HIJAB (The Veil)

There is a big misconception in the minds of many non-muslims that Islam Subjugate women by keeping them behind the veil and we intend to remove this misconception through this note, we believe that after reading this note; your way of looking at this subject will certainly change.

Question:
Why does Islam Subjugate/degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?

Answer:
The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media.
The ‘hijab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the ‘subjugation’ of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning behind the religiously mandated ‘hijab’, let us first study the status of women in
societies before the advent of Islam

1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust
The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of
women in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied
basic human dignity:
a. Babylonian Civilization:
The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian
law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife
was put to death.
b. Greek Civilization:
Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations.
Under this very ‘glorious’ system, women were deprived of all rights and
were looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called
‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of human beings. The Greeks
considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men. Though chastity of
women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks
were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution
became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society.
c. Roman Civilization:
When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its ‘glory’, a man even had the
right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common
amongst the Romans.
d. Egyptian Civilization:
The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign of a devil.
e. Pre-Islamic Arabia:
Before Islam spread in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and
very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive.

2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them
to maintain their status.
Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years
ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.
Hijab for men
People usually only discuss ‘hijab’ in the context of women. However, in the
Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) first mentions ‘hijab’ for men before ‘hijab’ for the
women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Noor:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is
well acquainted with all that they do.”
[Al-Qur’an 24:30]
The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought
comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.
Hijab for women.
The next verse of Surah Noor, says:
“ 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 (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they
should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their
sons...”
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]

3. Six criteria for Hijab.
According to Qur’an and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing
hijab:
1. Extent:
The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is
different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male
is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the
extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face
and the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these
parts of the body. Some scholars of Islam insist that the face and the hands
are part of the obligatory extent of ‘hijab’.
All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women.

2. The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.
3. The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through
them.
4. The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.
5. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.
6. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they
should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the
unbelievers’ religions.

4. Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things
Complete ‘hijab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral
conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only
fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijab’ in a limited sense.
‘Hijab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijab’ of the eyes, ‘hijab’ of the
heart, ‘hijab’ of thought and ‘hijab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.

5. Hijab prevents molestation
The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the
following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women
that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when
abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such)
and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are
recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being
molested.

6. Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down
the street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijab i.e. the complete body is
covered, except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is
wearing western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is
a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he
tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini?
Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini. Such dresses are an
indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur’an
rightly says that hijab prevents women from being molested.

7. Capital punishment for the rapists
Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given
capital punishment. Many are astonished at this ‘harsh’ sentence. Some even
say that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religion! I have asked a simple question to
hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose, God forbid, someone rapes your wife,
your mother or your sister. You are made the judge and the rapist is brought in
front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said they would
put him to death. Some went to the extent of saying they would torture him to
death. To them I ask, if someone rapes your wife or your mother you want to put
him to death. But if the same crime is committed on somebody else’s wife or
daughter you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why should there be double
standards?

8. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women
Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of
exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honour.
Western society claims to have ‘uplifted’ women. On the contrary it has actually
degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies
who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers,
hidden behind the colourful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’.

9. USA has one of the highest rates of rape
United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries
of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the
world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average
1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said
that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The
year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans
got ‘bolder’ in the following years.
Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenever
a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his
mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijab, that is the
complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrist. After
this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such
a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or
will it decrease?

10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes
Naturally as soon as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results will be
inevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of the world, whether it
is America or Europe, society will breathe easier. Hijab does not degrade a
woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.

The Muslim Woman and the Responsibility of Da‘wah

There is no doubt that the woman plays an important role in reforming and directing the society. Hence, Islam stresses the importance of reforming the woman and qualifying her for that great role. It then stirs in her this high spirit that drives her to work as is seen in several texts like the Hadeeth where the Prophet, , said: “Women are peers to men.” In addition to other texts showing that the woman has a role in the society which she must play and be intent on.

Da‘wah (Islamic propagation) is one of the greatest matters that the woman has to consider in this regard, particularly in an age where trials and tribulations have exceeded all boundaries and where many people have turned away from the true religion and been opened to the West with its deviations and corruption in creed, ethics and values. In an interview, Dr. Ibraaheem Muhammad Qaasim, a professor at the Faculties for Girls in Ad-Dammaam, Saudi Arabia, said, The woman plays a great role in Da‘wah, and it is a worthy cause for her to be intent on and concerned with because she is more aware of the psychology of women than men. Hence, she can easily have access to them. Also, her effect is usually more beneficial than that of men if she pursues particular methods that help her in this regard. Added to this, the field of Da‘wah is wide-open for her because of her presence among other females and her direct contact with them undoubtedly facilitates the process of Da‘wah for her and bestows on it a sense of love and sisterhood. Thus, it is necessary for the Muslim woman not to belittle herself or miss such opportunities.


The Muslim Woman and Places of Da‘wah
Women’s gatherings sometimes involve idle talk and gossip, especially in celebrations, weddings and other occasions where many other violations of Sharee‘ah rules are committed. Hence, many women wonder how the female caller can make Da‘wah under such circumstances. Is it better for her to avoid such gatherings or participate in changing such evildoings, spreading religious awareness among the women, advising and directing them? After considering this, it is clear that there are two fundamental reasons that prevent the female callers from attending these gatherings. The first reason is the lack of religious knowledge that helps them confront the evildoings with Sharee‘ah-approved evidences and proofs. The second reason is dispraised bashfulness, fear of confrontation and feelings of inferiority that impede them from fulfilling the duties of enjoining good, forbidding evil and advising others. Perhaps there is a third reason, which is despair and the belief that it is useless to attend such gatherings and that it is impossible to have effect therein. Dr. Ibraaheem Qaasim discussed these questions and reasons saying that the role of the female caller is not exclusive to delivering speeches and forbidding evil on public occasions only. Rather, she can practice Da‘wah with her relatives, friends and neighbors as much as she is able. She should not restrict her address to a particular group, even though relatives have a greater right over her because of the ties of kinship. She should continue making Da‘wah in schools, public events, markets, hospitals and wherever else it is needed. In every case, she should use the method that she deems proper. Moreover, the absence of female callers on such occasions gives the people of fancies and deviations golden opportunities to spread their poison among the heedless and unaware women. The female caller frequently causes such matters to prevail because she refrains from attending these events and from talking, advising and directing those who attend.

In reality, attending such occasions is a great opportunity for the female caller that she should not miss, for it might not be easy for her to meet that number of women gathering in one place, and she might get to know a group of women whom she may not be able to meet or know except on such occasions. Another point is that the majority of this type of women do not attend anything except these kinds of gatherings. They often do not attend meetings of Da‘wah and study and knowledge sessions, and are not eager to. Some of them do not know anything about such sessions. Thus, such occasions are a suitable opportunity to reach the hearts of the women who do not know anything about the meetings of Da‘wah.

It is the duty of the female caller to think of the proper method that should be used for making Da‘wah on such occasions. She should, for instance, use general and appropriate words away from the details that might provoke unnecessary debate. As for the shyness of some women in giving Da‘wah on such occasions, Islam condemns this negative and dispraised shyness that brings no good for the person and may even bring about evil. If the woman realizes the value of the meanings of Islam and its sublime principles that she is conveying, and remembers the great reward that Allaah The Almighty has promised His righteous slaves who call people to worship Him on the Day of Resurrection, this would make her abandon this bashfulness and would drive her to conduct Da‘wah with courage. However, Dr. Ibraaheem warns the Muslim women against attending occasions that involve obvious evildoings, if they know they cannot change them so as not fall into sin and to be a good example for other women.

The Female Caller and the Fundamentals of Da‘wah
When the Muslim woman chooses the way of Da‘wah, she should be acquainted with some general and fundamental basics of it in order to be sure she is conforming to the Sharee‘ah. Dr. Khaalid ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Qurayshi , associate professor at the Faculty of Da‘wah in Al-Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, says,
One of the most important rules of Da‘wah is to give Da‘wah based on the Noble Quran, for Allaah The Almighty supported His Messenger, , with the Quran and ordered him to call with it and rely on it. The Quran is the strongest rope of Allaah and His straight path. Allaah The Almighty made it a source of guidance for people, evidence against them and a reminder for whoever has a heart or whoever listens while he is present in mind. Hence, many Sharee‘ah texts commanded us to give Da‘wah with the Noble Quran. In the Quran, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And this Quran was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches.} [Quran 6:19] Allaah The Almighty tells us that this Quran was revealed for the benefit and interest of people, for it is a warning for the addressees and whomever it reaches until the Day of Resurrection. Mujaahid would thus say, “Wherever the Quran goes, it is a caller and warner.” He would then recite (what means),{I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches.} [Quran 6:19]

Another verse is the one where Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {[This is] a Book revealed to you, [O Muhammad] - so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom - that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers.} [Quran 7:2] This is an address to the Prophet, , to warn the disbelievers and to remind the believers of the Quran because it contains everything that humanity needs, all divine ordinances and every Sharee‘ah objective.

When the caller to Islam undertakes this obligation, meaning, calling people to the Quran by the Quran, there should be no distress, doubt or confusion in his heart, as it is the Book of Allaah The Almighty, which falsehood cannot approach from before or from behind. Therefore, let his breast be expanded and let his heart be assured with it, and let him declare its commands and prohibitions without fearing any criticism or objection.

Dr. Al-Qurayshi explained that giving Da‘wah with the Noble Quran is the criterion with which the righteousness, truthfulness and sound methodology of the caller are recognized. Shaykh Ibn Baadees said, “When you feel confused about the callers who claim to be calling you to Allaah The Almighty, search for the one who calls you to the Quran by the Quran and its likes of the authentic Sunnah, which explains and interprets it, and follow him because he is the person who really follows the Prophet in his Da‘wah and in striving with the Quran, and applies what this noble verses and its likes in the Quran indicate.”

The Sunnah and Religious Knowledge are Two Fundamental Pillars of Da‘wah
Dr. Ibraaheem Qaasim added that the female caller has to acquire religious knowledge, especially that which is related to the Sunnah of the Prophet, . She should focus particularly on the issues and rulings that are related to women. Religious knowledge is a reliable aid in the field of Da‘wah. It gives the caller self-confidence and the ability to connect Da‘wah with the issues of Sharee‘ah in a way that affects the female audience. Additionally, a woman can convey the rulings of Sharee‘ah pertaining to women without embarrassment or bashfulness, unlike men.

Moreover, there would be great goodness if the female caller increased her knowledge by reading the biography of the Prophet, , and the biographies of the righteous predecessors . The Seerah of the Prophet, , and the biographies of the righteous predecessors are no more than a practical application of the teachings of Islam and one can learn certain situations, problems and real matters that he cannot conclude from abstract texts. This should coincide with her continuous reading of the books of Da‘wah and the ideas, ways and methods that they present because this opens for her many fields for Da‘wah. Furthermore, it is necessary for the female caller to be acquainted with the reality of where she lives.