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Hijab
III&E Brochure Series
(published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) and
reproduced in electronic form by Islamic Academy for Scientific Research with permission)
THE QUESTION OF HIJAB: SUPPRESSION OR LIBERATION?
"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 a majority 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 requirement 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.
Mary C. Ali
INTRODUCTION OF III&E
The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) is dedicated to the
cause of Islam in North America through striving to elevate the image of Islam and Muslims
by providing the correct information about Islamic beliefs, history and civilizations from
the authentic sources. Enquiries are welcome.
For more information please contact:
The Institute of Islamic Information and Education
P.O. Box 41129
Chicago, Illinois 60641-0129 U.S.A.
Tel. (312) 777-7443
Fax. (312) 777-7199
Reprinted with the permission of World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), P.O. Box
10845, Riyadh 11443, Saudi Arabia
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