purpose of hijab essay

About Islam

# Quran 382 Articles
# Spirituality 382 Articles
# Discovering Islam 382 Articles
# Shariah 382 Articles
# Videos 382 Articles
# Family & Life 382 Articles
# Fatwa & Counseling 382 Articles
# Muslim News 382 Articles
# Youth Q & A 382 Articles
# Donate 382 Articles
Family & Life
Your Society

10 Reasons Why We Wear Hijab

A group of young Muslim women who are extremely passionate about hijab and proud of wearing it started this document to share the reasons why they wear hijab.

They hope this explains why Muslim women wear it and encourages many other women to take this beautiful step.

They came up with more than a hundred reasons why they wear hijab.

In this article, we just share ten of them but you can read the full list here .

On Hijab : Reflections, Fashion, Stories and More

1-Hijab is a fardh (required obligatory act, a Divine instruction by the Creator of the Heavens and the earth, Allah Almighty).

" title="Advertise and Market to Muslims" target="_blank">Ads by Muslim Ad Network

2- Everything that He, The All-Knowing, instructs and requires us to do is for our own benefit, even if we don’t get it.

You trust the doctor and follow his orders and prescriptions, even when he gives you a bitter pill you don’t like, because you trust he can help you heal.

How then do we not trust The Ultimate Healer Himself when He instructs us to do something?

“How could He not know His Own creation? For He ˹alone˺ is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.” (Qur’an 67: 14)

3- The most beloved thing through which you can seek Allah is to humbly and sincerely follow His instructions.

If you love someone and this person refuses to listen to you or do the things that you love or ask him to do, will this be a loving relationship?

Understanding the Hijab

4- Hijab is not about protecting you from males. Hijab is mentioned in Surat AnNur (i.e. The Light) and it is linked to the name of Allah anNur.

It is a spiritual light for the woman, it increases and protects her spiritual light.

Hijab is an Imani (faith) act. This is why Allah addressed believing women when He ordered it. It is about iman (faith).

Empowerment

5-Hijab makes me feel strong and empowered. No one has access to my body. I’m in control.

6-You don’t blindly follow society, fashion, or what people think is pretty/fashionable. You’re a leader, not a follower.

7-While wearing a proper hijab, people are not distracted by my looks, rather by my intellect, talent, and what I have to say.

It helps me and everyone dealing with me focus on what really matters.

8-Your body is an amanah (a trust that you’re entrusted with). You only live in this body temporarily, so you should treat it the way it’s Owner instructed.

If you live in a hotel for a few days, and you get instructions on how you’re expected to leave the place looking upon check out, and then you completely ruin and abuse the rooms and places you occupied, would this be acceptable?

9-Women are asked to dress modestly and behave modestly, and men are asked to lower their gaze and behave modestly.

Answering Why Muslim Women Wear Hijab in Summer

Both men and women are part of this equation. They both have requirements.

We don’t dress immodestly and then say, “Oh, well, it is men’s complete responsibility to lower their gaze.”

You also have the responsibility to dress modestly. It is an injustice if men force women to be immodest, thus commiting a sin; and it’s an injustice if women are immodestly dressed, thus tempting men to also commit sins.

We should help one another, not destruct one another. We are allies, not enemies!

10- What I’ve learned in the last few years from Islam is how Allah ordered us to many actions that give us value as human beings.

Wearing Hijab from the woman side, and lowering gaze from the man side is the balance.

It’s like organizing our lives in a way that makes them more focused, dignified, and productive.

This article is from our archive, originally published on an earlier date and highlighted here for its importance.

Privacy Overview

What is the Purpose of Hijab?

Home » What is the Purpose of Hijab?

4 Purposes of Wearing a Hijab

1. obedience (will of allah).

The most obvious reason is that Allah has asked Muslim women to cover their heads, bodies and private parts. When a believing woman does the Hijab, she is following the will of Allah the Almighty. Some people think it is oppression. I’m afraid that’s not right. Many people follow their faith and dress a certain way. This is not oppression. This is following your religion and faith.

2. Protective Shield

Women are not thought of as objects in Islam. Nowadays, women are objectified. Wherever you see, women are being sexualized. Every woman is beautiful. That beauty should not be for everyone. The Hijab stops people from judging the physical appearance of women. It is simple: if no one can see you or know how you look (beautiful or not), how can they tease you? Hijabi Women are honored and respected.

3. Confidence

4. Paradise as Reward

When you fulfill your obligations and duties to God, He promises you Paradise. So, when Muslim women observe the Hijab as a sign of obedience to God, they will be rewarded with Paradise. Be Judged for Your Worth! The biggest misconception about Hijab is that it is a sort of oppression. If you ask Hijabi women , it is the total opposite. They feel empowered. They decide who can see their beauty and who can not. This is not female oppression or exploitation but is female empowerment. It is a statement to the world. Why should the physical appearance of a woman matter to anyone? Why should she be judged on how she looks and what she wears? A woman should be respected and loved for everything else that matters. Your worth is so much more than your physical appearance.

Hijab Square – An Islamic Clothing Store in USA

Hijab Square is helping women who wear the Hijab do it in style. Our collection of Hijabs is for women of all age groups. Moreover, you can find Hijabs for every occasion, be it a party, dinner, formal office meeting, funeral, marriage etc. Visit the website today and let our Hijab Services in Springboro to bring fun and style to your daily life.

Previous Post What are the Different Types of Chiffon Hijabs?

Next post hijab square | what is hijab and what is its importance, recommended for you.

Top and Trendy Hijab Styles in Ramadan

EXPLORE HIJAB SQUARE

We love making new friends.

click to subscribe to receive updates,

access to exclusive deals, and more.

Answers to common theological & philosophical confusions by the youth for the youth

What is the purpose of hijab? Why is it necessary?

There are many reasons behind the obligation of Hijab. Almighty Allah in His wisdom gave a physical body – male or female – to the soul while on earth. Each gender has different roles and rules to follow. These rules are to maintain virtue and decency in society. Both men and women are asked to lower their gaze and to cover certain parts of the body. Hijab is an act of obedience, an identity for a Muslim woman, and promotes modesty in society. It is also a spiritual manifestation of the majesty and beauty of Allah’s names. It is an integral part of submission to Allah.

Full Answer

Hijab is one of the obligations set out by God for the good of the human being both in this world and in the Hereafter. We believe that the human being is essentially a soul first, which existed before coming into this world and will exist after leaving it. The body is a sort of shell to house the soul. Perfection and beauty of the soul are gained by traveling towards God on the path He has prescribed.

Laws given by Allah keep human beings from getting distracted from the ultimate goal of achieving closeness to Allah (s). Having certain checks in place, like that of lowering the gaze and abiding by the Islamic dress code of hijab, allow one to create an atmosphere of virtue and discipline. This atmosphere in turn aids in the maintenance of healthy relationships between the genders, and furthermore, a healthy society (Academy of Islam, 2020).

Hijab could be better understood through the following points.

1) First and foremost, it is to gain spirituality and closeness to God through obedience . It is a command of Allah, as attested to in the Quran, hadith, and unanimously agreed on by scholars of Islam. Just as salaat, fasting, etc. are laws that we obey, hijab is also one such law.

Hijab is a manifestation of an inner commitment to God.

2) Hijab is an identity for Muslim women. It declares, without speaking, that the wearer is a God conscious believer. The decency and virtue it exudes are more powerful than any words that could be used to convey the same.

Hijabi women announce, through their hijab, their refusal to be part of a culture that objectifies women and exploits their beauty and sexuality.

Modern culture today is replete with examples of the results of such exploitation.

3) Hijab promotes modesty in society. Hijab preserves modesty and fosters decency in interactions with the opposite gender and thus, in society as a whole (Rizvi, 1997). Islam is a religion that does not just function at the individual level, but at a societal level as well. Hence hijab is not only prescribed as an obligation to women, but to men as well. It is important to note that hijab is not only the physical covering in the form of a headscarf, but it extends to one’s other body parts as well; one example being the hijab of one’s eyes (Rizvi, 1997).

Modesty is an inward quality, but the command is to manifest that modesty outwardly Islamic sociology invokes the idea of a different private and public sphere in society. Women can relax and be unguarded in the private sphere. But the public sphere with all the different factors in it requires a more guarded entry. Hijab helps in that and protects both the woman and her society.

4) A spiritual and metaphysical meaning behind the hijab exists as well. As discussed previously, God has beautiful names which comprise of beauty and majesty (Jamal and Jalal). The male and the female are creatures of God, each manifesting certain aspects of His names and qualities. A woman represents the beautiful qualities of Allah, manifesting Divine beauty. The Jamal of the women is balanced with the Jalal of the hijab, a dignity and majesty for the beauty within her. According to Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the Absoluteness and Majesty of the Almighty is manifested most directly in the masculine state and His Infinity and Beauty in the feminine state (Nasr, 1980). Islamic spirituality necessitates social patterns, art of dress, and many other ways of life to create the balance of qualities in the genders.

Western society has long seen the hijab with a derogatory perspective. Along with the secularism and individualism that is an integral part of Western society, this has led some to proclaim that hijab is outdated and unnecessary. For a believer who submits to the Almighty, there can be no doubt that hijab is an integral part of obedience to Allah.

Academy for Learning Islam. (2020). Reflection No. 254 on Q 33:59 – Hijab – A Respectable

Protection. https://academyofislam.com/reflection-no-611-on-q-3359-hijab-a-respectabl

e-protection-2/

Ali Zayn al-Abidin, Imam. (n.d.) Treatise on Rights (Risalat al-Huquq) (W. Chittick, Transl.).

https://www.al-islam.org/treatise-rights-risalat-al-huquq-imam-ali-zayn-al-abidin

Rizvi, S. M. (1997). Hijab, The Muslim Womens Dress, Islamic or Cultural?

https://www.al-islam.org/hijab-muslim-womens-dress-islamic-or-cultural-sayyid-muham

mad-rizvi/quran-and-hijab

Nasr, S. H. (1980). The Male and Female in the Islamic Perspective. Studies in Comparative Religion , 14 .

Published by commonperplexities

View all posts by commonperplexities

Muslim Women: Wearing The Hijab

Reference this

Purposes of the research

Scope and limitations, plan of development, methodology, 2.1 participation.

If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help!

2.2 Methods of data collection

Literature review, introduction, western influences.

Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs.

The argument of liberation

Internal debate: reasons for wearing and not wearing the hijab, reasons for wearing the hijab in islamic tradition, 4.2 reasons for not wearing the hijab in the islamic tradition, 4.3 spirituality, cite this work.

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below:

Related Services

Essay Writing Service

Dissertation Writing Service

Student reading and using laptop to study

Assignment Writing Service

DMCA / Removal Request

If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please:

Our academic writing and marking services can help you!

Related Lectures

Study for free with our range of university lectures!

All Available Lectures

Freelance Writing Jobs

Looking for a flexible role? Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher?

Study Resources

Free resources to assist you with your university studies!

Search Support Articles

*You can also browse our support articles here >

Change Region / Country

Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors.

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Hijab and Islam

Save to my list

Remove from my list

There are so many topics in Islam that fascinate me but the one that always inquires my desire to learn more is the topic of women and Hijab. There are many views with regard to Hijab in Islam from the Muslims themselves. The issue of Hijab can be analyzed from several perspectives. Firstly, the Islamic view on Hijab, the importance and benefits to society at large and the world view of Hijab and the women wearing Hijab living in the Western hemisphere.

However, some Muslim women believe that the wearing of the Hijab is the right and the choice of the Muslim woman. They are not forced or pressured to wear a veil and they are not forced to cover their hair when they are around men that are not their Mahrrams (men that they are able to marry).

Muslim women believe that Allah has ordered all females after the age of puberty to wear the Hijab and that it is an obligation from the Lord.

Proficient in: Islam

“ Amazing writer! I am really satisfied with her work. An excellent price as well. ”

As any other obligation in Islam such as praying five times a day, fasting in the month of Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca, wearing the Hijab also is compulsory on all women. There are no excuses or allowances for certain women to wear or not to wear. The issue of choice is not entertained by these Muslim feminists. Sometimes what happens is that when a woman decides to wear the Hijab, there are members in the family that disagree. The main reason for disagreeing is the fact that these family members feel that these women will be tormented in society and that they will not find a good job or husband.

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

You won’t be charged yet!

Little do these ignorant people know. I say to them, please have faith in the All Merciful and All Knower, he will take care of those that strive to get closer to him. Allah enjoins on His believers tasks that He knows are not beyond their capacity and endurance.

He knows that a strong and dedicated Muslim woman will put all her effort in trying to wear the Hijab and will try and support herself in this wonderful religious act that she alone chose for the only purpose of pleasing her Lord. Every Muslim woman wearing or starting to wear the Hijab should equip herself with the right information in order to answer to inquisitive questions from non-Muslims. Often times many Muslim sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijab. It may be that a sister has been obliged to wear the Hijab without truly pondering over its superiority.

Perhaps she has reached the age of puberty and her Wali (guardian) has instructed her to wear it. Perhaps she has recently reverted to the Islamic religion and her Muslim friends have informed her of the importance of Hijab or even more common is perhaps her husband has commanded her to wear Hijab. What ever the issue or reason behind this endeavor, a Muslim woman who does not truly know the superiority of Hijab will always remain jealous of the women of the Kuffar. Why? Because they see these misguided women looking beautiful for all to see.

Hence, the Muslim woman then compares herself to that woman which causes her to feel ashamed of her own Hijab. Therefore, Muslim women need to encourage each other and remind each other that they are indeed beautiful and above all protected from the evil eyes of the Non-Muslims and particularly the men. These Muslim women need to remember that they are struggling but that they are beautiful and Allah will reward them in this world and also more importantly in the Hereafter.

However, to the West, the Muslim women wearing Hijab, to them, is a sign of oppression. The West believes that the religion is forcing the women to lose their identity and their independence by having them cover up and dress modestly and beautifully. But we, as Muslims, say that the women are liberated and gain even more independence by wearing the Hijab and by respecting their religious duties. Women in Islam can work, study, start a business and perform or engage in any work or leisure activity while beautifully dressed in her Hijab. Therefore, Muslims don’t need pity from any one; they don’t need understanding or a should to cry on simply because they are independent, happy, strong women that chose to follow the teachings of their religion.

Because of this decision, the non-Muslims should at least respect that much in these women and give them credit of being steadfast and determined. To promote the overall well being of the Muslim woman, some contemporary educators and scholars such as Qasim Amin, a pro-Western Egyptian journalist, lawyer, and politician in the last century wanted to bring Egyptian society from a state of “backwardness” into a state of “civilization” and modernity. He strongly objected to the hijab. He said that it is because of the Hijab that Muslim women are ignorant, superstitious, anemia and even premature aging of the Muslim women. He believed women should get away from this backward form of living and become modernized by removing the hijab and conforming to society at large.

He insisted as much on the woman’s right to mobility outside the home as he did on the adaptation of shar’i Islamic garb, which would leave a woman’s face and hands uncovered. Women’s domestic seclusion and the face veil, then, were primary points in Amin’s attack on what was wrong with the Egyptian social system of his time. Muhammad Abdu tried to restore the dignity to Muslim woman by way of educational and some legal reforms, the modernist blueprint of women’s Islamic rights eventually also included the right to work, vote, and stand for election-that is, full participation in public life.

He separated the forever-valid-as-stipulated laws of ‘ibadat (religious observances) from the more time-specific mu’amalat (social transactions) in Qur’an and shari’a, which latter included the Hadith as one of its sources. Because modern Islamic societies differ from the seventh-century umma, time-specific laws are thus no longer literally applicable but need a fresh legal interpretation (ijtihad). What matters is to safeguard “the public good” (al-maslah al’-amma) in terms of Muslim communal morality and spirituality.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali in his book Sunna Between Fiqh and Hadith said that those who claim that women’s reform is conditioned by wearing the veil are lying to God and his Prophet. He expresses the opinion that the contemptuous view of women has been passed on from the first jahiliya (the Pre-Islamic period) to the Islamic society. Al-Ghazali’s argument is that Islam has made it compulsory on women not to cover their faces during the pilgrimage and prayers, the two important pillars of Islam. If women in these two very important rituals do not cover their faces, then how is it that they are to do so for other mundane things?

He went on to say that all the aspects of Islam that emphasizes that women stay home and not be part of society are the remains of the time of ignorance or ‘Asr Al-Jahiliya. Al-Ghazali says that during the time of the Prophet women were equals at home, in the mosques and on the battlefield. Today true Islam is being destroyed in the name of Islam. Another Muslim scholar, Abd al-Halim Abu Shiqa wrote a scholarly study of women in Islam entitled Tahrir al-mara’a fi ‘asr al-risalah: (The Emancipation of Women during the Time of the Prophet). In his study, Abu Shiqa agrees with al-Ghazali about the discrepancy between the status of women during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the status of women today.

He says that Islamists have made up sayings which they attributed to the Prophet such as ‘women are lacking both intellect and religion’ and in many cases they brought sayings, which are not reliable at all and promoted them among Muslims until they became part of the Islamic culture. Abu Shiqa also commented that in many third world countries, sayings of the Prophet are fabricated in order to provide support and evidence that are important to that particular society. He argues that it is the Islamic duty of women to participate in public life and in spreading good (Sura Tauba, Aya 71). He also agrees with Zin al-Din and Ghazali that hijab was for the wives of the Prophet and that it was against Islam for women to imitate the wives of the Prophet.

If women were to be totally covered, why did God ask both men and women to lower their gaze? (Sura al-Nur, Ayath 30-31). Islam is a religion that believes in fairness and justice. Islam does not only look at women as the ones that need to be protected, but Islam makes it compulsory that the men also lower their gaze when walking near Muslim women that are not their mahrams. This also enjoins on the men to respect the women and to treat them with dignity and respect. Islam’s desire is to protect women from bad situations such as female infanticide , unlimited polygamy etc and to uphold the dignity and respect for the Muslim woman.

However the main purpose is to establish the equality of man and woman in the sight of God who created them both in like manner, from like substance, and gave to both the equal right to develop their own potentialities. Thus Islam is a religion that wants all the Muslims, men and women, to become free, rational people. Thus the Qur’an liberated the women from the indignity of being sex objects into persons. In turn the Qur’an asks the women that they should behave with dignity and decorum befitting a secure, Self-respecting and self-aware human being rather than an insecure female who felt that her survival depends on her ability to attract or cajole those men who were interested not in her personality but only in her sexuality.

One of the verses in the Qur’an protects a woman’s fundamental rights. Aya 59 from Sura al-Ahzab reads: O Prophet! Tell Thy wives And daughters, and the Believing women, that They should cast their Outer garments over Their Persons (when outside): That they should be known (As such) and not Molested. Although this verse is directed in the first place to the Prophet’s “wives and daughters”, there is a reference also to “the believing women” hence it is generally understood by Muslim societies as applying to all Muslim women.

According to the Qur’an the reason why Muslim women should wear an outer garment when going out of their houses is so that they may be recognized as “believing” Muslim women and differentiated from streetwalkers for whom sexual harassment is an occupational hazard. The purpose of this verse was not to confine women to their houses but to make it safe for them to go about their daily business without attracting unwholesome attention. By wearing the outer garment a “believing” Muslim woman could be distinguished from the others.

In societies where there is no danger of “believing” Muslim being confused with the others or in which “the outer garment” is unable to function as a mark of identification for “believing” Muslim women, the mere wearing of “the outer garment” would not fulfill the true objective of the Qur’anic decree. In conclusion, it is very clear that Islam is a religion of just, peace and fairness to all the believers. Hijab in Islam is compulsory and is required for all women after the age of puberty. It is a scarf or head gear that is a symbol of Islam but is also a symbol, to Muslim women, of independence, respect and freedom to live in any society. Islam places women on a pedestal and protects their rights and position in Islam. Women are not forced to cover nor are they second-class citizens in Islam. However, Muslims associate the hijab with all that is positive, strong and respectful.

Hijab and Islam. (2016, Mar 26). Retrieved from http://studymoose.com/hijab-and-islam-essay

"Hijab and Islam." StudyMoose , 26 Mar 2016, http://studymoose.com/hijab-and-islam-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). Hijab and Islam . [Online]. Available at: http://studymoose.com/hijab-and-islam-essay [Accessed: 3 Mar. 2023]

"Hijab and Islam." StudyMoose, Mar 26, 2016. Accessed March 3, 2023. http://studymoose.com/hijab-and-islam-essay

"Hijab and Islam," StudyMoose , 26-Mar-2016. [Online]. Available: http://studymoose.com/hijab-and-islam-essay. [Accessed: 3-Mar-2023]

StudyMoose. (2016). Hijab and Islam . [Online]. Available at: http://studymoose.com/hijab-and-islam-essay [Accessed: 3-Mar-2023]

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

Muslim World Today

Living in today's society, what is the history of the hijab.

Head coverings are something that plays significant roles in a number of different religions, and Islam is far from the only one. Catholicism and Orthodox Judaism also have a substantial head covering traditions of note. In the specific case of the hijab, it is largely associated with the Muslim faith.

Islam started out on the Arabian Peninsula as a small faith community. It started in the city of Medina by the proclaimed prophet of the religion, Mohammed, who lived roughly from 570 until 632 CE. The religion spread throughout the Middle East into areas such as Central Asia, societies around the Arabian Sea, and also into sub-Saharan Africa. Islam even spread into Europe at points as well.

Scarves and veils were already customary in many cultures before Islam rolled in. As it spread, it incorporated a number of local veiling customs into its practice, while influencing others. However, it’s only been in recent history that a number of Islamic states, like Iran, have started mandating women to wear such things .

Critics of this practice argue that it impinges on the freedoms of women. The debate is sometimes different in Western nations where daughters of immigrants fight for the right to wear them an expression of their faith. The history of the hijab is intertwined with the Islamic faith, as is its use in current political debates in some countries.

Search form

Hijab, or veil, takes the center stage whenever there is battle between truth and falsehood. It has always been a sensitive issue, but it recently received a great deal of attention due to legislation and proposed legislation in several European countries (e.g., France, Germany) that ban its use in government institutions as well as educational institutions. For women who wear hijab out of religious conviction, the truth is obvious and indisputable. For others with limited knowledge or understanding of Hijab, it can be confusing. It is important to understand several points related to hijab and modesty. The first point is that modesty had been the norm in history, up until the later part of the past century. If one were to peruse historical books of various times and ages, one would find modest covering of women in almost every society. The other point is that modesty is a component in several world religions, particularly in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It may come as a surprise to many that it was not Islam that invented modesty or hijab. This existed in the laws of religions revealed before Islam, and remnants can still be found in the altered books of those faiths. With the final message given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the order for Hijab was confirmed and finalized. This is a reality since all of those revelations came from the same Source, Allah. Mary, mother of Jesus (may Allah exalt their mention), is rarely depicted without a traditional head-covering and one would assume her to be Muslim. (Which, of course, she was.) One can still find both Jewish and Christian women today who cover in much the same way as Muslim women. It is one of the common bonds that are shared by these three major faiths.

More than a religious symbol

Hijab represents a woman’s submission to her Creator and her connection with the faith. While referring to it, Allah Almighty says: “That is more suitable that they will be known...” But, while hijab is a symbol, in reality it is much more than that. The following purposes and functions of hijab will clarify this point. Hijab is a test for the Muslim woman. It is clear from the Qur’an and the Hadiths that hijab is a religious obligation, which a woman has to undertake. There is no scholarly difference on this point and the Muslim Ummah has applied it for over 14 centuries. When a Muslim woman wears hijab she is obeying and submitting to Allah. The following verses of the holy Qur’an refer to the obligatory nature of hijab: “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 headcovers 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.” [Qur’an, 24:31) Also Allah says: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an, 33:59) A woman who wears hijab liberates herself from the vain and selfish desire to show off her beauty and to compete with other women around her. This is an innate desire that is exacerbated by wanton display and tamed by modesty and covering. With the hijab, a woman does not have to live up to society’s expectations of what is desirable, and she no longer has to use her beauty to obtain recognition or acceptance from those around her. In the chapter of Al-Ahzaab mentioned above, Allah Almighty Says what means “That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.” Thus, one of the functions of hijab is to protect women from abuse and harm. This particularly includes various forms of sexual abuse and harassment, which are prevalent in societies in which few women cover. Men often get mixed signals and believe that women want their advances by the way they reveal their bodies. The hijab, on the contrary, sends a signal to men that the wearer is a modest and chaste woman who should not be annoyed.

To be continued next week

- Courtesy of www.islamweb.net

Latest updates

Earthquakes caused $5.1 billion in damage in syria, world bank estimates.

Saudi Foreign Ministry condemns ‘extremist statement’ by Israeli official on Huwara

With big dreams, Pakistani woman hockey player braves perilous sea voyage, dies in shipwreck

Future professions ‘revolve around engineering,’ forum told

Human Rights Council president holds meeting with Qatari assistant Foreign Minister in Geneva

Iranians express anger and sorrow over the death of Asiatic cheetah cub Pirouz

Why West Bank violence between Israelis and Palestinians rages on despite US mediation

Print Edition

Why some Muslim women feel empowered wearing hijab, a headscarf

Senior Religion + Ethics Editor

View all partners

women wearing headscarfs and men gather in front of a building

For people who would like to learn more about Islam, The Conversation is publishing a series of articles , available on our website or as six emails delivered every other day , written by Senior Religion and Ethics Editor Kalpana Jain. Over the past few years she has commissioned dozens of articles on Islam written by academics. These articles draw from that archive and have been checked for accuracy by religion scholars.

Some Americans believe that the Islamic faith is oppressive for women. In the West, particularly in France, the hijab, or headscarf, that many Muslim women wear has become a symbol of this perceived oppression .

This article will explain some of the complex issues that go into many Muslim women’s choice to wear the hijab, including why some women see it as a mark of empowerment. It will also draw attention to some of the global Muslim feminist movements that often go unnoticed in the Western world.

Sociologist Caitlin Killian explains that Jewish, Christian and Hindu women have covered their heads since pre-Islamic days .

For some Muslim women today, wearing a hijab can be a religious act – a way of demonstrating their submission to God. The Quran instructs both men and women to observe modesty in their dress and behavior. However, Muslim women’s clothing isn’t entirely about adherence to faith. It has been used in the past – and present – as an assertion of identity.

Under colonial rule, Muslim women were encouraged to be more like European women and remove the veil. As demands for independence from colonial rule grew, the veil, Killian says, became a “symbol of national identity and opposition to the West.”

women gather on world hijab day while holding pink posters

Today, some Muslim women in America may wear the hijab as a way of asserting their pride in the face of Islamophobia. World Hijab Day, celebrated on Feb. 1, starting in 2013, came about through the efforts of Nazma Khan , an immigrant to the United States from Bangladesh, who had been shamed over wearing a headscarf. She decided to start a day when both Muslim and non-Muslim women could experience wearing the head garment.

Even so, in much of the Western world, the headscarf continues to be seen as representative of Muslim women’s oppression. In Switzerland, voters approved legislation in March 2021 to ban face coverings, while France is pushing for a more restrictive policy on hijabs .

In a judgment on March 14, 2017 , the Court of Justice of the European Union, which interprets EU law, allowed private companies in France to bar employees from wearing “religious, political and philosophical signs” in the interest of “neutrality.”

A woman in a headscarf at a protest in Toulouse, France, shows a drawing reading 'My veil, my choice, Free' in French.

Sociologist Z. Fareen Parvez says the anti-headscarf legislation was a “ turning point ” in the lives of Muslim women looking for acceptance and integration in French society. The headscarf is not just a religious symbol for many of the women; it is a way of being.

But this focus on Muslim women’s clothing takes attention away from other issues and how Muslim feminist movements are trying to bring about change. In Indonesia, for example, female Muslim religious scholars, or ulamas, are helping change how Islam is understood and practiced.

As sociologist Rachel Rinaldo says , the past three decades in Indonesia have seen the emergence of a new generation of female religious leaders who are interpreting the Quran in a way that is empowering for women. The word of female ulamas is more accepted, compared to women’s rights activists, explains Rinaldo, as they are trained Islamic scholars.

A 2017 conference of female Muslim religious scholars held in Indonesia, with participants from Kenya, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, issued fatwas – nonbinding religious edicts – against child marriage, sexual abuse and environmental destruction.

The point is that, like other faiths, Islam is a multifaceted religion, and Muslim women are choosing how they want to be heard and seen.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Jessica Marglin , Associate Professor of Religion at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Fact : Female ulamas in Indonesia go back to the 17th century. Queen Tajul Alam Safiatuddin Syah ruled over the Islamic kingdom of Aceh (now Indonesia’s northernmost province) for 35 years and commissioned several important books of Islamic commentaries and theology. At a time when female rulers anywhere in the world were unusual, she was the primary upholder of religious authority in what was then a prosperous and peaceful kingdom. – From an article written by Rachel Rinaldo, Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder.

In the next issue: What is Islamic law?

You can read all six articles in this Understanding Islam series on TheConversation.com , or we can deliver them straight to your inbox if you sign up for our email newsletter course .

Articles from The Conversation articles in this edition:

Why do Muslim women wear a hijab?

How a growing number of Muslim women clerics are challenging traditional narratives

EU court allows companies to ban headscarves. What will be the impact on Muslim women ?

Want to write?

Write an article and join a growing community of more than 160,400 academics and researchers from 4,572 institutions.

Hijab Research Paper

The responsibilities of women in islamic and roman societies.

In the past, Islamic women were not granted the right to vote or join in politics, but over the years the legal status of women in Islam has relaxed and changed. Muslim women in the Middle East have the right to vote, and may join in politics. Along with this, they are permitted to have vital government jobs. (Braswell, p.155) A woman 's status , however, is not as high as a man 's is in society. They still must follow many traditional customs. An example of one custom is that women are encouraged to do is dress modestly, by wearing veils in public. (Lippman, p.38) Although Muslim men and women are not looked upon as equals in every sense, there has been a lot of improvement and many changes have been made in the women 's favor.

American Hijab

This visible symbol of Muslim identity serves as an instant tool of connection with other Muslims especially those not from a Middle Eastern ethnicity but also serves as a signifier as different in the American dominantly Christian community. “Several women noted being repeatedly removed from flights for security screening, having difficulty gaining employment after appearing for job interviews, and receiving angry looks and even shouts from passersby on the streets, to name just a few.”(D 303). It also serves as a behavior check, as it reminds them to act in coordination with their religious and personal values. How is that any different from when we are in our social and personal lives representing something we believe in? As a Bishop McNamara student I wasn’t constantly reminded what that stood for and how that should be reflected in my behavior. No matter if I went somewhere with my uniform on or was just interacting with people I believed in the Holy Cross Values and it often has kept me in check with the way I present myself anywhere I go. The hijab helps resist objectification and sexual exploitation and is also a form of self respect. The idea of modesty and self respect are often tied ideals. The desire for women to be valued as individuals rather than aesthetics is not singled in this single community. The hijab is a source of freedom because women can be liberated to focus on their own personal values rather focusing on the trends and perceptions of beauty that American women conform to. She holds to the highest esteem of being a woman and a human

Burqa Research Paper

Although I am not familiar with the customs of Islam, I do believe that wearing such pieces like the burqa is ultimately by choice. Like many religions, there is some sort of scripture that was written as a guideline for the purpose of living life in a certain way. The Koran does require that both men and women should conduct themselves in a modest manner, including attire, however, the Koran does not explicitly state that women must be dressed in garments such as the burka. Therefore, it is women themselves who have either chosen to wear the garment or was forced too due to other contributing factors. To go into further detail, I do believe that some women are pressured to abide by such code of conduct because of strict, religious values of some Islamic husbands who could be classified as possessive or oppressive. With this in mind, other reasons for Islamic women to wear conservative garments maybe due entirely to their religious obligations, while on the other hand, there are women who would just wear a burqa because of cultural reasons.

What Is The Hijab: Empowering Their Identity?

For those who see the hijab as empowering, focus on their identity as tied to religious and personal values. These values include a sense of religious identity, morality and self respect.The hijab serves to define Muslim Identity, serves as a behavior check, helps to resist objectification/sexual exploitation, afford more respect, and a source of freedom. This visible symbol of Muslim identity serves as an instant tool of connection with other Muslims, especially those not from a Middle Eastern ethnicity. The hijab also serves as a behavior check, as it reminds them to act in coordination with their religious and personal values. How is that any different from when we are in our social and personal lives representing something we believe in?

Hijab: Unveiling One Month Later: Article Analysis

If the author wanted to learn more about Muslim women, she should have sought them out and spent time with them — those who wear hijabs as well as those who don’t. Then, instead of speaking on behalf of Muslim women’s “unheard voice” by talking about her own hijab experiment (“My hijab silenced, but simultaneously, my hijab brought unforgettable words”), she should have asked them to share their own experiences as Muslim women. Then they would have a voice.

Hijab In North America

With the recent interest of the media on the topic of hijab and the oppressive symbol that it is portrayed to be, I have decided to write my paper on the hijab and what it means to various Muslim women. This topic is important and worth studying because most of the information that is relayed about the hijab by the media is not based on the opinion of Muslim women who actually wear the hijab in North America. Currently, feminists around the world have started a campaign for a “#nohijabday.” Although this movement initially began in order to speak out against the Iranian government for forcing Iranian women to don the hijab, it quickly spiraled out of control on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. This event has led to an influx

Personal Narrative: Why Do I Wear The Hijab

On September 11, 2010, as I was walking through the halls of my elementary school, ready to go home, I saw a boy wearing a gray pikachu shirt, blue baggy jeans, cool neon sneakers, and a gray Jansport bookbag. I smiled as we made eye contact, and he ran over to me and pulled off my headscarf, yelling “TERRORIST!” This wasn’t the first time this had happened. Many nights I would come home crying, and my mom would have the responsibility of teaching her ten-year-old daughter that her religion was nothing to be ashamed of. The constant anger filled faces always made my heart beat rapidly, yet it didn’t deter me from being open about my beliefs. However, what finally made me take my headscarf off was the pre-conceived notions about what constitutes a hijabi.

The Role of Women and Community in Christianity Versus Islam Essay

In every country around the world, women's lives are shaped by the influences of both society and by religion. “The Quran, Islam’s holy book, mandates that women have the right to seek education, choose their own mates, work, possess and inherit wealth or property, divorce, and remarry” (Hurley 76). So despite the Quran’s clear support for women’s rights and equality, why do many people feel that Muslim women are oppressed? The hijab head covering worn by Muslim women has been in the news on and off for some time now and has been a topic of many debates. Here in America, one would feel this requirement on women as oppressive, but most Muslim women feel that this is a way to be looked at not for their beauty, but for their minds. The issues here is that people have a hard time differentiating between culture and religion, two things that are completely different but have a huge effect on each other. People also have a hard time understanding things that are different. Just because it is different than how we live, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong.

Why I Wear A Hijab

My name is Sloan Marmaduke; I am 20 years old, and I wear a hijab. Arabs in America (2016) describe a hijab, an Arabic word for “cover”, to be a veil or headscarf. I chose to wear a hijab shortly after turning 14 to express my love for the Islam faith. Wearing a hijab can be very difficult at times. When I walk in public, I sometimes find people staring at me and it makes me uncomfortable and I have this feeling that I’m not appreciated or wanted. Sometimes, I wish people would step into my shoes for a day to observe and interact with my daily lifestyle. I find myself to be a privileged woman, and I love my life but sometimes, other people’s assumptions about my life based on what I wear on my head can be unnerving.

Oppression: Muslim Women in Canada Essay

“The Hijab limits me from doing certain things. When I have the Hijab on…as a Muslim woman, I consider myself basically representing the whole community” (Ruby 29). Aspects like this set this woman apart from her peers because she is now labeled as just one thing, a Muslim, when in fact she is much more than that. Women who wear the Hijab, Muhajibah, living in the western world, I believe, have it harder than they do living back home. Here, they are subject to a lot more attention when not necessary such as weird looks walking down the street and subject to stereotypes ie. being a terrorist. Islamic women are not the only ones being oppressed by their choice of clothing; in fact every woman around the world is target towards oppression. Islamic women are just targeted more than women of other religions. This is because of the strict faith that they endure from the Qu’ran telling them that they need to dress a certain way. However, it has been debated that the Qu’ran actually doesn’t mention anything about a women needing to wear a Hijab to be a good Muslim. (Kawaji)

Wearing a Uniform of Oppression Essay

Having lived my whole life by the teachings of the Islamic faith, I understand the appreciations and values associated with the Hijab. However, also living in Canada, a pro-western society, I also see how some might see it as an oppression set upon Muslim women; objectively isolating them from the rest of society. I believe that the Hijab means much more than just a piece of cloth covering a woman’s hair. It represents their identity and their pride. It is considered to be the flag of their way of life, their religion. Unfortunately, people of other cultures see it as a horrific tradition of the past that degrades a woman’s rights and freedoms.

Muslim Women In America

The issue of women in Islam is highly controversial. As a Muslim American living in the United States many times I get judged about my religion. People think that because I am a Muslim woman in America I am being restricted from many things and can’t be like every other woman in America. Islam has many similarities with other religion and it does have its differences. Being raised as a Muslim woman in America has made me the strong and independent woman I am today. I am going to be talking about my own religion that I’m well knowledgeable of. What the media shows and how people talk badly about the religion is truly ruining the religion and its true beauty. Woman in Islam are not being oppressed for anything there’s true beauty behind this

Analysis A Look behind the Veil

Despite all the values that the hijab is representing in different countries of the world, the only value that is demanded is the egalitarianism and justice value, whether a woman is wearing the veil or not, they are “calling for equal access to divorce, child custody, and inheritance; equal opportunities for education and employment; and abolition of

Naheed Mustafa Thesis

The author, Naheed Mustafa, starts out with two points of view others have of her, a “Muslim terrorist” or an oppressed woman (Mustafa 1). However, with these two points of view, Mustafa is suggesting that people only view her in these two ways because in their eyes a Muslim woman cannot be more. Then she introduces the hijab, a scarf which covers her neck, head, and throat, but explains that young Muslim women like her are “reinterpreting” the purpose of the hijab: give women absolute control over their bodies. According to Mustafa, the hijab does not only give women absolute control but freedom. Yet, others do not understand this concept or why a young woman who was born in a land that is free and full of opportunities like North America

Essay on The Hijab

The hijab used as a symbol of the Muslim culture is just one characteristic of how it can be perceived; the hijab is also a sign of life, safety and personal identity (Tabassum, 2006, p. 37). Tabassum (2006) interviews an individual by the name of Raheelah who identifies the hijab as not just a piece of clothing that covers a Muslim women’s face, but also as a portrayal of themselves as a person (p. 37).

IslamQA: The purpose of hijab in Islam

So recently, I found out about the Quran being vague about the hijab. This person was saying many scholars argue that it's left vague so that it can fit into any culture. But I heard many sheikhs say that it's haram to not wear the hijab, even if it's uncommon in your society.I don't have any problems with my hijab, but my parents more or less force me to wear maxi skirts and dresses, which makes me sad because I end up being a cast out at school I’m an extremely shy person and I don’t wish to be so ‘different’ that I end up on the foreground. I don’t want to wear any skinny jeans or anything but I wish I could wear loose trousers because almost all hijabis at my school do that. And sometimes, I get the question why I always wear skirts and I don’t know what to answer since it’s something from my parents. Personally, I think it’s something cultural because it’s worn a lot in my home country. Could you tell me more about this? (Part 2)I’m an extremely shy person and I don’t wish to be so ‘different’ that I end up on the foreground. I don’t want to wear any skinny jeans or anything but I wish I could wear loose trousers because almost all hijabis at my school do that. And sometimes, I get the question why I always wear skirts and I don’t know what to answer since it’s something from my parents. Personally, I think it’s something cultural because it’s worn a lot in my home country. Could you tell me more about this?

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

There are many differing ways of interpreting the Islamic texts (Quran, hadith and post-Prophetic reports) on the issue of the hijab. The two verses on the hijab in the Quran are:

And say to the female believers to lower their gaze, and preserve their private parts, and not display their adornment except such as is outward, and let them fix closely their head-coverings over their bosoms… (The Quran, verse 24:31) O you Prophet, say to your spouses and your daughters and the women of believers, that they draw their outer garments closer to them; that will (make) it likelier that they will be recognized and so will not be hurt. And Allah has been Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful. (The Quran, verse 33:59)

These two verses define the hijab the way it is worn throughout the Islamic world. The first one mentions a “head-covering”, therefore we know from that that the hijab involves covering the head, and it also mentions that the head-covering should cover the chest, therefore the image of the hijab that we get is a head-covering that is large enough to be wrapped in a way that also covers the neck and chest. The part that says “not display their adornment except such as is outward” provides a great room for maneuvering, allowing women to wear various styles of dress as long as it includes the hijab and it is considered modest and appropriate by the Muslim society around them.

The second verse provides the rationale behind the Islamic dress code. According to Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi’s commentary on the Quran, where it says “that will (make) it likelier that they will be recognized”, it means that women dressed as such will be likely to be recognized as modest, i.e. as women who are not interested in flirtation and being admired by men.

If you look at the way nuns dress, the meaning of this verse becomes very clear. When men see nuns, they immediately know that these are women who should not be approached or admired as sex objects. Even the most rude and lecherous men often become quiet and respectful when faced with a nun. The hijab is meant to do the same for Muslim women, signalling to such men that these are women who are not interested in being sexually admired or flirted with.

Some say that it is “unfair” that Islam puts the burden on women to dress modestly instead of asking men to stop looking. Islam does ask men to “lower their graze”, and looking at the context of the second verse above, you see that the hijab is not intended for the benefit of devout Muslim men, but for the benefit of irreligious and lecherous men who are found in all societies. The verse after 33:59 says:

If the hypocrites, the sick at heart, and those who spread lies in the city do not desist, We shall rouse you [Prophet] against them, and then they will only be your neighbours in this city for a short while. (33:60)

It was these “hypocrites, the sick at heart” who were sexually harassing Muslim women. As is mentioned in hadith narrations, some Muslim women did not use to wear the hijab (this included some of the Prophet’s wives), and the Muslim men had no problem with this nor did they harass them. But once the irreligious hypocrites in Medina started the harassment, these verses came down to deal with them, telling the Muslim women to dress in a way that would cause such men to ignore them.

As for wearing loose trousers, there is no issue with it as long as it is part of a modest costume that does not hug your body tightly. The point is to dress in such a way that does not attract admiring glances from men.

While some Muslims are harsh and strict about the hijab, the Quran only dedicates two verses to it and never mentions any punishment or threats toward women who do not wear the hijab. The command to wear the hijab is softened by other verses like:

And fear God to the best of your ability… (The Quran, verse 64:16)

While it is very easy for some women to wear the hijab, for others it can be difficult. The Quran contains many commandments that many Muslims do not follow fully, such as the command to provide income for one’s close relatives. The hijab is obligatory, but we are not meant to force religion on people, and people should be free to choose to wear it if and when they are ready for it, the way they are free to choose to start taking care of their close relatives.

Most people judge things by appearances, it will always be a fact that many Muslims will not consider a woman really Muslim until she wears the hijab. Similarly it is seen that in democratic countries people vote for the politicians that belong to their own race or culture without caring about the politician’s principles. It is only more intelligent and better educated people who can go beyond appearances.

So, is really wearing hijab an obligatory for every muslim women in the world? I am from Indonesia, and as you can see not all of muslim women in Indonesia wearing hijab. I am not wearing hijab right now, because I want to make sure that when I wear it I am ready to wear it forever instead of wear it half hearted and take on and off the hijab. But recently my aunt sent me message telling me that wearing hijab is an obligatory for all muslim women, and the consequences of not wearing hijab is the same of committing big sin, the same as not doing anything muslims obligated to do ( such as salat). If so, then why wearing hijab is not included in pillars of Islam? What do you think about this?

Verse 24:31 of the Quran assumes that Muslim women will wear “khimar”, which is a head-covering, a scarf that covers the hair. This verse, along with other verses that teach that Muslim women should make a strict distinction between what they wear at home in front of their parents and siblings and what they wear in public provide strong evidence in support of covering the hair in public (i.e. wearing hijab). Therefore a woman who does not wear hijab without a legal excuse (such as old age) is going against the Quran’s commands.

The Quran contains hundreds of commands that a Muslim must obey. The pillars of Islam are merely a few of the most important ones. I have not seen strong evidence to suggest that not wearing hijab is a great sin. You can be Muslim and not wear hijab and God may forgive this. However, no person with strong faith would knowingly go against any of God’s commandments, therefore a woman who refuses to wear hijab is clearly stating that she is not fully committed to following God’s commands, that there are things she considers more important than pleasing God.

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Islam Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for Muslims, experts in Islam, and those interested in learning more about Islam. It only takes a minute to sign up.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

What is the main purpose of Hijab in Islam?

What is the main reason Islam advocates Hijab?

Is it to reduce sexual assaults?

If that is the case, there are numerous Westernized countries which have low sex-related crime/harassment/assault rates. On the other hand, in most Islamic countries this problem is pretty much dangerous .

Is it to keep modesty?

What is the purpose of modesty if this scheme doesn't cover sexual assaults/harassment?

Kindly, keep the body of the answer concise. If you add any reference, adding a hyperlink would be enough. Don't copy-paste Quranic verses.

4 Answers 4

I'm not sure "enforce" is the right word here.

Some places enforce it: Saudi Arabia, Iran (although what's enforced would hardly be considered proper hijab), Aceh in Indoensia, and perhaps other places I'm unaware of (maybe parts of Malaysia). But this is not an Islam-wide enforcement. This is politics rather than Islam, although Muslims are required to obey the law.

It's also possible it's requested by a woman's husband or father, and a woman might do this out of respect or obedience.

Ordinarily, we wear hijab to demonstrate devotion to God.

The purpose of hijab is explained in Qur'an 33:59 :

... That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. ...

So this gives two reasons:

To be recognized as a free, Muslim woman. See Is being recognized as Muslim one of the reasons for hijab? .

And to not be harmed/abused/molested/insulted (and various other translations ).

Beyond this, it gets blurry, and many women express different benefits/drawbacks from covering.

"This is politics rather than Islam" strikes me as an obfuscatory remark; that policy clearly has the purpose of increasing adherence to Islamic doctrine, wouldn't be enacted without that, and is acceptable from a sharia point of view - while politics that go against Islamic doctrine are kufr, see 5:44 . What is true as far as I can tell is that there is no requirement in fiqh to legally punish women for not observing hijab. – G. Bach May 29, 2017 at 8:21

Main purpose of hijab is that women hairs are covered properly so that any non-mahram cannot see her hairs. as covering of hair is mentioned in hadees for women. hijab is one of the identity of the muslim women.

You may seem that sex related crime is higher in some Muslim countries rather than some westernised countries. But what about their family systems? Upto 40% child don't know their father's identity!!! So what about their mental security,familial affection! How they grow up!!!

You are telling about sexual assaults in Muslim countries. Do u know the punishment of these in the law of Islam? Are the laws applying to the abusers???

When u can ensure apply the law of a particular constitution ,then u can move towards judging that constitution.In some islimc countries, unfortunately the abusers are mostly escaped. It mostly because of political unrestness. If u are thinking that so what??? If u think muslims themselves are making them unrest,u should look upon the the political history of recent decades. In the middle East,almost all the countries are western controlled political parties that are ruling the countries. So what constitution do u expect from the disguised western ruling countries.

Indonesia,Malaysia may be peaceful in some extent.

Actually,Hizab is modesty,it is a public point of view. According to Quran, Muslims are told not to show up their beauty. And again it is also told to lower the gaze for both man and women. If you move with modesty,then this is possible for both of them.

Generalized person have a tendency to look up on the pretty girl or women but that is not essentially means that they are going to harassing them. But looking at pretty women and keeping gaze on them is also general. Again in some western country it is included in sexual harassment.

Actually abnormal type people exist in all society, not only in Muslim countries but in west. The abnormal people in Muslim countries abuse someone even a modest one. But the abnormal in west?? Do they really need that?? Uumarital intercouse and intercouse in exchange of money is available there.

But these type of people who are committing sexual crimes in the so called muslim countries can't exist if there the crime is punished. In some cases they are escaping using the political condition. Again in the society of Muslim countries,the impact of feminism is so acute that women don't get married Upto completing graduation or being established. If the girls are get married as early as possible after reaching the puberty and so do the boys the problem may be reduce to a large extent.

U can better study how the west society is affected by their sexual lifestyle. Salaam.

I concur with Ms. Stones that 'enforce' is not needed. Every recommendation in the Quran and by the example of our prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is a mercy for all of mankind. In a majority muslim population, the women voluntarily wear hijab as part of their faith.

To better understand the hijab recommendation, we need to consider taqwa and taming (terbiye) of the nefs. An explanation of the nefs and its role is beyond the scope of this answer space, but briefly:

Nefs directly translated means breath but it generally symbolizes all biological needs and desires of the person. Without our nefs we could not survive. Without hunger and thirst we would not strive to make a living to put food and drink on the table Without the desire to have sex with the opposite gender, reproduction would not happen and none of us would exist.

For this, Allah maintains a very powerful and potentially explosive attraction between these opposites. Just like gasoline and oxygen can either cause a destructive explosion or a very useful controlled slow burn to power our vehicles; likewise an unregulated interaction between the genders can lead to explosion (adultery, prostitution, fatherless children, immorality, promiscuity, family corruption, etc) while the regulated and harnessed 'controlled slow burn' will yield the blessed results of peaceful and happy marriage structure and children.

Such volatile mixtures are difficult to control if uncovered. If we think of men as oxygen and women as gasoline, leaving the latter uncovered can lead to explosion; Allah Muhafaza. For this reason, Allah commanded women to cover themselves in public and in front of non-mehram men (Quran 24:31). And men (and women) are commanded to 'lower their gaze'(Quran 24:30).

This 'lower your gaze' applies for today also for media and Internet. It is hard to control yourself when the display of forbidden fruit is just clicks away.

It's when you let your nefs take over your heart and let love of the ephemoral dunya take preference over the love of Allah that may result in sinful action and spiritual corruption.

The nefs has to be kept restrained on a leash of self restraint through faith and taqwa (Quran 91:7-10). This concept of taqwa and self-restraint is alien to the west where it is encouraged to follow your lusts and desires, instant gratification, and let your nefs run wild.

So how do we tame our nefs and keep it on a leash when our senses are bombarded by inappropriate and un-Islamic promiscuity?

Fasting as one technique.

How do you know when a woman in public is muslim? How do you know when you are in a muslim land or neighborhood? You can think of the hijab as the flag or standard of Islam. The standard that the muslims struggle for against the moral relativism of the decadent west, to preserve the honor of our mothers, wives, and daughters, and to prevent the next generations from being offspring of morally compromised mothers.

<comments deleted> Comments are intended for constructive criticism and seeking clarification, not for argument and debate. – goldPseudo ♦ May 31, 2017 at 9:41

You must log in to answer this question.

Hot Network Questions

Your privacy

By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy .

The Purpose of Hijab: Reclaiming The Narrative

Introduction

14-year old Sarah sobbed uncontrollably, shaking as her mother tried to console her. All her excitement and enthusiasm had vanished, and she wished to return home to Houston. Not even her earnest, lifetime desire to see the Ka’bah for the first time was going to keep her in this modest hotel in Makkah anymore. Why had this happened to her? Why had the meek looking young bellboy groped her? As if to give her an answer, her father came into the room exhausted, furious, and sad. “He’s apologizing. He’s saying he would have never done it, but since she was wearing a western style hijab and was speaking English, he thought she would be fine with it.”

As sad as it was for me to hear my friend narrating this true incident with her daughter, it was even sadder for me when she ‘accepted’ the bellboy’s excuse for acting indecent towards Sarah. Nor was it just her; the entire hotel management defended the boy’s actions, claiming that Western girls in general are not modest, and that had she been wearing a local style hijab , he would have abstained. It was then that I felt the urge to reclaim the narrative regarding the purpose of hijab for girls, and the importance of self-restraint for boys.

“But what was she wearing?”

This incident is not an isolated one. In response to the 118 women killed in acts of domestic and sexual violence in Italy in 2012, Catholic Priest Piero Corsi told women to ask, “Did we bring this on ourselves? What do you feel when you see a naked woman? Is it not a woman’s violence [sic] to unveil herself that way?”. Quoting many statistics from actual incidents, Hutton concludes in her article the horrific reality that “the scapegoat argument blaming women’s attire for sexual violence has been used in court countless times to the detriment of the sexual violence community” 1 https://www.necessarybehavior.com/blogs/news/but-what-was-she-wearing-the-dangerous-rhetoric-surrounding-clothing-consent . Sadly, it is not just men. Hutton mentions that 54% of women partially blame rape victims for their assault. All across the globe, crossing the barriers of cultures, religions, and social status, men and many women have endorsed victim blaming using the rhetoric of “But what was she wearing?”

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Those with a patriarchal mentality have even used the words of the Prophet ﷺ in their defense, quoting the hadith :

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا تَرَكْتُ بَعْدِي فِتْنَةً أَضَرَّ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ من النِّسَاء

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “I have not left behind me a fitnah (trial) more injurious to men than women.” [Bukhari and Muslim].

This mindset continues to exist in the 21st century when during a live television interview, Imran Khan, the current Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a country with conservative religious practices, claimed that “wearing the veil would protect women from sexual assault and not lead men into temptation. 4 Gannon. Pakistan PM Imran Khan accused of blaming women’s dress for rape. Retrieved 21 December 2021, from https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-accused-of-blaming-wome n-s-dress-for-rape-20210408-p57hhg.html ”

The genuine question that follows is whether there is any truth to the claim that men are unable to control themselves if women dress immodestly. Appalling to some and vindicating to others, science appears to support the claim of a marred perception of women dressed in fewer clothes bringing out the worst instinct in men.

Princeton University Research Findings

In a research study conducted by a group of psychologists at Princeton University, brain scans were taken of men while being shown pictures of women. All else being equal, the only variable was the way women were dressed, whether scantily clad or modestly clothed. Findings of how men’s brains reacted to each kind of picture were recorded and analyzed. The research concluded that sexualized women were more closely associated with being objects, rather than agents of actions, as compared to clothed women 5 Fiske, Susan t, et al. “From Agents to Objects: Sexist Attitudes and Neural Responses to Sexualized Targets.” Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3801174/. . In other words, men’s brains failed to see “the women in bikinis as human beings with thoughts and intentions. 6 Dell’Amore, Christine. “Bikinis Make Men See Women as Objects, Scans Confirm.” Science, 16 Feb. 2009, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2009/02/bikinis-women-men-objects-science/. ” This seems to substantiate claims that women should cover themselves to reduce temptation for men.

The truth of these assertions must be evaluated in the light of the guidance from the Quran and Sunnah. Does Islam require women to cover themselves in order to stop being a temptation for men? And is hijab mandated so that women will not be harassed? Alhamdulillah , Islam came as a complete system of life, sent by an all knowing, most loving God, guided by a human Prophet ﷺ who not only conveyed, but lived among a society comprising of both men and women, and dealt with social issues as they arose.

Incidents from the Lifetime of the Prophet

Hadith # 1 – the case of staring:.

We see one of these scenarios in the following hadith :

أَرْدَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْفَضْلَ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ خَلْفَهُ عَلَى عَجُزِ رَاحِلَتِهِ، وَكَانَ الْفَضْلُ رَجُلاً وَضِيئًا، فَوَقَفَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِلنَّاسِ يُفْتِيهِمْ، وَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ خَثْعَمَ وَضِيئَةٌ تَسْتَفْتِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَطَفِقَ الْفَضْلُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا، وَأَعْجَبَهُ حُسْنُهَا، فَالْتَفَتَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا، فَأَخْلَفَ بِيَدِهِ فَأَخَذَ بِذَقَنِ الْفَضْلِ، فَعَدَلَ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّظَرِ إِلَيْهَا

Al-Fadl bin `Abbas rode behind the Prophet ﷺ as his companion rider on his she-camel on the Day of Nahr, and Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet ﷺ stopped to give the people verdicts. In the meantime, a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khath’am came, asking the verdict of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ. Al-Fadl started looking at her as her beauty attracted him. The Prophet ﷺ looked behind while Al-Fadl was looking at her; so the Prophet ﷺ held out his hand backwards and caught the chin of Al-Fadl and turned his face (to the sides in order that he should not gaze at her. [Al Bukhari]

This incident indicates that the onus was placed on the man who was looking. The Prophet ﷺ focused on teaching personal responsibility to al-Fadl. There is discussion among the scholars on whether the woman was covering her face or not. Some argue that she was not, and that the Prophet ﷺ did not advise her to cover her face, reiterating that the Prophet ﷺ delegated the responsibility to al-Fadl. Opponents of this interpretation claim that her face was covered and that was why the Prophet ﷺ did not advise her to cover herself; al-Fadl must have been aware of her beauty from before or from other indicators (her hands, etc.). Even if that was the case, hiding her face did not curb al-Fadl’s attraction towards her or deter him from staring at her. In either case, the Prophet ﷺ did not advise her to send a man to inquire about her question, and rather instructed al-Fadl to restrain himself.

Hadith # 2 – The case of rape:

Consider another hadith :

أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، خَرَجَتْ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تُرِيدُ الصَّلاَةَ فَتَلَقَّاهَا رَجُلٌ فَتَجَلَّلَهَا فَقَضَى حَاجَتَهُ مِنْهَا فَصَاحَتْ فَانْطَلَقَ وَمَرَّ عَلَيْهَا رَجُلٌ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ ذَاكَ الرَّجُلَ فَعَلَ بِي كَذَا وَكَذَا ‏.‏ وَمَرَّتْ بِعِصَابَةٍ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ ذَاكَ الرَّجُلَ فَعَلَ بِي كَذَا وَكَذَا ‏.‏ فَانْطَلَقُوا فَأَخَذُوا الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي ظَنَّتْ أَنَّهُ وَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا وَأَتَوْهَا فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ هُوَ هَذَا ‏.‏ فَأَتَوْا بِهِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا أَمَرَ بِهِ لِيُرْجَمَ قَامَ صَاحِبُهَا الَّذِي وَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا صَاحِبُهَا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهَا ‏”‏ اذْهَبِي فَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ لِلرَّجُلِ قَوْلاً حَسَنًا وَقَالَ لِلرَّجُلِ الَّذِي وَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا ‏”‏ ارْجُمُوهُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ ‏”‏ لَقَدْ تَابَ تَوْبَةً لَوْ تَابَهَا أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ لَقُبِلَ مِنْهُمْ ‏” ‏

“A women went out during the time of the Prophet ﷺ to go to Salat, but she was caught by a man and he had relations with her, so she screamed and he left. Then a man came across her and she said: ‘That man has done this and that to me’, then she came across a group of Emigrants and she said: ‘That man did this and that to me.’

They went to get the man she thought had relations with her, and they brought him to her. She said: ‘Yes, that’s him.’ So they brought him to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and when he ordered that he be stoned, the man who had relations with her, said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am the one who had relations with her.’ So he said to her: ‘Go, for Allah has forgiven you.’

Then he said some nice words to the man (who was first brought). And he said to the man who had relations with her: ‘Stone him.’ Then he said: ‘He has repented a repentance that, if the inhabitants of Al-Madinah had repented with, it would have been accepted from them.'” [Al Tirmidhi].

The Prophet ﷺ did not make her attire a point of contention in the verdict. Even if it is assumed that the woman was properly and modestly dressed, it only supports the conclusion that this paper arrives at: women’s attire is irrelevant to the harassment they endure.

Hadith # 3 – The case of proximity:

In another narration:

كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ تُصَلِّي خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم – حَسْنَاءُ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ النَّاسِ فَكَانَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ يَتَقَدَّمُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِي الصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ لِئَلاَّ يَرَاهَا وَيَسْتَأْخِرُ بَعْضُهُمْ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِي الصَّفِّ الْمُؤَخَّرِ فَإِذَا رَكَعَ نَظَرَ مِنْ تَحْتِ إِبْطَيْهِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ‏:‏ ‏(‏ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنْكُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا الْمُسْتَأْخِرِينَ ‏) ‏

There was a woman who performed Salat behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , and she was the most beautiful among the people. Some of the people would go forward to the first line so as not to see her. Others would go back to the last line so when he would bow, he could look at her from under his armpit. So Allah revealed: “Indeed We know those who try to come forward among you, and We know those who try to go back.” (Quran 15:24) [Al Tirmidhi]

The responsibility of men’s actions is delegated back to them. Some scholars say that as a result of this situation, the Prophet ﷺ said,

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏ “‏خير صفوف الرجال أولها، وشرها آخرها، وخير صفوف النساء آخرها، وشرها أولها ‏‏‏

“The best of the men’s rows is the first row and the worst is the last; but the best of the woman’s row is the last and the worst of their rows is the first.” [Muslim]

The Prophet ﷺ advised both men and women regarding the rows that were better for them in order to maintain a distance between them. This illustrates the Islamic dictum to both men and women to take necessary actions in order to maintain modesty and avoid any lustful thoughts or impulses.

Two conclusions can safely be drawn from the ahadith mentioned above: firstly, that the Prophet ﷺ held men solely responsible for their actions, and secondly, that women’s clothes were irrelevant to their experience with men.

Social Experiments Conclude that Attire is Irrelevant in Harassment:

subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He)

Is the Purpose of Hijab to Protect Women?

“OProphet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah Al-‘Ahzab:59]

Therefore, if the purpose of hijab is to not be assaulted, then hijab would become obsolete with the first incident of an attack on a modestly dressed woman. Besides, norms change with time and many women in our times are harassed because they are dressed as Muslims 9 Qadhi, Yasir. “Perfect Justice: Debunking The Male Bias Myth – Yasir Qadhi.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Apr. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mz8nTTS27g. .

If the purpose of hijab is to keep men from falling into fitnah , then what about men who find a woman who is dressed modestly to be exotic and more attractive 10 Qadhi, Yasir. “Perfect Justice: Debunking The Male Bias Myth – Yasir Qadhi.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Apr. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mz8nTTS27g. ? Also, we are displacing responsibility for men’s misdeeds in this case. The message being sent is that wearing hijab is a way to protect Muslim men by helping them focus on their religion instead of on hers.

“ Say, “Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.” [Surah Al ‘An’am:164]

Besides, correlation does not equal causation.

“Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” [Surah Al-‘Ankabut:45]

The idea of defining hijab in relationship to harassment doesn’t hold much ground. All claims (secular and religious, feminist, and orthodox) that hijab protects women from assault have been proven false many times.

Women are a Fitnah for Men

Going back to the truthful words of the Prophet ﷺ,

“I have not left behind me a fitnah (trial) more injurious to men than women.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

“And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with Him a great reward.” [Surah Al-‘Anfal:28 and Surah Taghabun:15]

So they said, “Upon Allah do we rely. Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. [Surah Yunus:85]

“Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire – of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.” [Surah ‘Ali ‘Imran:14]

This identifies a response in human brains on seeing a woman in fewer clothes. Compare this to alcohol consumption. Multiple studies have shown the brain’s response slows when intoxicated. Their impaired judgment is not excused based on the fact that alcohol does impair their judgment. Similarly, equipped with the knowledge that staring at immodestly dressed women provokes them, men should adhere firmly to the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, by turning their faces away and lowering their gazes.

Works cited:

Cikara, Mina, et al. “From Agents to Objects: Sexist Attitudes and Neural Responses to Sexualized Targets.” Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience , U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3801174/.

Medina, Jameelah. “This Battlefield Called My Body: Warring over the Muslim Female.” Religions , vol. 5, no. 3, 2014, pp. 876–885., doi:10.3390/rel5030876.

[Podcast] Man 2 Man: Why Western Academics Hate Hadith

The Forbidden Prostration: A Translation Of An Urdu Jurisprudential Work On Sajda Taʿẓīmī

March 13, 2022 at 12:02 PM

A well researched article but the truth from a male perspective based on personal experience in the middle east where there is a representative sample of both modestly and indecency attired women especially in the UAE is that when women dress modestly, whatever impulse the man feels in term of sexual attraction is transformed to an expression and appreciation of beauty in a platonic/sisterly sense, whereas when a woman is attired provocatively, the transformation of thoughts and feelings remain in the carnal state of affairs.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

[Podcast] African-American Islam: Past, Present, and Future

Breakfast With The Khans [Act Two] – Truth & Lies

Modesty And Gender In Islam: A Reconciliation

All That Is In The Heavens [Part 21]: Nothing To Lose

Podcast | Processing The Earthquakes: Survivor’s Guilt, Spiritual Crisis, And Parenting

Peer Pressure On Social Media: Lessons From Surah Yusuf

Domestic Violence Series: Marital Disputes, Ego, And Shame

The Kuwaiti Shaykh Who Told Me A Story

The guards who became muslim after guantanamo, my hardest ramadan ever, the brother who had a scoop, muslimmatters newsletter in your inbox.

Last Updated 28 Jan 2021

Hijab in History and Nowadays

Definition: Hijab is the general term for Muslim women covering up according to Islamic law, and varies from culture to country with the headscarf to the all-encompassing burqa. Most Muslim scholars set puberty as the general age for Muslim girls to start wearing the hijab. The purpose of the hijab is to meet Islamic standards of modesty. According to Quran 'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils all over their bodies (i. e. creen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way)... SURAH AL-AHZAAB - VERSE 59 The hijab refers to both the head-covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Islamic styles of dress in general. The garment has different legal and cultural statuses in various countries. There are currently four countries, including France (since 2004), which have banned the wearing of all overt religious symbols, including the hijab (a Muslim headscarf, literally Arabic "to cover"), in public schools and universities or government buildings. 1] Currently Tunisia since 1981,[2] and Turkey since 1997,[3] are the only Muslim-majority countries which have banned the hijab in public schools and universities or government buildings, whilst Syria banned face veils in universities from July 2010. [4] This ban was lifted during the 2011 Syrian uprising. In other Muslim states such as Morocco,[5] there has been some restriction or discrimination against women who wear the hijab. The hijab in these cases is seen as a sign of political Islam or fundamentalism against secular government.

HIJAB in different parts of the world Afghanistan Under the Taliban, the burqa was obligatory. [15] While this is officially no longer the case, there remains intense social pressure to wear the burqa, and President Hamid Karzai has been accused by critics of compromising on women's rights in order to appease insurgents. [16][17] Bangladesh There are no laws that require women to cover their heads. It is mostly worn by women in rural areas, and a few in urban areas, however in recent times there has been an increase in the number of women wearing the hijab. 18] Since the secular party Awami League was elected to power since 2008, there has been an increase in repression against women who wear the hijab, reports of women being harrased, detained or dismissed from student dorms happen very often. Hijab is seen as a symbol of Islam, and the repression against it by the government is due to its vision of creating a secular Bangladesh. Iran The headscarf (maghna'eh) was traditionally worn as a praying cloth by religious women in their prayer room.

After the revolution, the maghna'eh has been transformed from a private sign of piety into a compulsory Islamic dress that must be worn by women and girls in nurseries, schools, universities, workplaces, government buildings, cinemas and other public places. It is recognized by many Islamic jurists and educational authorities as an acceptable form of veiling and a suitable Islamic symbol. The maghna'eh should ideally cover the hair on a woman’s head. Only an opening the size of the face should remain. Another common type of veiling is the chador.

Order custom essay Hijab in History and Nowadays with free plagiarism report

Some women wear the headscarf loosely and punishment may be done for the women that do not wear it correctly. Pakistan Pakistan has no laws banning or enforcing the hijab. Surveys conducted in Pakistan show that most women wearing the hijab do so of their own choice. [38][39] Westerners are also expected to dress modestly too. Pakistani society observes traditional dress customs and it is advisable for women to wear long skirts, baggy trousers and long sleeved tops or wear the traditional shalwar kameez in public.

In the big cities, some women wear jeans and khakis, especially in casual settings, shopping malls and around picnic spots. Dress codes for men are more lax, though shorts are uncommon. Vest tops, bikinis and mini skirts in public are considered immodest and are thus a social taboo. Saudi Arabia According to most Saudi Salafi scholars, a woman's awrah in front of unrelated men is her entire body including her face and hands. Hence, the vast majority of traditional Saudi women are expected to cover their faces n public. Many Saudi women use a headscarf along with the niqab or another simple veil to cover all or most of the face when in public, as do most foreign Muslim women (i. e. , those from other Arab states, South Asia, Indonesia, or European converts to Islam). But there are many Muslim women, including Saudis, who only wear a headscarf without the niqab, similarly to most non-Muslim women who use only a headscarf or no face covering at all. Syria

Ghiyath Barakat, Syria's minister of higher education, announced that Syria would ban women from wearing full face veils (such as the niqab, but not other forms of hijab that do not cover the entire face), at universities stating that the veils ran counter to secular and academic principles of Syria. Turkey Turkey is officially a secular state, and the hijab is banned in universities and public buildings – this includes libraries or government buildings. The ban was first in place during the 1980 military coup, but the law was strengthened more in 1997. 52] Over the years thousands of women have been arrested or prosecuted for refusing to take off the hijab or protesting against the ban, by the secular institution. [53] There has been some unofficial relaxation of the ban under governments led by the conservative party AKP in recent years Israel In July 2010, some Israeli lawmakers and women’s rights activists proposed a bill to the Knesset banning face-covering veils. According to the Jerusalem Post, the measure is generally "regarded as highly unlikely to become law. Hanna Kehat, founder of the Jewish women’s rights group Kolech, criticized a ban and also commented "[f]ashion also often oppresses women with norms which lead to anorexia. " Eilat Maoz, general coordinator for the Coalition of Women for Peace, referred to a ban as "a joke" that would constitute "racism". [72] Canada On December 12, 2011, Canada banned face coverings for people swearing their oath of citizenship. [80] Supporters of restrictions such as the Muslim Canadian Congress identify them as oppressive to women as well as interfering with communication and presenting a safety issue. 81] There have been many debates about this issue in Canada, particularly in Quebec. In February 2007, soccer player Asmahan Mansour, part of the team Nepean U12 Hotspurs, was expelled from a Quebec tournament for wearing her headscarf. Quebec soccer referees also ejected an 11-year-old Ottawa girl while she was watching a match, which generated a public controversy. [82] In 2010, the province of Quebec tabled Bill 94 to introduce a veil ban to deny government services to those covering their faces with a niqab. [84] Mexico There is no ban on any of the Muslim clothing items.

The first article of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States protects people against discrimination based on several matters including religion, ethnic origin and national origin. [85] Article 6 of the Constitution grants Libertad de Expresion (freedom of expression) to all Mexicans which includes the way people choose to dress. [85] United States The people of the United States have a firm 1st Amendment protection of freedom of speech from government interference that explicitly includes clothing items, as described by Supreme Court cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines

This essay was written by a fellow student. You can use it as an example when writing your own essay or use it as a source, but you need cite it.

Get professional help and free up your time for more important courses

Did you know that we have over 70,000 essays on 3,000 topics in our database?

Cite this page

Explore how the human body functions as one unit in harmony in order to life

Hijab in History and Nowadays. (2016, Dec 05). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/hijab-in-history-and-nowadays/

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

More related Essays

Didn`t find the right sample?

Managers are one of the most important elements for an organization to be successful. Sometimes we refer them as the brains of an organization. They are the ones directing and.

The renowned love story of Romeo and Juliet, originally composed by William Shakespeare in 1597, has been transformed into a modern-day story to shed a contemporary perspective on the universal.

Animal rights, a controversial topic that has been present since 1975, continues to be present today in forms of entertainment. Circuses for example have been known for the constant mistreatment.

The history of electricity can be predated back to 600 BCE with the first documented form of electrical experimentation with fur and amber which would create static electricity. Even though.

Also, they are designed for long-distance traveling and have not been implemented in the United States. They have many competitive advantages such as higher speeds, which leads to a quicker.

Bullying is an issue that has been affecting many in the world today. It takes place in many forms some of which are direct and include physical harm on the.

Now-a-days, it can be seen that some men and women around us have enormous body sizes in comparison to other fellow humans, whose body sizes appear visibly normal, with their.

Direct marketing Is selling product directly to the consumer or end-user, rather than through a broker, distributor or wholesaler. Example: Sometimes confusing the matter, direct marketing is also used to.

Free Hijab Essays and Papers

Islamic culture, women beyond the age of puberty are required to wear what is known as the hijab, in public. Hijab is worn differently in different parts of the Islamic society, but the main parts associated with the hijab are the headscarf, the abaya, and the niqqab. The way the outsiders and the insiders view the Islamic dress code for women in the Islamic culture is very different. When outsiders view the hijab what they see is something mysterious and unfamiliar. They do not understand the reason

Hijab Analysis

woman is. She argues that it is better to not a wear a hijab, than to wear a hijab and disrespect it. Another Muslim woman, who had recently started wearing a headscarf and is an Economics major, argues that both being a good Muslim and being modest is equally important for both Men and Women. Men also have the duty to lower their gaze, which is their part of hijab. When it comes to Women, they are commanded to cover their hair. She argues that hijab is not just about head covering for women, but extends

Faith and the Hijab

10 Works Cited

origins of the head coverings, are there obligations? Do all woman have to wear the head coverings. Why are there several different head coverings? Finally what objections are there against women wearing the head coverings? Why Hijab and the Origins The word hijab translates into to hide or to conceal. It is a head covering, usually a scarf, that covers the hair and the bosom and at most times leaves the face exposed. The origins go all the way back to the prophet’s time, when the Quran was being

Importance Of The Hijab

Why is the hijab culture used and cherished by many Muslims around the world? The hijab is important because of key characteristics like modesty, protection, religion, sacrifice, expressing one’s self and being different. Modesty, the most important thing about the hijab, is having Muslim women cover up and protect her body. Protection and religion tie in with modesty a lot more than the rest and both have essentially the same bases, with religion putting the hijab on is protection from harm such

Hijab in the Qur’an: The Beginning

11 Works Cited

Hijab in the Qur’an: The beginning Woman has to struggle to survive in this world. Woman faces variety of challenges everyday starting from cultural to economics. It is even harder to live for a Muslim woman when she is hijaabi. Wearing Hijab is a very popular thing among Muslim woman just as wearing Turban for shikh man. Hijab may seem like a simple head cover, worn by Muslim women for many years, but it is very meaningful to a muslim women. The word hijab comes from the Arabic word “hajaba” meaning

Essay About Hijab

Why women wear hijab? Hijab is a headscarf that covers the head, which is worn by a Muslim female when around unknown men outside of their family. According to dictionary.com the term “hijab” in an Arabic word which means a traditional scarf worn by Muslim women to cover the hair and neck and sometimes the face. In the Quran, Muslim women are told to dress modestly and cover their breasts. There are four different types of head covering, but the purpose is the same. Quran does not require women to

The Hijab: Fabric of Freedom or Fabric of Oppression?

The hijab, by definition, is the traditional covering for the hair and neck that is worn by Muslim women, but over the years it seems to have become more of an identity. People view the fabric that covers the upper half of these women as a culture shock when it is actually tied into religious factors.. There are a multitude of ideas and questions that people want to understand when it comes to the practice of Islam, and the hijab is usually a topic of discussion. “The literature on the hijab is arguably

Fear of the Unknown: France vs. Hijab

distaste towards Muslim females wearing the hijab, or religious headscarf as well as other religious items of clothing such as the niqaab (or religious veil) and the burqa (long coat which covers your clothing). On the basis of secularity many Muslim females have been denied educations, public appearance, as well as citizenship. The controversy first aroused in October 1989 at Gabriel Havez middle school in Creil. Three female students were asked to take their hijabs off in the middle of class, and upon

Hijab: Symbolism In Islam And Islam In The World

is ordinary seeing woman in a veil in countries where the majority of people are Muslims. Even though, the picture of “Hijab” is not strange because it was known in previous cultures before Islam, it is considered as a phenomenon especially in the western societies which it still carries many of misunderstood thoughts. Some People who are non-Muslims in United States view “Hijab” as a fundamentalism, fanatics, barbarism, oppression, retro gradation, and terrorism image. Wearing the veil raises many

Veiling the Truth: A Look at How the Hijab is used as a tool of Oppression and Resistance in Iran With Comparisons to Indonesia

7 Works Cited

question as my own. Women have always been thought of as something that needed to be controlled in Muslim culture. Their bodies are a source of shame that must be covered during prayer and also in the public (Mir-Hosseini 2007: 3). Veiling, done by a hijab or chador, is when women either wear a headscarf to cover themselves or they wear a veil that covers their entire body, excluding her hands and eyes (Mir-Hosseini 2007: 1; Mir-Hosseini 2003: 41; Berger 1998: 93; Smith-Hefner 2007: 390-391; Brenner

Hijab: The most important Dress code of Muslim women and girl! "O children of Adam, We have brought down to you garments to cover your private parts, as well as for adornment, yet the garment of reverence is the best. These are some of God's signs, perhaps they will remember.” (7:2) Introduction: Why does Muslim women/girl have to cover their heads? This question is one which is asked by Muslim and Non-Muslim alike. For many women’s/girls it is a truest test of being a Muslim. The answer to the

Muslim Culture

The use of the hijab is one of the most misapprehended traditions of the Muslim culture and is constantly looked down upon by many in American society due to misunderstandings about the relationship between Muslims and terrorist attacks. The hijab is a veil that covers the head and chest, and is usually worn by Muslim women starting on the day they reach the age of puberty. It needs to be worn when in public with the presence of adult males and non-Muslim females. In Muslim culture, a woman’s body

What Is The Visibility Of Ethnicity In Emma Tarlo's Visibly Muslim?

shopping in the cities, and going to the schools (Saeed, 2007). There is no doubt that the increased visibility of Muslims has been a matter of some interest (allen,2010). The French have banned people wearing markers of Muslim religion, such as the hijab and niqab, in public, and many Americans have protested against mosques and other expressions of the religion. In addition, numerous Westerners have a stereotyped image of Muslim visibility, for instance, assuming that all Muslim females wear the same

Essay On Worn By Muslim Women

The “hijab” worn by Muslim women seems to cause a huge amount of controversy. There are many other words that the piece of cloth goes by: chador, abaya, niqab, burka, etc. The women who wear it say that they “value their bodies more than anything and simply don’t believe in showing skin.” In the three different writings that I read, I realized that each author wrote on similar views. The first piece of writing that I read was an essay titled “My body is my own business”, written by Sultana

Essay About Head Scarf

informed her about this. When her father learned that this was required form of dress for Muslim women, he would encourage her to wear hijab, but never did force her to do so. Do you regret your decision to wear the hijab? Explain. Out of the four girls, the one studying business said that she regretted her decision of wearing the hijab, and she doesn’t regret taking the hijab now. She further said, that she will wear the headscarf again sometimes in the future, when she is ready to do so. She wants to

visibly muslim

Hijab has a literal translation into the word “veil” and it was originally implemented by Allah in order to secure Mohammed’s privacy and create a distinction between the public and private spheres of his life. The word hijab applied to both men and women in terms of protecting both their private lives from outsiders and to protect one's own honor, not in specific relation to one's sexual activity or desires. Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that

queens of islam

What is Hijab? Muslim women cover themselves by wearing Hijab. Hijab, which is also known as the veil, is the Islamic dress for women consisting the head covering, along with the body covered modestly. In Learning Islam 2, according to historians, the practice of Hijab was “part of [the] everyday dress for women in Ancient Christian and Jewish communities”(D32). Back then, many Christian and Catholic women wore a head covering as a sign of chastity. We can also see that there are references to the

4 Works Cited

our selves. To get a first hand perspective, I am choosing to study Muslim women from the Middle East and their interactions with other people. Today, there is a growing population of Muslim women in the United States. Many of these women practice hijab, a head scarf, or niqab, a full face veil. Like every America, Muslims are allowed the right to practice freedom of religion and not to be discriminated against because of religion, race, gender, etc. The following are laws that protect these rights:

The Veil is not Mandatory in Islam

relate to the hijab (veil). A few debated that is not fard (mandatory) and only Sunnah (choice). The majority though won and it was decided that the hijab is mandatory in Islam based on verses in the Qur’an and hadeeths said by the prophet and passed on by others. Misinterpretations can be made, although by the majority at times, and I think they made an incorrect assumption in this matter. Nowhere in the Qur’an is it stated that a woman should cover her hair. Some may say that the hijab is clearly

5 Works Cited

Wiley, 1975. ---. {The Veil and the Male Elite}. New York: Addison-Wesley, 1991. Nashat, Guity, and Judith E. Tucker. {Women in the Middle East and North Africa}. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999. Parker, Kim. "Women, Islam, and Hijab." {Emory University} Fall 1996.

Hijab Essays

Why do people wear turbans.

that wear turban or hijabs spend their time. I found a young lady at Ballast Point reading and a couple with their children at a playground. I also noticed when I went to the campus library there were many students that wore a hijab. In November I went on campus every Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also drove on Sligh Avenue by the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay several times. I went to the Mall on the weekends and walked the entire mall to observe how many people wore turbans or hijabs. Once I observed different

Reza Shah Dbq

In 1939, Reza Shah’s unveiling declaration sparked a worldwide debate as to what the veil actually symbolizes. Ever since the beginning of Islam, women throughout the Islamic world have had to adopt the hijab as part of their cultural and religious attire due to various interpretations of the Islamic dress code. In addition, the Koran emphasizes purity in the name of Islam by asking both men and women to be modest when it comes to the way they dress. Furthermore, in his efforts to modernize Iran

The Hijab In Islam

There are many explanations and various interpretations of these verses. Lots of Hadiths are here to clarify the concept about Hijab. There are also many narrations that describe the saying of Hazrat MOHAMMAD (Peace Be upon Him) about Hijab. There are lots of references, from which some references about Hijab are presented here. Because of these references and other (those are not presented here) the minimum limitations of Muslim women's dress is determined as follow: Their cloths must cover their

Why The Burqa Should Be Banned Persuasive Essay

Within the middle east, a large amount of the men and women are muslim. The muslim religion suggest that women wear a veil, hijab or burqa. A burqa is an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some islamic traditions to cover themselves in public. Women should have a choice on if they want to wear the burqa or not. Banning the burqa would crush a lot of religious things in the country. The burqa should not be banned and the woman should be given the opportunity to support their religion. Everyone

Essay On The Hijab

I am going to tell you about the hijab and what it means to me whenever I step a foot out of my house. The hijab is a single piece of scarf that is wear by most Muslim Women around the world because it is a requirement according to Islam and the words of the whole Quran. I believe me wearing the hijab says a lot about me because it is what makes me look different and unique in a special kind of way. Whenever I have the hijab on I do not only feel protected and saved from the dangers or cruelty of

Why Women Wear The Veil Analysis

The issue of the veil has come to represent the essence of Islam, not only to the West, but also to Muslim Conservatives and Fundamentalists. To some in the West, the veil represents repression and constriction of women’s freedom and choice, limiting their capacity for self-determination. However, some Muslims would argue that women must veil because it is a first step towards restoring true Islam and a defiance against the West Interventionist policies (Lazreg, Why Women Should Not Wear the Veil

What Is The Purpose Of Speech By Malala Yousafzai

The text is the speech of Malala Yousafzai which was delivered before the United Nations Youth Assembly on Malala Day. The purpose of the speech is to raise the awareness of the audience regarding the importance and necessity of education. She utilizes many powerful literary devices to gain the audience attention. The speech was intended for all the people across the globe. Malala opens her speech by ‘In the name of God, the most beneficent, the most merciful.” To tell the audience that God is the

Hijab In America

Common American understandings of the meaning of hijab are related to a foreign cultural threat. There was a clear relationship between safety and wearing a hijab, this resulted in some women to stop wearing it after 9/11. A hijab carried a religious meaning, this factor played a role in the way Americans viewed women wearing it. Muslim women were aware that they were potential targets of attack, they were aware of the shift in public attitudes toward their apparel. Cainkar interviewed Muslim women

The Role Of Hijab In Islam

Hijab is an Arabic term for “cover” or “barrier” which carries the meaning “to cover and to veil”. The most visible form of hijab is in a form of head covering that many Muslim women don in their lives. In Islam, it carries a broader meaning; it symbolizes the ideologies of modesty and humility in terms of manners and the dressings of both Muslim men and women. The act of wearing hijab has been laid out in Islam; nonetheless, there are various reasons as to why Muslim women would don the hijab.

The Importance Of The Hijab During The Olympics

Women Olympic athletes wearing the hijab during the Olympics was one of the most controversial subjects. While the hijab represents their culture and beliefs the rest of the world didn’t want them wearing it. The Olympics brought worldwide awareness to the importance of their culture and beliefs that their country as well as they themselves have towards their hijab. We can take into account how these woman are treated based of their appearance and

The Importance Of Hijab In Muslim Women

Hijab is a head covering worn in public by Muslim Women. It is a symbol of privacy and modesty and that it is practiced to show respect for the received knowledge acquired in the Islamic teachings. There are different variations of Hijab and it differs from one to another via its levels of layer and covering-up purposes. Hijab is worn to cover beauty spots such as the hair, legs and body contours of Muslim women to show self-respect and their belief towards Islam. However, Hijab-wearing has always

Arguments On The Hijab (Head Scarf/Veil)

The Different Arguments on the Hijab (Head Scarf/Veil) Hijab is a piece of material that most Muslim women wear on their heads to hide their hair and “beauty” from the public. The wearing of head scarves varies from person to person, it can be as extreme as hiding all of the hair, face, eyes, the forehead, ears, neck and upper region of the breast, or as casual as just cover the backrest of the head or as people say in Kurdistan “they are simply covering their hair clip”. Inside the Muslim society

Olympians In Hijab And Bikini Summary

In Roger Cohen’s August 11th New York Times opinion editorial titled “Olympians in Hijab and Bikini,” the author delves into the symbolism apparent in an increasingly controversial photo, in which a woman in the acutely conservative and covering clothes associated with Islam stand opposite a scantily-clothed German athlete. In his thesis, Cohen implicitly synthesizes that we as a society cannot stoop to accepting our own black-and-white preconceptions of “us” versus “them”, of good and evil, right

Research Paper On Pro Nike Hijab

According to Huffingtonpost, the Pro-Nike hijab is very good for athletes like Ibtihaj Muhammad who is an American sabre fencer and Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari. The pull-on product that

What Is The Hijab: Uncovering The Myths Of Islam?

Wearing Hijab: Uncovering the Myths of Islam in the United States Intro: The short film Wearing Hijab: Uncovering the Myths of Islam in the United States is a 2003 film produced by Mary Ann Watson about Muslim woman and why they wear a Hijab. Purpose: The purpose of the film is to show people that a Hijab is just a symbol of the religion and that is something that is just a part of their culture and a way of their daily life. Message: The message of the film is to show other that the Hijab is not

Why Do Muslim Women Wear Hijab?

I am a Muslim woman and an American citizen. I wear the hijab as an expression of my free religious choice and yet I encounter much resistance. From having neighborhood boys motioning that I exit my vehicle, to road users scowling at me, to my mother telling me stories of getting the infamous middle finger from other drivers, to being asked by a variety of employers to remove my hijab -- these events have contributed to my experience of being a black Muslim woman living in America. This narrative

A View Of Cinderella Analysis

account the hijab. The exponential growth in Islamaphobia has caused general perspective of hijab as an absolutely unguided, deceiving vision of a severe oppression to women caused by the misconceptions of Islam, society’s perception of beauty, and the political argument of liberation. There are numerous misinterpretations that the concept of wearing the hijab has brought upon. This issue

Fatme Dakroub Summary

her take off her hijab. She decided to file a lawsuit against Ocean County Sheriff Department for allegedly violating her rights of the first amendment. This article sums up the story of Fatme Dakroub and why she is filing a lawsuit against the Ocean County Sheriff Department. It began when she was pulled over and arrested for supposedly not paying a traffic ticket. After arriving at the jail, she was forced to remove her hijab, a religious head covering. Before removing her hijab however she had

Reinventing The Veil Analysis

author’s perspective on hijabs and a brief discussion on hijabs over time and what they represent to Muslim woman. The article “Why woman aren’t advancing at workplace” attempts to look at how transgendered people might serve as a medium, to understand the glass ceiling effect and the obstacles woman face at the workplace. These articles share many similarities and will be discussed in this essay. * The article “Reinventing the veil” by Leila Ahmed discusses how the concept of hijabs has changed over time

Love In A Headscarf Analysis

proves that the negative misrepresentations of Muslim women are wrong by being different while maintaining her Islamic identity. Besides, Shelina also counters the argument that hijab wearing women are oppressed by their fathers, brothers and husbands. To her, hijab symbolises liberation and she is persevered to wear hijab despite the warning given by her buxom aunties and the quizzical looks given to her following the 9/11 attack. Lastly, this essay also covers the views of marriage in Islam and

Show More I put on a Hijab even though this garment is associated with the Muslim religion and I’m an African-American Christian. The next ten days of this experiment would change my outlook of this silk-like material. This in turn led to my discovery of racism and the understanding of what perhaps Muslims girls go through. What I know about the Qur’an is very little due to my lack of interest. A very close friend of mine who is Muslim once shared her account of her trip to the mall; while there people would gawk at her. While she was telling me this I felt a connection through my own personal accounts I know the familiar stares and recognize the harsh whispers. Racism and ignorance is what rose to my mind and settled there. It was then that I took a …show more content… I also knew that the majority of Muslims reside in Middle East countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. But this information wasn’t enough; I needed to know more. I later found out through my friend that tradition and culture are highly valued. It is tradition to pray from the Qur’an towards Mecca five times every day. I wasn’t aware of the dedication and labor that goes into this religion. Along with the religious prayers comes the custom of traditional garments, including the Hijab. The purpose of the Hijab is for women to protect themselves from men, Allah instructs them to have their hair covered. Dress code is part of that overall teaching. Islam strongly emphasizes the concept of decency and modesty; the Hijab reflects those …show more content… “Why do people assume that Muslims were bad news”? Regardless of the questions I asked myself they weren’t going to get answered during this experiment. On the last day of my public experiment while going home, I received a compliment from a girl saying, how the Hijab brings out my eyes. This made me feel really good about myself and my self-esteem was lifted. I then thought about the Hijab and how it can bring out positive remarks as well. The entire time through the challenge I always had a positive attitude, and when people asked me about the “thing” that was wrapped around my head, I educated them about the Hijab. Coming into this challenge was very tough, but the outcome was phenomenal. Physically and mentally I had metamorphosed into this new appreciative person. I felt so fortunate to experience this and to know emotionally how the Hijab takes a toll on Muslim girls living in a country that is already on high alert for terrorist activities ,and sadly the attire has contributed to the way a terrorist might look. I also felt the effect of the Hijab when the majority of people around you are not accepting of it or educated about the garment. The Muslim religion taught me a lot of things, including respect, culture and dignity. I unknowingly gained something that was far more valuable. Throughout my journey I was able to connect with the religious values and morals of Islamic views. Trendy or not, I’ll jump at the chance of repeating

Stereotypes Of Muslim Women In America

A religious piece of cloth should not be the deciding factor of any job, but rather the image of diversity to show our society that Muslim women aren’t harmful and that they are just like anyone else. Women who wear the hijab aren’t forced to do it, they do it for modesty and privacy. They dress in loose clothes and cover their in order to keep themselves for their husbands and curve any sexual harassment when they only expose their face, hands, and feet. They simply feel empowered with the head covering on and that is so beautiful about this religion. Women do not display their beauty by showing off their bodies, but they show the beauty within.…

How I Came To Love The Veil Analysis

Islamophobia is running rampant in the western world today. Many people see Islam as a radical religion and sees it as a threat to people in the western world. To many women in particular, they see Islam as a degrading religion, but for some such as Yvonne Ridley, they see it as a wonderful. In the article “How I came to love the Veil” by Yvonne Ridley she talks about her experiences on being captured and seeing a different side of Islam or “The Veil” and how she is viewed and seen in the western world. Ridley learns and writes about how people treat her because of her religion and her side of the “The Veil”.…

Hijab In America Analysis

She misses “the relief of cool breezes on my neck”, having hair as a physical asset, and “wondering what people think when they see me”. Ace is trying to find a connection with other muslim women to verify that what she is feeling is acceptable.She is also trying to assure herself that “all hijabis have it (religiously)figured out in a solid way”. Ace then shifts the topic from difficulties of wearing the hijab to her thoughts of how others may be judging her. She is conflicted by her religious teaching versus opinions form people around her. She is taught that God is the most merciful, most forgiving, and most compassionate.…

Respect Of Islam

Islam teaches people to spread peace. If people see what does the Holy Quran says they will see that the words mercy, peace and compassion was mentioned 355 times. So that another example shows how Islam is a religion of peace. Islam teaches people how to respect women’s, and Islam says that women is a mother, sister, wife and daughter she is the other half of the society without her humanity can not exist, so people should love and respect her. Also the Holy Quran told people that the woman is great leader and gave us example of the queen of Sheba who she was a great wise leader who can not be forgotten by history, also says that she has all the rights that mans have there is no difference between them, she has the right to work, study, choose her and husband.…

Veiling In Islam

Veiling is symbolic to Muslim women because by being modest, they are respecting God 's teachings (Qur 'an 35:39). Veiling can be a cultural, moral and religious action to promote modesty as well as self respect. According to the Qur 'an, veiling is necessary to ensure purity of the heart for both men and women. ( Qur 'an 33.53) " Islam does not require women to wear black veils, nor to hide their faces, but to cover their bodies from the neck to the wrist and foot" (Islam, Masqood Ruqaiyyah Waris, 2006). The Qur 'an states that only the veiling of their hair is encouraged, as well as loose garments covering the whole body to ensure purity (Qur 'an 24:30-1).…

Oppression In Muslim Women

The wearing of the hijab is a teaching of the Holy Quran, the holy scripture of Muslims, and thus is not forced on women but something they choose to follow as part of their faith, while some women choose not to wear it to express themselves. This essay will help get a better understanding of this topic by looking at essays and articles written by Muslim women who explain the difficulties they face in their own communities and raise awareness for other communities to open their eyes to the issues and support Muslim women who are being treated poorly. One of the authors, Jasmine Zine focuses on the issues of sexism while talking about the identity of Muslim girls in a Canadian school while also discussing the medias stereotyping and gender inequality of Muslim women. Another author, Anaya McMurray considers the presence of Muslim women and hip hop and the issues they face while also discussing the exposure of young Muslim women’s bodies, control over their mobility and racism towards them from other Muslim groups and more problems that they…

The Violent Role Of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT)

In contrast to the stereotypes about the violent nature of Islam, the stereotypes about Muslim women do hold some truth. Muslim women tend to be portrayed as a group that is suppressed without any outlet defend their rights. While this is an issue that Muslim women face, they have taken an approach this issue using methods that are similar to those being used to combat the stereotypes about the violent nature of Islam. Rabia Mirza, an advocate for the rights of Muslim women, states that she believes that Muslim women need to be the ones leading the fight for their rights because it would not be appropriate for an outsider to do so (Siddieque, 2011). Women are granted rights under Islam in certain aspects of their life, such as their social status, political and economic status, and their rights to receiving an education (Shorish-Shamely, 2015).…

Gender Inequality In The Islamic World

Moreover, we hear a lot of stories about how women were put on a lower standard and bullied by men and therefore we put the blame on the religion of Islam and the prophet Mohammed. Nevertheless, when we want to know the entire situation as an impartial analyst, we have to be extremely careful in criticizing any other religion. When we look at the Quran, we can find that women are spiritually and morally on a par with men as the essential premise of the Quran. This religious and moral equality between men and women can be summarized in terms of respect among the spouses, obedience to God, and practice the five pillars of Islam and determined their roles as complementary. In addition, the laws of Quran provide many ideas in favor of women like, education and property rights (Halila,1984).…

Analysis Of Infidel By Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Ayaan shares her opinion and expresses her true feelings on her culture. If the rulers weren't as overpowering on her then why would she not want to follow it all the way through. She did not want to be wrapped up in the idea of her culture controlling personal options. Ayaan's opinion against Islam had brought many people to her attention, “But fear-whether of death or causing offense-has never stopped Ayaan Hirsi Ali from proclaiming her opinion… Hirsi Ali is accustomed by now to the negative labels people have given her” (Evans). Ayaan has gotten hate and criticism on her opinion on Islam.…

Ready To Get Started?

IMAGES

Hijab in Islam: Quranic Verses about Hijab PDF Download
What is the purpose of a hijab?
Hijab Purpose
Hijab Purpose
Hijab Purpose Islam
The purpose of Hijab is to divert attention from Beauty, not t ...

VIDEO

Few Lines on Hijab in English
PURPOSE OF LIFE
The rules of reading hijab correctly🎯
Hijab is to quit the habit of being someone you are not & it’s courageous! [Hijab Mindset] #shorts
Tips for new hijabis
The meaning of Hijab

COMMENTS

10 Reasons Why We Wear Hijab
Hijab is mentioned in Surat AnNur (i.e. The Light) and it is linked to the name of Allah anNur. It is a spiritual light for the woman, it increases and protects her spiritual light. Hijab is an Imani (faith) act. This is why Allah addressed believing women when He ordered it. It is about iman (faith). Empowerment
Why the Hijab?
What is Hijab? The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic "hajaba," which means to conceal or hide from view. In general terms, it refers to Islamic modest dressing for women. But it has come to...
What is the Purpose of Hijab?
4 Purposes of Wearing a Hijab 1. Obedience (Will of Allah) The most obvious reason is that Allah has asked Muslim women to cover their heads, bodies and private parts. When a believing woman does the Hijab, she is following the will of Allah the Almighty. Some people think it is oppression. I'm afraid that's not right.
Essay On Hijab
American Muslim Hijabis fight for social consciousness and social justice, advocating for cultural diffusion rather than the removal of a symbol of cultural identity. She concludes, "This more than a fabric its choosing to be different and a nonconformist and wearing it with pride" (Gomma).
What is the purpose of hijab? Why is it necessary?
Hijab is a manifestation of an inner commitment to God. 2) Hijab is an identity for Muslim women. It declares, without speaking, that the wearer is a God conscious believer. The decency and virtue it exudes are more powerful than any words that could be used to convey the same.
Muslim Women: Wearing The Hijab
The hijab's symbolism is one of modesty and morality. According to Islam, the hijab functions as a shield for a woman against the lustful gaze of men. The hijab also serves as a cover to preserve the modesty and piety of the woman, as that is her main role as stated in the Qur'an. Not only is this her role in her faith, but in society as well.
Essay On The Hijab
Essay On The Hijab. 840 Words4 Pages. I am going to tell you about the hijab and what it means to me whenever I step a foot out of my house. The hijab is a single piece of scarf that is wear by most Muslim Women around the world because it is a requirement according to Islam and the words of the whole Quran. I believe me wearing the hijab says ...
Essay on The Hijab
Hijab or veil is a headscarf that is regularly worn by Muslim women. Muslim women will wear a veil as a sign of favor to their faith. On the opposite side, others will wear it because they have no other choice from the pressure of their family members and religion. Individuals will even argue that the wearing of a hijab.
Hijab and Islam Free Essay Example
Hijab in Islam is compulsory and is required for all women after the age of puberty. It is a scarf or head gear that is a symbol of Islam but is also a symbol, to Muslim women, of independence, respect and freedom to live in any society. Islam places women on a pedestal and protects their rights and position in Islam.
What Is The History Of The Hijab?
In the specific case of the hijab, it is largely associated with the Muslim faith. Islam started out on the Arabian Peninsula as a small faith community. It started in the city of Medina by the proclaimed prophet of the religion, Mohammed, who lived roughly from 570 until 632 CE. The religion spread throughout the Middle East into areas such as ...
Why hijab is important in Islam
Thus, one of the functions of hijab is to protect women from abuse and harm. This particularly includes various forms of sexual abuse and harassment, which are prevalent in societies in which few...
Essay About Hijab
Hijab is a headscarf that covers the head, which is worn by a Muslim female when around unknown men outside of their family. According to dictionary.com the term "hijab" in an Arabic word which means a traditional scarf worn by Muslim women to cover the hair and neck and sometimes the face.
Why some Muslim women feel empowered wearing hijab, a headscarf
For some Muslim women today, wearing a hijab can be a religious act - a way of demonstrating their submission to God. The Quran instructs both men and women to observe modesty in their dress...
Importance Of Hijab In The Qur An Essay
Most mans human nature is to be attracted to woman through physically beauty. Hijab puts a barrier toward sexual attraction. Dishonoring is one of the aspects of life many muslim woman faces in today's societies. Islam does not want this to happen. Islam wants to treat both men and women equally, wants to guard women's honor and dignity ...
Hijab Research Paper
Hijab Research Paper. Decent Essays. 690 Words. 3 Pages. Open Document. Hijab Essay The idea of the woman has evolved throughout the years. In the early 1900s, women did not have the right to vote. People like Alice Paul rallied in the Capitol, using their words to stand up against the gratuitous ruling that only men could vote.
Why Do Muslim Women Wear Hijab?
The perspectives of those who do not support the hijab are compared to the experiences and outlooks of Muslim women in this argumentative essay. The differing viewpoints can allow for a better understanding to why Muslim women wear the hijab. 'You are afraid of what you do not understand'; this attests to the idea that if more individuals ...
IslamQA: The purpose of hijab in Islam
The hijab is meant to do the same for Muslim women, signalling to such men that these are women who are not interested in being sexually admired or flirted with. Some say that it is "unfair" that Islam puts the burden on women to dress modestly instead of asking men to stop looking. Islam does ask men to "lower their graze", and looking ...
What is the main purpose of Hijab in Islam?
Main purpose of hijab is that women hairs are covered properly so that any non-mahram cannot see her hairs. as covering of hair is mentioned in hadees for women. hijab is one of the identity of the muslim women. You may seem that sex related crime is higher in some Muslim countries rather than some westernised countries.
The Purpose of Hijab: Reclaiming The Narrative
The idea of defining hijab in relationship to harassment doesn't hold much ground. All claims (secular and religious, feminist, and orthodox) that hijab protects women from assault have been proven false many times. The first and foremost cause, the purpose of hijab is an obedience to Allah and an act of worship.
Hijab in History and Nowadays
Definition: Hijab is the general term for Muslim women covering up according to Islamic law, and varies from culture to country with the headscarf to the all-encompassing burqa. Most Muslim scholars set puberty as the general age for Muslim girls to start wearing the hijab. The purpose of the hijab is to meet Islamic standards of modesty.
PDF Honor Lost y
The Benefits of Hijab: Amina Wadud in her book, Qur'an and Women, interprets the Qur'an from a female- inclusive standpoint.She argues that God is very fair to women, and uses the Quran to prove her argument. She explains that God has made it clear that he would favor one human over the other based only on the level of Taqwa1, each one possesses.. She not
Free Hijab Essays and Papers
The hijab is important because of key characteristics like modesty, protection, religion, sacrifice, expressing one's self and being different. Modesty, the most important thing about the hijab, is having Muslim women cover up and protect her body.
Hijab Essays
Purpose: The purpose of the film is to show people that a Hijab is just a symbol of the religion and that is something that is just a part of their culture and a way of their daily life. Message: The message of the film is to show other that the Hijab is not Why Do Muslim Women Wear Hijab? 550 Words | 3 Pages
The Hijab
The purpose of the Hijab is for women to protect themselves from men, Allah instructs them to have their hair covered. Dress code is part of that overall teaching. Islam strongly emphasizes the concept of decency and modesty; the Hijab reflects those …show more content… "Why do people assume that Muslims were bad news"?