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| Lady in Tight Dress |
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| Nation of Islam Women |
Many of us stare at Muslim sisters or Catholic nuns whom wear head coverings known as a (veil, hijab, jilbab, khimar, or habits) especially when it's 90 degrees out side like "Why? Sister, Why?," not realizing that women wearing head coverings on their heads or clothing that does not reveal all their goods was practiced by ancient African and other Eastern civilizations. The way a woman dressed back in the day was seen as scared and virtuous, and it reflected her divine nature. She wasn't rockin' booty shorts and painted on dresses (know don't take me for being holier than thou because I like most men enjoy seeing an attractive woman walking down the street), but the way some women and in particular my sisters dress has gone too damn far, you might as well be naked! Ladies, I am not try to tell you how to dress or even suggesting that you be a nun or MGT, but what I am doing is giving you a picture of an expression of virtuousness that suggests your Godly worth. My thing is, aren't you sexually objectified enough in this world?
Fellas: I say no matter if a sister refers to herself as a "Bad Bitch," or doesn't have a clue of her value, we as men must still respect her. Now, I know your saying "Bruh, how can I if she's puttin' herself out there like that," and how could she say we're being misogynistic?" My answer is simple: See the Goddess in her.
As I digress... I had a "Soap Box" moment :-)
Here's where I was going...
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| Kenyan Nuns |
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| Provocatively Tasteful or Not? |
Most Christians do not know that women covering their hair at service was also a common practice within Christianity. Today, it is more commonly known for being practiced by Muslim women (though not a requirement for women to wear "hijab" in the Qur'an per se; the practiced is upheld based on doctrinal belief from the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari), Catholic nuns, and some Orthodox Jewish traditions. However, hair covering in the early church was the standard at one time for women, and still is today by some Judeo-Christian traditions. Women were expected to cover their hair with a large scarf (or shash) while in church, according to (1 Cor 11:2-16). Note: The narrative given by Paul on women covering their hair is viewed by some as a part of his later diatribe in (1 Cor 14:34) that cogently suggests that women are to remain silent in the church, as form of submissiveness, which I do not particular agree with. The idea of women covering up here, I contend was and is symbolic of their divine virtuousness that should be honored, cherished,
and respected by men.
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| "Nuff Said!" |
Moreover, in Orthodox synagogues, especially in the Ethiopian church men and women sat separately, with men on the left and women on the right (when facing the altar)--very similar to what you have seen for instance, if you've ever visited Mosque Maryam in Chicago. Sisters covering their hair and sitting separately from the Brothers in the sanctuary is common among some Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, (prior to the 60's) with Catholics, and with many conservative Protestants (i.e. Adventist churches). This is an interesting interwoven parallel between the three Abrahamic faith traditions. So, next time you see a sister covered don't stare in astonishment, but acknowledge that she is upholding her faith and conviction not because she is restricted or weak, but because she is striving to exemplify virtuousness through her expression of her Godly worth. ~Peace Be With You, Bro. Lamon
Scriptural Study:
Paul speaking On Covering the Head in Worship (1 Cor 11:2-16 NIV)
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| Gabrielle Union with Style & Class |
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,a and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.
A man ought not to cover his head,b since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.
O children of Adam, We haveindeed sent down to you clothing tocover your shame, and (clothing) forbeauty; and clothing that guardsagainst evil — that is the best. This is of the messages of Allah (God) that theymay be mindful. ~Surah 7:26 (Maulana Muhammad Ali Translation)
O Prophet, tell thy wives and thydaughters and the women of believersto let down upon them their over-garments. This is more proper, so thatthey may be known, and not be giventrouble. And Allah (God) is ever Forgiving, Merciful. ~Surah 33:59 (Maulana Muhammad Ali Translation)
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close around them. that will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever forgiving, merciful…” (Surah 33:59 from A. Yusef Ali’s translation of the Qur’an; other versions translate the original Arabic as “veils” where Ali uses “cloaks”). ~Source: http://postcolonialstudies.emory.edu/women-islam-and-hijab/
Hadiths
“My Lord agreed with me (‘Umar) in three things … (2) And as regards the veiling of women, I said ‘O Allah’s Apostle! I wish you ordered your wives to cover themselves from the men because good and bad ones talk to them.’ So the verse of the veiling of the women was revealed” (Bukhari, v1, bk 8, sunnah 395). ~Source: http://postcolonialstudies.emory.edu/women-islam-and-hijab/
"Ayesha (rad.i-Allahu `anha) reported that Asma’ the daughter of Abu Bakr (rad.i-Allahu `anhu) came to the Messenger of Allah 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]
Ibn Qudama in al-Mughni (1:349) explained that showing the face and hands are a specific dispensation within the general meaning of the hadith "All of the woman’s body is considered her nakedness [to those outside the mahram relationship or her husband]." (al-mar'atu `awra)
`Ayesha (rad.i-Allahu `anha) said: "I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah and my father (Abu Bakr) were later buried in without having my garment on me, saying it is only my husband and my father. But when 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (rad.i-Allahu `anh) was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I had my garment on being shy from 'Umar."
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