Hijab: a Must, OR a Choice?
One of the reasons I’m writing about this topic today, is this comment by Gladwyn, which clearly implies unclear understanding of Hijab in particular and Islam in general.
Hijab has been the subject of much controversy and debate, especially since the French government decided to ban hijab and other religious “symbols” from public schools. Everyone wants to know what’s hijab all about? Is hijab a matter of choice or not? Do Muslim women get forced to wear the hijab? How do the non-Muslims view the Muslim women? Why does the West see The Veil as symbol of oppression of women, making them invisible, anonymous and voiceless? Is the Headscarf symbol of Islam only, or does it have any roots in Judaism and Christianity? What’s the origin of The Veil?
A lot of question, I know. Most if not all were answered over many debates and on many occasions, however, since many of the visitors here are from western background, it is important for me to try to answer some of these questions again, and I’m sure many others will have a different opinions.
But before we talk about hijab, it has to be made clear first that Muslim women in the Muslim world today do not receive the noble treatment described by Islam! (This is a shocking statement, someone might say. I mean you don’t expect a person to defend some Islamic symbol, yet criticize his Muslim society. But one has to be fair!).
Anyway, the vast differences among Muslim societies make most generalizations too simplistic. There is a wide spectrum of attitudes towards women in the Muslim world today. These attitudes differ from one society to another and within each individual society. Nevertheless, certain general trends are discernible. Almost all Muslim societies have, to one degree or another, deviated from the ideals of Islam with respect to the status of women. These deviations have, for the most part, been in one of two opposite directions. The first direction is more conservative, restrictive, and traditions-oriented, while the second is more liberal and Western-oriented.
The societies that have digressed in the first direction treat women according to the customs and traditions inherited from their forebears. These traditions usually deprive women of many rights granted to them by Islam. Besides, women are treated according to standards far different from those applied to men. This discrimination pervades the life of any female: she is received with less joy at birth than a boy; she is less likely to go to school; she might be deprived any share of her family’s inheritance; she is under continuous surveillance in order not to behave immodestly while her brother’s immodest acts are tolerated; she might even be killed for committing what her male family members usually boast of doing; she has very little say in family affairs or community interests; she might not have full control over her property and her marriage gifts; and finally as a mother she herself would prefer to produce boys so that she can attain a higher status in her community.
Back to Hijab. Let us shed some light on what is considered in the west as the greatest symbol of women’s oppression and servitude, Hijab, the veil or the head cover. Hijab is derived from the Arabic word hajaba, which means to conceal or to prevent from being seen. The garb must be loose and opaque and must be worn, whenever the women either leaves the house, or whenever male visitors not belonging to the family are received. Only the hands and face may, according to the prophet Mohammed, be visible, but this point is rather controversial. Some also choose to cover these parts of the body, but more often than not this is the result of the personal choice of the individual woman.
Ok then. But, is it true that there is no such thing as the veil in the Judaeo-Christian tradition? Let’s set the record straight.
According to Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Brayer (Professor of Biblical Literature at Yeshiva University) in his book ‘The Jewish woman in Rabbinic literature’, it was the custom of Jewish women to go out in public with a head covering which, sometimes, even covered the whole face leaving one eye free. He quotes some famous ancient Rabbis saying,”It is not like the daughters of Israel to walk out with heads uncovered” and “Cursed be the man who lets the hair of his wife be seen….a woman who exposes her hair for self-adornment brings poverty.”
Rabbinic law forbids the recitation of blessings or prayers in the presence of a bareheaded married woman since uncovering the woman’s hair is considered “nudity”.
Dr. Brayer also mentions that “During the Tannaitic period the Jewish woman’s failure to cover her head was considered an affront to her modesty. When her head was uncovered she might be fined four hundred zuzim for this offense.” Dr. Brayer also explains that veil of the Jewish woman was not always considered a sign of modesty. Sometimes, the veil symbolized a state of distinction and luxury rather than modesty. The veil personified the dignity and superiority of noble women. It also represented a woman’s inaccessibility as a sanctified possession of her husband. It is clear in the Old Testament that uncovering a woman’s head was a great disgrace and that’s why the priest had to uncover the suspected adulteress in her trial by ordeal (Numbers 5:16-18).
The veil signified a woman’s self-respect and social status. Women of lower classes would often wear the veil to give the impression of a higher standing. The fact that the veil was the sign of nobility was the reason why prostitutes were not permitted to cover their hair in the old Jewish society. However, prostitutes often wore a special headscarf in order to look respectable. Jewish women in Europe continued to wear veils until the nineteenth century when their lives became more intermingled with the surrounding secular culture. The external pressures of the European life in the nineteenth century forced many of them to go out bare-headed. Some Jewish women found it more convenient to replace their traditional veil with a wig as another form of hair covering. Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue. Some of them, such as the Hasidic sects, still use the wig.
What about the Christian tradition? It is well known that Catholic Nuns have been covering their heads for hundreds of years, but that is not all. St. Paul in the New Testament made some very interesting statements about the veil:
“Now 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. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head” (I Corinthians 11:3-10).
St. Paul’s rationale for veiling women is that the veil represents a sign of the authority of the man, who is the image and glory of God, over the woman who was created from and for man.
St. Tertullian in his famous treatise ‘On The Veiling Of Virgins’ wrote, “Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church, you wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers…”
Among the Canon laws of the Catholic church today, there is a law that require women to cover their heads in church. Some Christian denominations, such as the Amish and the Mennonites for example, keep their women veiled to the present day. The reason for the veil, as offered by their Church leaders, is “The head covering is a symbol of woman’s subjection to the man and to God” : The same logic introduced by St. Paul in the New Testament.
From all the above evidence, it is obvious that Islam didn’t invent the head cover, but Islam endorsed it. The Quran urges the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty and then urges the believing women to extend their head covers to cover the neck and the bosom “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty……And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms….” (24:30,31).
The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear:
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested” (33:59).
This is the whole point, modesty is prescribed to protect women from molestation or simply, modesty is protection.
Thus, the only purpose of the veil in Islam is protection. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil of the Christian tradition, is not a sign of man’s authority over woman nor is it a sign of woman’s subjection to man. The Islamic veil, unlike the veil in the Jewish tradition, is not a sign of luxury and distinction of some noble married women. The Islamic veil is only a sign of modesty with the sole purpose of protecting women, all women. The Islamic philosophy is that it is always better safe than sorry.
In fact, the Quran is so concerned with protecting women’s bodies and women’s reputation that a man who dares to falsely accuse a woman of unchastity will be severely punished, “And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations)- Flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors”(24:4).
Compare this strict Quranic attitude with the extremely lax punishment for rape in the Bible
“If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives” (Deut. 22:28-30).
One must ask a simple question here, who is really punished? The man who only paid a fine for rape, or the girl who is forced to marry the man who raped her and live with him until he dies? Another question that also should be asked is this: which is more protective of women, the Quranic strict attitude or the Biblical lax attitude?
Some people, especially in the West, would tend to ridicule the whole argument of modesty for protection. Their argument is that the best protection is the spread of education, civilised behaviour, and self restraint. We would say: Fine but not enough.
- If ‘civilization’ is enough protection, then why is it that women in North America, dare not walk alone in a dark street - or even across an empty parking lot?
- If Education is the solution, then why is it that a respected university like University of Essex has a ‘walk home service’ for female students on campus?
- If self restraint is the answer, then why are cases of sexual harassment in the workplace on the news media every day?
A sample of those accused of sexual harassment, in the last few years, includes: Navy officers, Managers, University professors, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and the President of the United States!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the following statistics, written in a pamphlet issued by the Dean of Women’s office at Queen’s University:
Something is fundamentally wrong in this society. A radical change in the society’s life style and culture is absolutely necessary. A culture of modesty is badly needed, modesty in dress, in speech, and in manners of both men and women. Otherwise, the grim statistics will grow even worse day after day and, unfortunately, women alone will be paying the price. Therefore, a society like France which expels young women from schools because of their modest dress is, in the end, simply harming itself.
It is one of the great ironies of our world today that the very same headscarf revered as a sign of ‘holiness’ when worn for the purpose of showing the authority of man by Catholic Nuns, is reviled as a sign of ‘oppression’ when worn for the purpose of protection by Muslim women. (Friday khutbah by Sherif Muhammad. Kingston, February, 1995)
The orthodox Muslim woman does not perceive the veil as inhibiting or oppresive. On the contrary. The veil guarantees her the full respect of the surroundings, and thus must be considered a privilege rather than a burden.
The dignity of the wife or the daughters, or the dignity of any Muslim woman, for that matter, must be respected and protected. The western entertain the erroneous notion that the veil represents a compulsion from the husband and the religion. But women wearing veils, on the other hand, normally radiate devotion towards their religion. They have chosen the veil as a clear demonstration of their Muslim identity.
Forcing anyone to do something against their own will is against Islam. There is no demand of compulsion in the Koran. On the other hand, every human being should see it as a religious duty to act out of a clean heart.
Of course there may be families where the woman is forced, for instance to stay at home. But that does not imply that doing so is Islam.
Last but not least, across the Muslim world, from high-end fashion stores in Dubai to more economic ones in working-class Cairo, women shop for a range of Islamic garb from stark black abayas in feather-light chiffon or heavy cotton, to exquisitely embroidered gallabeyas - or long flowing gowns - and ornately beaded and sequined hijabs.
The diversity ranges from the gallabeyas and abayas with scarves of the Arab world to the chador or manteau (coat) and russari (scarf) of the Persian world to the chuni or wispy fabric accompanying the shalwar kameez in the Indian subcontinent to an assortment of veils and burqas worn in Muslim Southeast Asia and Africa.
They all fall under the rubric of the hijab, a term loosely, if not always accurately, employed to denote loose clothing topped by a headscarf.
But within Islam, the issue of veiling is a subject for considerable debate. Some Islamic experts say the text is open to interpretations, which has accounted for the diversity of veiling traditions across the Islamic world.
“Although the Koran does call upon women to cover their heads, the measures change from tradition to tradition. The burqa in particular, is part of local traditions in different parts of the world. While the Koran does not obliterate the need for hijab, Muslim women have a choice based on their circumstances. But Koranic injunctions definitely call for modesty in dressing.”
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154 Comments on “Hijab: a Must, OR a Choice?”
Haitham, that is indeed a great post. I agree with you on a lot of the arguments you made, save for the comparision of societies in regards to sexual assault.
I don’t believe that Arab men are any better, especially those opressed by religious figures such as in Saudi Arabia. I lived there my entire life as you know, and the viel there is so misused/misunderstood that women do not dare to step outside the house.
I know many girls personally and have heard of so many stories about rape, sexual assault, and misconduct that the statistics of Canada shy away in comparision.
I know that this is not to be generalized, for as everyone knows, the Levantine countries are very safe for women.
Thanks for the great post Haitham!
What a concidence, I was thinking of writing about Hijab in the Arab Muslim countries. Wearing a veil is choosing to obey Allah-swt-, I believe its about choosing the right path.
Roba, I agree with you regarding Saudi. As I said, it’s a matter of tradition and culture from a place to another.
On the other hand, regarding the statistics, the argument here is, “if the best protection is by spreading of education, civilized behavior, and self restraint as the west says.” Then why it is not working in the west? Clearly that is not enough protection.
SC, the more the better. Please if you have more, or you can shed more light on any part, please do so and “ping” this post
Thanks for the great Post… I always find myself defending Isalm.. and now you clearly have given me evidence and arguments that hat Hijab exists in other religions as well, not only Islam… However, I am not very sure how i feel about Hijab to be honest.
1-It fascinates me that the Quran left this specific issue among others for contravecy.. I mean Allah SWT Can say directly cover your hair and that would make it definitive, but He chose not to say this and leave it open for Muslim interpretations… I mean in the Ayat that you indicated, it states clearly to cover the bossom, but there is not one Ayat in the whole Quran that says cover your hair. The only women who were directly ordered to cover are the women of Alrasoul SA3WS so people know who they are… God could very easily have said All muslim woman cover your hair.. but He chose not to.
2- I agree with you on the topic that islam Endorsed Hijab and did not invent it… but we have to remember something very important, in our culture men also cover their hair with “7ata” or “Kufieh”, or “Shmagh” and as you said this gives an indication of nobility. This is because of the hot weather in our area…and although the Quraan did not say cover your hair for men or women, our traditions indicated this and it became a symbol of Islam… actually historical evidence says that Hijab was imposed on women in Omar bin il Khatab time, and in Christianity by Saint Paul. Please correct me if I am wrong.
3- I also agree Hijab became a symbol of islam, and many women around the world wear the hijab as defiance to the hypocracy of the world or defiance to their position in their countries of immigration… such as Turks in Germany or North Africans in France rather than to comply to the rules of Isalm… Many of the turks i have met would be wearing so much make up and very sexy clothing but still cover their heads, the same i have seen in my university in Jordan, and i saw it very exagerated in Saudi! and the same all over the world. Obviously i am not to generalize, but this attitude makes me a bit afraid that even us muslims use Islam for different reasons and not always the right reasons….
I agree with some of your statements and this is indeed a great post, however I must refute Madas last statement. True wearing the Hijab is a choice and that choice belongs to each individual who bears that right. Whether she decides to wear makeup or what others may find as seductive clothing along with it, is not for other individuals to judge. Regardless of our fears. We as human beings are to take responsibility for ourselves, each doing as best we can with our level of consciousness. We should be mindful of others and their choices even if we do not agree. With that said I also believe that throughout time the Hijab has and will continue to take on many roles and many faces. Whether it is in the fashion sense or with various religious interpretations. I think that is the natural law of things. They evolve and change with time as well as with and without scrutiny. There is no doubt the history behind wearing the veil exists but where it will be in the future has yet to come.
Madas, I’ve been thinking about that Aya myself but tell you what, forget about the so called controversary and forget also about the Ijma3 of Muslim schoolars on that women should cover their hair, everytime I think about it I reach to the same conclusion, common sense says we need hijab don’t you think?
I just finished reading a book titled “Conference of the Books: the Search for Beauty in Islam”, its not about hijab, but it has some relevant information, I think its worth the read, if not for the content in it, for improving our english language.
I don’t think hijab is a must or God’s orders. Modesty is, hijab is not. Why? I think you have to do the research on your own! I will be happy providing some insights.
Regards,
Maraya
Just came accross your blog and I think its very good, keep up the good work.
Great post Haitham. Lots or work put together for that one. It is interesting that the hijab is one of the things in Islam that really is left up to the woman 100%. There is no punishment in The Qur’an or hadith listed for women who do not wear it.
My wife does not wear the hijab, although she knews she should. When she lived in Saudi she wore the niqab because if she didnt she would be harassed by the men or the mutawa. Interesting to note that the religious police were just as likely to give you their phone number than punish you for not covering right. Not very religious at all.
Islam is all about intention. If women are forced to cover and do not do so of their own choice, they get no reward for doing so. Look at Saudi Arabia. They are forced to cover, yet the seond they leave Saudi airspace on the plane they loose the niqab and emerge in the latest fashionable miniskirt or skin tight dress.
abusinan.blogspot.com
SC, can you please explain the common sense? Just out of curiousity…
SC, I have thought a lot about this topic for years actually, I am a very modest person naturally in the way I dress,I am not comfortable otherwise, maybe it is because of growing up in the middle east, where we have no choice BUT to be modest. My idea of wearing the hijab is to divert attention, but this differs from one culture to other. Wearing the hijab in one culture makes people look at you with respect, so they won’t look at you, and in other cultures makes people look at you with fascination, or surprise, or whatever…which causes people to stare at you.. I remember once in a city in Europe.. there was one lady who was wearing the hijab, and every single person in that city knew who she is and where she lives, and everything about her… and it made me feel trully sad.
SC, I have thought a lot about this topic for years actually, I am a very modest person naturally in the way I dress,I am not comfortable otherwise, maybe it is because of growing up in the middle east, where we have no choice BUT to be modest. My idea of wearing the hijab is to divert attention, but this differs from one culture to other. Wearing the hijab in one culture makes people look at you with respect, so they won’t look at you, and in other cultures makes people look at you with fascination, or surprise, or whatever…which causes people to stare at you.. I remember once in a city in Europe.. there was one lady who was wearing the hijab, and every single person in that city knew who she is and where she lives, and everything about her… and it made me feel trully sad. Anyway, this is a matter of belief, and each person is responsible for their own beliefs.
I think it is important to note that not everyone who wears hijab is modest. We have seen women here wearing hijab and skin tight jeans, or hijab with cleavage showing. We were at a halal shop here once and saw a beautiful woman, Khaleji, wearing a very colourful hijab/abaya, her face very made up, and perfume that could have been smelled in the business next door.
Of course you then have what I call the hijab “nuss-nuss”(half and half) because it is hijab, and it isnt. The hair is sticking out of the back, out of the front, ears with earrings are showing. Often this is a person wearing the hijab more out of culture than religion.
None of the above is modest and none of it, I would think, conforms with Islamic teachings. My wife, who doesnt wear hijab, is much more modest in her manner of dress than many women who wear hijab.
Haitham, wonderful wonderful post, thanks a lot. I’ll cross-post it coz it’s worth the read and it’s exactly what many were asking about and I used to reply to each one on their own blog, but this is way much better
A quick reply to our friends’ comments up there:
Roba: the misapplication of people results in forming some kind of tradition that complicates our lifestyle, and this is what gives Islam and its rules a bad name. Islam is against force & complications, it is meant to make life easier and simpler (deen yosr) not (deen 3osr).
Mariam: many things were provided clearly in Quran but were not stated as orders because Islam is a religion that provokes thinking and choosing taking the difference in time and surrounding. Concerning Hijab, the following ayah clearly states that a woman must wear a hijab:, “….and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…” (Qur’an 24:30-31)
Which means: the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom. In other words Hijab is not a choice but a must, yet what’s left to be a choice is the style of hijab. There is no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing to wear, as long as it meets the following requirements: covering everything but the face and hands; looseness; thickness (not to show the body); not flashy; modesty; and be feminine.
If the hijab doesn’t meet all these requirements it is no hijab no matter what, which brings me to the comment of Abu Sinan as well, the application of some girls doesn’t mean this is hijab. Hijab must meet all requirements.
As for SC, I totally agree with her, although I -unfortunately- do not have the courage and strength to take the step of wearing hijab, but I hope I will soon, and I’m pro hijab with all my heart.
In our time men are on the hunt for girls, mostly judging by looks, who’s hot, who’s sexy…etc, and women are on the hunt for men, both driven by desire, and both being slaves for how they look to satisfy others. Even when a woman says: I want to look good for myself, she’s lying, she does it to impress, and by impressing she feels good about herself.
Hijab doesn’t forbid pleasure, but it offers pleasure in the right relationship and right track. Hijab doesn’t make women weaker but stronger and forces others to look at her inside and respect her mind. No matter how hard people try to prove that a woman can make men listen to her without focusing on her looks, don’t believe them .
There’s nothing better than a clean society with the right kind of freedom that offers respect to each member.
Interesting discussion!
madas said: I mean in the Ayat that you indicated, it states clearly to cover the bossom, but there is not one Ayat in the whole Quran that says cover your hair.
I agree. But lets read this Aya again:
“…that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…”
Now, it looks we all concentrated on the “veils over their bosoms” part, but we missed one part before, which is “that they should not display their beauty”, and we missed one part after, which is “and not display their beauty.” See the original text in Arabic (I’ve added it above).
Now, my question (and I’m not trying to draw anyone to a conclusion), should the hair be considered as part of the woman’s beauty? If Yes, then it should be covered. If not, then it’s not necessary to cover the it. Don’t you agree?
The same goes to all other parts of the body! We should ask, does it reveal some part of the woman beauty? If yes, cover it. If No, don’t cover it.
Do I sound like a sheikh today
The only reason the bossom was specifically mention is that in the Middle East at the time of the revelation there was a custom of keeping the breasts bear. Those specific words were meant to address that reality.
As to the hair, as a man I will tell you that a woman’s hair is one of the most attractive things about her.
I thought so too
Exactly my point… it is a personal matter of taste and interpretation, you consider woman’s hair is the most beautiful feature in her, i consider her face is… other people my consider other parts of her body… God left this for us to decide on and gave us the choice, and each person choses what is good for them. I dont want to go into this contraversial discussion, because eventually people do not change their beliefs so easily… I believe in one thing though, Quran is good for all times and all people… and for it to be good for all people, people have to be comfortabe with their own faith and their own way of worshiping God. because no matter what, no matter how good people know you… only God knows why people make their specific choices. and as it is said “kul wa7ad 3ala Dinoh Allah yi3eenoh” with this thought I leave you with God.
madas, I agree with the part of choice, but don’t agree with part where you say “you consider woman’s hair is the most beautiful feature in her.”
I see this part as a matter of controversial discussion because of the fact that the Aya is saying “zenatahuna” (which is translated as beauty).
Now, there is two parts:
1. “should not display their beauty.” Every part of the human body is a beauty by itself. If it was not taken care of, that’s an exception, not the rule. Therefore, it means that God is asking woman to cover their beauty, regardless.
2. “except what ordinarily appear thereof.” The face, unless a woman choice to cover it (Niqap). But “ordinarily” in the Arabic version means what is usually appearing, which I understand as what is usually needed to “appear” like the face, but not the hair.
So, “beauty” in the Aya is not a personal matter of taste and interpretation anymore.
I hope I cleared my point?
BTW, I’m not trying to change anyone’s beliefs. Just trying to understand the two sides of the story!
PS. For the one who asked me by email if my wife wears Hijab, Yes she does. No I didn’t force her, she was like that even before we got married. She told me that that was her choice, and I respect that. On the other hand, she is a better Muslim than me, if you know what I mean
why the hijab
http://research.umbc.edu/eol/MA/index/number3/nieuwkerk/karin_4.htm
Classic Islam defines the wifely duties in terms of women’s obligation to provide sex over and above their obligation to reproduce and mother (2). Women cannot refuse to perform the conjugal duty (Naamane-Guessous 1990: 194) (3). They should fulfill this duty so as to prevent men from committing illicit intercourse. Yet, this also protects themselves against their husbands marrying a second wife. Only women who know how to please their husbands are capable of assuring their attention and support.
The powerlessness of women can potentially be inverted if they manage to seduce and ensnare men. Orthodox scholars acknowledge this danger and since men are primarily created to worship God, they warn against female seduction and particularly against attachment to women. God requires the believer’s total love and all of his capacity for emotional attachment: “Emotional attachment divides man’s heart, and Allah hath not created man with two hearts within his body” (Quran Surah II: 165).
Mernissi argues that implicitly in the religious discourse women are feared for their disruptive potentials. Women are capable of creating fitna (4) chaos provoked by sexual disorder (Mernissi 1975: 4). According to the implicit religious discourse, both sexes have an active sexual nature and female desires should be gratified as well. If women are not sexually satisfied they create fitna by enticing other men than their husbands. Hence: “The virtue of the woman is a man’s duty. And the man should increase or decrease sexual intercourse with the woman according to her needs so as to secure her virtue” (al-Ghazali in Mernissi 1975).
The need to satisfy the female desire and the difficulties men have in fulfilling this duty is the topic of the erotic discourse (Sabbah 1984). The erotic discourse is an extension of the implicit theory and deals with female desireas mirrored in men’s thought. It is an attempt by religious scholars to counsel the believer in the righteous conduct towards sexual desire. The orthodox discourse mainly focusses on the strong male desire, the implicit theory recognizes the active sexuality of both sexes, and the erotic discourse is chiefly centered on the aggressive nature of female passion. Female desire is active in the implicit theory, but it becomes aggressive and threatening in the erotic discourse. In the erotic discourse there is thus a reversal of roles. Men are impotent and weak whereas women’s passion is insatiable. They resort to cunning, qaid, in order to reach their sexual gratification. Yet, despite the difference between these constructions of gender and sexuality, it is striking that they converge in their definition of women as primarily sexual beings. The female body is highly sexualised. Whether the female body should be confined and covered, or unleashes its aggressive sexuality, in both cases the sexual aspect of the female body is cardinal (5). Women cannot refuse to perform the conjugal duty (Naamane-Guessous 1990: 194) Whether women passively try to keep their legal husband’s attention through being desirable or actively seduce other men, in both cases their sexual dimension is central. In both discourses the female body is reduced to the sexual aspects.
………….
its actually a very perverted view of women, seen a moving vagina
Yep getting really interesting, well again I guess no one got my point, in the ayah, the word “khomorehenna” , i.e. veils, and veil is what is worn to cover the head including the hair, in some cases even the face, but since there came a hadith showing that the face should not be covered, we know the veil in the ayah basically stands for the head & hair & bosom. Let’s remember that language plays a big role in Quran, and the vocabulary used is a part of the meaning.
You know the problem is the fact that many go for an interpretation that suits their own interest and liking, I don’t mean people here in this discussion but in real life, I used to do that too, but whoever wants to really see the real meaning of the ayah will have no problem understanding it.
Aysha, I agree that women could be a source of sexual chaos in certain situations, but Islam stressed the fact that men are an equal source of chaos just like men, and that’s why both have to follow certain rules in their lifestyle and the way they’re dressed.
Again, Hijab is for both men and women, both have their own rules to follow, both are told to follow these rules to guarantee protection for both in the first place and for society as well. It’s not meant to be a restriction, nor a complication, but a means of having comfort and protection, reflecting modesty and cleanliness. This is what hijab (for both men and women) is all about.
And hey Haitham, you’re not sounding like a sheikh, being close to your religion, whatever it was, knowing it well, and sticking to it is one of the most wonderful and impressive things in life
Roba, anything in a woman will drive men crazy especially hair. We’re no angels, men are no angels. Even if we’re going to ignore what Islam has said about the relationship between men and women in which a woman’s voice might drive men crazy and move their desires, by looking at things around me I can see how everything else didn’t work! man’s rules on earth did not prevent adultery and rape, men (and also women to be fair) are turning into sex addicts, not to mention sexually frustrated individuals. You might say well who said those who wear hijab are protected? and I have to agree with you they are not fully protected due to the environment we live in, in which not all women wear decent clothes to start with, early marriage is not possible, sex appeals are everywhere…etc
But in the end, we’re held responsible for what we do individually, you cover your hair and wear proper clothes, talk in low some-what firm tone so that you’ll be doing your best.
Eman, I loved what you said about distraction and not to focus on looks and appearance. This is one good reason why I think women need to wear hijab. Don’t we women say we want men to look at our minds first?
Added a poll at the end of the post. The objective is not to reach a conclusion or changes someone’s belief as said before, but just to see what does the majority thinks?
Update: Poll closed. Results end of post…
Excellent article Haithem. I think the Quraan verse is very clear specially “…so that they should be known and not molested”(33:59) it answer what kind of hijab is good for women.
There is many hadith from Sunnah too like :
It was narrated from Ayshah Umm Al-momeneen that Asmaa, the dauther of Abi-Bakr Al-seddeeq appeared to the prophet Muhammed PBUH, wearing a thin cloth, he declined to see her (moved his head), and said ” O Asmaa, when the woman reached the menstruation age, it is not accepted to see something of her, except this and this ” .. and He indicated to his face and hand , recorded by Abu-dawod, in Nail Al-awatar (98/6 Al-bany Al-Halaby)..
There is another one maybe someone can help me to remember it, talking about Ayshah Umm Al-momeneen doing hajj with the prophet (PBUH) and she said that when a non-mohrem come near them she cover her face.
I think the origin of many idiologies that refuse Veil (Hijab) came from wrong beliefs that began with pictures showing Adam and Eve nude (just image google for Adam and Eve)! While Quraan explained that they were not :
(Surah Ta-Ha - verse 121)”Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their covering…”
hijab, from the Islamic view, has no negative effects at all against the freedom of woman nor her general movement no in her participation in progress and making life around her active. It gives woman her personality and raises her position in society.
People deal with a modest woman, dressed in Islamic hijab from the point of view that she is a human being. For a woman without hijab, people generally deal with her from the point of view that she is a human being but through her femininity and through what she stirs up in men by her exposed body. Therefore, Islamic hijab will remain a weapon against affliction, distress, fluidity and abuse.
Haitham Its better if you added in the poll “Hijab for muslim woman is …”
Since generally its always a choice between heaven and hell (we can’t say MUST for a non muslim).
I’d like to add a bit of context from the Christian scriptures, if you don’t mind. These verses are instruction for proper worship in a church setting, not life in general. The verses from 1 Cor. continue “Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?…if a woman has long hair it is a glory to her, FOR HER HAIR IS GIVEN TO HER AS A COVERING. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.” Just a point.
It may seem that the OT biblical take on the rape of a virgin is lax, but the rape of a married woman (or betrothed woman who called for help) was always punishable with death. If a virgin girl was foolish enough to go where she was unprotected - knowing the consequences - marrying her abuser could keep her from the more severe consequences of foolishness. Sounds like the root of honor killing was in Judaism.
St. Paul instructs women’s character not to be known by adornment, but by good works. IMHO women of East and West have gone way beyond what should be acceptable public outer wear. We have an obligation to dress in way that doesn’t make men think “sex” but so all can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in women without having to possess her sexually. But it doesn’t mean we have to wear a hijab. I think the hijab actually stimulates men to wonder what is underneath, especially, as some have mentioned, when hair is teasingly left out, perfume is choking others, and make-up is extreme. Modesty (and seductiveness) is an attitude more than clothing.
Remember in the stats you quoted that “rape” in the West isn’t defined by bodice-ripping violence. It can cover semi-consensual sex that a girl doesn’t really want but can’t be bothered to stop the guy. Just having a person make sexual comments can be defined as “abuse”. There are different boundries in the West. I feel much more “abused” here than in the West. The staring, the rude comments, the groping, (I’ve even had guys run up and take my picture, what is that???) even if I cover my hair and wear a hijab (I have tried it, even tho a Christian - it attracts MORE attention). I can’t wear anything on my face but a frown for fear of appearing inviting.
I’d say you men have an obligation to stop sexualizing women who aren’t your wives as much as women do to dress against the cultural norm of today. Jesus Christ said that to lust after a woman in your heart makes you just as guilty of adultery as the act. Maybe a topic for another day.
Thanks Haitham for your interesting posts. This is just another good example.
I have to admit I didn’t place my vote, because I don’t think of it as a “Must” nor a “Choice”, I would rather say it is an “Attitude” or more of a “Lifestyle”.
Wearing the veil itself, is just a phase that each one is expected to reach at a different stage in his/her life.
Hijab should start from the inside, and it would then reflect on the outside gradually, until the person reaches the stage where he/she would want to wear more modest clothes.
Faith should start from the inside and then reflect on the outside.
If you do it the other way round, you are most likely to offend your religion by giving a bad image of it.
kinzi,
Thank for the comment. One quick note though. I wonder which Bible version you are reading from. You mentioned the verse that asks the question “…Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?” but you didn’t continue the next verses that answers that question. Anyway, let’s read three different version of the bible and pay a close look at the context of each (source of Bible(s) from http://www.bibleontheweb.com/):
King James Ver reads:
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 17
King James Revised Std. Ver reads:
For 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 was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) 10 That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels. 11 (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.) 13 Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God. 17
Darby Ver. reads:
For man indeed ought not to have his head covered, being God’s image and glory; but woman is man’s glory. 8 For man is not of woman, but woman of man. 9 For also man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man. 10 Therefore ought the woman to have authority on her head, on account of the angels. 11 However, neither [is] woman without man, nor man without woman, in [the] Lord. 12 For as the woman [is] of the man, so also [is] the man by the woman, but all things of God. 13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman should pray to God uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you, that man, if he have long hair, it is a dishonour to him? 15 But woman, if she have long hair, [it is] glory to her; for the long hair is given [to her] in lieu of a veil. 16 But if any one think to be contentious, *we* have no such custom, nor the assemblies of God. 17
Reading these verses very closely, it compares the hair with the veil, not as a replacement of the veil. As it say’s, it is shame on man to cover his head (in case he has a long hair), but not for a woman. Her hair is a pride that covers her head, just like the veil that covers the woman head.
…will add my comments to the other parts later today!
I loved the debate about hijab and the many opinions that were expressed with respect to those who disagreed. I am writing my master’s thesis about the symbolism attached to hijab in Morocco and Algeria, post-independence. I agree that there are religious roots to hijab, and that its actual physical manifestation tends to vary considerably based on culture. I also agree that the symbol is not always indicative of the religous significance as in the case of those who wear hijab, but do not dress modestly otherwise. Or those who wear hijab but may not necessarily be chaste. Lots of interesting things to think about! thanks!
Well, Haithim, good for you! I read New King James, a little easier to get around the English. I left those verses out as my kids were clammering for lunch and my point was made in the first and last - that the whole topic was for church, not life. I’ll get out my commentary and start looking more closely; it has been a controversial topic. (BTW, I always write with a positive attitude, so don’t read what I write with sarcasm or anger colored in. Also, I’m on a plane in a acouple hours, so it’ll be a couple days before I can respond to what you write. Blessings!)
Thank you kinzi.
There is not sarcasm or anger here. It is pleasure to discuss such topics with open mind.
Have a safe trip!
I think your article is very written. One notice: please we do not say Koran says. Allah says.
Quran does not speak. Quran is Kalamo Allah.
Anyway. Your article is very nice.
This is a wonderful, wonderful post mashallah. I loved reading every bit of it and I agree with everything you said 100%..keep writing like this, the world needs more posts like this one! Thanks again…
Hi
Was just wondering y the old lady has to wear hijab if it is a sexual thing.The baldness,grey & falling hair still attractive.The sagging bosoms & the wrinkled face still attractive to seduce a man.Well out of habit I suppose.Old habits die very hard.She too runs to the back door to hide from the stranger & shouts at stranger males who stares at her.
Actually, older ladies are not required to wear hijab. Most do so out of habit.
Sorry! What did you say Abu Sinan? Where did you bring that statement from? I’ve never heard of such thing!