The challenges of Islamic lifestyle in the modern world

In the modern time, especially, in twentieth century Muslims faced serious cultural, intellectual and technical challenges, not only in the modern world but also in their own territory and countries. For instance, in the earlier decades of twentieth century some of the kings and governors in Islamic countries such as Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in Iran, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Turkey, and king Amanullah in Afghanistan tried to challenge the traditional system of life and culture which was in accordance with the Islamic teachings and traditions.

in the earlier decades of twentieth century some of the kings and governors in Islamic countries such as Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in Iran, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Turkey, and king Amanullah in Afghanistan tried to challenge the traditional system of life and culture which was in accordance with the Islamic teachings and traditions.

Historically talking, the first rumors about the formulation of a new law started circulating when Reza Shah, who was greatly impressed by democratic reforms in the neighboring Afghanistan, invited that country’s King Amanullah Khan and his queen, Soraya Tarzi, to pay an official visit to Iran in 1929. But Reza shah did not make the Afghan Queen to observe the Islamic code of dress in Iran rejecting the Iranian clerics' demands. After that, in his trip to Turkey on June 2, 1934, Reza Shah was greatly influenced by the Western-minded leader of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. [1]

As a result of these kinds of trips, made by the kings, between the three countries some laws were passed in Iran requiring uniform clothes to be worn by the Iranian men. Then a group of state officials, courtiers, and their wives made their first appearances in the public while wearing Western style clothes. [2] Actually, in all the three Islamic countries the kings made a lot of efforts to modernize their societies forcefully, changing the way of Muslims' life by removing the women's hijab (Islamic code of dress for women), and discovering their heads and bodies.
Since the policies were categorically opposed to Islamic principles, the clerics as well as the people demonstrated and resisted against such non Islamic policies. Islam has strongly emphasized the concept of modesty and observance of dress code in the interaction between members of the opposite sex.

Since the policies were categorically opposed to Islamic principles, the clerics as well as the people demonstrated and resisted against such non Islamic policies. Islam has strongly emphasized the concept of modesty and observance of dress code in the interaction between members of the opposite sex.

In the holy Quran Almighty Allah (J) commands Prophet Muhammad (P) as follows:

"Say to the believing men that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste). This is better for them.” [3]

Then in the next verse, Allah commands the Prophet to address the women:

"Say to the believing women that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste)… "[4]

This is a command to Muslim men that they should not lustfully look at women (other than their own wives); and observe the “hijab of the eyes”. Then the Muslim women are ordered to observe dress code saying that

"and not display their beauty except what is apparent, and they should place their khumur (the veil covering the head) over their bosoms...” [5]

Conclusively, it must be noted that Hijab is a mandatory duty for all Muslims and there is no doubt that Muslims especially the Islamic states and governments must observe the rule of hijab, and not to oppose it. Based on the Islamic teachings, Muslims cannot live in their own countries as well as in the western societies according to the modern life styles. That is why in Iran and Afghanistan as well as many other Islamic countries the modernization process was defeated and none of the societies accepted those modern values which were opposed to their Islamic principles and believes.

Conclusively, it must be noted that Hijab is a mandatory duty for all Muslims and there is no doubt that Muslims especially the Islamic states and governments must observe the rule of hijab, and not to oppose it. Based on the Islamic teachings, Muslims cannot live in their own countries as well as in the western societies according to the modern life styles. That is why in Iran and Afghanistan as well as many other Islamic countries the modernization process was defeated and none of the societies accepted those modern values which were opposed to their Islamic principles and believes.

[1] See: http://www.iranreview.org/content/Documents/The-Removing-of-Hijab-in-Ira...
[2] ibid.
[3] Chapter Nur, verse 30. قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يَغُضُّوْا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَ يَحْفَظُوْا فُرُوْجَهُمْ, ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ
[4] ibid. قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَ يَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوْجَهُنَّ..
[5] Chapter Nur, verse 31. وَ لاَ يُبْدِيْنَ زِيْنَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَ لْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلىَ جُيُوْبِهِنَّ...