Hijab means “a veil,” “curtain,” “partition” or “separation.” The verse in which it is mentioned is specifically addressed to the wives of the prophet; there is no dispute among scholars about that at all. The Muslim woman is ordered to veil herself. She must not come before a mahram without Hijab. One of the highly effective ways of protecting society from the sin of adultery is that women wear hijab and ward off the evil glances of sensuous men. Allah says:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

“Say to the believing men they should lower their gaze and they should guard their chastity. That (is) purer for them. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Aware of what they do.” (Surah Nur 24:31)

Hijab frees women from being thought of as sexual objects of desire or from being valued for their looks, or body shape rather than their minds and intellect. It is the responsibility of a woman to assume such poise and behaviour that she does not excite a man’s passions. Even a glance of lust can infatuate a man and a seemingly harmless encounter eventually lead to mischief and corruption in society, destroying entire families. Allah says:

وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَّسْتُورًا

“And when you recite the Quran, We place between you and between those who (do) not believe in the Hereafter a barrier hidden.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:45)

Every day tens of cases related to sexual crimes were heard in the courts of law. Every month tens of married mothers used to forsake their homes to enter into a perverse life of illicit sex. Due to the absence of Hijab, adultery and fornication became common and thousands of chaste women become immoral. A hijab encompasses more than a scarf and more than a dress code.  It is a term that denotes modest dressing and modest behaviour.

Here are some of the benefits of using hijab:

1. Hijab is for successful women and believing women
2. Hijab has given her a decent and upright lifestyle
3. Hijab is an expression of chastity and modesty
4. Hijab eliminates competition amongst women
5. Hijab is the primary motivation to obey God 
6. Hijab is for Modest and respectable women
7. Hijab bondage to the surrounding society
8. Hijab keep confidence and self-respect 
9. Hijab takes one beyond the superficial
10. Hijab renew their commitment to God 
11. Hijab prevents cross-contamination
12. Hijab is our statement to the world
13. Hijab is an ambassador of Faith
14. Hijab is an act of righteousness
15. Hijab Protects from Male Harassment
16. Hijab provides the connection to God
17. Hijab eliminates Fashion Competition
18. Hijab covering a command from Allah
19. Hijab Protects from Male Harassment
20. Hijab over up with loose-fitting clothing
21. Hijab places focus on the real personality
22. Hijab inspiring other women to do the same
23. Hijab elevates her in society by desexualizing
24. Hijab makes the soul calmer and more peaceful
25. Hijab blocked  prevention of evil actions or thoughts

Hijab brings to the lives of women and the responsibility men and women share in upholding modesty in society. Along the way, it debunks common stereotypes and celebrates the voices of women who practice hijab with pride. Hijab gives women an air of authority, dignity, and respect. Only those who are well behaved can expect admiration and high esteem from others. Allah says:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَا إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

“O children of Adam let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.” (Surah Al-A`raf, 7:27)

Hijab for Muslim Women is a covering for the care of chastity and an identity card to pronounce their respect for the laws of their Almighty Allah. It frees them from being valued for their looks, or body shape rather than their minds and intellect.

The majority of Muslim women wear hijab, to obey God, and to be known as respectable women:

1. An act of obedience: The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah says in the Quran: “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 (peace and blessings be upon him), has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (Noble Quran 33:36)
2. The Hijab is Modesty: Modesty rules are open to a wide range of interpretations. Some Muslim women wear full-body garments that only expose their eyes. Allah made adherence to the hijab a manifestation of 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.” (Noble Quran 33:59)
3. The hijab is Taharah (Purity): Allah had shown us the hikmah (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab:
4. The hijab is a Shield: 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 purer when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitnah (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 honourable manner.” (Noble Quran 33:32)
5. The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness): “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.” (Noble Quran 7:26)
6. The hijab is Eeman (Belief or Faith)
7. The hijab is Hayah’ (Bashfulness): There are two authentic hadith which state: “Each religion has 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 mixing of sexes and the absence of hijab destroys the Gheerah 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. Hijab can be a symbol of piety and it can be a sign of great inner strength and fortitude.  A woman wearing a hijab becomes a very visible sign of Islam.

Do you know that:

• There is a whole Surah in Qur’an with your name (Suratul Nisaa (women))
• The first martyr in Islam was a woman (Sumaya (RA))
• The first person who believed in the prophecies of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a woman (Khadeejah (RA))
• Purest Woman mentioned in Quran by Name – Maryam (RA)
• You are half of the society, and you raise the other half, how high your status is!
• To all men: Marrying a Woman completes half your faith
• Jannah (heaven) lies under the feet of your mother ( a woman)
• And because you are so precious, Islam honoured you with Hijab for preserving your chastity and purity. You are not just a woman you are very special you are a gem, you are a Muslimah!

God specifically addresses women when He asks them not to show off their adornment, except that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their bodies. The Quranic instructions are not only for women, there are instructions for men also. Allah says:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

“Say to the believing men they should lower their gaze and they should guard their chastity. That (is) purer for them. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Aware of what they do.” (Surah An-Nur 24: 30)

Hijab is not a constraint for Muslim women, rather those who wear it wear it as an ornament that gives them respect as well as keeps them pious and free from any disturbance that may be caused because of any unintentional sexual innuendo. Hijab, in the sense of veiling, can also be achieved by hanging a curtain or placing a screen between women and men to allow them to speak to each other without changing the dress. This was more common in the early days of Islam, for the wives of the Prophet Muhammad.