How do fashion and Islam come together? Its a question that crosses many minds.
So
you're designing fashionable clothes? Wait, but isn't the point of
modesty to conceal beauty? If you wear colors over just solid black,
aren't you going to attract attention? So doesn't that defeat the
purpose of modesty?
If
you're in the fashion business or designing and you get questions like
this or you yourself think this to yourself at times, then you're on the
right track. This is because as a fashionable Muslim woman, you want to
make sure that your intentions are always set straight and you
questioning yourself is always a sign of either improvement or staying
on track without diverting onto the wrong path.
This
is a topic that has also been mind boggling for myself for quite some
time and after weeks of serenading over the topic and doing a little bit
of research, I came to a few conclusions.
Islam
is about beauty and we all know that god loves beauty. The prophet's
favorite color was green. I believe that it is of special importance to
the Muslim women population to be able to garment themselves with modest
and FASHIONABLE but also concealing clothing.
Picture
this scenario: Two veiled muslim women walking into a cafe. The first
of those wearing a long cream knee length sheer shirt paired with a
black blazer with detailed work on the collar and wrist along with a
pair of jeans and finished with a beautiful emerald green scarf to cover
her hair. The other muslim woman walks in with a very baggy sweater and
long to cover her behind and thighs layered with a raggy long white
undershirt and pleated sweats. Not to forget the black scarf which is,
btw, a necessity in every Hijabi's closet. Which one do you think is
more likely to be approached to be asked questions about Islam?
I vote the emerald green scarf Muslimah.
Not
because of her shiny scarf but merely because she is well put together.
Professional, well dressed, and in a presentable manner. It's just like
getting dressed to go to an interview. The only thing about being a
hijabi Muslim woman in the streets of the US is that you are ALWAYS at
risk of being questioned/interviewed by others. Not in a creepy,
interrogative way but instead by folks who are interested in knowing
more about this religion. People who see mere stereotypes on the media
and end up resenting the religion but then saw you: The well put
together, professional, kind and yes, fashionable, woman. Of course
they're going to ask questions and right THERE is our opportunity for
dawah.
Therefore,
if im not mistaken, modest muslim woman + intelligent woman +
fashionable clothes(non-revealing and modestly lose) = DAWAH!
In
conclusion, I believe that YES, as a Muslim woman living in the 21st
century and in the US, it is necessary to dress in a way that will
please allah as well as be inviting for others to ask about my religion,
my mind and my goals.
My Hijab is my way of Dawah.
"We are not here to be accepted. We are here to be respected." - Dr. Tariq Ramadan
xoxo
Ndaa
-The girl in the emerald scarf ;)
