A very significant aspect of Islamic life is “modesty.” According to the Islamic application of the term, modesty is a state of self-restraint which helps us check our manners and appearance, and correct them when necessary.

This general principle is also the main source of Islamic dress code or “Hijab”  in Islam which has nowadays caused a lot of questions and contradictions both among Muslims and non-Muslims. 

Hijab in Islam, the Real Meaning

When talking about hijab in Islam, maybe the first thing that comes to your mind is women’s wearing a headscarf. But is it all that the word refers to? Does hijab also have something to do with our manner and behavior? Does it concern Muslim men as well as women?

You can read this article to find out what hijab in Islam is really all about.

Can I Convert to Islam and not Wear Hijab?

Well, hijab is an Islamic ruling which is also mentioned in the Quran [i]. And submission to God, of course, means that we should follow His advice even if –or especially when—it is not really easy for us to do so!

Still, if a woman, for example, thinks that she can preserve her modesty without wearing a headscarf and is not quite convinced to conform to the Islamic cover limits –we all have our failures or our personal ideas, don’t we?—it doesn't mean that she cannot be a Muslim, or that she will not receive God’s mercy!

You can read this article to find out if wearing hijab in Islam is actually a matter of choice!

Is Wearing Makeup and Jewelry Allowed in Islam?

Islam has stressed on cleanness and tidiness maybe more than any other religion in the world. But does Islamic dress code or hijab place any restrictions on wearing makeup or jewelry? Are there special occasions where Muslims are prohibited from or, to the contrary, prompted to make themselves up?

This article tries to answer your questions with regards to wearing make-up and jewelry.

Hijab in Islam and other Abrahamic Religions

Some people think that Hijab and its implications are only related to Islam and Muslims. Well, it’s not. It may be the case that the special form of Hijab which is used by Muslims has some differences with other religions.

Have a look at this article, If you want to know more about the history of Hijab and modesty in the Abrahamic religions before Islam.

Why Muslim Women Cover their Hairs?

Really, why would women cover their hair? Why don’t men do this? What is that they are hiding beneath this Hijab? What is the philosophy behind it?

Is it useful for Muslim women or men? Is it only related to appearance and observing some religious etiquette? This article provides answers to this questions based on Islamic sources. 

Notes:
[i] Quran 24:30,31

It is almost two decades that the United States of America has been seriously claiming to fight terrorism, while there is evidence attesting that America’s actions, the last of which being the assassination of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, have helped develop the terrorist spirit and groups in the region. The following Op-Ed, published by Khamenei.ir, tries to investigate this matter.

Introduction

Despite its claim to be fighting against terrorism, the US is the most important country which carries out the most severe forms of terrorist actions such as supporting sectarian and usurping governments, assisting terrorist groups by proxy and launching direct attacks on civilians. Assassinating Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps – one of the most important fronts in fighting against terrorism – showed that the U.S. has even placed overt terrorism at the top of its agenda. In this article, as well as portraying the wide range of terrorist activities by the US, the issue of assassinating Gen. Soleimani as a manifestation of US’s state terrorism will be explained by drawing on international law documents and guidelines.

State terrorism, systematic violence

Terrorism, as one of the current realities of the human community means “The systematic utilization of unpredictable panic or violence against nations or individuals for achieving a political goal.[i]” In fact, systematic – and of course illegitimate, in a legal sense – violence is the most important characteristic of terrorism which is perpetrated with the purpose of instilling fear as a central concept of terrorism. State terrorism is a term that is applied to governments’ interference in the domestic or foreign affairs of another government which is carried out by implementing or participating in a terrorist operation or supporting a military operation with the aim of undermining and overthrowing that government or the entire ruling system of that country. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, different forms of state terrorism – such as massacring civilians, imposing hunger, genocide and intimidating large groups of people – have claimed more victims than the actions perpetrated by terrorist groups[ii].

The US and the exhibition of fighting against terrorism

Historical studies show that the employment of dual standards in supporting sectarian and terrorist countries, providing financial and arms support for terrorist groups by proxy and finally, using violence against civilians are examples of the US’s state terrorism.

Despite US claims of fighting against terrorism, Afghanistan has been officially announced as the most dangerous country due to the existence of violence, a large number of victims and terrorism[iii]. Moreover, the US’s attack on Afghanistan and Iraq have proved to be the most important reasons for the expansion of terrorism. Statistics show that after having occupied Afghanistan, suicide attacks have turned into the new model of terrorism: from one attack in 2002 to 310 attacks in 2011, only in Afghanistan and Pakistan[iv]. The occupation of Iraq led to extremist terrorism in that country and then, Somalia, Algeria, Syria, Yemen, Mali and other countries suffered the same fate. In these countries, extremist groups doubled and Salafi fighters tripled in number[v]. Another example of the US’s state terrorism is its attack on civilians, which is known as “drone violence”. According to reports published by the UN, as a result of increasing air attacks on Afghanistan, the number of civilian casualties increased in 2018 in an unprecedented manner: 1,692 civilians dead which shows a 52 % increase compared to 2017[vi]. Generally speaking, in the Iraq war, according to official figures, about 200,000 civilians were killed due to the US’s claimed war against terrorism[vii]. In fact, it is because of this terrorist orientation that the US is considered an international threat. According to a poll conducted by PEW research center on global panorama of US power and influence, about 45% of the people all over the world cite US influence – as well as global threats such as ISIS, climatic changes, economy and cyber attacks – as one of the major threats against the security of their country[viii].

US state terrorism and the martyrdom of Gen. Soleimani:

A. Soleimani was the champion of fighting against terrorism

Undoubtedly, the most important terrorist action perpetrated by the US government against the Islamic Republic of Iran has been the assassination of Gen. Soleimani, the Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, in Iraq. For many years, Gen. Soleimani played a special role in fighting against terrorism in Afghanistan and in establishing the national government in that country. In post-Saddam Iraq too, he played the most important role in holding free elections and asserting the rights of ethnic and religious groups in that country. He was also the leading commander in fighting against the terrorism of ISIS and al-Nusra group in Iraq and Syria[ix]. And he did that while the US had abandoned Iraq so that it would be swallowed by ISIS, despite its security commitments. Soleimani first defeated ISIS in Jof al-Sakhar Operation, carried out in October 2014 and by recapturing Bu Kamal, in November 2017, he put an end to ISIS reign.

While he was on a diplomatic mission – international cooperation between Iran and Iraq for fighting against terrorism – and while he intended to meet with the Iraqi Prime Minister in order to establish peace in the region, he was martyred on January 3, 2020 by American drones. In fact, Gen. Soleimani was targeted, on US President’s order on the soil of a third-party country, as an official and senior representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and while he enjoyed customary international immunity. However, in defending its action, the US resorted to pre-emptive legitimate defense, which in fact violates the most obvious international law principles and also those of the UN. This is a clear manifestation of state terrorism.

B. Illegitimate terrorism

For many reasons, the US action was an illegal conduct and a clear manifestation of state terrorism. The following pieces of evidence prove this:

The Charter of the United Nations invites governments to resolve their differences through peaceful methods. Within the framework of laws on arms disputes, according to the clause 4 of article 2 in the Charter of the United Nations, the first principle is to avoid resorting to force. Only governmental actions supported by article 51 and the resolutions passed by the UN Security Council in the seventh chapter of the Charter justify exceptions to the rule.

Article 51 of the charter is an exception to the rule of avoiding force according to which, force can only be applied during legitimate defense and in response to an arms attack. “Legitimate defense” is defined as: defending oneself or one’s property against an attack provided that one’s defense is reasonable, necessary and proportionate with the aggressor’s attack[x]. Therefore, for a defense to be legitimate, the element of necessity is very important and Article 31 of the ICC [International Criminal Court] Statute has also confirmed this, stating that the condition is the imminence or the inevitability of an aggressor’s action.

Considering the principles of legitimate defense, which the US has referred to, it is clear that the assassination of Martyr Soleimani cannot be proved by relying on this principle because it does not have any of the conditions specified in the legitimate defense article. Not only was there not any piece of evidence supporting the imminent plan on attacking the US, but also Gen. - entered Iraq to engage in political negotiations, as confirmed by the Prime Minister of Iraq. The human rights reporter of the UN has also stressed that the US did not provide sufficient evidence showing that its regional interests were in danger so much so that it could justify its attack on Soleimani team. Therefore, in the absence of a real and imminent threat against the lives of individuals, the course of action adopted by the US was illegal[xi].

Since the Commander of the Quds Force entered the Iraqi soil at the invitation of the Iraqi government, in a legal manner and absent war conditions, his presence cannot be considered as a presence in a war zone. Moreover, according to human rights principles, even if we assume that there was a war condition, a drone strike against human targets violates the right to live and the principle of human dignity and therefore, it is a clear manifestation of trampling on fundamental human rights. From another viewpoint, according to Article 8 of ICC Statute, every clear violation of international conventions, of international laws, and of arms dispute regulations is considered a war crime.

In light of the US government’s terrorist activity, according to articles 1 and 2 specified in the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (2001), passed by the human rights commission of the UN, the US government is responsible for its international crime. Therefore, the Islamic Republic’s retaliation is justified according to article 22 of the Responsibility of States for International Wrongful Acts. On the basis of this article, arresting, condemning and punishing the perpetrators and those who issued the order are among acceptable measures according to international law conventions, and therefore, these measures should be pursued.

Of course, the US’s action in assassinating Gen. Soleimani was not surprising for the people of Iran and for the world of Islam considering that country’s notorious history of state terrorism, but undoubtedly, if the US continues to engage in terrorist activities, it could have important consequences for international laws, international organizations and fundamental values such as human rights and avoidance of violence and force. In fact, the US’s disregard for the Charter of the United Nations will be the most important challenge that the global community will face especially as Agnes Callamard, the human rights reporter of the UN described the attack on Soleimani and his entourage in Iraq as an act that violates the charter of the United Nations[xii].

Conclusion

On the issue of the assassination of Gen. Soleimani, the international community was once more witness to a contradictory conduct on the part of American politicians. The division of terrorism into good and bad is the clearest manifestation of this conduct: Whenever its interests dictate it, not only does the US support terrorism, but it also engages in terrorist activities. As stated above, that assassination was completely against international law principles and a clear example of state terrorism. With the beginning of an era described as the decline of the US, such actions will increase the US terrorist threats and the violation of countries’ national authority. As cyber espionage, economic sanctions, trade on security and breaching commitments have turned into the most important characteristics of US behavior, state terrorism too will be more utilized in the future by that country. Therefore, it is necessary for the international community to stand up against the US’s illegal and destructive actions by relying on multilateralism.

[i] Britannica, The New Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol.11, Micropaedia, 1986,  p560.

[ii] James Sluka, "Introduction: State Terror and Anthropology", in JefieySluka(ed.), Death Squad: The Anthropology of State Terror, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000, pp 1-45.

[iii] Global Peace Index 2019, The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP)

[iv] Chicago Project, "Suicide Attack Database", Chicago Project  on Security and Terrorism, CPOST data posted as of October 12, 2016, Available at http://cpostdata.uchicago.edu/search_results_new.php

[v] Chicago Project, "Suicide Attack Database", Chicago Project  on Security and Terrorism, CPOST data posted as of October 12, 2016, Available at http://cpostdata.uchicago.edu/search_results_new.php

[vi] DW, Civilian deaths hit record high in Afghanistan: UN, Available at https://www.dw.com/en/civilian-deaths-hit-record-high-in-afghanistan-un/a-44680606

[vii] Statista, Number of documented civilian deaths in the Iraq war from 2003 to November 2020, Available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/269729/documented-civilian-deaths-in-iraq-war-since-2003/

[viii] Manevich, Dorothy and Hanyu Chwe, Globally, more people see U.S. power and influence as a major threat, Pew Research Center, 2017.

[ix] Sunday Times, Iranian general leads defence of Baghdad, Available at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/iranian-general-leads-defence-of-baghdad-fgn5xzd5gct

[x] Bantekas. Ilias, Nash.Susan, International Criminal Law, London: Cavendish Publishing limited, 2003, P 138

[xi] Callamard, Agnes, All drone strikes ‘in self-defense’ should go before Security Council, UN Human Rights Council, Available at https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1068041, 9 July 2020.

[xii] Callamard, Agnes, All drone strikes ‘in self-defense’ should go before Security Council, UN Human Rights Council, Available at https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1068041, 9 July 2020

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution spoke about some of the characteristics and actions of the hero of the Islamic nation, Martyr General Soleimani, in his statements on December 16, 2020, and January 8, 2020. On the occasion of the anniversary of Gen. Soleimani’s martyrdom, Khamenei.ir is reviewing 12 of these features:

Well, these days, many things have been said about that great personality, that good, dear, courageous and fortunate comrade of ours who went to heaven. And what they said about him and his personality traits are correct, but I too wish to raise certain points which I think are important:

1. He was brave and a strategist,  and a man of action at the same time

Shahid Soleimani was both brave and insightful. His actions were not merely marked by courage. Some people have courage, but they do not have the necessary wisdom and acumen to utilize their courage. And some people enjoy wisdom, but they do not take action. They do not have the guts to take action. Our dear martyr both had the necessary guts and the necessary acumen. He would embrace danger and he had no fears. His courage showed itself not only in recent events but also during the Sacred Defense Era during which time, he was the commander of the Tharallah Army. Both he and his army showed exemplary courage. And he was a man of wisdom as well. He would think carefully and he had reasons for his actions. This simultaneous courage and acumen manifested itself not only in the arena of the military, but also in the arena of politics. I said this many times to the friends active in the arena of politics as we were witness to his behavior and his actions. He was courageous and wise in the arena of politics as well. His words would exert tremendous influence and they were convincing.

2. He used his courage and acumen on the path of God

Above all, he was pure and sincere. He would expend his courage and acumen on the path of God and he was not a hypocrite and a pretentious man. Sincerity is very important. We should practice sincerity as well.

3. He strictly observed the limits set by God

Another one of his qualities was that despite being a commander who had mastery over the military, he was very careful to observe shar’i principles. Sometimes, people forget about shar’i principles in the arena of war, saying that there is no time for that, but he was very careful in this regard. He would not use weapons if he did not deem it necessary. He would take care not to transgress against other people’s rights. He would exercise caution in areas that many people do not deem necessary, but he would try to be cautious. He would embrace danger, but at the same time, he would protect others’ lives as far as he could. He would watch over the lives of his comrades, his soldiers and his colleagues from among other nations who stood beside him.

4. The Revolution and being a revolutionary were his red line

The Revolution and being revolutionary were his definite red lines. Some people should not try to undermine this aspect of his personality. This is a reality about him. He was absorbed by the Revolution and being a revolutionary was his red line. Of course, he was not interested in aligning himself with different parties, different factions and the like, but he was completely committed to the idea of being a revolutionary. He was committed to the Revolution and to the auspicious and dazzling guidelines of our late Imam (may God bestow paradise on him).

5. He neutralized all of the illegitimate plans of the US for the West Asian region

One example of his insight and his courage was that – the enemies might know this well, but some friends might not know it – is that he managed to foil all illegitimate plots of the Americans in West Asia with the help of regional peoples – or it could be said with the support that he offered to them. That man managed to stand up to all the plots that had been hatched with money, with vast propaganda efforts made by the Americans, with the diplomatic capabilities of the Americans and with the bullying that they exert on politicians – particularly on some weak countries. He managed to foil all the schemes set up by them in West Asia.

Regarding Palestine, the Americans intended to consign the issue of Palestine to oblivion and to keep the Palestinians weak so that they would not dare speak of fighting, but that man empowered the Palestinians. He did something to make a small region like the Gaza strip – which is a small strip of land – stand up to the Zionist regime despite all their extravagant claims. He created such a disastrous situation for them that they asked for ceasefire after just 48 hours! This was done by Hajj Qasem Soleimani. He empowered the Palestinians. He helped them stand up and resist.

This is what our Palestinian brothers have said to me time and time again. Of course, I was already aware of his feats, but they testified to that. All Palestinian leaders acknowledged the same thing on their numerous trips to our country. That is while when we had meetings with such officials, who were in contact with him – these were ordinary official meetings – he would sit in a corner in order not to be seen by others. If we needed to know his opinion and if we needed his testimony, we had to look here and there to find him. He would not place himself within sight and he was not a man of pretentio.

The US plans in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon were foiled thanks to the assistance and actions of that dear martyr. The Americans would like Iraq to be like the taghuti regime of Iran – the Pahlavi regime which existed in the past – or like today’s Saudi Arabia. They want it to be a region full of oil where they will be able to do whatever pleases them. As that person said, they want that country to be a “dairy cow”. They want Iraq to be like that. However, pious and brave personalities, youth and marja taqlids of Iraq stood up to the Americans and Hajj Qasem- may God bestow paradise on him- helped and supported that vast front in its entirety. He proved to be an active counsellor and supporter in that country.

The same thing can be seen in the case of Syria and Lebanon. As for Lebanon, the Americans are willing to deprive Lebanon of its most important element of independence – in other words, the Resistance Force and Hezbollah – so much so that Lebanon would be defenseless in the face of Israel and so that they would be able to advance as far as Beirut. As it happens, they did so years ago. However, Hezbollah became stronger on a daily basis. Today, Hezbollah serves as both the hands and the eyes of Lebanon. And our dear martyr played a brilliant and prominent role in this regard. He enjoyed acumen and courage. He was a brave mujahid and a diligent brother.

6. His martyrdom showed the whole world that the Revolution is alive

Another chapter about Shahid Soleimani is the blessings ensuing his great martyrdom. Whenever that dear martyr delivered a report – be that a verbal or a written report about the tasks that he had carried out – I would praise him both verbally and deep in my heart, but [today] I bow down in respect to what he started and brought about for the country and for the whole region [Audience weeps]. A great feat was accomplished. He caused a movement. His spirituality and his martyrdom made him so prominent and outstanding. See how the Iranians and the Iraqis bid farewell to him. Notice how the people in Kadhamayn, in Baghdad, in Najaf and in Karbala behaved in bidding farewell to that body torn to pieces. [Audience weeps]. I thank his pure soul from the bottom of my heart.

His martyrdom showed the whole world that the Revolution is alive in our country. Some people wanted to pretend that the Revolution is over and that it is dead – of course, some people are still trying to make this happen. However, his martyrdom showed that the Revolution is alive. You saw what happened in Tehran and in other cities. With his martyrdom, Shahid Soleimani cleansed dust-covered eyes. The enemies felt humble in the face of the greatness of the Iranian nation. Of course, they may not show it, but they have no other option. The enemies who are trying to describe that grand mujahid and that Sardar and Commander of fighting against terrorism as a terrorist – in other words, the unfair and untruthful Americans who rave and rant all the time and whose words are actually worthless – had such intentions in mind, but the Iranian nation slapped them across the face! [ Jan 8, 2020 ]

7. He became the champion of the Iranian nation and the Islamic nation

The Soleimani martyrdom is a historic event. It is not a normal event that will be erased from historic memory. That event was recorded in history as a brilliant incident. Shahid Soleimani turned into the champion of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Ummah. This is a fundamental point.  Iranians are proud of themselves for the fact that a man rose from a distant village who turned into a brilliant personality and a champion of the Islamic Ummah as a result of his endeavors and self-edification.

8. He was the embodiment of Iran and Iranian cultural values

 He is the champion of the Iranian nation because the people saw in him their own cultural, spiritual and revolutionary assets and values. While he was still alive and while he was pursuing his work – in a very simple manner and without any ostentation – the people would put up his photos on the street and they would feel proud of him. And when he was martyred, it was not only revolutionaries who commemorated him. Rather, people from all social backgrounds showed their sentiments towards him: even those who were not expected to show their feelings for a revolutionary figure. Why is that? It is because of this fact: he was the embodiment of Iran’s and the Iranians’ cultural values. This is really valuable. From another perspective, he enjoyed a spirit of courage and resistance. Courage and resistance are among Iranian qualities. Humiliation, retreat, passiveness and other such negative qualities are the antithesis of our national sentiments. Those who claim to be nationalists, but who act in a weak and humiliated manner are self-contradictory. He was the embodiment of courage and resistance. Everyone could see and witness this in him.

9. He was very bright

We could equally refer to his acumen and intelligence. He was very smart. There are many points about this aspect of his. Long before its realization, he predicted the emergence of a so-called religious orientation that was inclined to a particular denomination and that worked against the Resistance and he shared his thoughts with me saying: “According to what I see in the world of Islam – he mentioned the names of some countries – a certain orientation is coming into being.” And after a while, DAESH came into being! He was a shrewd and intelligent person. When dealing with the affairs in the countries where he was involved, he would act in a very wise and judicious manner. I could easily feel this. Well, we were constantly in contact with one another about different matters. He was shrewd. This is another Iranian quality. This is another quality of our Iranian cultural assets.

10. He exhibited a spirit of self-sacrifice and love for human beings

He also exhibited a spirit of self-sacrifice and love for human beings. He did not attach significance to this or that nation. He loved all human beings and he sacrificed himself for everyone. Moreover, he was a man of spirituality, purity and piety. He was really spiritual, pure and mystical and he did not pretend. Well, these are a collection of valuable virtues and ethics. The people saw these in him and he embodied them. In the deserts and mountains of such and such countries, he faced different enemies and he embodied and reflected the values of Iranian culture. Therefore, he turned into the champion of the Iranian nation.

11. He was a manifestation of Resistance against Arrogance’s coercion in the Islamic world

On the other hand, we said that he was a champion of the Islamic Ummah. Why? Because with his moves and ultimately, with his martyrdom – his martyrdom also complemented his actions – he became the code word for inspiration and for rallying the Resistance front in the world of Islam. In today’s world of Islam, whenever some people wish to resist in the face of arrogant bullying, their role model and their code word is Shahid Soleimani. He is respected and commemorated in different countries. His photo is put up here and there, his name is chanted on every tongue and they hold different occasions in his memory. In fact, he taught the people how to use the resistance software and the fighting paradigm and he promoted them among nations. Well, these are very important and very sensitive roles. That is why he is an outstanding personality and a champion icon in the world of Islam.

12. He defeated Arrogance both during his lifetime and with his martyrdom

These are facts that have been proven. He defeated arrogance in his lifetime. The reason being that the American president [Donald Trump] once said: “We spent seven trillion dollars in Iraq, but we gained nothing.” He even had to travel in the dark of night to pay a visit to an American base in Iraq.  The whole world believes that the US did not achieve its goals in Iraq and Syria – in particular, in Iraq. Why? Who was the agent behind their failure? It was Soleimani who was the champion. Therefore, he defeated them in his lifetime.

He defeated them after his martyrdom as well. The burial ceremony that was organized in Iran for him was really astonishing and unforgettable. The same is true of the burial ceremony in Iraq with the presence of millions of Iraqis. They bid farewell to his body in Najaf and Baghdad: with the participation of millions of people! He as well as Shahid Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were bid farewell. That ceremony and the following commemoration events astonished the soft war generals in the camp of arrogance. The outstanding and most influential generals in the soft war of arrogance were astonished to see that incident and they could not understand, in any way, the great movement that defeated them. [ Dec 16, 2020 ]