Hijab Fashion Style

Hijab or Jilbab Fashion Style...

THE QUESTION OF HIJAB: SUPPRESSION OR LIBERATION?

"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.

The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.

The question of hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (S) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qur'an says:

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)

These verses from the Qur'an contain two main injunctions:

1. A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
2. the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:

"Ayesha (R) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! 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 Dawood)

The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (S) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim) Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:

1. Women must not dress so as to appear as men.
   "Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (S) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
2. Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
3. The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.

Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.

For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.

Mary C. Ali

Band Jacket Trends

The marching band jacket trend is one that has been reported all across fashion blogs, but it's new looks like the one above right that are catching my attention. New and altered styles of the school days throwback are showing up on the streets and the runway, and mixed into outfits in a variety of styles, from clean and classic to grunge, and even hip-hop.


Different versions of the marching band jacket trend have been rocked by musicians Chris Brown, Chris Martin of Coldplay, and Brandon Flowers of the Killers. It's no surprise that performers have latched onto this trend that is reminiscent of many artists' own musical roots.

The band jacket is a slightly more fun and upbeat version of the military jacket, and a dramatic addition to your winter or spring wardrobe.

Kim Kardashian Summer Fashion

ired of seeing and reading about Kim Kardashian yet? I am, too – kinda – although even I am guilty of gawking at her style choices pretty often. Overrated or not, you gotta admit that Kim Kardashian is one of the trendiest gals in Hollywood right now. Among the “F” words she’s associated with – “faux” being one of them because she’s always wearing those long false eyelashes – I happen to think her wardrobe is “fierce” and “fabulous”. For that reason I am doing this expose on some of Kim Kardashian’s choice summer fashions.

METALLIC
I predict that metallics will lie to rest after this summer but that doesn’t stop Miss Kardashian from rocking this metallic gold tube dress striped in black with black peep toe pumps. The small black clutch is a perfect accessory to this tiny slim-fitting dress. Pairing metallic clothes with basic black pieces ensures your look won’t be too clash-y.

WIDE LEG PANTS
Along with bell bottom flares, high-waist wide-legged pants have been seen all over the place since last fall. Victoria Beckham is also a repeat offender of this trend. I love how Kim pairs these high-waist wide-legged jeans with a grey button-up top to make it chic, yet has rolled-up sleeves and the bottom all tied up to show just the right amount of skin on a fair summer night. Again, the accessories are on point: metallic silver stacked bangles, a silvery grey clutch, and metallic silver gladiator sandals complete Kim’s wide-legged look.

PRINTS & PATTERN
Pucci- and Missoni-style prints seem to emerge season in and season out in some form and this summer it’s all about bright print dresses. Kim Kardashian pairs this Mint print dress with velvety brown peeptoe pumps for a totally fun and refreshingly non-skintight summer ensemble.

EYELETS
It’s somewhat shocking to see Kim in such a… classy, long, snow white eyelet dress with matching handbag and white lace-up platforms. Still, Kim keeps it Kim-style with a revealing bust, although the flipped collar maintains this more tasteful, demure look.

Emo Fashion for Boy

Becoming an emo fashion boy with some cool funky clothes and hairstyles is the hottest thing that makes a boy stand out. Although black is the emo base color, you can be creative in adding highlights to your hair and clothes with some hot electric or neon colors.
For your hair to give out a fashion statement, you can have it long with colored streaks or spike and texture it for style with long fringes. You have to keep your hair styled at all times in the best way you can, to be a highly fashionable emo boy. Do not let your hair become dirty with scruffy cuts and off colors that are nowhere near emo style.

You can try becoming a emo music lover by listening and wearing emo band music and clothes. Tight black jeans with black t-shirts or hoodies portray an emo look. You can even use accessories to complement your emo nature with fashionable emo belt or studs. Contrasting colored ties can also be worn. Emo fashion boys can do some light makeup or use nail paints to enhance their emo looks.

Be creative and inventive in displaying your emo looks. Your emo style should give an overall feeling of being an emo. As an emo fashion boy, along with your outer appearance, you have to truly believe in being an emo from inside too. Avoid general gossip, be genuinely thoughtful, and think deep. Learn to converse intelligently and try bringing out your true emo self to become a emo fashion boy.

Emo Hairstyle

Emo hair is popular among fashion lovers. Emo hair style mainly depends on personal choice and the most important characteristic of emo hairstyles is that they are colored in unique hair colors such as pink, violet or blonde. Lighter colors like white blonde, purple and green are also common with emo hairstyle lovers, especially girls, however black hair color still prevails!
Emo hairstyle for emo boy.

Emo hairstyles have straight and untied hair, flowing freely covering the forehead and left or right eye. Emo hairstyles are characterized for they are mono directional. One side of hair is longer than other side of hair.

In Emo cuts wicked clips and bands are considered stylish but they are used to give hairstyle a messy look. Emo hairstyle can also be made on short hair by spiking them up with hair gels. Short mullets are also characterized as an emo hairstyle. Emo hair is basically short from the back and long from the front and the sides.

Shaggy hairstyle is also popular as “emo shags” and is loved by mostly girls. Layered look is also an important characteristic of emo hairstyle. Some of the important characteristics of emo haircut are one-sided fringe and short spiky emo hair.

Emo hairstyle is often characterized for having random splurges of uniquely coloured highlights. Emo hairstyle has uneven layers. Emo hairstyles can give the sexiest look to your appearance for their chic and unique appeal.
coloured highlights

Cristiano Ronaldo Opens Second CR7 Store in Lisbon

Manchester United and Portugal superstar Cristiano Rolando opened his second Portugese CR7 brand store in Lisbon on October 7, 2008. So if the Manchester United #7 jersey is not enough for you soccer metrosexual types, head to one of the brand CR7 stores for Ronaldo-inspired man purses, studded belts, jeans with leather pockets and patent buckled loafers. Everything in Ronaldo’s collection includes large metal emblems of his initials and team number 7 in clear view. CR7’s slinky outfits for women (as selected by the Ronaldo sisters) are must haves for all aspiring WAGs.

The opening of the Lisbon store follows last April’s store opening in Ronaldo’s home town of Funchal in Madeira. Ronaldo’s mother, Dolores and siblings Hugo, Telma and Katia attended the opening. Portuguese actress and singer Luciana Abreu was also present. She’s rumoured to be Ronaldo’s new babe by the British tabloids.

Move over David and Victoria Beckham.

Blazers for spring

Asos Gingham Blazer retails for $58.73 and is a good bargain if you'd ask me. Its fitted and short just the way i like it although some of you might not. Gingham is a good bargain for spring and i love this color. I love the way the buttons on the shirt are done up,so du jour right now.
Asos Chambray Blazer retails for $66.08. Take notice of the handkerchief pockets and the rest i love the casual chic feel. Another good investment for you sartorial armoury.

Asos Stripe Blazer retails for $58.73. Gucci has this exact kind of blazer in their cruise 09 collection and that goes for $500 upwards can't really remember the price. So that shows you how relevant this might be to your wardrobe.