Friday, February 8, 2013

American Culture Class: Fashion

     
                Fashion has changed over time and also the opinions towards it. Throughout history, wearing clothes was more sort of modesty and differs according to standards of living and events. Nowadays, people have inclined to this new concept which came when women cared more about their look and showing their beauty. In some cultures, they consider showing beautiful parts of your body a sign for modernization, liberty and elegance. However, in some conservative cultures which are more religious they care about the modest kind of fashion which help them preserve their beauty, honor and dignity. In my opinion, the real beauty depends on how modest you wear and how moral you act. Furthermore, our God and prophet peace be upon him have taught us that women should preserve their beauty for their own sake and protection. 
           In our culture, women must not show their bodies' beauty to anyone except for the partner of her life; the one who will be the father of her children. Moreover, she can show her apparent beauty such as, hair and hands to her relatives. For example, her parents, brother, sisters, uncles, aunts, father in law etc... However, she is also required to wear modestly even in front of her sisters or mother; because we are taught that devil may always find a way to manipulate people. For instance, we can note the high rate of rape cases, homosexual and also crimes like relatives' fornication in our world today. This imbalance is caused by the lake of modesty, morals, religion and awareness. It's totally wrong to limit beauty under the name of fashion, or say you are never beautiful until you follow the globalization and wear like everyone else! I believe the real beauty is the hidden beauty not only in the mere body, it's about your heart, mind and soul. What about them? Why are they often neglected when it comes to what our eyes can see?! 
             Many people accuse Islam and say it loads too much pressure on women especially, but I say that we are really oppressed when we are away from the exact rules of this world. We are really oppressed when we only allow our ideas to flow in one direction. For example, some people think we are never liberal, modern, educated and respected until we follow fashion to every extent or do whatever we want without any limitation! What if we are proud to believe what we believe and convinced in our choices? What if I told you that I believe strongly I will never find my comfort, freedom, and prosper without following these rules? Isn't it also a part of the freedom of choice?!
            It's been said before that, not because many people follow one way, then simply it's the correct path! On the other hand, I confess that many Muslims are taken away by the glamour of modernization and they imitate without thinking. The question that we have to ask ourselves honestly is: what's the purpose of wearing clothes? Will following every kind of fashion be in my own good or for how well people may view me? Modern Science has shown studies stating that how men look at women's body is different from how women look to men's body. In fact, they differ in the way they think about each other and love one another. It supports when Islam ordered women to wear more modestly and not show their beauty to strangers. It happened for our own sake and protection!
            In a word, beauty and fashion are concepts that differ from one culture to another and beauty is not only based on how you look or how you wear. It's actually based on how you behave and how good is your heart.

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