| February 2013
1. DEAR ABE: Why do you think women should not wear head scarves while you know in Sura Noor; Chapter 24, Verse 31 mentions the necessity for women to cover their head and face? – NABEELA, MIDDLESBROUGH ENGLAND
DEAR NABEELA: The Arabic KHOMOORE in Verse 24:31 is derived from the word KHAMARA which means COVER. The usage of this word is what you dispute. Since the Arabic word for CHEST, GAYB is in the verse, but the Arabic word for HEAD, RAAS is NOT in the verse; the commandment is clear - COVER YOU CHEST [1]. Most of the translators are influenced by Hadith (fabrications) and translate the word as VEIL and thus mislead people to believe that this verse is advocating the covering of the head. The last part of the verse translates as, "They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies." The details of the body can be revealed only by the dress you wear, not your headcover.[2]
Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 24:31; [2] 9:31, 34:53, 6:38, 6:114, 7:18.
2. DEAR ABE: Most sources claim that covering the woman’s aurat, includes covering their hair from the sight of everyone except immediate family members, but you claim there is no need for a burka or even a headscarf. This is highly conflicting. Please explain it better and would you announce it to the mass a little better? – MOHAMMAD, PAKISTAN
DEAR MOHAMMAD: Nowhere in the Quran does it require women to cover their hair, arms, legs, etc. The religious rules imposing head covers, or Hijab, are from sources outside of the Quran [1]. However, it is not wrong to wear head covers on account of cultural tradition, and rules should not be imposed stating that head covers cannot be worn. The rules in the Quran for women’s dress code are the following: First, the best garment is the garment of righteousness; for women and men [2]. Second, women shall cover their chests, and reveal only what is necessary (implying modesty) [3]. Third, women shall lengthen their garments to be recognized as righteous [4]. And fourth, women AND men shall subdue their eyes and maintain their chastity [5]. [6]
Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 12:111, 31:6, 39:23, 39:29, 45:6, 52:34; [2] 7:26; [3] 24:31; [4] 33:59; [5]24:30-31; [6] Appendix 18, and Appendix 19 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa, Women’s Dress Code article on Islam Unraveled.org.
3. DEAR ABE: Lately, I have been troubled by the issue of God’s gender. Why does our Almighty Creator assign a gender to itself (or why did Angel Gabriel or Mohammed as he wrote down Qu'ran) and why use the male form and not the female form? – MARY, NEW YORK
DEAR MARY: God is neither male nor female. In Arabic “He” and “She” do not necessarily imply natural gender. There is no “it” in Arabic. For example, a table has a “female” ending. When God is referred to as “He” in the Arabic language, this does not imply gender. God is the Most High, far above needing any partners, and is neither male, nor female [1]. We see gender distortions in the English language that are not in the Arabic Quran, such as when “Father” is used to refer to God [2]. Furthermore, the Quran teaches us that it is blasphemous to assign gender to the angels [3]. Hence, it is God willing clear that gender is neither relevant nor appropriate as far as our Creator is concerned.
Relevant Quran Verse: [1] 10:18; [2] Appendix 4 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa; [3] 4:117, 37:150, 17:40.
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