02.19.08
Sisters leading a double life……………..
‘Sisters Leading a Double Life’, or ‘If You Wear Hijab why do you have pictures all over the place where you aren’t wearing it?’
Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Rahim. Amma Ba3ad
First of all I want to make clear I am not judging any particular person; however this blog is just about something I have noticed in general; not just on myspace but on other blogs, forums and social networking sites. Secondly I am no scholar; so am not making any rulings here; just giving some advice.
I’m sure we all know hijab is obligatory; by consensus amongst all mainstream Muslims and from the evidences presented before us in the Qur’an and Hadith; also that niqab is obligatory according to some of the well-known and respected ulema from throughout the centuries (even the majority of ulema according to many). However some sisters seem blissfully ignorant about whom we can uncover in front of. Many a time I have seen a sister who ordinarily wears hijab; and is very passionate about it have pictures on myspace that are public; or ‘private’ but she has unrelated men on her friends’ list; that just reveal everything including showing things; such as the upper chest; thighs and so on; that are not even supposed to be seen amongst other women! And often these pictures will have lewd comments from men as well left under the picture! I have also seen this on other social networking sites, i.e. facebook; forums and blogs on blogger and other similar sites. I am not just talking hijab only; I have seen sisters who wear full niqab with pics not only of their niqab lifted up; but then pictures of them attired similarly as described above! Often the same sisters will have articles on hijab on their page and other Islamic articles and have a very pious sounding intro on their page.
It seems in a lot of communities the emphasis is put only on outer appearances; and that you only need to cover in front of people you know; this is completely wrong; however even if you come from such a community you really have a duty to educate yourself on the deen and that it is a way of life; not just for when you want to keep up with the ‘Ahmeds’!
It makes me feel like a lot of sisters are leading a double life! Several times I have had online friends on yahoo groups and so on; who are very passionate about the niqab and hijab and their other Islamic obligations; then when I have put their emails into myspace or facebook hoping to find them as I have found them to be such an inspiring sister; I have been completely shocked that ‘teen in garb’ or some other similar name on yahoo has pictures of her in ‘daisy dukes’; with guys at the prom and the like. Some of them have really rude rap music on their pages; and some of them it doesn’t even say they are Muslim on their page at all.
Some sisters may say well these pictures are from my past and I am not like that any longer so whats the harm; well if they are from your past; they should be left there; just as I am sure at home you don’t bring out the photo albums with all your old pics of you sans hijab in there; you don’t want to do the same online; where many more people can see it. I run two groups on yahoo on the topics of hijab; and niqab. We have had many a problem with fetishists; and although it is an excuse; a lot of them have an easy ride to stealing pictures of sisters because they are so easily available. A lot of these fetishists see Muslim sisters as a joke because they are so self-righteous about covering yet do not apply it to themselves and post their pics all over the place; yet when a fetishist nicks all their pics; they are in a right panic!
Now I understand some sisters have not yet taken the step of observing the hijab; and this is fine only Allaah can judge and may he guide you to that step asap InshaAllaah. However even for those sisters; posting your pics is still dangerous as what if you did decide to cover properly tomorrow but your pics are still out there? I myself have personal experience of this; Alhamdulillaah I was wearing hijab in the pics but not in the way I do now; so this is why I want to warn you all. The pictures in question were posted when I was married to my ex; especially our wedding picture (Alhamdulillaah this time around I had no wedding pictures) as it was posted at the time quite innocently to accompany my reversion story; now they are on several defunct sites that are freely hosted and not going to expire even the original owners cannot get in there; and there is nada I can do about it; believe me I have tried. My husband knows about it and knows it was a foolish thing in my past; but it still hurts me. Anyone searching for my real name can find them! If you take a picture and post it online; it can be saved and essentially lasts forever. It can fall into the hands of people who don’t know you and; don’t know you don’t want your pictures everywhere! Please sisters take more care of yourselves and stick to the obligations of hijab; if you are leading a double life then ask yourself what benefit does this have and sincerely repent to Allaah and move on! I hope this advice only serves of benefit to my sisters in deen!
Umm Abdullaah
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