On the 29th of August 2021, Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong officially announced the permissibility of wearing the Hijab for Singaporean Muslim women in the healthcare sector. It is after a brief statement by the Prime Minister earlier on the possibility for the Government to decide on Tudung wearing on April 10. This announcement is due to the countless engagements and dialogues stretching for decades, regardless openly or behind closed doors, despite whatever political stance you take, the differences of opinions given, this is the result that we all wanted to and glad to accept it, Alhamdulillah.
We at FANZURUU feel strongly that women should not be discouraged from anything they aspire to pursue based on the choices they make. FANZURUU supports strong-willed women who persevere despite the challenges being set upon them. When invited to any session, our representatives will try our best to share the thoughts of those of our age in serving the nation especially in the healthcare sector.
As teachers and guides for fellow Muslims, we are really glad that the announcement helps to ease our way of answering uncertainties, especially from those in this field.
THANK YOU!
We would like to thank all politicians, religious leaders, activists and nurses for their patience, efforts and constantly believing that the hijab is indeed a symbol of our religion. For the longest time, and after years of appeal and struggle, we are finally allowed to have our muslim Nurse sisters to portray their Muslim identity.
The Voice of the Young
Throughout the years, we have had many youths, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike fighting for this cause and tirelessly questioning the disallowing of the hijab for Muslim nurses. As youths, we recognise that times have indeed changed and the hijab is not a barrier of racial harmony, but it is in fact a symbol of inclusivity of religion and race in Singapore.
As we progress, youths and citizens in Singapore today continue to be more accepting to the concept of Hijab and the Muslim identity. Further enhanced with activist groups and brave politicians, officials and youths, the decision of finally allowing nurses to don the hijab is an achievement for them and the Muslim community as a whole.
If not for the voices of the youths, today would never have been a reality.
Key Points of Fatwa
Recently, the Fatwa Committee via MUIS announced a fatwa has been passed as a form of guidance for Muslim healthcare workers in preparing for the changes. Issues such as “Bare Below Elbow” were explained thoroughly by the committee.
Dharurah ≠ Dharuriyat
One of the aspects of the Fatwa that were seemingly misunderstood is the understanding of the difference between Dharurah and Dharuriyat.
Dharurah means emergency. In Fiqh and Maqasid, it is usually used in issues that demand solutions in times of emergency where other means have already been exhausted. An example would be, eating halal food. Halal food is a must for every Muslim. The food we eat, the liquid we drink must all be derived from halal sources. However, in times of emergency, where we have exhausted every means, it is allowed for Muslims to consume non-Halal beverages for the basic means of survival. That is an example of Dharurah.
Dharuriyah in turn means necessities. This concept is usually coupled with two other terms which are Hajiyat (Needs) and Tahsiniyat (Luxuries). Necessities are essential elements for every human being. The absence of these elements may cause harm and damage to human life. The examples of necessities such as shelter, food, and clothes.
The necessities can also be further classified by the scholars into five elements of preservations or safeguards. The objective of Islamic rulings is mainly to protect these five elements from any harm. These preservations are:
1) Hifz ad-Deen (Preservation of the Religion)
Safeguarding the religion can be understood as strengthening the basics of Tawheed in believing that Allah is the Almighty God. Believing that He is The One and no other is worthy of worship except Him. Abiding to what He says and what that has been taught by His Prophet, Nabi Muhammad SAW, be firm and resilient in this belief, by staying connected to Him through our Ibadah, helps in the preservation of the Religion.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me”.
Adz-Dzariyat: 56
2) Hifz al-Maal (Preservation of Property)
Being Wealthy is one of the ways that can sway people off easily. As a Muslim, we are duly reminded by Allah SWT via the commandments of Zakat to share the wealth that we have with others. Reminding ourselves from being overzealous by taking other people’s wealth is a form of safeguarding ourselves from going astray. This helps us in ensuring that our hearts and minds are grounded in our obedience to Allah SWT preventing us from driving away from Him.
وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا
إِنَّ ٱلْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورًا
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.
Al-Isra 26-27
3) Hifz al-Aql (Preservation of the Mind)
We currently live in a world full of corrupters of the mind. Previously, intoxicants were in the form of Drugs, Alcohol, etc. However nowadays, intoxicants can also be in other forms. People leaving negative messages that can affect your mental health, bosses squeezing you out indiscriminately or even being alone that can crumble your mental state.
READ: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING MENTAL WELLBEING
Rather than being contributors and corrupters, we can lead a life encouraging positivity and use our mind to benefit others. Use the mind in the development of knowledge that can help uplift our community as a form of us achieving success in this world and the hereafter.
فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا
So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, (O Muḥammad), do not hasten with (recitation of) the Qur’ān before its revelation is completed to you, and say,
Taha 114
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
4) Hifz an-Nasab (Preservation of the Lineage)
Lineage and offsprings are important in Islam. As narrated from Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu Anhu, Prophet Muhammad SAW once said,
“Learn your lineages to solidify your family ties. Verily, keeping family ties causes love among the kinship, enriches the wealth, and increases the lifespan”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1979)
Preserving lineage is to uphold the sanctity of marriage and staying away from zina. Staying away from zina includes the covering of Aurah by both men and women. Men should cover from navel to knees while women should cover everything except their faces and eyes. This acts as a preventive measure from arousing any sexual desires. Lowering your gaze is also part of safeguarding the lineage. In the time of technological advancement, Zina can include the things you might see digitally that will be then embedded mentally that will also affect your mind. Preservation of Mind and Lineage do sometimes come together with each other.
5) Hifz an-Nafs (Preservation of Life)
Allah SWT created mankind as Khalifahs in this world. He, as The Creator, entrusted upon us His Creations to be taken care of. As Muslims, we have the responsibility to take care of fellow mankind, regardless of their religion, skin tone colour, language spoken and status. We are also responsible for the things around us such as animals and the environment. Living harmoniously in the World the He created, creating safe spaces all around, will only lead to better life for all of us.
Helping others in times of need, ensuring that we are always clean and preventing any forms of contagious diseases from spreading is part of Safeguarding Life. This is a part of Syariah that we need to uphold.
Bare Below Elbow & Aurah
The fatwa committee states this in their ruling:
“The Ministry of Health has instituted clinical guidelines for wearing of the tudung whilst on duty, including the ‘Bare Below the Elbow’ policy, or BBE. This policy states that hands and arms up to the elbow should be exposed and free from clothing or any jewellery. Sleeves should be short or rolled up securely up to the elbow in order to allow access to the wrist for good hand hygiene technique. The BBE policy will be complied with by all healthcare workers during interactions with patients, or when likely to touch the immediate patient environment.
Such needs are permitted within the Shariah. In the classical fiqh (Islamic legal) tradition, the limitations of women’s aurat had been deliberated, and there are views that permit the revealing of the arms outside of prayer, where there is a need. In situations when the headscarf is required to be replaced with other forms of head coverings (such as surgical caps worn in the operating theatre), or when it needs to be removed due to clinical or other safety-related requirements, this too is permitted. These considerations permit the flexibility for Muslim officers to make some adjustments without impacting work performance, whilst continuing to serve professionally, securing good and avoiding harm, and displaying positive work ethics in service.”
Adherence to Aurah is Wajib. However, understanding the circumstances that surround the above mentioned situations and why the Fatwa Committee of Singapore gives guidance to it should be properly read and understood.
The Syariah is wide and multifaceted. It acts as guidance for Muslims in their daily lives, not only in their ibadah. Maqasid Syariah provides a clear guidance and framework to the process of ijtihad in solving the issues conforming to the human interest while complying with the will of God. Fatwa is derived from these trunks of knowledge. That is the beauty of Islam.
Patience & Respect
We have longed for this announcement to be made. Guidance from Islamic Scholars serves as an important pointer for us to thread the path in co-existing in a pluralistic country. Disagreements and opinionated thoughts are part and parcel of the beauty of Syariah.
Notwithstanding the guidance from the committee either in agreement or disagreement, we at FANZURUU encourage everyone to applaud the patience of Women Muslim Nurses in their services to take care of our health irregardless of the restrictions that have been set upon them. Their sacrifices in ensuring the health of others together with their roles as Muslims are exemplary. The current pandemic amplified their sacrifices in ensuring the health of others, even when faced with challenges. May Allah elevate each and every one of you to the best of rankings, Insyaallah.
READ: 6 Ayats reflecting Sabar
The announcement by the Fatwa Committee triggered a multitude of responses from the masses. Those in agreement are aplenty, while those who disagree make their voices heard. Sadly, it leads to disrespect especially to those who have thoroughly thought of this guidance.
Subjecting to personal attacks, calling them names that do not mirror the characteristic of a Muslim.
There are also those who agree with the fatwa, deciding to question those who disagree. Calling them out and purposefully trying to anger those who disagree. Having differences of opinions should be encouraged, whilst critically deciphering should not be despised. This is what can lead to a community of better understanding with the thirst for knowledge. Respect needs to be reciprocal. Even when the Prophet SAW met those who treated him badly, he reciprocated by treating them with a high respect. That’s how relationships are built and how love can grow based on respect.
Conclusion
Living in a world full of challenges, we strive our best to be an Ummah of Taqwa, sticking to our principles and basing ourselves to the Quran and Sunnah. However, we must duly be ready to changes that might affect how we practise as a Muslim accordingly based on the tenets of Syariah. May we always be guided by rightful scholars and may Allah be pleased with them in becoming beacons of the society.