Naked Time.
What is naked time? Its that time of the year when it gets so hot all the women practically run around naked. If it really was the summer, I would see them on the train in bikinis. Really. Bikinis. Without shorts, just the suit.... I wish I was kidding.
During this season is when I really think about hijab and how maybe it should be somewhat relative to culture. My friend mentioned an article she read today about a bunch of women who orchestrated a protest for women's equality by parading down the street with their shirts off, breasts exposed. Their thought was "If men can run around shirtless so can we!". So my friend and I discussed to what lengths would we have to go to actually make that work so it became equal and didn't cause such a stir.
Well first of all, more men would need to walk around shirtless. Very few do except for at the beach. Its very weird to see a man in a public place shirtless, although not completely uncommon. So that would have to happen to bring things to their definition of equal which is "Doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way, as the opposite sex".
Then you'd have to get women to agree to not wearing shirts. And somehow remove the billion year old concept that breasts are a private part of a woman's body. That its ok to show them. Yeah that's going to work REALLY well.
Its silly, it really is. But it made me think about "Naked Time" and how maybe hijab really should be more relative to culture. The way I dress I am considered ultra concervative and I still show my hair, neck, lower calf, and arm below the elbow. So imagine how out of place a full on hijabi must be on the modesty scale in the US. When women are running around half naked do you really have to be covered head to toe to achieve modesty?
Probably not. But that might not be the point. I cover up more than I need to because I refuse to give in to what society tells me is beautiful. That I can't be beautiful without first appealing to the sexual desire of the opposite sex. To counter that, I dress conservative but elegant. Beautiful like a princess. A confident but covered woman. I don't want to encourage this sexy=beautiful mentality. Its dangerous, and unfair.
Oh yeah and totally not equal.
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YOU TELL 'EM, SISTER! That last paragraph was amazing, Masha'Allah! Although I personally wear full hijab and think that hijab rules are universal, I still totally understand the "modesty relative to culture" concept. This concept is why I wear a hijab and jilbab but not a niqab, because I feel that would attract way too much (negative) attention (not to mention the fact that right now my intentions for wearing it wouldn't purely be for ALLAH alone). And despite my attire, I believe that maxi dresses, cardigans, etc. are still totally modest, especially in places where people walk around in their bikinis (I can't believe people actually do that where you're from; aren't there laws against that kind of stuff, like "no shirt, no pants, no service"?).
ReplyDeleteIt bugs me when men go shirtless. I do think it's a sign of inequality, but one that I would rectify by them covering up more rather than women covering less.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I think men going shirtless is immodest. Just because men can go shirtless (in Islamic law, the chest is not part of a man's private parts) doesn't mean they should. The Prophet (saw) was reported to have worn robes, shirts, and pants. In prayer it's recommended for men to cover as much as possible, including their heads. The only time I can actually think of Muslim men going out where you can see part of their chest is during hajj and umrah, and there everyone does it.
ReplyDeleteWhat about at the beach? I've seen lots of Muslim men running around in just swim shorts at the beach.
ReplyDeleteI feel it is no different for a man to walk around shirtless than for a woman. I once mentioned this in front of a certain Christian man I know, and he vowed that from then on he would never be seen in public without a shirt on (even while out running for exercise), and even trained his roommates to put their shirts on before letting me in if I came to visit them. :D:D:D Some men actually do get it :D:D:D
ReplyDeleteAnne: In my state it is actually LEGAL for women to run around shirtless. Really, its true. That is how this conversation started LOL.
ReplyDeleteI would go with the men covering their chests to get equality as well. I don't want to run around shirtless! I won't even wear a swim suit without something over it
Zuhura: Yeah muslim men run around at the beach, in front of women, shirtless. They really shouldn't do that.
Caraboska: HAHA Thats cute!
I rarely see shirtless men. If I do, it's a neighbor push mowing his own grass. Never in public except at a pool or beach.
ReplyDeleteAbout two years ago we went to the beach and it was the only week of the summer where it hit 100 degrees! I saw a Muslim family - the wife dressed in black covered from ankle to head although her face and hands were exposed. The husband looked like any other beachgoer in his shorts and shirtless chest. I felt sorry for her. I was sweltering and there she was in black. But I'm sure to her it was worth it for all the rewards from Allah that she would get.
But I agree with you that modesty is somewhat relative to culture. It sounds as if you dress very modestly AND beautifully. :)
MashaAllah!
ReplyDeleteEugh, bare chests annoy me a lot. When I was younger, I used to go to music concerts all the time and all the men wouldn't have shirts and yuckkkk... all the sweat, eugh! It's not even about modesty to me, it's about politeness! Put it away boys lol. But it's very different here in Australia, on a hot day many men go shirtless in most places except for inside buildings.
As for modesty being relative - yes I think it is to an extent. It depends though... Nikki's (Striving to be the best me) latest post is really good, check it out, I have a siiiimilar view on it.
Susanne: AW poor woman :( There are cooler ways to wear layers and be at the beach though. She doesn't HAVE to wear black. And her husband could have a little more respect for her and put a shirt on!
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends wears boy's swim trunks which end up coming about mid calf on her and an oversized T shirt which comes to her elbows when going to the beach. Best swim suit ever!
Ellen: Ewwwww! lol I read Niki's post, I understand what she is saying. See, modesty is relative...hijab probably isn't. But Im still not going to panick if a bit of my lower arm shows or you happen to see my ankle when my skirt swishes. Give and take you know? :)
Also, who doesn't want to look like a princess/queen? :)
ReplyDelete@ LK's response to Ellen...lol, if that makes sense. My post on modesty was actually prompted by this post here. I agree that I am not bothered if my sleeves fall back to reveal my wrists or if my skirt blows a bit (reasonable bit, of course) in the wind. I wear skirts to stay cool, and if I have to wear leggings or pants under them anyway just "in case" the wind blows...then it will end up being even hotter than pants! I am a strong believer in intentions. Obviously, if I'm wearing a floor length skirt with long sleeves (or 3/4 sleeves) on a 90 degree day, I fully intend to present myself modestly! If my skirt blows a little, a hair slips out of my hijab, or someone glimpses my wrist I don't think that has anything to do with my intentions, and I don't believe that should be seen as a fault on my part for not using more preventative measures (i.e. pants under skirt, sleeves under loose sleeves, etc.) I'd be absolutely sweltering if I had to layer that much all summer.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hate "naked" time. It's terrible on campus. :/ I also hate when my husband complains about being hot while wearing shorts and short sleeves when his sister and I are walking beside him in full hijab. Inconsiderate much??
I agree that dressing to provoke sexual interest is inapropriate in a public place. But I feel it is also wrong for women to feel they need to cover themselves from mens eyes in order to be treated with respect. Women should dress in comfortable moderate clothing that does not hinder their movement, their vision, or their comfort.
ReplyDeleteNikki: LOL At your husband. They do need to be more considerate! I agree, Im not going to worry if something slips. I want to be comfortable too!
ReplyDeleteAnon: I can agree with what you say. Most women are very comfortable in what is required by hijab who wear it. It gets silly when, as Nikki mentioned, one starts doing layers on layers to make sure a peak of skin doesn't show. I can attest that in modest clothing my movement, vision, and comfort are actually hightened because I am not worrying if my neckline shifted to expose my bra or my skirt scooted up or my underwear is peaking out b/c my shirt is too short.
Summer is not so bad, you just have to be smart about it. In the end, women should be allowed to wear what they want. But sometimes, sometimes is it really appropriate?
Just because you can doesn't mean you should comes to mind...Oooooo a good RTV page....Teeheee (goes to sketch)
hahhaa om*goodness NAKED TIME!! WE HAVE THAT TOO! It's called "summer in Australia." I had to convert fahrenheit to celcius, which is 32.2 degrees according to online converter - so you can image how naked people get here, where "hot" is 35 C upwards - up to 45!!
ReplyDeleteThat combined with the fact Australians can be very casual, means that yup people are pretty much naked! A guy I know said he loves summer here because as soon as the weather turns warm the women start undressing!
The flip side is that dresing modestly is realy hard. I'm pretty much the same as you (lower calf, to the elbow or sometimes just upper arm) and I also cover my hair. Covering isn't hard, but dressing modestly can be! I've been in hotter weather in the middle east, but there everything shuts during the hottest part of the day, plus everythign is air conditioned. Most of my arab friends find it worse here!
I do think modesty is somewhat relevant - which is why I don't cover at the beach, and relax my standards a little (although you won't see me in a bikini or bathing suit!)
I often think men are lucky- there clothes are so comfoortable.
I remember going to the zoo last year, and seeing a woman in full abaya/niqab walking around with hubby and kids. Hubby was in knee-lnegth shorts and t-shirt (p.s no beard either) and eating an ice-cream, kids were running around as per normal. And poor mum was absorbng the heat like a solar panel!
That reaaaaaaaaaalllllllly bugs me!
I am told that the butterfly or bisht style abayat actually are cool because they catch the wind and aerate you. Never tried one, can't vouch for it, but that's what they say...
ReplyDeleteI live in a place where air conditioning is nearly unheard of, but temperatures can still get up to 40C in the summertime. I admit to keeping all but face, hands and a little bit of foot covered even in such weather. This means I never leave the house without trousers on (or else the one and only skirt on the planet long enough to cover my feet). It raises eyebrows, but... It's a choice I make.
MissChatterBox: Yeah its rough. Cause when its hot, its hot. And we still have this idea that less clothes will make us cooler. Not always so because then the sun beats directly on our skin. Hense why people in most hot climates wear light colored long clothing.
ReplyDeleteIt does bug me though that the men cant even wear pants! I'd probably ask my future husband to do so...but then again Im a "to the elbow" sleeve person so he wouldn't look so funny next to me. And if it was horribly hot, Id probably go spanish wrap style so some air can get to my neck. Your neck, armpit, and wrists are some of the main cooling points of the body. You put ice in those places if you think you will pass out.
Caraboska: I've heard that too...I could believe it. But I wonder if the black kinda counteracts the airflow coolness....
No waaaay, abayas are the best things to wear in summer! That's all I wore in the ME (and even on some hot days here) and they're a God send hehe. Long, loose, light... ahhhhhh :D
ReplyDeleteEllen: LOL I guess I need to get one that isnt a dark color and try it out. Im considering making a light weight, knee length shift dress to go under an abaya for the heat. or...I guess you could just wear the abaya, who would know? LOL That would be weird though....
ReplyDeleteI have to find one! I have a lot of sewing to do for this summer iA I can share it with all of you :)
LK, In principle if one is going to observe hijab, one is supposed to wear jilbab, so I think you'd have to wear something more than undies under the abaya....
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for the last element of my abaya to arrive in the mail so I can sew it :) Also just got a salwar kameez in the mail. What I did was order two of the same kind, asked them to make up a salwar patiala from the double portion of shalwar material, and send me the rest to make a long (ankle-length, long-sleeved) kameez (I figured giving them the instructions to do it 'my way' would be just too complicated...). And of course they sent two dupattas. So I might use one of them as part of the garment - as a back drape, for example :)
Caraboska: haha I know. Plus itd be weird....most of them are a little sheer anyway.
ReplyDeleteOoooo sounds pretty. I really want to get a shalwar fabric set and make a skirt/shirt combo. Instead of the poofy pants hahaha
Yes, a lot of people just wear a slip underneath because it stops abaya sticking to your body in the wind ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think you can wear whatever you want underneath an abaya. When I wear it, I wear a tiny singlet and jeans (because all my mine have buttons down the front). The abaya then becomes, you know, the traditional jilbab despite me wearing something I'd only wear alone at home. Like you could wear short shorts (under a closed abaya) and a singlet and it'd still be jilbab.
Anyway, maybe I'll send you one ;) But I only have black ones >.< they're the best ones though, in terms of heat, for me.
Ellen: The black ones are best huh? We must not have those kind in my neck of the woods lol.
ReplyDeleteYeah I figure you can wear like a tank and shorts under it....I feel weird if I wore only underwear O_O That would be strange......Comfy but I'd feel like I was walking around in a robe LOL.
I wonder how many people throw them on over PJs? teehee
I'll have to test the theory when it gets warm and I have to go to school. My non-button one is black too.
I totally wear pajamas under my jilbabs. It is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYep they are amaaaaazing. How tall are you btw? ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL yeah my SILs wear PJs under theirs.
So the rumors about PJs under abayat really are true :D The reason I'm making my own abaya is that height (and 'sleeve' length) is an issue - 6'1"/186 cm on a good day. I put 'sleeves' in quotes because it's going to be a bisht style, so it won't have sleeves per se.
ReplyDeleteEllen: Btwn 5'4" and 5'5"...I dunno what the cm equivalent is haha.
ReplyDeleteI would totally wear PJs under an abaya. Like to run to the store or something. Who would know? LOL
Caraboska: Ooooo sounds pretty.
LK, It appears you are between 162.5 and 165.0 cm tall :D
ReplyDeleteIt will be made out of Indian patchwork tapestries, tapering a bit and finishing with a huge valance extending all the way 'round the hem. Middle sections in in a contrasting color scheme, closing at the side front with a couple of huge buttons or something to that effect. Perhaps with cuffs (also tapestry). As you've no doubt guessed, it is intended for colder weather, as my adopted homeland is... decidely non-tropical for most of the year. The bisht style makes it possible to wear whatever you like underneath (a dozen eskimo parkas, or what have you).
Caraboska: It really does sound pretty. Love to see it when its done :)
ReplyDelete