Find A Person More Blessed Than Me

If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.
-E. M. Forster

In the morning around 4:30 am on Monday we started with a "question-answer" session. Each of us sat on a chair separately taking turns and the others were asking questions on whatever they wanted to know about that person "under question". I was made the first goat. I had gone downstairs to see off a friend and when I returned I was immediately asked to sit on that chair. I expected some critical questions on some sensitive contexts. Allah bless my friends, they didn't ask me anything careless.

The first question asked was if I would practice "tissue is not an issue". I said yes with a chuckle. I was also asked why I always sport formal clothing. The most intricate question was the one where I was asked why I don't like girls who wear western dresses. What followed was a discussion. Right from culture to moral ethics - I had to mention them all. I went about explaining why they wear those clothes and I had my basic reasoning. The last reason I gave satisfied my friend who asked me that question. And everybody else agreed. We all were 8 people at that time present on my house's terrace. This was our second all-night get-together in the month.

Not going much into cultural aspects, we always prefer wearing clothes we are comfortable in and what Islam accepts. Islam clearly states that we are prohibited from cross-dressing - men are not allowed to wear what women wear and women are not allowed to wear what men wear. For a person of faith, this answer should be enough. But we are the younger generation and we believe in logic and reasoning - sometimes faith enough is not alone. One will have to give explanations to the seemingly inherent likes of the new blood. And of course, Islam is the only rational religion one can ever follow.

We all like to try out every possible thing on the face of this planet - we like tasting different cuisines, we like to visit new places, some like meeting new people, and similarly some like wearing different clothes on various styles. We like trying out how it feels to wear something new; something different. The idea is not to be nonconformists. It's just about liking change and discovering new styles. This need not necessarily be amiss. For women, the clothing should compulsorily cover them from head to ankles revealing only the face and hands from wrists, the clothing should be opaque enough. It should also be loose not revealing any figure. The head should be covered by a cloth in a way such that hair are not visible and the cloth covers the neck completely and falls on the bosom.

I never came across a single verse in the Holy Quran or the Sahih Hadees that a burqa is compulsory or the face must be covered showing only the eyes. Hijaab is compulsory and it includes the details I have mentioned above. How the women sport this Hijaab is upto them. They are free to choose any culture or any form of dressing as long as they confirm with the criteria. If somebody believes that Shalwaar-Kameez is the only correct dress for women, they should remember that this dress has nothing to do with Islam and it has its origins in the Sindh region. If a person is reading my blog, it would also mean that she has access to almost all of the Internet - she is free to check what all I have written here. If I am wrong, I can always be corrected.

I have a strong hatred towards girls who wear tight clothes. Maybe they wear such attires occasionally just to have something different or try out something new - I have mentioned above. But they don't come in concord with the rules. And if it is not occasional for them, then I firmly believe that they wear it to attract or seduce men. This might sound astringent, but I see it as truth. I find no other reason why such clothes must be worn. And I have nothing against those who wear them. I just hate it.

I am not a conservative. I believe in reasoned and free thinking. But I have religion as my base. After my turn of being questioned was over, a friend said that later I should answer if there was something I would like to change in me. Though I was never asked for the answer, the only thing I would like to change in me is making myself a better Muslim. I find nothing else worth being altered - at least as far as I can think. Maybe there are things I am already working on realizing them as faults, but trying to become a better Muslim is my biggest priority with respect to changing myself.

There was a question asked to two of my friends - how much did they value their friends? They both had similar answers. They said that they cared a lot for friends but they would always put their parents first. This could have been a nightmarish question for me. It couldn't have answered it if asked. Today I gave a thought and I really couldn't understand how to explain what value I give to friends. It's not just about explaining it to others. I couldn't think of it myself. Friends mean so much to me - both boys and girls. My parents are more important but I can go against them if I find something correct in reference to my friends. Somehow I hope that I never find it necessary to choose between the two. I might definitely go for my parents but it would give me immense pain.

Today was my second day at the college. Yesterday after sleeping at 8 am in the morning and waking up after 11:15 am, I could reach the college only after 1 pm. Today I attended the classes. We have a schedule for only three days of the week and one of those days has just a lab. The rest of the days are for the project's work. I am afraid having so much unscheduled time would make me more lazy!