We should always praise non-muslims that want to cover up by their own free will. Being modest is a God-given right! We cannot take away what Allah (swt) gave to others from His mercy.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that none of you are a believer until you love for your brother, what you love for yourself. In some cases it, goes as far as 'others' and not just your brother (in Islam). So it is anyone. These are both authentic hadiths!
I agree that I will not feel hurt or disrespected if a woman wears hijab or scarves or wears long clothes even if she is not muslim. It
is a Muslim identity, but we're all brothers and sisters and everyone is born as a muslim. If she is not yet muslim, Allah (swt) has already softened her heart and she has accepted why we do certain things. I feel very sad that someone gave hatemail to a non-muslim hijabi. That is very sad. Instead of discouraging girls who want to dress modestly, none of us have the guts to go up to our own muslim sisters and tell them that hijab
is a requirement.
Sisters, it IS in the Qur'an that you must wear a headscarf. The arabic word used in Surah An-Nisa is
Khimar which means the head-covering. You must draw that head covering around your chest, that is the meaning of the ayat as far as I can gather. Coming from a non-arabic background, it was hard for me to make sense, but yes it is in the Qur'an. I had to drop all my excuses and then wear hijab.
And you know what sister? I seriously regret all the years I did not. These are the best years of my life, I am wearing hijab, I get so much salams from other muslims who recognise me for being a muslim. If the label shows your intent, wear it? What is wrong with being identified as a person who is a muslim?
Women who don't cover their hair or don't dress adequately mean they do not believe in Surah An-Noor/ An-Nisa -- this is what Bibi Aishah [rah] said about someone women. In addition, the Qur'an quite clearly states:
Obey Allah and obey the Messenger!And Muhammad [pbuh] said to his daughter that only your face and hands must be seen. Everything else must be covered. If we don't, unfortunately it means we're not obeying our beloved prophet [pbuh].
Hijab includes, lowering of the eyes, the way you talk (so that you're not flirtatious)
Enough is wearing everything that covers you from head to toe. Including your head.
To make sure it is loose enough, well, the Prophet [pbuh] said that the bones or the shape should be completely covered.
The benefits of hijab far outweigh the disadvantages. We do it in submission to Allah. Faith is more essential than fashion. Yes, you should dress like the people you live with, but only according to the Shari'ah. Wear baggy trousers, a shirt/blouse/kurta (which is like an Indian style tunic or short Kameez) over it that is loose, and England is cold anyway so I just wear a long coat over it. Then a hijab and shoes. How easy is that?
Not only does it look elegant, it is perfectly practical and I can do all my lab work with it and go out and not feel cold and my hair has never been in better condition. n_n
I am sorry I could not give you the references, but InshahAllah these are all authentic hadiths I have heard. I will really try and bring proof next time whilst making claims. But the best Qur'an references for reading about hijab is Surah An-Nisa and Surah An-Noor.
Qur'an Explorer. Also, it says in numerous places to obey Allah (swt) and obey Muhammad (pbuh).