Hijab:The Truth Is Veiled

God Almighty reminds in the Quran that He has placed no hardship on us, men and women both, in practicing our religion:"You shall strive for the cause of God as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion - the religion of your father Abraham..." (22:78) 

The Quran gives us a clue that women, during the Prophet's time, were not placed in hardship and were not veiled (hijab): 

"Beyond the categories described to you, you are enjoined from marrying any other women, nor can you substitute a new wife (from the prohibited categories), no matter how much you admire their beauty.  You must be content with those already made lawful to you. God is watchful over all things." (33:52) 

Clearly, you cannot admire their beauty if they were veiled.  Is it not a historical fact that the prophet's wife Ayesha took command of the army against Caliph Ali!? How could she perform that job if she was in veil!?

According to the Quran, the best garment is the "garment of righteousness" and not the "veil" (hijab) as we understand from the following verse:

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.  These are some of God's signs, that they may take heed." (7:26) 

Obviously, the “Islamic scholars” do not take heed from the Quran. They consider "hijab" as the best garment even though we will show, God willing, later in this article that the word "hijab" has nothing to do with the dress code for women.

Women shall cover their chest (bosom) and not the face or hair based on verse 24:31 in the Quran:

[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 (khimar in Arabic) their chests, and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, 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 details of their bodies.  All of you shall repent to God, O you believers, that you may succeed."

The Arabic word "Khimar" (not Hijab) in the above verse 24:31 means any “cover.”  Most of the traditional translations are obviously influenced by so called hadith attributed to the prophet and take the word "Khimar" as "Hijab" (veil)!  One of the popular English translations of the Quran used by the traditional Muslims is by A. Yusuf Ali, Mr. Yusuf Ali translated the above verse of 24:31 as "...they should draw their "veils" over their bosoms...". The distortion is obvious; the Arabic word for veil" is hijab" and not "khimar"!

According to the Quran, women shall lengthen their garments:

"O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall lengthen their garments.  Thus, they will be recognized and avoid being insulted.  God is Forgiver, Most Merciful." (33:59)

A woman may relax her dress code in the following situations:

"The women may relax (their dress code) around their fathers, their sons, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, the other women, and their servants.  They shall reverence God.  God witnesses all things." (33:55) 

Please note that in case of a male servant we need to refer to the Quran 24:31 mentioned earlier. Elderly women may also relax their dress code under certain conditions (24:60).

It is clear from the above verses that the dress code for the Muslim women according to the Quran is righteousness and modesty and not the veil (hijab)!

The Arabic word "hijab" in the following seven verses of the Quran refers to something other than the dress code for women:

A barrier separates them (Wa bayna-humaa hijaab), while the Purgatory is occupied by people who recognize each side by their looks.  They will call dwellers of paradise:"Peace be upon you."  They did not enter (paradise) through wishful thinking." (7:46)

"When you read the Quran, we place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier (hijaabam-mastuu-raa)." (17:45)

"While a barrier separated her from them (Fattakhazat min duunihim hijaabaa), we sent to her our Spirit.  He went to her in the form of a human being." (19:17)

[33:53] "O you who believe, do not enter the prophet's homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner.  If you are invited, you may enter.  When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations.  This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you.  But God does not shy away from the truth.  If you have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier (Wa izaa saaltumuu-hunna mataa-an fasaluuhunna minw-waraaa-i hijaab).  This is purer for your hearts and their hearts.  You are not to hurt the messenger of God.  You shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the sight of God

"He then said, "I enjoyed the material things more than I enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until the sun was gone (hatta tawaarat bilhijaab)." (38:32)

"They said, "Our minds are made up, our ears are deaf to your message, and a barrier separates us from you (wa baynika hijaabun-fa-mal innanaa aamiluun).  Do what you want, and so will we." (41:5)

"No human being can communicate with God except through inspiration, or from behind a barrier (aw minw-waraaai hijaabin), or by sending a messenger through whom He reveals what He wills.  He is the Most High, Most Wise." (42:51)

The Quran imposes the responsibility on both men and women to subdue their eyes, and definitely, not to veil the woman (hijab) as we understand from the following verse:

"Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their eyes, and to maintain their chastity.  This is purer for them.  God is fully Cognizant of everything they do. And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity...." (24:30-31)

In conclusion, the veiling of women in some Islamic countries is tradition-based religious innovation to oppress women. It has nothing to do with God’s laws in the Quran.

M. Irtaza