Question
I was just wondering since we live in a North American society, do women have to wear a dress all the time like an abaya? I am an artist (performing artist). I sing, dance and record secular songs. I am also a chef a profession which I love. I want to be a fearless woman and to be a worthy being. Should I give up being a free spirited woman in this society? I mean as women we should not have to stand in silence because if we stand up for what we believe in then the world would be a better place.
Answer
Men and women are instructed and advised to be modest in their attitude and behavior in particular when interacting with opposite sex. As long as this modesty is in place, the form with which the person appears or behaves does not matter. One of the signs of modest behavior is that it does not encourage rude and immoral behavior in others. A highly modest behavior in fact encourages morality and “haya” in people. Men and women are equally responsible with this regard.
The above is the concept in principle, now to apply it to your specific questions:
“Do women have to wear a dress all the time like an abaya?
No.
“I am an artist (performing artist). I sing, dance and record secular songs.”
If this is something that easily breaks the element of haya and modesty for general audience (leading them to a behavior that God does not like to see among His servants) then it is not fit for a religious person to do it, otherwise there is nothing wrong with it.
“I am also a chef”
Nothing is wrong with that.
And there is nothing in Islam that stops you from being fearless and having free spirit.
Answered by: Farhad Shafti
Date: 2015-01-28
