The Quran talks about headscarves. The Qur’an chapter 24, verses 30-31, have the following meanings:
*{Tell believers to lower their eyes and remain humble. That is purer for them. Look! Allah knows what they are doing. And tell religious women to lower their eyes and remain humble, only show their decorations, and cover their chests with a veil, unless they show their decorations to their husbands or fathers or husbands, or their sons, or their husbands. Sons, or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers or sisters, or their women, or their slaves, or lack of vitality male servants, or children who know nothing about women naked. Don’t let them stamp their feet to reveal their hidden decorations. Believers, you must turn to Allah together so that you can succeed. }*
*{Oh prophet! Tell your wife, your daughter, and the women of the believers [when they go abroad] to wrap their cloaks around them. That would be better so that they can be recognized instead of angry. Allah is always forgiving and merciful. }*
The above verses make it very clear that it is Allah Almighty himself who ordered women to wear a headscarf, even though the word is not used in the above verses. In fact, the term hijab means much more than covering the body. It refers to the code of modesty outlined in the scripture quoted above.
The expressions used: “bow your head”, “humbly”, “don’t show off”, “put a veil on your chest”, “don’t stamp your feet”, etc.
Anyone who is thinking must be clear about the meaning of all the above expressions in the Qur’an. Women in the time of the Prophet used to wear clothing that covered their heads, but did not cover their breasts properly. Therefore, when they are asked to put a veil on their chests to avoid revealing their beauty, it is obvious that the skirt must cover their head and body. In most cultures in the world-not only in Arab culture-people think that hair is an attractive part of women’s beauty.
Until the end of the 19th century, Western ladies were used to wearing some kind of headgear, if not covering the entire hair. This is in full compliance with the biblical prohibition on women covering their heads. Even in these degenerate times, people have more respect for plainly dressed ladies than for barely dressed ladies. Imagine a female prime minister or queen wearing a low-cut shirt or mini skirt at an international conference! If she wears more modest clothes, can she earn as much respect as possible there?
For the above reasons, Islamic teachers agree that the Quranic verses quoted above clearly indicate that women must cover their heads and whole bodies in addition to their faces and hands.
A woman usually doesn’t wear a headscarf in her own house, so she shouldn’t get in the way of doing housework. For example, if she works in a factory or laboratory close to the machine-she can wear different styles of headscarves without tailing. In fact, if work permits, loose pants and long shirts can make it easier for her to bend over, lift or climb stairs or ladders. Such clothes will definitely give her more freedom of movement while protecting her humility.
However, it is interesting that those who are picky about the dress code of Islamic women did not find anything inappropriate in the dress of the nuns. Obviously, Mother Teresa’s “turban” did not prevent her from engaging in social work! The Western world awarded her a Nobel Prize! But the same people would argue that the hijab is an obstacle for Muslim girls in schools or Muslim ladies working as cashiers in supermarkets! This is a kind of hypocrisy or double standard. Paradoxically, some “veteran” people find it very fashionable!
Is hijab an oppression? If someone forces women to wear it, of course it can. But in this regard, if someone forces women to adopt this style, then semi-nude may also be a form of oppression. If Western (or Eastern) women can dress freely, why not let Muslim women prefer a simpler dress?
Post time: Dec-15-2021