Women
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These are some of GOD’s signs, that they may
take heed.
This is the basic law regarding garment in the Quran, and the
first law regarding women’s garment in Islam. What we learn
from this verse is that we should pay attention to our inner garment
of righteousness in addition to our outer garment as a righteous.
A woman should have a manner that does not attract the attention
of strangers. This is why God encourages women not to strike their
feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details
of their bodies, or to speak so softly, that “those with disease
in their hearts may get the wrong ideas.”
Therefore, the above verses show that “Islamic garment”
(Hijab) is a set of manners in talking, walking, dressing, and acting
(7:26; 33:59; 24:30-31; 33:32). However, since the true
garment is the inner garment, men are the first to be reminded of
subduing their eyes, and maintaining chastity. Men should first
be educated so that women’s garment will be effective:
[24:30] Tell the believing men that they shall subdue
their eyes (and not stare at the women), and to maintain their chastity.
This is purer for them. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything they
do.
[24:31] And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain
their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies,
except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, and
shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands,
their fathers, the fathers of their husbands,
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their sons, the sons of
their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the
sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees
whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have
not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they
walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies.
All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed.
Therefore, the inner righteousness is just as important as the
outer righteousness. The benefit of having the outer garment of
righteousness is that even strangers will recognize these women
as righteous women. Thus, the Quran enjoins women to dress modestly
and to lengthen their garment. God does not give any further detail
on this, and leaves it up to us.
There are only two verses regarding women’s dress code through
out the Quran. The word “Hijab” is not used in either
of these verses. The word “maghnea” (a scarf that covers
the head) that is found in some translations is not found in the
Arabic text either.
Let us not forget that Islam (Submission) is an easy religion
whose laws are applicable to all time and places. Also the Quran
is a complete, fully detailed scripture, and God has forbidden us
to exaggerate and transgress the limits of our religion. If God
has overlooked some matters (5:110), He did so deliberately, and
not out of unawareness, or forgetfulness.
The understanding of the word “Hijab” is very different
than its Quranic meaning. This word is used in seven verses, none
of which could possibly mean, “to cover the hair or
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the head!” In fact, God has never
used this word for garment.
Different people in different Muslim countries wear Hijab according
to their own tradition and culture, not according to the Quran.
This is why in some countries men have a special garment with their
head covered, and in some countries women cover their head, and
in some countries both men and women cover their head. Furthermore,
in some countries women cover their head, while their face is shown.
In some other countries they cover their face, in addition to their
head so that only their eyes can be seen. And in some other places
they cover their entire face such that even their eyes can’t
be seen. This shows that there is a difference between what is religious,
and what is culturally related.
When we study the Quran carefully and translate the Arabic words
without interpreting them, we find that nowhere in the Quran God
commands women to veil themselves.
Once again, we see that those who believe God’s word in
the Quran, and believe that His word is complete and fully detailed
will have a peace of mind regarding these laws, and live in today’s
society without being worried about veiling themselves or covering
their hair. As for those that God’s word is not enough, and
are seeking for additional sources beside the Quran, they will be
in hardship and they are unaware of the idolatry they are practicing
(18:103-104; 58:18).
Laleh
| "As a face is reflected in water, so the
heart reflects the person." Proverbs 27:19 |
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