ISLAMIC CLOTHING CODES

CLOTHING CODES’ IN ISLAM REGARDING MUSLIM WOMEN’S AND MEN’S ATTIRE ARE DERIVED FROM THE FOLLOWING MAJOR SOURCES: 1. The Quran, Islam's revealed text “The holy Book” 2. The traditions (hadith) of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 3. Muslim scholars and Jurists

IN THE QURAN, GOD STATES: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty...And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and adornments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers...(a list of exceptions)" [Chapter 18, Sura 24, verses 30-31] Also, "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their jilbab (outer garments) over their persons...that they should be known and not molested." [Chapter22, Sura 33, verse ]

In one tradition, among others, the Prophet Muhammad is quoted as saying: "...If the woman reaches the age of puberty, no part of her body should be seen but this --- and he pointed to his face and hands."

From these and other references, the vast majority of Muslim scholars and jurists, past and present, have determined the minimum requirements for Muslim women's dress: The attire should not be form fitting, or so eye- catching as to attract undue attention or reveal the exact shape of the body. Clothing must cover the entire body, with the exception of the face and the hands.

Requirements for Muslim men’s attire 1) A Muslim man must always be covered from the navel to the knees. A Muslim man should not wear tight, revealing the exact shape of body. Also, the Prophet states that ! 2)A Muslim man is prohibited from wearing silk clothing or gold jewelry. A Muslim woman though may wear silk or gold.

Clothing codes “Jilbab for women” in Islam is a manifestation form in obedience to God where Muslim men and women have similar obligations to submit to no one but God. IN PRACTICE, how izzzzz itt?? Why? Some Muslim women choose to wear the Jilbab/ hijab Other Muslim women choose not to wear it Religious belief Modesty Identity Privacy Force Abandon religion Unaware of clothing codes Modernity Western discourse Force complex v. practical

Head Cover & more

The Jilbab

To be or not to be? Or how to be?

What about swimming? Ahemm!!

The best solution is an outfit that: Is securely fitted so as not to come off easily Covers the entire body including the head Is fashionable Does not overheat the swimmer And is safe to wear (i.e., does not absorb water, weighing the swimmer down, and thus drowning her)

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman A drawback of this suit is that it sticks to the body when wet. Semi suits were being sold in Egypt and were very popular. However, some Muslim scholars have not recommended them. A looser version may be considered dangerous because it may trap water in the loose folds of the suit which may contribute to endangering the safety of the swimmer. Challenges:

Now, the top Turkish company, called Hasema, is producing Islamic bathing suits. Hasema, says it sold 25,000 bathing suits last year and can’t produce them quick enough to keep pace with demand. The company exports to Egypt, North America, England, and Australia. “Water gets inside and it sticks to you” - Erdogan from Turkey said “But I don’t have any other choice.” In the past, religious women in Turkey either didn’t go to the beach or wore regular street clothing into the water. Most women at beaches in secular Turkey wear Western-style bathing suits. The suits still aren't perfect for swimming

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman Head covering: The head is the easiest part of a woman's body to cover when it comes to water activities. One can cover only the hair with a swim cap or bandana; the head with a beanie cap; or the head, neck and ears with a full lycra hood, or with one's own headscarf.

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman The wetsuit comes in different thickness of neoprene. Is tight fitting, but some women feel this is an acceptable choice to wear. Would recommend 1mm to 2mm thickness, but not thicker than that for swimming. Can be used for snorkeling, surfing, and warm-water scuba diving. One may add a short skirt or pants for modesty. The top: Long sleeved rash guards. The tight waist is not an ideal for modesty; however, one is able to purchase a larger sized rash guard or by simply cutting off the elastic waistband or one that does not have an elastic waistband and is not extremely tapered at the waist. Also, one can purchase a large enough rash guard, it will more than likely also cover the buttocks region as well

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman The skirt: For the women who do not feel comfortable wearing a wetsuit or pants alone, there are nylon/lycra and polyester skirts available that one can wear over the wetsuit (or pants) for added coverage. For swimming, it is highly recommended that shorter skirts be worn (above the knee) so as not to prevent leg motion while kicking. Also, it may be best to wear it in conjunction with a wetsuit and not with loose/baggy-fitting pants— it may add to the bulkiness of the outfit. Finally, loose short pants can be another possibility.

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman Clamdigger Capri: Sporting Semi-fitted ya”. Fabric content: 100% Polyester Microfiber. “good on Beachcomber Capri: Athleta Exclusive Wrinkle-resistant, quick- drying fabric. Comes in several different patterns/colors. Fabric content: 100% Polyester Microfiber. Pipeline Capri: This capri is surf-inspired in style. Peached fabric secured by a drawstring elastic waist, Fabric content: 100% Peached Polyester. The pants: What is available on the market today from various vendors are "quick dry" pants. There are many pants made of nylon or ripstop nylon, sanded polyester or nylon/spandex mix.

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman Summer Comfort Capri: Lightweight, fast-drying, silky soft, easy fit, wrinkle and water- resistant. Oh and don’t worry, it’s not a slim fit; it’s a capri that curves where you do. 89% poly/11% nylon. Marrakesh Capri: For when you're heading for destinations unknown. Made of a stretch woven fabric. Nylon/poly blend washes out easily, dries zap fast. I Quit Capri: Say good- bye to the dry cleaners and hello to this easy clean, easy care, fun-to- wear capri. 100% silky, sanded poly microfiber.

Swimwear: Clothing Options for the Modest-Conscious Active Woman

In conclusion, what is available on the market today from various vendors are quick dry pants as well as long sleeved rash guards and even head coverings…anything else?!

Here is the part from my friend in California/USA at this matter: (note: Eric is my friend's husband) just yesterday, we were invited by one of eric's coworkers to a party at a home (a 4 million dollar home!!!!) that had an amazing pool in the backyard. it had several waterfalls and a small bridge you can swim under, and a water slide (that looks like it is made of natural rock), and some "caves", and a couple of jacuzzis that you have to climb up to get to. very very very exotic and beautiful. well, eric and i are the only muslims there, so i wore my ’Islamic swimming outfit' (the long sleeved rash guard top and the quick-dry polyester pants) and it worked soooo well!!!!! alhamdulillah!!! of course, i was the only woman wearing so much in the water, but i was so happy and very comfortable. i feel like i found freedom. anyway, if you ever want me to buy this stuff for you, let me know and you can give me your size, etc. i think it's extremely important to show both muslims and non-muslims that muslim women can be modern and progressive and can participate in water activities w/o compromising our principles or values or beliefs. it just takes a bit of knowledge and creativity, that's all. now i can't wait to do more public water activities, like snorkeling w/eric and maybe learning to surf...! =;D

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me; and please feel free to share this information with others, you can see the pants here: =1137&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=1137&RS=1&keyword=lon g+board+crop+pant you can see the matching skirt here: =1022&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=1022

What about other activities?!

See you at the beach, insha'Allah!! =:) Peace