The issue of the head scarves or commonly known as Hijaab is something that has been very controversial in the past few decades. Many liberal and secular minded Muslims have misunderstood its importance. They tend to misinterpret verses of the Qur'an regarding this issue and attempt to justify their liberal thoughts in light of this. They also distinguish between fundamental and radical Islam and liberal secular minded Islam. I would like to ask them, was this separation of Muslims available in the time of Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam? Of course not. Everyone was following one Deen and one Shari'ah. Today the issue of modernity and compatibility with western and European civilization has trapped the Muslims. Instead of turning to the sources of guidance, the Qur'an and Sunnah, they tend to view Islam from a western perspective. They think that Hijaab is denying and depriving a woman from her rights to freedom and exposing her beauty to society, Allah forbid. The reason for this law in Islam is never to deprive women, instead they are for giving her respect, dignity and honour. If a woman is walking down the street dressed in an immodest way, indeed she will be attracting attention from the opposite gender, whereas, a woman who is dressed in a modest manner, covering the portions of the body which are required by Shari'ah, can walk down the road freely without worrying about men looking at her. Which one of the two is freedom? the former or the latter?

The comments made by Shaikh Tantawi are totally incorrect. Islam is for all countries without any difference. A Muslim must follow the commandments of Allah and his Rasool wherever he may be. Do we see the Sahaabah leaving some vital fundamentals of Islam in the face of torture and persecution at the hands of the Quraish in Makkah. If they had given up Islam due to torture and pressure then this Deen would never have reached us. Allah says in the Qur'an: " Do men imagine that they will be left at ease because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction? " Lo! We tested those who were before them, for Allah will surely now those who are sincere, and will know those who feign. " (Surah al- Ankabut, verse 2 and 3)

Another point I would like to make is that Islam means to submit totally to the commandments of Allah and his Rasool. Once a person has accepted Islam, he has no right to question the wisdoms behind the laws of Allah. He is all-wise and all-knowing. If the western lifestyle is not allowing you to be a good Muslim then you will have to choose between the two as Islam does not mix between the two. Many attempts are being made by modern minded scholars to draw the Kuffar closer to Islam by making some of the laws of Islam lighter for those who like ease. This is playing around with the laws of Allah, the same thing the Ulama of Bani Isra'eel, Jews and Christians did. We are not asked to die by following Islam in these non-Muslim counties. Instead we are allowed to follow it freely without any harm. In the time of the Sahaabah, it was a matter of life and death. Still, not one inch did they ask for ease, but they chose to die for Islam.

May Allah give us all the correct understanding.

Answered by Mufti Yaseen Shaikh - Answer Approved by Shaikhul Hadeeth Mufti Farooq