Why Muslim Women Cover Up Their Body

• What City People Found Out

Many people have a wrong notion about the culture of Islamic religion which encourages Muslim women to always cover up their body parts. They usually think it is unfair as they Muslims are wicked and do not allow their women the freedom to dress and showcase as other random ladies do.

But Muslims women that dress covering-up their bodies with Hijabs know its importance and the many rewards attached to it. That’s why they don’t bulge but do their best to ensure they maintain status-quo.  Some have even taken it a bit fashionable as they now wear quality and highly stylish clothing materials to cover-up their body part..

In the Qur’an, Muslim women are admonished to cover their heads and to pull their coverings over their bosoms. However, the style and degree of veil varies according to the situation. The veil affords women modesty, respect and dignity and protects herself from harm and the evils of society by covering her beauty.

The Quran addresses women’s dress and modesty primarily on two different occasions: 1) In the first of these occasions, the Quran states: “And say to believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments (zînah) except what [must ordinarily] appear thereof; that they should draw their veils (khumur) over their bosoms (juyûb) and not display their beauty (zînah) except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male servants who have no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the ‘awrât of women. And they should not stomp with their legs lest they reveal what they hide of their ornaments (zînatihinna)” (Q. 24:31)

In the second of these occasions, the Quran states: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women believers to lower over them their garments (jalâbîb). That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused/harmed.” (Q. 33:59)

Another Quranic verse says; “O children of Adam! Surely we have bestowed upon you a garment to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you, and the garment of piety is the best.” (Surah al-ahzab V26)

In a Hadith recorded by Imam Tirmidhi, The Prophet said: “A woman is supposed to be concealed. When she emerges outside (without covering herself properly), Shaytan makes her adorned in front of men.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)

The above stated revelations and tradition emphasize 3 major but interrelated reasons why Muslim women should wear Hijab. One, to be known; to be recognized as a free and honourable Muslim woman. Two, in order not to be abused. Three, so as not expose their adornment, presumably in order to not attract inappropriate attention.

In light of this instruction some women choose to cover their faces whereas others prefer to cover their heads only leaving their faces uncovered and bare of makeup – both of which are valid interpretations according to various schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

The ‘veil’ can take many forms. The Hijab generally refers to a head-covering which covers the head and the neck, leaving the face uncovered. These head coverings come in many shapes and styles but the primary objective they all have is to cover the hair completely.

The Niqab is generally understood as clothing that covers the face as well as the head, with the eyes showing, or with a netting over the eyes.

The burqa is a veil which covers the head, face and body of a woman from head to toe, allowing her to see from a gauze-like material over the eye area. This style of veiling is seen in the Middle East more so than in the West and is the way in which some Muslim women choose to cover themselves. Some cultural traditions can influence the style of veil women prefer to adapt.

To understand the concept of hijab in Islam, it is important to recognize that it goes beyond just the physical veil. Hijab encompasses an attitude of modesty, humility, and the avoidance of any behaviour that draws undue attention to oneself. While the physical head covering is an essential part of hijab, it is just one aspect of a broader concept. The covering of the head is not a concept that is synonymous to Islam alone. It is on record and can be found in Biblical literature also. The Bible taught the wearing of a veil long before Islam. The New Testament reads:

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.” (1 Corinthians: 11: 5-6)

The Quran does not explicitly prescribe a punishment for not wearing the hijab. Instead, it encourages modesty and humility for both men and women, highlighting the importance of personal choice and conviction in religious matters.

It is crucial to emphasize that wearing the hijab, like many aspects of religious practice, should be a matter of personal choice and free will. Islam encourages people to make their choices based on sincere faith and conviction rather than coercion or fear of punishment. The Quran acknowledges that there is no compulsion in religion (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:256), emphasizing the importance of personal commitment to religious obligations.

It is clear that there is no law in Islam that punishes a woman for not wearing a veil and according to Islamic law a man has no jurisdiction in forcing a woman to wear a veil or hijab. He can, if he has some authority over a woman (as a husband or father or brother) admonish, request, and in the case of a father to require it of his daughter, but absolutely no right in actively forcing a woman to adopt the hijab. However, women are strongly advised to veil themselves as appropriate to maintain their honour and dignity.

The ultimate reward of wearing a hijab is the unimaginable pleasure and happiness of Allah (SWT) and entry into paradise. “The righteous will be amid gardens and fountains” (Surah Hijr: Quran 15, V45)

“My servant! No fear shall be on you today nor shall you grieve. Those who have believed in our signs and submitted to us. Enter paradise, you and your wives and rejoice.” (Surah Zukhruf, Quran 43: 68 & 69)

–Jamiu Abubakar with additional information online.