The concept of change has, of recent, become a mantra echoed in all areas of life in this part of the world. The reason for this development could be hinged on the emphasis laid on different aspects of change by various theoretical schools like that of Marxist. Thus, as a social change evolves from a number of different sources, this paper aims at examining the Hijāb as an instrument of change among the Yoruba Muslims. This will take into accounts, various controversies that trail the use of Hijāb in the Muslims folk and pragmatically unveil its inherent values which could be explored to enthrone a change in the social system of especially the Yoruba Muslims.
Purposive sampling technique will be used in selecting twenty-five (25) Muslims-scholars and non- scholars for interviews, from eight notable Muslim organizations of Zumrah al-Mu’minīn, Izālatul-Bid‘ah wa Iqāmatus-Sunnah, Tablīgh Brotherhood, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), The Muslim Congress (TMC), Ta‘āwun al-Muslimīn, Tijāniyyah and Qādiriyyah Sufi Orders, on some social related issues on the Hijāb. The data will be analyzed quantitatively using the Qur’ān and Hadith. In this respect, the relationship between the Hijāb and virtues such as humility, trustworthiness, chastity and bashfulness among other social values will be critically juxtaposed vis á vis the Hijāb as an Islamic emblem and its inmates as agents of social change in the context of this paper.
The concluding part of the study will discuss the findings of the research with the aim of addressing the difference between the reality of the divine injunctions governing the use of Hijāb and any conceived deviation and disparity in the practical utilization of the Hijab by female Muslims, which may hitherto result in a generalized negative impression on the Hijāb itself and its users. This analysis will be used as a premise for establishing the instrumentality of the Hijāb in the crusade of a social change in Yorubaland in general and among the Yoruba Muslims in particular.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Definition of Hijāb
Historical Evolution of Hijāb
The Hijāb and Controversies among Yoruba Muslims
Hijāb as an Instrument of Social Change
Conclusion
Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to examine the Hijāb as an instrument of social change among Yoruba Muslims, specifically investigating how its inherent values can be leveraged to reform social systems despite the various controversies surrounding its practice.
- The historical and linguistic definition of the Hijāb.
- Perspectives on the mandatory nature of the Hijāb within Islamic scholarship.
- Social challenges, discrimination, and stigma faced by Hijāb users in Nigeria.
- The role of the Hijāb in fostering modesty, dignity, and protection from societal moral decadence.
- Strategies for overcoming negative perceptions through education and exemplary conduct.
Excerpt from the Book
Hijāb as an Instrument of Social Change
The use of Hijāb by Muslim women is a religious culture and an Islamic injunction which should be explored to institute a social change in this time and clan of eroding societal values and norms. Both the society and the user of this Islamic emblem will enjoy symbiotic benefits, if its use is religiously embraced. Going by the argument of Basharat (2006), the wearing of Hijāb apparently removes the wearer from the ‘sex economy’. Not only that, it also enables her assert her personhood but not that of projected sexualized femaleness as the assumed essential characteristic of the non-Muslim female.
The general perception of females in the modern society is the worst of evils that can ever befall a society and ‘womanity.’ This is obvious in the high level of promiscuity that characterizes our society of today, all in the name of modernity and civilization. The genesis of this has strong relationship with the series of indecent attires in which most ladies and women clad themselves. This is nothing but a display of a complete lack of modesty and dignity in the persons of such ladies and women. Modesty as a norm required for the establishment of a social decorum is considered, alongside propriety, by Mernissi (1975), as being very important in the Islamic frame work in all matters relating to contact between the sexes. In the argument of this scholar, greater onus is placed on women as far as bodily concealment is concerned because their sexuality is dynamic and powerful and thus requires some overt curbing strategies to prevent social discord.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces the focus of the research, clarifying that the Hijāb is treated as the primary identifier for Muslim women's head coverings within the specific geographical context of the study.
Definition of Hijāb: This section explores the conceptualization of the Hijāb from physical to metaphysical perspectives, drawing on linguistic and scholarly definitions to establish its role as a veil, screen, and symbol of modesty.
Historical Evolution of Hijāb: This chapter traces the origins of veiling practices, noting that while it predates Islam in many cultures, it was integrated into Islamic tradition as an expression of norms and values.
The Hijāb and Controversies among Yoruba Muslims: This section details the diverse opinions among various Muslim organizations and scholars regarding whether the Hijāb is mandatory, optional, or a symbol of extremist practice.
Hijāb as an Instrument of Social Change: This chapter argues that the Hijāb can be utilized as a tool to protect women from sexual objectification and to foster moral decorum in a society facing the challenges of western-influenced promiscuity.
Conclusion: The author concludes that the Hijāb should be adopted out of conviction rather than imposition, highlighting its potential to harmonize modern society by reviving essential social norms.
Recommendations: This section proposes practical steps, such as legislative efforts against indecent dressing and the organization of seminars, to advocate for the proper usage and understanding of the Hijāb.
Keywords
Hijāb, Social change, Yoruba Muslims, Islamic injunction, Modesty, Morality, Femininity, Identity, Religious consciousness, Promiscuity, Empowerment, Dignity, Social decorum, Islam, Tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper investigates the Hijāb as an instrument of social change, specifically looking at its reception and practical implementation among Yoruba Muslims in Nigeria.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the historical evolution of the veil, the scholarly debate over its religious necessity, the social challenges faced by users, and the role of the Hijāb in countering moral decadence.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The goal is to explore whether and how the Hijāb can be leveraged to institute positive social change and moral discipline within the Yoruba Muslim community.
Which methodology was employed to gather the data?
The research utilized a purposive sampling technique to conduct interviews with twenty-five Islamic scholars and members from eight notable Muslim organizations in Nigeria.
What is the focus of the book's main chapters?
The main sections cover definitions, historical backgrounds, the nuances of local controversies, and the argumentative potential of the Hijāb to combat societal promiscuity.
Which keywords best characterize this academic work?
The work is defined by terms such as Hijāb, social change, Yoruba Muslims, religious identity, modesty, and the critique of modern moral decay.
How does the author interpret the concept of Hijāb in terms of 'sex economy'?
The author argues that the Hijāb removes the wearer from the 'sex economy' by shifting public focus from the woman's physical appearance to her personhood and dignity.
Why is there often controversy regarding the Hijāb in Yorubaland?
Controversy stems from differing interpretations of Islamic law, the perception of the Hijāb as 'extremist' by some, and its association with social segregation or 'permanent imprisonment' (al-Habsul ’abad) in certain social contexts.
What is the author's stance on the imposition of the Hijāb?
The author strongly advocates that the Hijāb should be embraced out of genuine conviction and spiritual understanding, rather than being forced upon women through indoctrination or imposition.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Busari Moshood (Autor:in), 2017, Using the Hijab as an Instrument of Social Change Among the Yoruba Muslims, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/352192
