Hijab (Veil)

13/4/2017, 16 Rejab 1438H

Woman's Dress

Hijab (Arabic) means 'cover'.  Covering hair and body is not a new dress in Islam, but been practiced by the women before the Quran came to exist. The image of Mary the Mother of Jesus, is depicted to wear veil. The Christian nun and sisters also covering the hair and body. Covering hair is an obligation for woman in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Since it mentioned in the Bible and Quran about covering head, so it is rewarding to follow and sinful to disobey.

Dress Code for Muslims

Hijab in Judaism and Christianity

Jewish veil

Christian women in France wearing veil

Christian veil

Types of Christian veil

1 Corinthians 11:On Covering the Head in Worship

1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.

3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 

4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 

5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 

6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;

9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 

12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 

14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 

15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 

16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

Christian priest commenting about women's dress

Hijab in Islam

Surat Al-'Aĥzāb (The Combined Forces), Chapter 33, Verse 59:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 33:59)

Hijab may protect you from being abuse like sexual harassment and rape. Wearing sexy dress may be sexual attraction that may be lead to rape. Clothes is made to protect woman from being rape and skin cancer. Covering the head and body also means freedom. You may refer to the global statistical report for homicide, global total sexual violence and rape cases prepared by United Nation (UN).

Surat An-Nūr (The Light), Chapter 24, Verse 31:

"And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed." (Quran 24:31)

Surat Al-'A`rāf (The Heights), Chapter 7, Verse 26

:

"O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember." (Quran 7:26)

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:

"Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands."

Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 4104

In-book reference: Book 34, Hadith 85

English translation: Book 33, Hadith 4092

Muslim women are obligated to cover the head and body with loose garments, since the puberty age, for the sake of Allah. It is rewarding to cover, and sinful not to cover. Only Allah can judge. 

The beauty of a Muslim woman belongs exclusively to the husband and family only. 

Devoted vs Oppressed

Since to cover hair is an obligation by religion mentioned in the scriptures of Holy Bible and Quran, so covering hair and body is rewarding to follow, and sinful to disobey. Exposing hair and body is sinful in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Imam, priest and rabbi cannot change the law in the scriptures because they are not God, but human being like us. There is no other prophet of Allah after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Chapter 2, Verse 120:

"And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance." If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper." (Quran 2:120)

Wearing hijab is an obligation in Islam. Women in Islam wear hijab voluntarily to please Allah. Forcing woman to remove the hijab is an oppression for the Muslim women.

References:

1. 10 Dalil Menutup Aurat Yang Tidak Boleh Dipertikaikan, https://mirabajumuslimah.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/9-dalil-menutup-aurat-yang-tidak-boleh-dipertikaikan/, created 7th February 2012.
2. Kewajiban Menutup Aurat Dan Batasannya, https://almanhaj.or.id/4114-kewajiban-menutup-aurat-dan-batasannya.html, published 4th April 2015.