“Hijab “ is the head covering for women in Islam. It is seen by the West as a symbol of oppression, but it is too far from being so. Other religions, besides Islam, ask women to wear “ hijab” whatever its style or pattern is. In Islam, it is discussed as an issue of women’s rights, especially outside the Muslim world.
In the Prophet’s time, women used to wear a kind of dress that covered the head but not the bosom (the breast). Verses of the Glorious Quran were revealed and asked the Prophet (ﷺ) to order his wives and daughters and the wives and daughters of all the believing men to wear “hijab“ that covers the whole body (including the hair, the neck and the bosom or the breast) except for the face and the hands up to the wrist.
Here we will learn the following:
- Is hijab mandatory for Muslim women?
- What is the meaning of the hijab in different terms?
- What is the importance of wearing hijab by Muslim women?
- Criteria for the Muslim woman’s hijab
- Who can see a Muslim woman without her hijab?
- Does hijab prevent a Muslim woman from performing her day-to-day duties?!
- What about Men’s dressing?
- What is the concept of hijab?
Is hijab mandatory for Muslim women?
The four major Sunni schools of Islamic thought (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali) hold by consensus (unanimously) that hijab is obligatory for women to cover their whole bodies (including their hair, necks and bosoms or breasts) except for their faces and hands in the presence of men other than their close family members (fathers, brothers, uncles…..etc…). Some women choose to cover their faces and hands. They are free to do what they like. No one can blame them.
Some Muslim women feel empowered when they wear hijab. On the other hand, those women who do not wear it are definitely committing a major sin. Even now people pay more respect to the more modestly dressed ladies than to the scantily clad ones. Imagine a Lady Prime Minister or a Queen wearing a low-cut blouse or a miniskirt in an international conference, can she get as much respect as she would get if she was in a more modest attire?!
The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When a woman reaches the age of adolescence, it is not correct that she displays any part of her body except this and this – and he pointed to his face and hands.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud/4104)
What is the meaning of the hijab in different terms?
There are many terms used to convey the Muslim women’s hijab; hijab, khimar and jilbab. all these terms are used in the Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah. Let’s discuss them along with their positions in the Quran and Sunnah:
1. The meaning of the term Hijab
In Arabic “hijab” means “cover, screen or barrier” as a noun. As a verb, it means “to veil, to cover, to screen, or to shelter.”
Today, the hijab commonly refers to the headscarf. However, the true meaning of “hijab” should be “the outfit that protects the awra of the Muslim woman (that is, parts of the body that must be concealed from strangers).”
The word “hijab” is mentioned in the Glorious Quran:
“……… And when you ˹believers˺ ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and theirs…….”
(33: 53)
Also, the term hijab is used in Sunnah: A’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
“The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go to Al-Manasi’ (a vast open place near Baqi’) in Medina to answer the call of nature at night. Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) used to say to the Prophet (ﷺ), “Let your wives be veiled,” but Allah’s Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda Bint Zam’a; the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) went out at ‘Isha’ time. She was a tall lady. Umar addressed her saying, “I have recognized you O Sauda. He said so.” Then Allah (SWT) revealed the verses of Al-Hijab.
2. The meaning of the term “Khimar”
“Khimar” comes from the word “khamara” which means “to conceal or to cover.” In the Arabic dictionary, it means ”a piece of cloth that conceals or covers the head of a woman”.
The term “khimar” is mentioned in the Quran in Surah No. 24 (an-Nur), Verse No. 31:
“Let them draw their veils [khumur, the plural for khimar] over their chests, and not reveal their hidden adornments.”
(an-Nur), Verse No. 31
This verse was revealed to the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) so that his wives and daughters and the wives and daughters of the believing Muslim women would cover their Juyub (bosoms or breasts) with their Khumur (head coverings). They must put their Khumur to be distinguished from other women who did not do that. Women in Jahiliya (the Pre-Islamic era, or the era of paganism) used to pass in front of men with their chests or breasts, necks, forelocks, hair and earrings uncovered.
Also, the term khimar is reported in Sunnah, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a veil (khimar).”
(Sunan Abu Dawud/641).
3. The meaning of the term Jilbab
“Jilbab” is singular. Its plural is “Jalabib”. In Arabic, it means the outer garment, mantle or cloak. It is the outer sheet or covering a woman wraps around her on top of her garments to cover herself from head to toe. It hides her body completely.
The term “Jilbab” is mentioned in the Glorious Quran in Surah No 33 (Al-Ahzab), Verse No. 59
“O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks [jilbabs] over their bodies.”
(Al-Ahzab), Verse No. 59
The term jilbab is also stated in the following Prophetic Hadith:
“When the verse (…that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies ..) was revealed, the women of Al-Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud/4090)
What is the importance of wearing hijab by Muslim women?
Muslim women do benefit much from wearing hijab. Wearing hijab by Muslim women aims at spreading chastity, faith and virtue. It distinguishes between the purity and impurity of men and women. Women should wear the hijab so that their ornaments and beauty may not appear to strangers and their marriageable relative males. In this way, she is protected from harassment and rude comments. The hijab protects Muslim men from indulging in vice and unlawful acts.
Islamic hijab for women is intended to safeguard the modesty, dignity, and honor of both men and women. Both Muslim men and women should follow and observe the rules of behavior and appearance when they interact with one another in a social setting. The material hijab; that is the clothes of both men and women should be accompanied by:
- Hijab of the eyes (to be modest and lower the gaze).
- Hijab of the heart (fear of Allah so as not to commit sins).
- Hijab of thought (complete acceptance of Allah’s commands, e. g. to say “we hear and obey.”
- Hijab of intention in response to their Lord’s commands. Muslim women should truly believe that Allah (SWT) commanded them to wear hijab only for their benefit, safety and dignity.
- The way both men and women talk, walk and behave.
As for women, they should not stomp their feet so as not to reveal their hidden beauty. The Glorious Quran stated that in Surah “an-Nur (No. 24)/Verse No. 31, we have already mentioned.
Criteria for the Muslim woman’s hijab
The hijab of Muslim women should cover her entire body except for her face and hands up to the wrist. If she wants to cover her face and hands, it is her own choice for a recommended act of worship. Muslim women’s clothes should:
- be loose, not tight.
- be opaque, neither transparent (to be revealing the hidden beauty) nor ornamental.
- not resemble men’s clothes, non-Muslims’ clothes or symbols of other religions.
Hence, a Muslim woman is permitted to wear whatever she likes as long as her dress copes with the Islamic dress code (to cover all her body except for the face and hands in front of all men who are not Mahrams; those who she can marry). This is agreed upon by all Muslim scholars and jurists.
Who can see a Muslim woman without her hijab?
Muslim women can take off their hijab with family during a family gathering in intimate moments. A Muslim woman may remove her hijab to emphasize filial or familial bonds over strict modesty. Muslim women can remove their hijab when they are alone in their homes. Verse No. 31 in Surah an-Nur states men in whose presence the Muslim woman need not cover her hair.
Does hijab prevent a Muslim woman from performing her day-to-day duties?!
Absolutely not. We wonder! Nuns in Christianity wear a certain uniform that is exactly similar to the hijab, yet no one blames them or claims that their dress prevents them from doing their duties!
The Muslim woman does not wear a hijab in her own house, so it does not get in the way of her housework. If she is walking in a lab, for example, she can wear a different style of hijab that does not have trailing ends.
Consequently, it is illogical and unfair to claim that Muslim girls’ hijab may prevent them from going to school to learn. Does it prevent a Muslim woman from working as a cashier in a supermarket? In fact, it is a kind of hypocrisy or a double-standard judgment.
All the teachings of Islam emphases that the hijab does not segregate Muslim women or shut them out from social involvement or participation in the affairs of the Muslim community.
What about Men’s dressing?
Muslim men should wear clothes that cover their bodies from the navel to the knees. Muslim men, as well as Muslim women, should wear clothes that are not light, sheer, tight, transparent, or eye-catching. In addition, they are prohibited from wearing silk clothes (except for medical reasons) or gold jewelry. Women can wear both.
What is the concept of hijab?
In light of the above facts, we conclude that a Muslim woman must wear a hijab; to cover all her body except for her face and hands according to the majority of Muslim scholars and all the Islamic schools of thought. Covering the head is a necessary part of hijab and it is not a disputed issue among scholars.
In brief, if the Muslim woman wears the Islamic hijab, she is pleasing Allah and she shall be best rewarded in this worldly life and in that of the Hereafter. However, women who choose to disobey and rebel against Allah’s command (by refusing to wear hijab) will be severely punished.
The best thing to end this article with is this verse from the Glorious Quran that illustrates everything; verse No. 26 in Surah Al-A’raf:
“O children of Adam! We have provided for you clothing to cover your nakedness and as an adornment. However, the best clothing is righteousness. This is one of Allah’s bounties, so perhaps you will be mindful.”
Surah Al-A’raf
If you want to know more about the topic, you can refer to:
● Islamweb
● IslamQA
