By
Ayesha Noor
Merely days before Christmas, Professor Layrcia Hawkins received disciplinary action for her very Christ-like actions that others deemed Islamic. She is disciplined for her appearance as a Muslim woman and her statement regarding God. Professor Hawkins is an associate professor at Wheaton College, an Evangelical Christian Institute that claims to follow “biblical doctrine,” and reaffirms “salient features of the historic Christian Creeds,” and identifies itself with the Scriptures. Yet, the very Christian admin suspended Dr. Hawkins, a devout Christian, for following the true teachings of Christianity. By wearing the headscarf and making the statement of praying to the “same God,” Dr Hawkins not only showed solidarity with Muslims but also acted truly Christ-like.
Do Muslims and Christians really pray to the same God?
The answer is an emphatic yes. True Christians and true Muslims do pray to the same God.
There is no dispute on the fact that Judaism, Islam and Christianity stem from the same root. All three are Abrahamic religions and share more similarities than differences. Not only Old testament but also the New testament speaks about the oneness of God. Deuteronomy 6:4 unequivocally declares, “the Lord our God is one Lord.” It’s the same Judaic law in which Jesus believed and vowed not to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17-19) Additionally, Jesus himself speaks of One God in a loving manner. In Mark 12:29-30, Jesus says, “Hear O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment.” Scripture aside, all three Abrahamic religions have believed in the same One God for thousands of years. In fact, even today many Christians say “Allah” when addressing God.
Before making such an outlandish decision of suspending Dr. Hawkins, Wheaton College should have taken a look at their Christian brethren in Malaysia. Since 2007, they have been fighting for their right to use “Allah” for God. Malaysia’s ignorant Muslim clerics, quite similar to what we are seeing in Wheaton College, forbade Malaysian Christians from using “Allah” in their publications. This created such a fury among Malaysian Christians, who rightfully protested their right to address their God according to their own choice. Their point was that the term “Allah” predates Islam and they have used it for centuries. They use the term interchangeably to refer to the Christian and Muslim God. This is precisely what Dr. Hawkins said when she said Muslims and Christians pray to the “same God.”
The Holy Quran says it best “Do you dispute with us concerning Allah, while He is our Lord and your Lord? And for us are our works, and for you your works; and to Him alone we are sincerely devoted.’[2:140] Let people practice their faith freely, let them refer to God the way they want.
Dr. Hawkin’s has also received criticism for covering her head in solidarity with Muslims. As a Muslim woman I admire Dr. Hawkins beautiful gesture. However, I want to remind Wheaton College that Muslim women are not the first ones in history to cover their heads—in fact they are the latest ones. Each religion prior to Islam, including Christianity, considered head covering to be an expression of nobility.
In 1300 B.C, Assyrian women voluntarily covered their heads. For them, the head covering was exclusive to stately women. Likewise, ancient Greek women of high status covered their heads and sometimes their faces. Women belonging to Persian elites, Anglo-Saxons, and Anglo-Normans, covered their heads and took pride in it. Head covering and loose clothing combo has always promoted an aura of honor and prestige.
Abrahamic religions prior to Islam prescribed headcovering for women. Jewish women in early Judaic references are encouraged to cover their heads as a symbol of nobility. During the Tannaitic period, a Jewish woman’s failure to wear head covering was deemed an offense to her modesty. The example of Rebekkah, who covered herself when she caught sight of Isaac, before their marriage (Genesis: 24:64-65) is worth mentioning here.
The Virgin Mary, the most revered woman in Christianity, is never depicted without a head covering. But Mary was not the only one going about her business in a headscarf and modest clothes. Indeed, all Christian women at the time followed the Biblical teachings regarding women’s clothing. The New Testament not only commands women to cover their heads out of modesty, but also some argue it prescribes the punishment of a shaven head (1 Corinthians: 11: 5-6) if they fail to do so. This was the reason that the Vatican implemented the Code of Canon Law of 1917, which mandates universal veil observance during church service. In 1983, however, it was repealed. Yet, to this day, even Evangelical nuns observe this clear biblical injunction. Likewise, Veronica’s veil is the most refreshing Biblical reference in support of veil. Saint Veronica used her veil to wipe sweat and blood from Jesus Christ’s face. It is said that his image was imprinted on her veil.
If it was for Wheaton college, neither the veil nor the image would have existed. Far from suspension, at a time of increasing discord between Muslims and Christians, Professor Hawkins should be celebrated as a beacon of the peace and compassion Christ exemplified.
This year Professor Hawkins will celebrate Christmas in a more Christ-like manner that many fail to comprehend. Merry Christmas Professor!
Follow Ayesha on Twitter @FriendlyMuslim
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