Hijab for safety of women, ensures they’re not harassed

The Hijab is one of the most debated topics in the modern era where the watchwords are liberty, equality, and freedom. To understand the Hijab, it is essential to know the ideology of Islam vis-à-vis women. Unlike what many popular tropes would have one believe, the woman in Islam is considered to be both respected and valuable as the base of family and society. She is important because of her faith, values, knowledge, wisdom, intellect, service, sacrifice, and commitment for her family and society. Her roles as daughter, wife, and mother are vital to a stable and progressive society.

In Islam, women are empowered and have the right to education, economic growth, as well as contribute to socio-political spheres. And here is where the hijab comes into play.

The Hijab is an important part of the social system in Islam, which lays down the basic principles (usul) for both men and women to ensure their honour and dignity. It also guarantees safety of and protection to women.

In Surah Noor of the Quran, men are ordered to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. Similarly, women are ordered to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. During the latter set of instructions, veils are mentioned: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornments except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron etc.,) and to draw their veils all over juyubihinna (i.e their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms' etc.,)... (Surah Noor Aayat 31)

Also Read: Islam did not introduce veiling, it was always a regional practice

More references to veils can be found in Surah Ahzab, where they are asked to cover the entire body with long coats (jilbaab).

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e, screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known(as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. (Surah Ahzab Aayat 59)

Even in the early days of Islam, women had to go out of the house for social, financial, and medical needs. Islam has not stopped them from stepping out of the house but they may step out only when properly covered. The dual purpose of this, as stated before, is that she will be recognised as a modest person and not someone to be molested. 

Also Read: Burqas & bombings: The legacy of joining dots

Islam prohibits mixing of men and women. This barrier is for a chaste society and to safeguard the family unit. Divorce and separation may bring imbalance to society. Adultery and extramarital relations also cause harm to social fabric and weaken the family system. To nip all issues in the bud, it is essential to give moral code to both men and women.

Dress and culture are choices of individuals and groups. It is a person's individual choice. The hijab covers a woman's beauty not her mind, wisdom or intellect. Women in Hijab are seeking higher education, they are into fields of medicine, science, pharmacy, engineering, computer science technology, and human resource development.

Also Read: Culture vs religion: Changing times change age-old norms

The safety and protection guaranteed by the Hijab is in fact attracting women from all religions and communities. Many practice hijab for protection and security.

It is an irony and pity that in this era of liberation, where women have the freedom to exhibit their beauty, Muslim women's right to conceal their body and beauty is being denied. It is their personal choice. There are no compulsions in Islam. There are many Muslim sisters not practicing Hijab in various fields. They are not forced by their families or by the society. The instructions of Islam are to be followed by free will and choice. They should not be enforced by force or pressure. 

If a large section of the community, especially young girls are adopting the Hijab, it should be viewed as empowerment of women for seeking education and better livelihood. If any issue of national security arises, where there is a need to identify the face, women will cooperate for the safety and security of the nation. Let not Islamophobia of the West enter the Indian society and damage the beauty of our country. Ghunghat, purdah, dupatta have been part and parcel of the Indian society for a very long time.

If the debate has erupted as a fallout of the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka, it should be understood that acts of terror are not sanctioned in any religion. Islam equates the killing of one person to the killing of humanity. 

Dr Zehra is Chief Organiser Women's Wing All India Muslim Personal Law Board

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