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
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For more information please contact:
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Reprinted with the permission of World Assembly of Muslim
Youth (WAMY), P.O. Box 10845, Riyadh 11443, Saudi Arabia
