Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei underlined the importance of Hijab for Muslim women.
As the auspicious birth anniversary of Lady Fatima Zahra(as)--the mother of Imams--approaches, a group of panegyrists and eulogists, who honor Ahl ul-Bayt, from across the nation met with Ayatollah Khamenei on Thursday morning, March 8, 2018.
The Leader of the Revolution, in the meeting with Panegyrists and Eulogists on Lady Fatima's (SA) birth anniversary, focusing on women, said:
"The woman, as a role model, is represented by a complete framework within Islamic ideology. The woman is with faith and chastity. She is responsible for the most important part of human education. She is influential in society; she manifests a spiritual and experiential growth; she is the leader of the family, as a critical part of society; she brings about peace for mankind."
Ayatollah Khamenei went on to list the characteristics of the Islamic woman by stating, "All of these qualities are combined with the feminine characteristics of softness, tender-heartedness, and her readiness for receiving divine blessings."
However, he warned the audience on negative characteristics and role models that do exists. He said: "In contrast, there has always existed misleading role models throughout history. Today, that misleading role model can be found among Western females, whom are expected, in contrast with all qualities we've mentioned for the Islamic woman, to physically appeal to males and appease them."
Ayatollah Khamenei asserted: "Thus, a major feature promoted of the Western female role model is her nudity (in society). You can see, in their gatherings, men are well covered; however, women are uncovered as much as possible."
"They spend a lot of money, make many efforts, use hundreds of media outlets in order to impact the independent identity of the Muslim woman.
Despite all the funds, energy and thoughts behind this plot, their efforts are futile. The mere result of their work might be a few girls here or there who are deceived, or for various motivations take off their head scarves.
All of their efforts have minor effect, which are unimportant. What makes me sensitive, is when an elite group talk of “compulsory hijab."
This means that a number of the people--hopefully unknowingly--follow the same path that the enemies couldn’t achieve, despite all the spent expenses. Among them are also journalists, intellectuals and clerics.
They say: “Imam Khomeini’s words ‘women wear hijab’ did not refer to all the women.” Nonsense! I was present at that time; I know the reality. Imam Khomeini stood like a mountain against a clear repudiation, promoted by Pahlavi and their successors.
Now some people say, “This sin is not worse than backbiting. Why don’t you prosecute someone for backbiting?" Here, the poor recognition is cause for distress.
We never said we would prosecute the person who, at home, takes off her headscarf in the presence of men (non-mahram: men not in the family, who should not see the woman’s hair and body). That done in public, is a social deed and public education, and brings responsibility for a government with the title of Islam.
Otherwise, the forbidden (haram) is always forbidden, be it big or small.
If a person does something wrong in private, that remains between them and God. But what happens in public, the Islamic government--like that of the Prophet (pbuh) and Imam Ali (as)--has a responsibility to encounter.
The logic, which says let the people choose themselves, can also be used for other wrong doings, like selling alcohol. This can also be said for all other big social crimes. Is this a sensible ideology?
The Sacred Lawmaker (God) has obliged the Islamic government to prevent rise of sins in the society. The Islamic government is responsible to encounter sin and haram."
