Hijab, or veil, takes the centre stage whenever there is a battle between truth and falsehood. Hijab represents a woman’s submission to her Creator and her connection with the faith. Undoubtedly every do’s and don’ts of Islam have its benefits and it is surely for the betterment of society. Islam is the complete code of life and is the best way for the ultimate guidance of mankind. Hijab is also one of the mandatory obligations of Islam for Muslim women and has its benefits. Allah says:
يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
“O wives (of) the Prophet! You are not like anyone among the women. If you consciously revere (Allah) then (do) not be soft in speech, lest should be moved with he who, in his heart (is) a disease, but say a word appropriate.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:32)
The meaning of the word hijab is “to cover” or “barrier”. It is usually worn by Muslim women to cover their private parts from men and to create a barrier among opposite sexes. The main use of the hijab is to protect women from the beasts of lust. Men are usually of the habit of noticing the curves and private parts of the women for the sake of amusement. The hijab covers the women so that they can be protected from such men and keep them safe from foul comments. Allah says:
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
“Tell believing men to lower their glances and guard their private parts: that is purer for them. God is well aware of everything they do.” (Surah An-Nur 24:30)
Wearing the hijab is that it enlightens the purity of the women. It represents that Muslim women wearing the hijab are away from all the evil acts of the world and are pure. Hijab represents a Muslim women’s dedication towards a single man. It shows that no other man has the right to seek pleasure from them as she is sanctified for her husband only.
Scientific Benefits of Wearing Hijab:
- Wearing Hijab protects the heat from the body being lost. Medical tests show that 40-60% heat is lost through the head so wearing a head covering in cold months is very important from the health perspective.
- A head covering is very important for hygienic purposes too as mentioned above all public should wear Hijab or head-covering workers serving society to ensure cleanliness and purity. Workers in several professions wear “veils” – nurses, fast food workers, restaurant workers and servers, doctors, health care providers and many more.
- Keep your hair pollution free when you cover your head. Hijab protects the hair from dust and direct exposure to sunlight that may damage the hair.
- Keeping most of your skin shielded from the sun’s harmful rays most of the time, preserves your body’s largest organ and keeps it wrinkle-free for much longer while wearing hijab and covering the face.
Islam is a religion of moderation and balance; it does not expect women alone to uphold society’s morality and dignity. Rather, Islam asks men and women to strive mutually to create a healthy social environment of practical values and morality. In short, the concept of modesty in Islam is holistic and applies to both men and women. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and We made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, (the) most noble of you near Allah (is the) most righteous of you Indeed, Allah (is) All-Knower, All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)
Islam establishes that men and women are equal in front of God. At the same time, it does recognize that they are not identical. God created men and women with unique physiological and psychological attributes.
Here is the list of some Benefits of Wearing Hijab for Women:
- Hijab blocked prevention of evil actions or thoughts
- Hijab is for successful women and believing women
- Hijab is an expression of chastity and modesty
- Hijab is the primary motivation to obey God
- Hijab is for Modest and respectable women
- Hijab bondage to the surrounding society
- Hijab over up with loose-fitting clothing
- Hijab takes one beyond the superficial
- Hijab provides the connection to God
- Hijab is our statement to the world
- Hijab is an ambassador of Faith
- Hijab offers protection
- Hijab enlightens purity
- Hijab is an act of righteousness
- Hijab prevents cross-contamination
- Hijab ensures cleanliness and purity
- Hijab Protects from Male Harassment
- Hijabs renew their commitment to God
- Hijab keep confidence and self-respect
- A hijab symbolizes a journey of devotion
- Islam allows committing an act of worship
- Hijab eliminates competition amongst women
- Hijab elevates her in society by desexualizing
- Hijab has given her a decent and upright lifestyle
Wearing the hijab is a personal and independent decision that comes from a sincere yearning to please God while appreciating the wisdom underlying His command. Many people mistakenly believe that women are forced to wear hijab. This concept is not based on Islamic teachings as God says in the Quran:
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“(There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, surely he grasped the handhold – [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
Hijab identifies women as followers of Islam, which can have its disadvantages in a land where misinformation about the faith and its adherents abounds.
Here are a few verses on what Allah says in the Quran about Hijab:
- “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity. This will be most conducive to their purity. And to Allah is known Of all their activities.” ( Quran 24: 30)
- “And when you ask (the Prophets wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” (al-Ahzab: 53)
- “And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance…” (Quran 33:33)
- “This is more appropriate so that they may be known [as Muslim women] and thus not be harassed [or molested].” (Quran, 33:59)
- “And among His Signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts.” (Quran 30:21)
- “And let them not stamp their feet to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” (An-Nur: 31)
More than a dress code, the hijab encompasses modest behaviours, manners, and speech. The inner humility as exhibited through etiquette and morals completes the significance of the physical veil.
The Hijab is Protection
The wisdom behind the Hijab is to minimize sexual enticement and moral degradation in society as much as possible for both men and women. The Hijab helps protect men, women, and society by creating stability in both families and communities in several ways:
- Shields from unwanted advances
- Shields from temptations and harmful desires
- Shields women from perverted looks and superficial scrutiny
- It May help reduce the likelihood of sexual assaults against women
- Shields from the sexual exploitation of women based on appearance
The Hijab is NOT…
- It is NOT a sign of female inferiority to men
- It does NOT hinder contribution to society
- It is NOT a symbol of oppression
- It is NOT a portable prison
- It is NOT against community values
- It is NOT an act of defiance, confrontation or protests against non-Muslims
- It is NOT required in places where there are only females and close male relatives
- It is NOT a means to restrict a woman’s freedom to express her views and opinions
- It is NOT a means to restrict women from pursuing an education or a suitable career
- It is NOT something new – it has been practised by many righteous women historically
Muslims believe that their true purpose in life is to worship God according to His instructions, as revealed in the holy book of the Quran and through the teachings of Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam. Worship in Islam is a holistic concept that encourages God-consciousness in every facet of daily life, from charity and neighbourliness to prayer and honest dealings in business. Modest clothing is an integral aspect of worship in Islam as well. Allah says:
بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالزُّبُرِ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“With the clear proofs and the Books. And We sent down to you the Remembrance, that you may make clear to mankind, what has been sent down to them and that they may reflect.” (Surah Al-Araf, verse:26)
Wearing Hijab does not have demerits and those who wear it have more strength and confidence. We as Muslim women should make a practice to wear the hijab so that we can obey the Almighty Allah and can earn blessings from Him in both worlds. Women who wear Hijab Almighty Allah give them respect as well as keep them pious and free from any disturbance.
