15 Apr
Table of Contents
The debate around “Is hijab mandatory in Islam?” generally arises as a result of misunderstandings over its religious source and actual interpretation. While some may view it as merely a cultural practice, hijab is actually a religious command, clearly defined in both the Quran and Sunnah. For Muslim women, hijab is more than a sign of modesty; it’s a vow of dignity, respect, and a representation of their faith. IIt’s a firm reminder of their belonging to Islamic virtues, offering a way to protect their inner and outer modesty.The hijab mandate addresses a greater religious tradition outside the actual act itself that fosters empowerment and self-respect.
What is hijab?
In its most usual sense, hijab refers to the headscarf that Muslim women wear as an expression of modesty and observance of Islamic values. lingusitically, hijab (حجاب) is the Arabic root “h-j-b” which signifies a barrier or partition. The hijab is also employed in the Quran to refer to physical partitions such as the partition between Paradise and Hellfire (Surah Al-A’raf). This highlights its deeper significance as a shield.
Dr. Zuleyha Keskin- an associate professor at the Centre for Islamic Studies-, states hijab is not merely a physical fabric but a physical and spiritual “veil of protection” that assists an individual to guard their spiritual connection with Allah. While the hijab is often thought of as a headcover, the hijab also represents modest behavior, moral values, and mannerisms. However, in this context, hijab refers specifically to the headcover, symbolizing modesty and devotion to Islamic teachings.
The purpose behind wearing Hijab
In Islam, the purpose of wearing hijab is to maintain modesty, a fundamental principle outlined in the Quran and supported by Islamic law. Hijab for women is not just about covering the hair; it’s about embodying dignity, respect, and self-control in both appearance and behavior.
Women should dress modestly and cover their bodies as a mark of dignity. The Quran directs women to protect their modesty and thus cover their body and in many interpretations their hair. By covering their bodies and hair, women honor their dignity as women and deter others from focusing on their physical form rather than their character.
Obligation or culture: Is hijab mandatory in Islam?
The debate surrounding hijab as a cultural tradition or a religious requirement in Islam has received a considerable amount of attention. Nevertheless, there is widespread scholarly consensus among Muslim scholars of all schools of thought, that hijab is an obligation for Muslim women for religious purposes, and it is certainly not simply a matter of cultural tradition.
- Islamic scholars, both classical and contemporary, agree that wearing hijab is an obligatory act for Muslim women, as prescribed in the Quran and Hadith.
- The Quran has given clear instructions about modesty and body covering. There are verses like Surah An-Nur (24:31) and Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59) which clearly mention the requirement of covering the head and body.
- Most of the sayings (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also verify this requirement, emphasizing modesty and the hijab.
Hijab in the prophet’s time
During the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), hijab was perceived and practised as an essential component of modesty, as can be seen in the Quran and the Sunnah. Aisha (RA) narrated that when the Quranic verse commanding the covering for women was revealed, the women of the Ansar immediately responded to it by covering themselves fully, indicating how promptly they complied with the command. This reaction was not just cultural, but a straight application of the Prophet’s teachings. The Prophet (PBUH) ordained the veiling of women, not as a limitation, but to provide women the authority to participate in society with their respect preserved. This practice of the Prophet and his Companions establishes hijab as a religious obligation, deeply ingrained in Islamic law, and not as a cultural practice.
Is hijab mandatory in Islam Quran: Quran evidences
1- Quran evidences:
- In Surah Al-Ahzab, it says, “O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments (jalabib) over themselves. So they may be recognized and shall not be dealt with unjustly. And know that Allah is always Forgiving and Merciful.”
This verse makes it pretty clear that women are supposed to use their jalabib (outer garments) to cover up, as a way to maintain their dignity and stay safe from harm. The command is not optional but a directive meant to preserve modesty and ensure safety in society.
- In Surah An-Nur: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment (zīnah) except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap their headcovers (khumurihinna) over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons,…”
This verse is a direct command for women to cover their adornments (physical beauty), and specifically their chests with khumur (headscarves). It states that the only exceptions for exposure are the face and hands for normal daily activities, thus limiting ambiguity regarding the obligation of modesty.
2- Evidences from sunnah hadith
- Hadith from Sahih Bukhari (Book 72, Hadith 823):
“The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘When a woman reaches the age of menstruation, nothing should be seen of her except this and this,’ and he pointed to his face and hands.”
This hadith states that covering is compulsory practice, apart from the face and hands, affirming the religious obligation of women to cover their bodies.”
- Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawood (Book 32, Hadith 4099):
“A woman came to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wearing thin clothes, and the Prophet (PBUH) turned away from her and said, ‘O Asma, when a woman reaches puberty, nothing should be seen of her except her face and hands.'”
This hadith directly supports the Quranic and Islamic teaching that women must cover themselves and that their body should be modestly covered.
Addressing doubts about the obligation of hijab
A minority believe that the Quran does not explicitly tell women to wear hijab and that the verses on modesty do not explicitly mention covering the head. However, while the Quran is the primary source of Islamic law, its verses are usually open to interpretation for practical purposes. For example, in Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah commands believers to wash certain parts of their bodies in the case of prayer, but the manner to do so is not clearly stated, and the Sunnah and scholarly interpretation come in to clarify.
Similarly, while the Quranic teachings on modesty are clear-cut, to make the particular requirement, the scholars use the Sunnah and interpretational tools, which confirm that the covering of the head and body is obligatory. Thus, the claim that hijab is not explicitly required is addressed by looking at the broader context of Quranic interpretation, Prophetic practice, and scholarly consensus.
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Conclusion
In summary, by consensus of all the scholars, the answer to the question “Is hijab mandatory in Islam?” is clear: hijab is indeed mandatory. Both the Quran and the Sunnah support modesty, which is fundamental for men and women, with explicit instruction for women to cover their bodies and heads in accordance with Islamic principles. Almost all schools of thought have come to a consensus that it is stated as obligatory or necessary for Muslim women to wear hijab. The practice of wearing hijab is designed to protect women’s dignity, promote respect for them, and create an atmosphere of modesty and safety in society.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can women choose not to wear the hijab?
In Islam, wearing hijab is an obligation for women as prescribed in the Quran and Sunnah. While Islam teaches that there is no compulsion in religion the obligation is clear. Even though individuals have the option not to follow this instruction, not wearing hijab is a sin since it goes against the divine instruction.
- Is it sinful to choose not to wear a hijab in Islam?
Yes, not wearing hijab is considered a sin, as it goes against the divine command in the Quran. However, it is also important to remember that repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah is always encouraged in Islam.
