“Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?” This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple – Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed…” (Qur’an 33:59)
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, “We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks.
” A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman.
As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.
The question of hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while majorities are of the opinion that it is not required.
A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (S) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the “Mothers of the Believers,” but this requirement was not extended to other women.
The word “hijab” comes from the Arabic word “hajaba” meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qur’an says:
“Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…” (Qur’an 24:30-31) These verses from the Qur’an contain two main injunctions:
A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom. Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear.
However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qur’an, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:
“Ayesha (R) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said:
‘O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands.” (Abu Dawood)
The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman’s body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes.
However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body.
The Prophet Muhammad (S) stated that in later generations of his ummah there would be “women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed.” (Muslim)
Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men’s attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:
Women must not dress so as to appear as men.
“Ibn Abbas narrated: ‘The Prophet (S) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'” (Bukhari)
Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy. Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirements of the Muslim woman’s dress apply to the Muslim man’s clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.
For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.
In the Quran: ” And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, fathers, husbands’ fathers, sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women or the slaves whom their right hand possess or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah (S.W.T) that ye may attain Bliss (Surah 24:31)
How To Do It Correctly
Basically, the dress of ladies should cover the whole body except the face and hand (ie. palms and fingers). Hair should not be exposed because Islam considers it as half of the total beauty of women. The Hijab could be of any form and color, a one-piece shawl or “chadar” or a three-piece ensemble, as long a it is not tight fitting and does not attract people’s attention.
Baseless Objections Againts Hijab
IT SEEKS TO IMPRISON WOMEN: Those who feel that Hijab imprisons women should refrain form living in houses because it is nearer to a prison than Hijab.
IT SUBORDINATES WOMEN: In fact, culture which promotes nakedness takes people nearer to the culture of animals. Wearing the Hijab, on the contrary, liberates women form the trap of vulgar fashion and maladies. It gives them greater, rather than less freedom and mobility.
WHY ONLY WOMEN?: Science has confirmed that visual stimulation plays a predominant role on the physiology of men compared to women. The fact that the sex-industry in the World is targeted towards the male-market confirms it.
VICTIMS OF RIDICULE: Some of the sisters come up with the excuse that the non-believers laugh at them if they observe Hijab and they feel degraded. They may laugh for a little while but after some time, they will have no choice but to respect the Muslim women observing Hijab for their discipline which could not be shaken by their little laughs. Let us not forget ” The one who laughs last laughs the longest laugh”.
BEAUTY IS MEANT TO BE APPRECIATED: True! But only by the husband. Hence, women who truly love their husbands would never wish to be seen in public without Hijab. And those not yet married would like to keep their beauty for their future husbands and not become victim of “evil eyes”.
Disadvantages Of Discarding Hijab
Becoming an easy target of anti-social elements.
Causing great stress, insecurity and suspicion in the minds of husbands.
Instigating young people to deviate towards the path of lust and immorality.
Giving rise to cases of divorces, adultery, rape and illegitimate children
Advantages Of Observing It
Confidence in social participation as human being and not as a sexual commodity.
Guarding oneself from the lustful looks of men.
Not diverting people’s attention from constructive social work.
improving the moral character of society.
In conclusion women can achieve true dignity and experience true emancipation by observing Hijab and not by discarding it.
Hijab: It Is Also For Men
Holy Quran (Surah 24: 30) “Say to the believing man that they cast down their glance. Allah (S.W.T.) is aware of the things they do. To cast down one’s glance means not to look in a fixed way, not to stare. The sentence implies “Tell the belivers not to stare at or flirt with women”.
Equal Rights For Both Sexes
(Surah 49:13 in Quran): Allah (S.W.T) has given equal rights to both men and women. He forbids either sex claiming supremacy over the other. Allah (S.W.T.) states in the Quran: “The most honored of you in the sight of Allah (S.W.T) is (he who is) the most righteous of you” (Surah 49:13) Hijab is one of the righteous deeds and it is a sign for honor and equality with men and stands as a shield of protection against evil men. A woman in Islam is bestowed with respect and honor and a Muslim gives great importance to his wife.
Our Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H & H.F) Hadith says “The best of you are those who are best treating their wives”. The status of wife in Islam is so respectable that she is not bound to do any of the house-hold work unless she does it willingly and with affection; but if her husband forces her to do any work; he will have to answer for that to Allah (S.W.T). Also, she is not bound to earn and maintain the house of her husband. Her work shall always conform to the laws of Islam. The Muslim wife is a queen in her husband’s house. The first thing a husband does for his wife is to provide a servand and a cook according to his financial capacity and when she becomes a mother, she recieves greatest of repect from her husband. Contrary to this is considered sin by Allah (S.W.T.)
What Successfull Woman Have To Say
Dr. N. Z. Vakil (Medical Student):
“It is amazing the way things changed overnight when I started on with Hijab. I can feel the extra respect coming my way. People take me more seriously, friends at college think it looks very neat and smart, and I feel protected and confident when I step out.”
Reshma Qazi (Arts Student):
The most important thing about Hijab is that it gives you an identityof a muslim. Moreover, it is another way of obedience to Allah’s (S.W.T.) command. People often give me dure respect which I would have not gone without Hijab.
Travelling among men has become easy for me as it makes me feel safe and protected….”
Shehnaz Raj (College Student):
I feel that at present when demoralization is increasing in the society, every woman should wear Hijab. It is the only thing which protects a woman and makes her feel secured.
Mrs. Salva (Graphic Designer):
In the modern society of today, a woman has always been looked upon as just another sexual object for men. Why should one display one’s beauty for wanted eyes to feast upon?
The Hijab protects a woman’s honor and doesn’t arouse unwanted passion from the opposite sex. I feel if the women were to universally adopt the Islamic code of dressing, the rate of incidences of eves-teasing, molestation, rape etc. would be negligible. Wearing the Hijab gives me more confidence in myself as a woman and it doesn’t obstruct me in any way in my profession.
Amy (A Malaysian Girl):
Aren’t all what the above have said so true! I say Hijab is THE thing to do!
Note: Above information has been taken from World Islamic Network (WIN) & Sisters Page
