Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
A
flower and a pearl were engaged in conversation when sadness appeared on the
flower.
The
pearl asked: “Nothing accounts for sorrow in your talk; so why the
sadness?"
The
flower sighed: "Humans deal with us carelessly. They don't grow us for our
sake; rather they want to draw pleasure from our fragrance and beautiful
appearance. They use us for this purpose and thereafter discard us. They throw
us on the street or in the garbage after we are dispossessed of our most
valuable properties - our beauty and fragrance."
The
flower, turning to the pearl, then requested: "Speak to me about your
life! How do you live? How do you feel, buried deep in the sea?”
The
pearl responded: "Whilst I do not have any of your distinctive colours and
beautiful, sweet scents, human beings consider me to be very precious. They go
to great lengths to procure me. They undertake long journeys, dive deep in the
oceans, in their search for me.
You
may be surprised to know that the deeper I am hidden away, the more beautiful
and brilliant I become. This is what increases my value in their estimation. …I
live in a thick shell isolated in the deep, dark seas – but I am happy and
comfortable to remain in this safe environment, far from greedy, wanton and
mischievous hands. …Despite the thick shell that conceals me, humans still
consider me highly valuable."
Dear
Reader, do you know what the flower and the pearl symbolize?
…The
flower is that woman who reveals her beauty and her charms – who men use, abuse
and discard. The pearl is the Muslimah who veils her beauty and keeps concealed
and hidden, from wanton, evil gazes.
May
Allah Ta’ala grant all Muslim women, deep appreciation for the Hijaab and Niqaab.