Hijab In Islam

By: Ahmad Parvez
In a society where purity is demanded of women only and men are exempted, it is useless to talk about women's rights and privileges or responsibilities which are the attributes of the equality demanded by the Quran. According to the Quran the purity of body and soul which is the hallmark of humans has equally demanded from both men and women. If keeping herself chaste is the responsibility of the woman then she has the right to demand this from the men as well. Just as it is incumbent on the woman to keep herself chaste (24:31), it has also been made obligatory for men to keep themselves chaste (24:30). In fact men have been addressed first and women afterwards.

Keeping women confined in houses and forbidding them to go out is a punishment according to the Quran. It is not Quranic modesty. Now the question arises as to the manner of her staying at home and her mode of moving about outside the house. The Quran gives instructions for both situations but before I state these Quranic guidelines I want to emphasize that purity of thought and deed is a must for both men and women. The cultivation of a sterling character is the most important pre-requisite for becoming a Momin. Carelessness to unsullied character not only spoils one's personal integrity but is also detrimental to national culture and civilization. Hence the Quran directs, do not display your adornments except those parts of the body that remain exposed inevitably. They should spread their head-gear on their chests (24:31). In another place it is said: O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and other Momineen women that when they go out they should wear their cloaks over their clothes so as not to display their adornment (24:31). This will help them to be recognized (as decent women) so that they may not be annoyed by any one with ill intent. This style will protect them and go a long way in their upbringing - Quran Chapter 33 Verse 59.

Hijab is different from Jalbab which is a cloth that is worn over one's clothes when going out. It is thus obvious that whether you cover your chest with your head-gear or whether you wear something over your clothes, there is no mention of hiding your face. If concealing the face had been necessary then why were men directed to keep the eyes downcast? The Quranic aim is to conceal your adornments when going out. For this purpose we can wear what we like. The cut and style of the dress is dictated by your social mode which keeps on changing with time. The main purpose is to adhere to the Quranic goal of hiding your adornment is a part of Hijab. By the way readers you must have noticed the great value chastity holds in the principles of life. So much so that preserving chastity "Hijab" has been called a permanent practice by Allah Almighty and these laws are never to be altered. These laws can never be changed, no matter what the circumstances of a particular era. In other words the sanctity of chastity is a permanent value that cannot be affected by the changes in time. It is just as a permanent value today as it was a thousand years ago.