Transcript File - Junior Cert Religion Blog

Islamic Women
"If memory serves me correctly, I was wearing a little
white tank top and a short black skirt. I had been raised
Orthodox Muslim, so I had never before worn such
revealing clothing while in my father's presence. When
we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger
sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he
was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We
exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly
give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then
he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will
never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said,
"Hana, everything that Allah made valuable in the world
is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find
diamonds? Deep down in the ground covered and
protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the
bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a
beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the
mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've
got to work hard to get to them. "He looked at me with
serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more
precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be
covered too.” Perhaps nothing has been so visible or so
open to misinterpretation as what Muslim women wear.
In western eyes, burkas, veils and hijabs -- or head
coverings -- can symbolize oppression.
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But for many Muslim women, these
garments represent an important
religious and moral choice. What
the Koran talks about is the
principle of modesty. That men and
women should behave and dress
in a modest way. Meaning by
modesty, meaning don't act in an
exhibitionist way.
A hijab or covering is not just covering your head,
it's an attitude. You're demanding, by covering, that
men treat you as an intelligent being and not just an
object that has hair and perfume and make up. And
definitely if it had anything at all to do with, you
know, subjugating myself to men, definitely I would
not do it. Muslim women are permitted to participate
in all walks of life as long as their modesty is not
affected. Muslim women have the right to be
educated, work outside the home, and contribute to
society. Because of the influence of mothers on
their children, it becomes even more important that
women be educated.
1) Can you name the shawl Islamic women wear around their head and shoulders?
1) What reason did Hana’s father give her for wearing this shawl?
2) Why do Islamic women wear this shawl?
1) Compare how Islamic women dress to the dress code for women in your own society/religion.
1) Do Islamic women have the right to education?
1) Identify one new aspect of Islamic women that you learnt about today.
Source: "More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes."http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/mis31.asp
Islamic Men
The man is the leader of his household. He is
ultimately responsible for important decisions that
may need to be made in the family, such as where
the family will live, where the children will attend
school and so on. This does not of course mean
that he cannot consult with and seek the advice of
his wife and children, but that if there is any
disagreement as to the best course of action, he will
have the final say. It is normal that the man will
delegate some of the decision making that involves
the day-to-day running of the household to other
members of his family. Therefore, the husband will
often leave much of the decision making with
regard to choosing the food, household items and
clothing, up to the wife. The man's family accepts
the decision because according to Islamic Law he
has that authority over his household. Having this
responsibility also means that the man should not
abuse his position and realise that he will be
answerable to Allah on the Day of Judgement as to
the decisions he has made. In addition to the man's
role as leader of the household, Allah has decreed
that he is to protect and provide for the women.
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Thus,
men
are
responsible
for
the
household income and for
ensuring that no harm
comes to his family. The
man is also expected to
go the mosque for five
times daily prayer, as well
as congregational prayer
on Friday.
He should involve himself in spreading the
message of Islam and provide his wife and
children with opportunities to educate themselves
about their religion and worldly matters. Modesty
in dress is enjoined not just upon women, but also
men for similar reasons. Men must cover
themselves from their navel to their knees. It is
preferable for them to also wear clothing that will
cover their shoulders. Shorts that fall above the
knee are not permitted. It is also desirable that
they should cover their head (with a small cap or
turban). Among one of the most important aspects
of a man's appearance is his beard. The beard is
one of the most outward expressions of a Muslim
male and to not have one goes against the
practices and advice of Prophet Muhammad. The
beard should be kept tidy and clean and the
moustache should be trimmed so that it doesn't go
over the lips.
1) What is the role of the man in an Islamic household?
2) What has Allah said about the role of men within the household?
3) Where does an Islamic man go to pray?
4) How many times must he pray a day?
5) Compare the role of men within Islam to the role of men in your own society/religion. Are there differences or
similarities?
6) Describe the appearance of an Islamic man.
Source: Muslim Men http://www.iris.org.nz/men.php