No sane person on earth has the right to stand on the street and dictate how a woman should adjust her scarf. If one has basic decency, even advising one’s spouse about such matters should be done in private, not in public. Preaching or offering religious advice should take place at home or within appropriate forums. Stopping strangers on the street to tell them to fix their scarf or remove a bindi—is this truly an invitation to faith? No, it’s not religion; it’s nothing but unnecessary interference. One cannot generalize modesty rules and impose them on unknown individuals. However, modesty and social etiquette can be discussed as a collective societal value, and it should be addressed to both men and women. In fact, men should be reminded of it even more.
Who has granted anyone the right to enforce “moral policing” on others? Religion and law are not private properties to be controlled by individuals.
Now, let’s talk about modesty for men. If a passerby woman is not wearing her scarf properly, or it has shifted—religiously, a man’s gaze is not even supposed to rise to that level. His eyes should remain lowered. No man is tall enough that lowering his gaze would still result in staring at a woman’s chest. So why the double standards? Why should a sieve criticize a needle’s tiny hole? It is disgraceful to turn selective morality into religion. Modesty is not just for women; it is equally binding on men. In the Holy Qur’an, the verse instructing women about modesty is preceded by a verse commanding men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. Hence, blaming only women or their clothing for moral decay is neither fair nor religiously sound.
Claiming “My life, my rule” is also not a rational stance. Following religious principles and societal norms ensures harmony. We all represent our families and communities. If everyone acts without restraint, disregarding cultural values, social order will collapse. Expecting Canadian society to function like Europe in terms of attire and behavior would create unnecessary conflicts. Dressing and behaving in line with local cultural expectations is the wiser approach. However, if someone oversteps boundaries, harassing them is not the solution. No civilized society tolerates that.
A dangerous trend has emerged where people take the law into their own hands. Instead of self-reflection or maintaining order within their own homes, they eagerly point fingers at others. Religious preaching has its time, place, and method. If people randomly start lecturing strangers on the street, chaos will follow. Legal processes and designated authorities exist for a reason. Taking justice into one’s own hands is just as condemnable as the wrongdoing being addressed. Heaven is not the only creation—Hell exists too. Why do people conveniently forget this?
Stopping an unknown woman on the street to “fix her scarf” is a reflection of a deeper problem—one that allows men to police women’s clothing without consequence while failing to uphold good behavior within their own homes. Male interference in women’s autonomy has existed for generations, and this is just another expression of that entitlement. If such actions are not recognized as problematic, if people do not learn their own behavioral boundaries, they may survive under mob rule—but they will not escape their own conscience or divine accountability. True faith, when practiced with sincerity, brings collective benefit to society.
It is hypocrites who drive ordinary people away from religion. These so-called religious police need to stop their nonsense in the name of faith. People must prioritize learning common sense and practicing good manners wherever they can. Some basic decency should come from within. Wrongdoers should be judged based on their actions, not their group affiliations.
Public opinion does not always determine what is right. Distortion of religious values should never be accepted. Faith should be so beautiful that those distant from it feel drawn toward it. The extreme behavior of pseudo-religious zealots must be challenged at all costs. No one can claim to be more religious than the Prophet (peace be upon him). Before looking at a stranger, before interacting with non-mahrams, self-proclaimed moralists should first educate themselves on religious boundaries.
