Introduction
In recent years, the dress code amongst Muslim women has been given great attention in relation to the practice of Hijab (covering). Particularly, the wearing of a headscarf, which is often mistakenly seen as a symbol of oppression. While Islam is certainly not the only religion to introduce the practice of covering the head, it continues to be the centre of attack and is heavily discussed as an issue of women’s rights, especially outside the Muslim world.
Hijab is the proper Islamic dress primarily intended to safeguard the modesty, dignity and honour of both men and women. God (swt) is the Creator of humans and thus knows our nature best; even better than ourselves. Upon His knowledge God (swt) has prescribed appropriate rules of behaviour and appearance to be observed when men and women interact with one another in a social setting. These rules of interaction also include a prescription for modest dressing, applicable to both males and females.
Qur’an on Hijab
The Qur’anic text wherein the verses of veiling are mentioned shows that the aim is to spread chastity and virtue. The first verse which refers to the issue of hijab, begins by talking about the distinction between the purity or impurity of men and women. It goes on to also mention the correct manner of entering the houses of others whether inhabited or uninhabited and ensuring we are initially welcomed to the house and subsequently greet the inhabitants dependent on whether it is occupied .
It mentions lowering the gaze, chastity and abstaining from any forbidden relations for all believing men and women. Finally, it speaks about the obligation of veiling so that the adornments and beauty of women do not appear except to her unmarriageable male relatives, whom are specified in the verse in detail. Prescribing the rule of Hijab, God [swt] says:
‘Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts…’ [24: 30].
‘And tell the believing women to reduce (some) of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which (necessarily) appears thereof and to wrap (a portion of) their head covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed…’ [24: 31].
Commenting on the phrase ‘that which (necessarily) appears’, Ibn ‘Abbas (raa) said, ‘It means the face and the hands.’ In other words, according to Ibn ‘Abbas (raa), a woman must cover her entire body except for her face and hands while in the presence of men who are not related to her directly. The list of those men in whose presence the woman need not cover is clearly outlined above in Surah An Nur, 24: 31.
The following verse also conveys the same point, clearly showing that God (swt) has obliged women to wear Hijab.
‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, that so they may be recognised and not harassed…’ [33:59].
In summary, a Muslim woman is required to cover her entire body except her face and hands according to the majority of scholars belonging to all schools of thought. Covering the head is not a disputed issue among them; they all agree that this is a necessary part of Hijab.
Benefits of Hijab
By wearing Hijab, women protect themselves from any lustful gaze or act that may expose them to temptation or any kind of harassment. Simultaneously, it protects men from indulging in vice and unlawful acts.
The evidence in the Qur’an and the Sunnah overwhelmingly show that the Hijab, as prescribed by Islam, was not meant to segregate women or shut them out from social involvement, nor from participating in the affairs of the Muslim community. This is because the participation of Muslim women at all levels of Islamic life is fully documented beyond a shadow of doubt in the sources of Shari‘ah.
Meaning of Hijab for Women
Hijab does not only refer to the head covering but to the whole dress of a woman. This means that there are certain requirements for a woman’s dress in Islam:
- It should cover at least the whole body; except face and hands
- It should not be tight or transparent
- It should not delineate the parts of the body
- It should not be clothing that is usually worn by men
- A Muslim woman is permitted to wear whatever she likes, including wearing silk and gold, as long as her dress has all the legal requirements of a woman’s Islamic dress code.
Meaning of Hijab for Men
There are similar, yet less obvious requirements for a Muslim man’s attire:
- A Muslim man must always be covered from the navel to the knees
- A Muslim man should not wear tight, sheer, revealing, or eye-catching clothing
- A Muslim man is prohibited from wearing silk clothing (except for medical reasons)
- A Muslim man is prohibited from wearing gold jewellery
Is Hijab a Form of Oppression?
This is a common question is recent years, especially in the West. On the contrary, Hijab represents a woman’s right to maintain her modesty and to be respected as a person rather than a sexual icon. The question could be turned around the other way: if one woman has the right to go half naked in public, why does another woman not have the right to cover herself in public? Why is it looked upon as oppression if she chooses to be modest?
While most Western societies often consider the veil to be radical and a violation of women’s rights, Muslim women feel that the veil gives them freedom. This observation of freedom is different to the definition of freedom in western cultures. A Muslim woman who follows the Islamic dress code considers herself free from being judged by her physical features and rather is elevated to be judged by her character. The importance of women is in their intellect and personality; they should not be judged according to their beauty. While women emphasise their beauty to fulfil the standard of attractiveness set by men, Muslim women set themselves free from being an object for display. Muslim women consider themselves as humans who have an exclusive right over themselves.
