As we grow as religious people, we learn the core things that are needed to reach the ideal akhlaq (morality.) its easy to get a little judgemental and arrogant unknowingly. But what Allah would want from us, is kindness and love for everyone, and to look at everybody with loving eyes. Just how the Prophet (s) was. He was gentle and kind to everybody so that Allah called him Rehmatulil Aalimeen (the Mercy of the Worlds). So why should we not follow his example and try to imbibe his kindness and genuine humbleness.
As I now wear the chador (arguably the best form of hijab as it doesn't allow for the body to be seen) it could happen that i look down upon women who didn't wear the chador, or those who didn't wear hijab at all. But that would be super erroneous on my part because everybody has a specific level of understanding and interpretation of Islam and hijab which could be culture specific and country specific. I remember two years back when I was sitting in Masjid unabawi in Medina and an Iranian woman approached me (who also happened to be from Qom and an ex-professor at my current university) and when she talked to me I could see no judgement in her non verbal behaviour or body language even though I was wearing a trench coat, trousers and a scarf which wasn't too hijaby. She was kind through and through- something I don't think I would have been cappable of. When I told her I planned to come to Qom myself, she was genuinely delighted and encouraging. She didn't seem judgemental like any average person wearing perfect hijab would.
So why should I scorn at women from Tehran or Esfahan and elbow my chador clad friend saying psst..look look! Instead why not smile or talk to them like normal people instead of acting all stuck up when they're near you. Most would agrue that it is them who act stuck up and look down upon women wearing chadors and think of them as backward or unevolved. Thats not right either. Judgement works both ways. And if we're a truly civilized race, we'll leave our prejudices at the door.
As I now wear the chador (arguably the best form of hijab as it doesn't allow for the body to be seen) it could happen that i look down upon women who didn't wear the chador, or those who didn't wear hijab at all. But that would be super erroneous on my part because everybody has a specific level of understanding and interpretation of Islam and hijab which could be culture specific and country specific. I remember two years back when I was sitting in Masjid unabawi in Medina and an Iranian woman approached me (who also happened to be from Qom and an ex-professor at my current university) and when she talked to me I could see no judgement in her non verbal behaviour or body language even though I was wearing a trench coat, trousers and a scarf which wasn't too hijaby. She was kind through and through- something I don't think I would have been cappable of. When I told her I planned to come to Qom myself, she was genuinely delighted and encouraging. She didn't seem judgemental like any average person wearing perfect hijab would.
So why should I scorn at women from Tehran or Esfahan and elbow my chador clad friend saying psst..look look! Instead why not smile or talk to them like normal people instead of acting all stuck up when they're near you. Most would agrue that it is them who act stuck up and look down upon women wearing chadors and think of them as backward or unevolved. Thats not right either. Judgement works both ways. And if we're a truly civilized race, we'll leave our prejudices at the door.
Very important to leave judgement to the Best Judge and focus on ourselves! (In all aspects not only hijab)
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