Illustrating a Diamond
“…When I was about 7 or 8 I asked my mother this question of why we cover, and to my surprise she responded with, “Let’s go shopping.” So we headed out to the mall and passed by a few stores; we went into Claire’s and saw all the beaded jewelry and the fake crystals all lying around in piles in the store. Some people touched them, some people picked them up then put them back down, some people tried them on, and most of them were not even noticed. Then we went to a diamond store. There, we saw only a few select pieces of jewelry. Rare stones, hidden under glass containers. Sealed with the highest security systems. Kept protected from the hands of those who couldn’t pay the price of handling them. My mother looked at me and said, “Which would you rather be?”
[Original Source Unknown]
Hmmmm I think I’d rather be that rare unique beautiful hidden diamond ;) insha’Allah
jazakumAllahu khairun for sharing, i love this! =)
SubhanAllah – what a beautiful analogy :)
Neither.
I’m not an object, so why would I want to be kept under lock and key?
I understand the point your mother (or whoever else uses the analogy) was trying to make but the simplest answer for me is “Because God says so.” Most of the answers of ‘it protects you from rape’ or ‘men won’t harass you as much’ is nonsense.
It denigrates men as lusting beasts with no self-control and that’s unfair.
I’m a hijabi but I don’t think I’m a pearl/diamond kept under tight security. I’m an individual with a voice and mind who represents her faith.
Safa:
I see what you mean, but I think you’re misunderstanding the analogy, which from what I understand, is made in reference to how God views us.
When we fulfill the commandment made by Allah (SWT) by covering ourselves, that is us being a “diamond” in the sense that we become more “beautiful” to Him (not visually of course, but imaan-wise, and let’s leave out the fact that some hijabi’s have less imaan than non-hijabi’s for argument’s sake).
Allah loves those who strive in his path, so by following his rule of covering, we become like the “unique/rare/expensive diamonds” as opposed to the “regular” ones. We become more treasured.
Did anyone understand it like this too?
Muslim Girl, thats how I understood it.
I saw it in the sense that when you are upon the path, you are a treasure and so valuable, such as a diamond is, a precious treasure is always hidden, and our beauty is hidden for a wisdom. We are precious to our Lord alhamdulilah by following what He commanded us to do. Not in the sense that we are objects, but precious respected persons.
Yes, your voice is heard sis, being a precious jewel, doesn’t it make you feel that your voice is heard even more?
That is how i see it.
Wallahu ‘alam :)
Safa, thanks for your insightful comment. I definitely agree that “because Allah said so” is the first and foremost reason we wear hijab (or obey any command from Allah), and I think it’s important for us to realize that and teach it to others.
But that doesn’t contradict there being other reasons/benefits to an act of worship, reasons that fall under “because Allah said so,” — especially when Allah or His Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) mention these reasons.
For the case of hijab, the translation of ayah 33:59 reads:
So, wa Allahu a’lam, the ayah actually points to hijab as a type of protection for women, and it is a protection from men (after all, we only really have to wear hijab in front of non-mahram men!). This doesn’t mean men are dangerous, lusting beasts, or that they’re going to attack us — rather, men have been created with a natural inclination and attraction to women, and hijab protects our modesty.
As ayah 3:14 translates,
Significantly, scholars say, this ayah starts with “women” in the list of things desired. Acknowledging that these desires exist does not mean men are beasts; and the desires work the other way around, too (women being attracted to men). After all, both men and women are commanded to lower the gaze.
With reference to the analogy of the diamond (I guess I understood it the same way you did, Safa), it’s just that – an analogy. Drawing an analogy between a Muslim woman and a diamond is not the same as saying Muslim women are diamonds. It doesn’t mean we’re objects. It doesn’t degenerate men to beasts. It simply means we have something precious to protect – our modesty, our chastity, our hayaa’, our honor. Muslim men have to protect their modesty too (albeit in a different form, based on what Allah said).
Whether or not you agree with the diamond/pearl analogy is fine, I don’t think it’s a big deal – and I do concur that the answer of “because Allah said so” should be emphasized – but I just wanted to remind you that it doesn’t mean other reasons for wearing hijab should be completely disregarded or called nonsense, specifically when there is evidence for those reasons. Wa Allahu a’lam.
Another thing – I actually see the quote as more than just a diamond/pearl/something-precious analogy, an analogy I’ve heard often before (and personally love).
One of the things I appreciate most about this little vignette from the sister’s life is the mother-daughter relationship, and the method her mother used to teach.
For one, it shows a curiosity on the daughter’s part, an acknowledgment that “we” (it seems she was including herself even as a little girl?) cover. It seems hijab was prominent, in some way or another, in her life. She wanted to know why. And she went to her mother, before anyone else, to ask about it.
Her mother didn’t push her aside, say “I’m too busy,” trivialize the question, or assume she was too young to understand. She didn’t even just tell her why. She took the time out – she drove her to the mall, took her into two different stores – to actually show her why. What an amazing way to invest in someone!
It’s a precious lesson, not only for the daughter in the story, but for us. Diamond analogy aside, it’s a lesson on how to give lessons. The lesson obviously stuck with the daughter – and I know it stuck with me, too.
Salam, I was wondering if there is a specific author to this piece of work? It has inspired to me include a similar analogy in a college essay, with it’s same principles. I wanted to seek permission to “rewrite” this story without transgressing to plagiarize. Please inform.
ansari786, wa alaikum assalam. We looked for the author of this piece before posting it, but were unable to find the original source or learn who the sister is.
The analogy is a common one though (usually women in hijab are compared to pearls in shells), and many shuyookh and others bring it up. See the title of this piece as an example (the post itself doesn’t make reference to the analogy, just the title).
So you should be able to make a similar analogy without crediting anyone or falling into plagiarism?
MashaAllaah…^_^
May all of us muslimahs attain that state of being a true diamond in Allaah’s eyes.
Ameen
Ameen!!!