1. An act of obedience.

The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah
says in the Qur'an: `It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and
His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their
decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed
in a plain error.' (S33:36).

Allah also said: 'And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from
looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal
sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must
(ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their
Juyubihinna.'(S24:31).

Juyubihinna: The respected scholars from As-Salaf As-Saleh (righteous
predecessors) differed whether the veil cover of the body must include the
hands and face or not. Today, respected scholars say that the hands and face
must be covered. Other respected scholars say it is preferable for women to
cover their whole bodies.

2. The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty).

Allah (subhana wa'atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for
chastity and modesty. Allah says: 'O Prophet! Tell your wives and your
daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over
their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be
known and not molested.' (S33:59). In the above Ayaah there is an evidence
that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her.
When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is
illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of
attraction. Allah (swt) made it permissible for them to lay aside their
outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is
still better for them to keep their modesty.

3. The hijab is Tahara (Purity)

Allah (swt) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the
hijab: `And when you ask them (the Prophet's wives) for anything you want,
ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their
hearts.' (S33:53).

The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women
because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the
heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the
sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions
is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed
of the sick hearts:

`Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or
evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an
honorable manner.' (S33:32)

4. The hijab is a Shield

The prophet (pbuh) said: "Allah, Most High, is Ha'yeii (Bashful), Sit'teer
(Shielder). He loves Haya' (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering)."
The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Any woman who takes off her clothes in other
than her husband's house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken
Allah's shield upon her. "The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the
kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment
(if bad).

5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)

Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an: `O children of Adam! We have bestowed
raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as
an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.'(S7:26). The
widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and
hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman's body. To the believing
women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their
private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of
Taqwah (righteousness).

6. The hijab is Eemaan (Belief or Faith)

Allah (swt) did not address His words about the hijab except to the
believing women, Al-Mo'minat. In many cases in the Qur'an Allah refers to
the "the believing women". Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh),
addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and
had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: "If indeed you are
believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women,
and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it."

7. The hijab is Haya' (Bashfulness)

There are two authentic hadith which state: "Each religion has a morality
and the morality of Islam is haya'" AND "Bashfulness is from belief, and
belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)". The hijab fits the natural bashfulness
which is a part of the nature of women.

8. The hijab is Gheerah

The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the
straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters.
Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women
who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah
for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire)
at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their
wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the
Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The
dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly
respected and defended.