The Veil

Iam sure we are all aware of the current climax concerning the veil...when we debate over such religious customs it is often wise to quote and acknowledge the authenticity of their observation.
The veil isnt fardh...nevertheless as we will later on see the necessity of such an material the Ulema (religious body of scholars) may use ijtihad (legal ruling) to come to an consensus making it compulsory...Thus it is wrong for any us to make fatwas saying it isnt fardh therefore no need to practise it...it is undermining what the learnt people have agreed upon...and it is better for various reasons (again will be elaborated upon later on)
Iam not shocked by Jack Straws comment...because democracy is open to much discussion on the definition of the term...and its been argued there are limitation of participation (within democracy) and one point is that 'the boundary beyond which legitimate opposition should not be made' I believe that is clear cut?

Islam did not invent the head cover. However, Islam did endorse it. The Quran urges the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty and then urges the believing women to extend their head covers to cover the neck and the bosom:

"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 ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...." (Quran 24:30,31).

The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested" (Quran 33:59).
This is the whole point, modesty is prescribed to protect women from molestation or simply, modesty is protection. Thus, the only purpose of the veil in Islam is protection.
The Islamic veil, unlike the veil of the Christian tradition, is not a sign of man's authority over woman nor is it a sign of woman's subjection to man. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil in the Jewish tradition, is not a sign of luxury and distinction of some noble married women. The Islamic veil is only a sign of modesty with the purpose of protecting women, all women. The Islamic philosophy is that it is always better to be safe than sorry.
In fact, the Quran is so concerned with protecting women's bodies and women's reputation that a man who dares to falsely accuse a woman of unchastity will be severely punished:

"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations)- Flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors" (Quran 24:4)


It is only wise to think before we speak...but then again i suppose those who speak before they think...dont have much to lose...

peace to you all