HIJAB Modesty, Liberation & Protection

OUTLINE

Historical Background Definition of Hijab & Modesty Functions of Hijab Reasons for Hijab Ban (and the Islamic Response Six Criteria for Hijab Conclusion

Historical Background

Modesty had been the norm in history, up until the later part of the past century Modesty is a component in several world religious, particularly Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Definition of Hijab & Modesty

Hajaba means to hide from view, conceal, or cover something Hijab is the modest covering of the woman and includes the complete dress Modesty is an essential component of faith The Prophet said, Faith consists of more than sixty branches. And haya is a part of faith. (Bukhari)

Definition of Hijab & Modesty (Cont.)

The Prophet said, Coarse talk does not come into anything without disgracing it, and modesty does not come into anything without adoring it. (Tirmithi)

Functions of Hijab

More than a religious symbol Command and test from Allah Preservation of modesty Elevation of status Liberation Security and protection Safeguarding of society

More Than a Religious Symbol

Hijab is a symbol since it represents a womans submission to her Creator and her connection with the deen of Islam Allah mentions this in the Quran when referring to hijab That is more suitable that they will be known

Command and Test From Allah

Hijab is a test for the Muslim woman. Will she submit to her Lord or Creator, or will she follow her own desires? When a Muslim woman wears hijab she is obeying and submitting to Allah The following verses of the Holy Quran refer to the obligatory mature of hijab:

Command and Test From Allah

(Cont.)

Allah says: Tell the believing women to reduce some of their vision and guard their private parts and display their adornment except that which ordinarily appears thereof and to draw their head covers over their chests and not display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons,

Preservation of Modesty

Modesty can be defined as reserve or propriety in dress, conduct, and speech as well as freedom from conceit and vanity Muslim woman strong sense of modesty would cause her to feel ashamed to leave the home without her complete covering

Elevation of Status

A woman who covers herself informs those around her that she is more than her body and looks. She has a mind, she has a heart, she has a personality, she has faith. It is through this process that her status is elevated. Woman has much more to offer than physical attractiveness, and the hijab in Islam guarantees that she is seen for more than that.

Liberation

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 Hijab also liberates man from his nature desire to gaze at and enjoy the attractiveness of women

Security and Protection

Allah says, That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. Both men and women, however, are instructed first to lower their gaze in the presence of the opposite gender before being told to cover

Safeguarding of Society

A devout woman covers herself for the benefit of herself and also for the society Islam is a religion of prevention and, as such, prescriptions are in place to preclude people from falling into the traps of satan

Functions of Hijab
With all of these benefits one begins to wonder why a woman would choose not to wear hijab?

Reasons For Hijab Ban (and The Islamic Response)

Secularism Equality of genders/ Emancipation of women Protection from force of parents

Secularism

Secularism is a system in which government functions with little or no connections to religion or religious institutions In secular societies, people do not assume religious beliefs to be widely shared and over time religion becomes less important in their lives

Secularism (Cont.)

Islam is not only a religion, but a deen, a way of life. As a way of life, it is comprehensive, covering virtually every aspect An individual takes her deen to public life when she wears hijab. She takes her deen to public life when she refuses to shake hands with males

Equality of Genders

The goal of these societies is to make men and women totally equal or the same; exactly identical in rights, duties, and opportunities. It is somehow strange to think that by removing hijab men and women will somehow become magically equal is status

Equality of Genders (Cont.)

One may ask the question, If Allah had intended for men and women to be equal or the same, would it be necessary to have two genders? The hijab liberates woman from the focus on worldly and lower desires and elevates her into the domain of spirituality and nearness to Allah

Protection From The Force of Parents

In these countries everything is upside down, even to the point of giving minors rights above their parents In Islam, the rights of parents are sacred and honored. Allah commands the believers to obey and respect their parents and this is often placed next to submission and obedience to Allah in importance

Six Criteria For Hijab

1.

2.
3.

4.
5. 6.

Extent The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through them The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers

Conclusion

Example of twin sisters Where is real oppression? To wear hijab by choice in humility and submission to ones Lord and Creator or to force a woman to choose between her modesty and her education?

References

Al-Jumuah Magazine, volume 16, article by Dr. Aisha Hamdan Answers to Non-Muslims Common Questions About Islam. By Dr. Zakir Naik