Submitters’ Dress

(Part 1)

O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness… [7:26]

The majority of the so-called Muslim countries use the Arabic word “Hijab” for “Muslim” dress, and it has come to mean that women must cover everything except their eyes. This is exemplified in Afghanistan now, or more moderately, in Iran and some other “Muslim” countries where the women cover all of their bodies except face and hands. But the word “Hijab” has nothing to do with Muslim dress. As we will see, “Hijab” in the Quran means a combination of physical and spiritual barriers. In some “Muslim” countries, a woman’s space is also decreed by using the word hijab. She is

asked to stay home and not leave the house. All the above restrictions have come about because of the misunderstanding of the verse 33:53 where the Almighty says to speak to the prophet’s wives from behind a barrier (hijab). Let us go to the source.

What is Hijab?

The word hijab has been used in the Quran six times:

1. The dwellers of paradise will call the dwellers of hell: “we have found our Lord’s promise to be the truth, have you found your Lord’s

promise to be the truth?” They will say, “yes.” An announcer between them will announce, “God’s condemnation has befallen the transgressors; ...who repel from the path of God and strive to make it crooked, and with regard to the hereafter, they are disbelievers.” ...A barrier (hijab) separates them, while the purgatory is occupied by people who recognize each side by their looks, They will call the dwellers of paradise, “peace be upon you.” They

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