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:
- A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by
uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
- 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:
- 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)
- Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
- 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