III&E Brochure
(published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E)
and reproduced in electronic form by Islamic Academy for Scientific
Research with permission)
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THE QUESTION OF HIJAB: SUPPRESSION OR LIBERATION
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"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?"  This question is one
which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike.  For many women it is the
truest test of being a Muslim.

The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB
(covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw
their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men).  That
is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not
annoyed..."  (Qur'an 33:59)

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and

women.  Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of
looks and sexuality.  An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "We want
to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done.
We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our
personalities and mind.  We want them to take us seriously and treat us as
equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks."

A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her
identity.  Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a
good moral character.  Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity
and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman.  As a
chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into
interactions with men in the smallest degree.  A woman who covers herself
is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.

The question of hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries
and will probably continue for many more.  Some learned people do not
consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face
is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required.
A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are
vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation.  The
wives of the Prophet (S) were required to cover their faces so that men
would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the
Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from
view or conceal.  In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest
covering of a Muslim woman.  The question now is what is the extent of the
covering?

The Qur'an says: "Say to the believing man that they should lower their
gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them;
and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments
except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their
veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their
husbands..."  (Qur'an 24:30-31)

These verses from the Qur'an contain two main injunctions: (1) A woman
should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by
uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and (2) the head
covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing
that Muslims must wear.  However, some requirements must be met.  The first
of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered.

Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qur'an, the
revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the
Prophet Muhammad (S) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for
mankind.  The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:

"Ayesha (R) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the
Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing.  He approached her and
said: 'O Asmaa!  When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper
that anything should remain exposed except this and this.  He pointed to
the face and hands."  (Abu Dawood)

The second requirement is looseness.  The clothing must be loose enough so
as not to describe the shape of the woman's body.  One desirable way to
hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes.  However,
if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary.

Thickness is the third requirement.  The clothing must be thick enough so
as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body.
The Prophet Muhammad (S) stated that in later generations of his ummah
there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their
heads (what looks like) camel humps.  Curse them for they are truly
cursed."  (Muslim)

Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance.  The clothing
should not attract men's attention to the woman.  It should not be shiny
and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman.

In addition there are other requirements:

(1)  Women must not dress so as to appear as men.  "Ibn Abbas narrated:
'The Prophet (S) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who
appear like men.'"  (Bukhari)

(2)  Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.

(3)  The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not
excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.

Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention.
Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see
clothing similar to hijab.  These active and hard-working women of the West
were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses
and various types of head covering.  Muslim women who wear hijab do not
find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and
walks of life.

Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior,
manners, speech and appearance in public.  Dress is only one facet of the
total being.

The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's
clothing with the difference being mainly in degree.  Modesty requires that
the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people
except the wife.  The clothing of men should not be like the dress of
women, nor should it be tight or provocative.  A Muslim should dress to
show his identity as a Muslim.  Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk.
However, both are allowed for women.

For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a
restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper,
Islamic manner.

-- Mary C. Ali

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INTRODUCTION OF III&E

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