1. What is the Hijab?
The term "hijab" is derived from Arabic, meaning "veil." It’s often recognized as a "headscarf" or, more broadly, the practice where a Muslim woman covers her hair and body, typically excluding the face and hands. While hijab generally refers to this form of modest dress, the burqa and niqab are distinct styles that extend to cover the entire body, including the face.
2. Why Do Women Wear the Hijab? How is the Hijab Empowering?
For many Muslim women, wearing the hijab fulfills a commandment from Allah, embodying their devotion and faith. To others, it represents an outward expression of their Muslim identity, while for some, it is a conscious rejection of societal standards that objectify and sexualize women. Thus, hijab can be both an act of worship and a source of empowerment.
3. Is the Hijab Only for Women? Do Men Also Practice Modesty in Dress?
The principle of modesty is a universal commandment in Islam, extending to both men and women. While men do not have the same requirements to cover their bodies as women, they are still instructed to dress and behave in a modest and dignified manner, in accordance with Islamic values.
4. Is the Hijab Oppressive?
The portrayal of Muslim women as veiled, secluded, and oppressed has been perpetuated for centuries. This stereotype is not accidental; it evokes strong emotions like pity and outrage, which have historically been used to justify actions such as military intervention, imperialism, and the denial of Muslim communities' rights. Even when Muslim women articulate their choice to wear the hijab, their voices are often disregarded or overshadowed by stereotypical narratives.
While some instances have arisen where hijab has been enforced with coercion, such incidents reflect political and cultural struggles rather than the essence of the hijab itself. Such instances must be condemned as misuses of a religious symbol that, at its core, is about individual choice and devotion.
5. How Can We Overcome the Challenges of Wearing the Hijab?:
There are days when wearing hijab may feel challenging, but remembering the purpose behind it pleasing Allah can bring a unique sense of liberation. Maintaining a strong relationship with Allah and pursuing what pleases Him provides resilience. For those who don’t wear the hijab, supporting Muslim women both publicly and privately is vital, especially in times when they face real challenges.
As Roohi Tahir aptly puts it, “There is no good in the condescending behavior that some may show towards those who do not wear it, nor the outright denial of its place in Islam. It’s a challenge, for some greater than others. But no challenge is without its due reward from the Lord of the Worlds.”
Muslim women have contributed significantly to history while wearing hijab not despite it, but because their Islamic values enabled them to focus on making a difference. From A’ishah (rA), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ in the 7th century, who became a pivotal Islamic scholar, to Fatima Al-Fihri in the 9th century, who established the world’s first university, to the poet and leader Nana Asma’u in the 19th century, Muslim women have exemplified strength, intellect, and leadership that transcends societal expectations.