Lesson video

Hi, I'm Mrs. Afshan, and I'm really glad you're here.

Today we're going to explore a really interesting topic called Dress and Modesty for Muslims Today.

This lesson is from the unit What are the Joys and Challenges of Being Muslim in Britain Today? In today's lesson, we're going to see how culture, history, and personal beliefs influence the clothes that some Muslim people choose to wear, especially when it comes to being modest.

So let's get started.

The outcome of today's lesson is I can explain that culture, history, and personal beliefs influence the dress choices of many Muslims. Before we dive in, let's learn some keywords which will help us understand today's lesson.

You will hear these words a lot today, so try and remember them.

The words are hijab, which is a scarf that some Muslim women wear to cover their head as a sign of modesty and faith.

The next word is modesty.

Modesty is dressing and acting in a way that is respectful.

Next is identity, the special things about who you are, like your name, culture, or beliefs.

And the last word is empowerment, which is helping someone feel strong and confident to do things on their own.

Let's get started.

Today's lesson has two cycles.

Let's first look at what do Muslims believe about dress and modesty? Here we have Sam and Andeep, and they're talking about religious education.

Sam says, "Religious education often seems to be about people and the things they do.

Hmm, I wonder why?" Andeep replies, "It's because we can understand different worldviews by finding out about what people do.

People show what is important to them by the things they do and the ways they represent themselves." In this lesson, we'll be exploring how different factors influence the dress choices of many Muslims. To help us understand Muslim worldviews, we have Izzy and Aisha who are going to help us in today's lesson.

Here, Izzy and Aisha are discussing the idea of modesty.

Izzy asks, "Aisha, do you know what the word modesty means?" "My dad says modesty is the way people dress and behave to show respect for themselves and others.

It is an important idea in Islam," replies Aisha.

Let's now go and meet some Muslims who can help us understand what modesty means to them.

Here are some ways that both Muslim men and women dress showing modesty in different cultures.

Have a look closely.

What do you notice? That's correct, not everybody dress the same way.

The clothes Muslims choose to wear shows how modesty is understood by them.

This is often influenced by both their history and religious beliefs.

Well done if you thought of the same idea.

Izzy and Aisha want to investigate what Muslims believe about modesty today.

"Aisha, how could we find out more about what Muslims believe about modesty?" "We could talk to some different Muslims to find out their views.

Then we can see what is similar or different." I like Aisha's idea.

First, Aisha and Izzy meet Zainab.

"What does your modesty mean in your worldview, Zainab?" Zainab replies, "Modesty for Muslims means dressing and behaving respectfully.

How people show modesty can be different depending on their culture and traditions." Time for a check.

Modesty for Muslims is only related to clothing, true or false? False, it's because we've just heard Zainab tell us a little bit more.

For many Muslims, modesty means dressing in a respectful way, and it is important in both behaviour and clothing.

Well done if you chose false as your answer.

Zainab is a British Shi'a Muslim from London.

She says, "I believe that wearing modest clothes that cover my body in a respectful way helps me stay humble and shows respect for myself and others." She continues and says, "Modesty in clothing is a way for me to show who I am on the inside.

It reflects my values and the kind of person I want to be.

It's not just about how I look on the outside, but about keeping my heart and intentions pure.

Dressing modestly helps me stay focused on what's truly important, like kindness, respect, and being a good person." Time for another check.

Zainab says, "Modesty is not just about how I look on the outside, but about keeping my (pauses) and (pauses) pure." Is it keeping my heart and intentions pure, or thoughts and body pure, or is it clothes and words pure? What do you think? That's correct, it's heart and intentions pure.

For Zainab, modesty is not just about how she looks on the outside, but about keeping her heart and intentions pure.

Well done if you chose heart and intentions.

Great work.

Izzy and Aisha are now talking with Jamila to find out a little bit more about modesty.

"What does modesty mean to you, Jamila?" Jamila replies, "I believe that being modest isn't just about how we dress, but also about how I speak and behave.

Modesty is a way of showing that we care about our character and how we treat those around us." Tareeq has a Muslim worldview and is an Imam.

Izzy and Aisha are interested in what he has to say.

Let's find out.

Imam Tareeq quotes a quotation from the Hadith, which is a collection of stories and sayings from the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Imam Tareeq says, "I think this will help you with understanding the Muslim concept of modesty.

'Modesty is part of faith,' which has come from Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith." Imam Tareeq continues and shares, "Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims that being modest is an important part of being a good person.

This means that being modest is not just about how we dress, but also about how we behave.

Modesty reveals who we really are." "Thank you for talking with us, Imam Tareeq," says Izzy and Aisha.

Time for another check.

What is modesty according to Hadith? Is it a part of faith, or is an option, or it's not for Muslims? What do you think? That's correct.

According to Hadith, modesty is part of faith.

Well done.

Zainab, Jamila, and Imam Tareeq as well as many Muslims around the world believe that modesty is an important part of their faith.

Can you recall what they believe about dress and modesty? That's correct.

Zainab says, "Modesty is not just about how I look on the outside, but about keeping my heart and intentions pure." And Jamila believes that being modest isn't just about how she dresses, but also about how she speaks and behaves.

Imam Tareeq says, "That being modest, it's not just about how we dress, but also about how we behave.

Modesty reveals who we really are." Time for our task.

Laura is thinking about modesty in Islam.

"I think modesty in Islam is only related to clothing," she says.

Jun says, "I think there is more to it than that, Laura." Help Jun to explain how modesty in Islam is more than just clothing and appearance.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready to check your answers with me.

Let's check our answers.

Help Jun to explain how modesty in Islam is more than just clothing and appearance.

Some of your possible answers may include, "In Islam, modesty means dressing respectfully, and it is important in both behaviour and clothing.

Modesty in clothing shows a person's values and helps them focus on being kind, respectful, and a good person.

It's about what's inside, not just how they look.

Modesty isn't just about how a person dresses, but also how they speak and act.

It helps them stay humble, showing they care about their character and how they treat people." Well done if you included that in your answers.

Great.

Now we know what Muslims believe about dress and modesty.

Let's now look at why do some Muslim women wear a hijab? Remember, hijab is a headscarf that some Muslim women choose to wear.

What do you know about the hijab? Let's go and find out from someone who can help us and share with us why they chose to wear a hijab.

Let's speak to Fatemeh.

Fatemeh says, "Some Muslim women, like me, wear the hijab, a headscarf, as part of our identity and faith.

Wearing a hijab is a personal choice for me.

Wearing a hijab for me is a sign of modesty and empowerment." Time for another check.

For Fatemeh, wearing a hijab is a sign of what? Is it fashion and style, or tradition and culture, or modesty and empowerment, or empowerment and diversity? What do you think? That's correct.

Hijab is a sign of modesty and empowerment for Fatemeh.

You got that right, well done.

Fatemeh explains why the hijab is more than just a piece of clothing to her.

She says, "Wearing the hijab helps me stay true to my values and show my identity.

It's a personal choice that makes me feel proud and confident in who I am.

I feel by wearing the hijab I'm being modest and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad." For Fatemeh, hijab shows her identity and she feels strong and confident wearing it.

Here we have Imam Tareeq who shares, "Cultural and historical factors influence how people wear the hijab, with different countries having their own styles that reflect personal identity and traditions.

Just like how people might wear certain clothes to show which sports team they support, some Muslim women wear the hijab as a way to show their faith and cultural values." Let's see if you got that.

What factors can influence how people wear the hijab? Is it the weather and seasons, or cultural and historical factors, or popular fashion trends? What do you think? That's correct.

Cultural and historical factors influence how people wear the hijab.

Great work.

Here we have Ilham.

Ilham is a British Sunni Muslim from Leicester.

She has a Muslim worldview.

She wears a different type of hijab, which is her cultural practise.

As you can see in the image, it's different to how Fatemeh wears her hijab.

Ilham says, "I wear a hijab because it's part of my identity.

I wear one as my mom and grandmother have done.

Mine looks the same as theirs.

Wearing the hijab reminds me to be modest in everything I do and say.

It is an outside sign of an inward attitude." Time for another check.

True or false, all Muslim women wear the same type of hijab? True or false? What do you think? False, that's correct because we've seen Fatemeh and Ilham wearing different hijabs.

They may be different styles of hijab based on the culture and personal preferences.

Well done if you chose false as your answer.

Izzy and Aisha are not talking with Noor, "What does hijab mean to you, Noor?" Noor replies, "For me, wearing a hijab is a choice that makes me feel proud of who I am and what I believe in.

I want to wear a hijab when I grow older, just like my mom." Noor explains why she's looking forward to the day when she will wear a hijab just like her mom, "My mom wears a hijab everyday and this makes her feel connected to our faith and culture.

I believe that when I'm grown-up, wearing the hijab will help me express my identity and show respect for my religion," explains Noor.

Zainab explains why she covers her head when she prays, but not at times.

Zainab says, "I cover my head when I pray because it shows respect and devotion to Allah.

I don't cover it all the time because I believe modesty is shown through my clothes and behaviour." Time for another task.

Laura says, "I think all Muslim women wear the same hijab." Do you agree with Laura? Use the case studies to write three sentences that support your explanation.

Remember, we've met Ilham, Noor, Zainab, and Fatemeh earlier talking about dress and modesty and what it means to them.

Use their case studies and write three sentences.

You can use the sentence starters to help you.

Wearing a hijab helps.

The next one, wearing the hijab gives.

And finally, some Muslims cover their heads.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready with your answers.

Let's check your answers.

Do you agree with Laura? Use the case studies to write three sentences that support your explanation.

You might have said, "I disagree with Laura because not all Muslim women wear the same hijab." Your sentences might have included, "Wearing the hijab or a head covering reminds Muslims about modesty in everything they do and say.

Wearing a hijab helps Muslims express their identity and show respect for their religion.

Wearing the hijab gives Muslims a sense of empowerment, helping them stay true to their values and express their beliefs." And finally, "Not all Muslim women wear a hijab outside of prayer times." Well done, you've learned that for many Muslims, modesty means more than clothes.

It's about being respectful, kind, and true to your beliefs.

Let's see what you remember from today's lesson.

We have learned that in Islam, modesty means dressing respectfully, and it is important in both behaviour and clothing.

Also, modesty isn't just about how a person dresses, but also how they speak and act.

It helps them express their identity and feel they belong to their Muslim community.

We've also learned that wearing the hijab keeps Muslims a sense of empowerment, helping them stay true to their values and express their beliefs.

Some Muslims only cover their heads when they pray to show respect and devotion to God, believing in modesty in their actions and appearance.

You've done an amazing job today learning about dress and modesty in Islam, and you've shown a lot of respect while exploring different worldviews.

That's what great learning is all about.

Thanks for joining me.

See you next time.

Bye.