Every time I read any post by some Muslim men, and yes it’s usually a man, about the evils of the “camel hump” hijab, I can’t help but roll my eyes. Camel hump hijab is not some euphemism for a woman’s vagina, I promise. The phrase refers to the way a woman styles her hair under the hijab creating a “hump”. Hence, crazy clerics and wanna be Imams want women to wear their at the nape of their neck so there is no”hump”.
“There are two groups of the people of the fire, whom I have not yet seen. A group of people carrying whips resembling the tails of cattle, with which they will lash people. And another is clothed women, yet naked; disinclined from Allah’s obedience and causing others to follow in their ways. Their heads are likened to the humps of camels. They will not enter Jannah nor smell its fragrance – it’s fragrance could (usually) be smelt from a far distance, a journey of many (miles).”
Muslim
Women covering their bodies but naked could be referring to the sheer fabric in which one can see through the clothes. It could also refer to tight bodycon dresses, leggings, skinny jeans, or any tight fitting clothing. Another interpretation by Seeker Guidance is that it might refer to the blessings of Allah but naked from showing gratitude from God. This seems to be the most probable interpretation of the verse that most scholars agree upon.
No one knows what camel hump means or what style its quite referring it. Some claim it is when one wears a turban with a hijab. Others say its a big hair bun, top bun, when there is a hair independent, or etc.
Yet no scholar, up until modern times, considers any hijab style or hairstyle as haram or sin. The verse deals directly with a group of women, not all women. As the verse says there are two groups of people, one is a mixed group and another is of clothed women. Imam al-Nawwi, a scholar, believes that their might of been someone women who might have worn “camel humps” and tight clothing. It could refer to priestesses, as well or women who are in a special occupation. Just because a woman wears a pencil skirt or a hijab normally, doesn’t mean she’ll go to hell either. Yet, there are styles that really do….look horrendous and deserve to go to fashion hell.
Exploring Islam also says that “naked” but covered, flirting or trying to attract sexual partners, and camels hums are signs of the second group. It’s not their style that’s the problem but their Iman. One of the narrators of this chain (will write a post on Hadith Science later) is
ibn Hanbal narrated from Muhammad ibn Yhy al-Qattan that the latter said: “If save one were to follow every ruksha [dispensation] that is the hadith, he would become a transgresser.
Fasiq
So what should we think? Since many scholars believe this hadith is weak. We should not use it to codem women or tell women they are sinning or going to hell for showing any of these “signs”. There is no definition on “camel hump”, so its up to interpretation on how you define camel hump. Men who use this weak hadith do so because they feel they need to police women’s bodies. Muslim women are targeted by Westerners by forcing them to undress and then turn around to have random pockets of Muslim men saying we are going to hell or sinning because we are wearing a bun under our hijab.
If you feel wrong wearing a volumizer or having a ponytail/bun then wear you your hair another way. I have long hair and I am not pulling my hair under my shirt so I have a flat hijab, nor am I creating a ball of hair on my sweaty neck. Don’t let online posting wanna be Imams (men and women) police your body. If you feel uneasy about hair bumps, experiment to find a hairstyle that’s comfortable that doesn’t bump. Muslim women need to be aware of weak hadiths. Being ignorant of what our scholars say allows for extremism. The truth is Islam isn’t an easy religion, and remember Sunni Islam does not have clergy. Meaning no one has a right to tell you how to feel, you have your faith and guidance in your own hands.