretty. I knew that no matter what I did, I was worthy only to the degree that I could please and be beautiful for my master. And so I spent my life on the cover of Cosmo and gave my body for you to sell.

I was a slave, but you taught me I was free. I was your object, but you swore it was success. You taught me that my purpose in life was to be on display, to attract and be beautiful for men. You had me believe that my body was created to market your cars. And you raised me to think I was an ugly duckling.
But you lied.
Islam tells me I’m a Swan. I’m different—it’s meant to be that way. And my body, my soul, were created for something more.
Allah (God) says in the Qur’an:
'O people! We created you from one man and one woman and made you branches and tribes that you may recognize one another. Undoubtedly, the most respected among you in the sight of Allah is he who is more pious, verily, Allah is knowing, Aware. Surah Al-Hujurat : Ayat 13

So I am honored. But it is not by my relationship to men. My value as a woman is not measured by the size of my waist or the number of men who like me. My worth as a human being is measured on a higher scale: a scale of righteousness and piety. And my purpose in life, despite what the fashion magazines say; is something more sublime than just looking good for men.

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My beauty is for my husband to see, not the world. ~True Muslimah
And so Allah (God) tells me to cover myself, to hide my beauty, and to tell the world that I’m not here to please men with my body; I’m here to please Allah (God). Allah (God) elevates the dignity of a woman’s body by commanding that it be respected and covered, shown only to the deserving, only to the man I marry.
So to those who wish to “liberate” me, I have only one thing to say:
Thanks, but no thanks.

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The veil signified a woman's self-respect and social status.
I’m not here to be on display. And my body is not for public consumption. I will not be reduced to an object or a pair of legs to sell shoes. I’m a soul, a mind, a servant of Allah(God). My worth is defined by the beauty of my soul, my heart, my moral character. So I won’t worship your beauty standards, and I don’t submit to your fashion sense. My submission is to something higher.

With my veil I put my faith on display rather than my beauty. My value as a human is defined by my relationship with Allah (God), not by my looks. So I cover the irrelevant. And when you look at me, you don’t see a body. You view me only for what I am: a servant of my Creator.
So you see, as a Muslim woman, I’ve been liberated from a silent kind of bondage. I don’t answer to the slaves of Allah (God) on earth. I answer to their King.

15 comments:

  1. I read somewhere (Don't remember the source but it was a good one), it was about that women should't cover their whole face, they should cover their head but not their face. It is hard to identify someone if they are fully covered. I think that is, to some extent, true.

    What ya say? True or not?

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  2. ‎@Daniyal Arain: Hmmm simple answer is, women who use to wear veil on their face do not locked their tongue... Asked them about their identity... :)

    'O Prophet! Tell to your wives, and daughters and Muslim women, that they should keep putting a part of their wrapping covers over their faces. This is nearer than this that if they are recognized, they should not be annoyed. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
    Surah Al-Ahzab : Ayat 59

    This verse has been adduced as proof that no part of a woman's body should be evident to those who are not among the prohibited degrees of relationship (mahram) or her husband.


    And order the Muslim women to lower down their sights a little and guard their chastity and show not their adornment but as much which is itself apparent and remain putting their head coverings over their bosoms. And disclose not their adornment(beauty) but to their husbands, or to their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or to their or the of sons husbands or their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters or the women of their religion or their handmaids who are the property of their hands or servants provided they are not men of sexual desire or the children who are unaware of the private parts of the women; and put not their feet forcibly on the ground that hidden adornment may be known. And repent to Allah, O Muslims all together, haply you may get prosperity. Surah An-Nur : Ayat 31

    The principle fixed by the verse is, therefore that a woman cannot display her beauty to any male person other than the persons exempted by the verse. It goes without saying that the face is the focal-point of a woman's beauty, and the main source of attraction. Hence, the face of a woman cannot be displayed or shown to a stranger in normal circumstances whether in public or private according to the general principle fixed by the verse as stated above. She is permitted to display her beauty to the exempt class (the MAHAARIM) for obvious reasons of close contact, and because of the considerably lesser danger of sexual promiscuity and FITNAH within that class.

    "Ayesha (May Allah Be Pleased With Her) reported that Asma’ the daughter of Abu Bakr (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) came to the Messenger of Allah (s) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asma’! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." [Abu Dawud]

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  3. very informative,may Allah SWT bless you,amen.

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  4. you have explained it so well sis Asma..I am proud of you standing on your principles and I do respect your beliefs..I love the first pix..it depicts true love and it won't be based on lust or just for wanting a woman for her physical appearance..passing by ;)

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  5. @Sie: Thanks for kid & supportive words... :)

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  6. thanks for this sharing. may Allah bless you :)
    jazakallahukhairankatheera :)

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  7. @Inspector Saahab: No, I'm Pakistani... :)

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  8. Assalaamu 'Alaikum,

    A very lovely blog you have here! :)

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  9. absolutely inspiring...makes me kinda jealous of women in niqab. :)

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