That is why, when I became aware about a new lecture that was going to cover the in depth explanation of the Islamic head cover for women, I knew I had to jump on that bandwagon and take notes. And boy oh boy did I fracture my poor hand taking notes - but it was well worth it. So I decided that I wanted to share this information not only with the people I know, but with everyone that I can because I think it's time that people became aware and learned a little bit about Islam, and what exactly that "thing" on my head is and why I wear it.
Often times people feel afraid or embarrassed to ask me questions and I try to always find a way to make them feel happy that they asked. It becomes a joy to end up sharing a conversation with another girl about how I've become a pro at ensuring I match my head cover with my clothes on a daily basis. Or talking with random strangers about how cool it keeps me under the scorching sun. So in lieu of a typical word rant from Lady Narrator (which is on its way - currently under production), I'd like to share an educational overview of why I wear that thing on my head! :)
Enjoy!
P.S. If you'd like a copy of these notes on word (for easier reading) just email me at: nearer2u@gmail.com
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A Defined Look Into the Islamic Head Covering for Women
All information in this lecture is gathered or referenced to a verse from the Holy Quran or a Hadeeth (Saying) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). An in depth look into the linguistics of varying Arabic terms to describe the word “covering” will be explained in order to further grasp the concept of what is ordained in the Holy Quran about the female head cover.
• Is Islam the only faith to ordain a head covering for women?
o In this current time, society believes that a head covering is only imposed upon Muslim women; however, if one takes a more in depth look into other faiths and cultures, he/she will find that it exists elsewhere
o Islam is not the only faith to include a ruling on a dress code of modesty for men and women
o For example, most, if not all, photos and statues of the Virgin Mary depict her with a veil upon her head
o The nuns represent another example of religious women practicing their faith through a modest head covering
• What differentiates the Muslim woman’s ensemble from that of any other woman’s?
o Its orientation
o The Muslim woman’s attire is ordained to her by the Highest—God
o Hence, the modest attire that entails the head covering is considered a Divine Outfit—a label that surpasses all those of worldly fashion designers
• Do you believe in God? If so, you would accept and obey would you not?
o For Muslims, taking the oath that you believe in God, you are submitting to His Will in all matters
o Therefore, you are making a covenant to abide by the rules He has created for you; after all, He is your creator and He knows what is best for you
o In Chapter 33 (Surat Al-Ahzab) Verse 36 God states, “It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.”
• This verse is speaking clearly to those who believe in God; not those who have merely submitted at the basic level
• A definition of the difference between believing and submitting is explained in Chapter 49 (Surat Al-Hujurat) Verse 14: “The Bedouins say, "We have believed." Say, "You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], 'We have submitted,' for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
• This explains that truly believing in God requires a demonstration of action—following/obeying His orders
• Therefore, one who has entirely dedicated his/herself to following the Will of God will know better than to refute the orders given to them
o These verses intertwine with the ruling on Muslim women wearing the head cover
o Often people try and define faith according to their own desires and wills, explaining its necessary evolution to accommodate the new eras that come—for example the supposed outdated status of the head covering of Muslim women
o The Quran was revealed as an everlasting book that is applicable to every era, generation, time and people
o The Quran is believed by Muslims to be the direct words of God; therefore every word revealed within it is an eternal order of a Muslim’s life—it is their religious constitution
o So, as will be described in the coming points, the matter of the head covering for women is a direct and clear verse presented in the Quran and is not refutable
• Unfortunately, as humans we allow our own desires and/or weaknesses to influence us in life; so many refute the obligation of this head covering because they themselves feel incapable of practicing it
• It is a form of saving face and/or reducing shame for not implementing this order in their lives
• That is their right to wear the head cover or not—Islam forbids the compulsion of anything upon any person; but that does not change the fact that it is an obligation
• Where does the order of the head cover come in the Quran?
o Chapter 24 (Surat An-Noor) holds within it the order for Muslim women to cover their heads
o In its very first verse it carries a notifying message for Muslims to take head of:
• The verse states, “[This is] a chapter which We have sent down and made [that within it] obligatory and revealed therein verses of clear evidence that you might remember.”
o After reading this, a believer will understand that what is revealed in this chapter was clearly defined for him/her and is mandatory
o Before the verse that contains the order for the head covering is mentioned, an in depth into the linguistics of the Arabic words that mean “cover” will be looked into, in order for a better understanding of the verse in Chapter 24
• Breakdown of the Arabic Term Hijab
o Today the word hijab is the most commonly known term used to describe the Muslim woman’s head cover—however, it couldn’t be farther from the proper term
o Over the years it has become one of the reasons people refute the obligation to wear the head covering
o The word hijab literally means an opaque barrier; some form of barrier that prevents visibility of any kind
o It is found in the Quran in a few different forms in a few verses:
• In Chapter 7 (Surat Al-A’raf) Verse 46 the word hijab came to describe a barrier that would be placed between the disbelievers and the believers on the Day of Judgment
• In Chapter 17 (Surat Israa) Verse 45 uses the word hijab to describe a hidden wall/barrier that will be placed in the Hereafter between the believers who read the Quran and the disbelievers in God
• In Chapter 83 (Surat Al-Mutafifeen) Verse 15 the word hijab also comes to mean a barrier that will prevent the disbelievers from being close to God—a barrier preventing those who disbelieved from God
o Reading these verses, it can be deduced that a hijab is a form of a barrier that prevents one from seeing through or getting through something or to someone
o With regards to people and “covering” with a hijab, that means there is something that covers a person entirely, from head to toe, and prohibits others from interacting with them (i.e., covering entire face, standing behind a wall, etc.)
• This is not obligatory or mandated on Muslim women in Islam
• The woman who chooses to wear the full body and face cover is doing it out of personal choice/desire—not because it is required by the faith
• Breakdown of the Arabic Term Ghitaa
o The literal definition of ghitaa is a befitting lid/cover (i.e. the plastic cover tops of disposable coffee cups; Tupperware covers, etc.)
o This term does not define what the cover is covering; it is just a cover
o It can be found in the Quran in the following verses:
• Chapter 18 (Surat Al-Kahf) Verse 101 – “Those whose eyes had been within a cover, [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.”
• Chapter 50 (Surat Qaff) Verse 22 – “[It will be said], "You were certainly in unmindfulness of this, and We have removed from you your cover, so your sight, this Day, is sharp.’"
• Breakdown of the Arabic Term Niqab
o The term niqab is quite unique because with a variation in its form, the meaning is completely redefined
o Its literal definition (in the form of niqab) is a face covering that only reveals the eyes
o The Quran presents this word in varying forms:
• In Chapter 5 (Surat Al-Maidah) Verse 12 the word comes as naqeeb; it is depicting the Prophet Moses, when he chose twelve naqeeb (leaders) from the Sons of Israel
• Here naqeeb means leaders because historically, the leaders were identified by the cover they wore across their faces that only revealed their eyes
• In Chapter 18 (Surat Al-Kahf) Verse 97 the word comes as naqaba; it is depicting a wall that was so strong it prevented any form of naqaba (penetration)
• In Chapter 50 (Surat Qaff) Verse 36 the word comes as naqqabu; it is depicting a people that had naqqabu (explored throughout) the land
o From these verses, it can be deduced that this term refers to a restriction to only a certain identifying factor—the honorable masks of leaders, a wall that cannot be penetrated without the will of God, or a land that was explored in certain parts
o It became the name of the facial cover some women wear that only reveals their eyes, similar to that of the leaders in ancient times
o This is also not an obligated or mandated ruling for Muslim women—the woman who chooses to wear it do so out of pure desire or cultural factors, but it is not ordered in the faith
• Breakdown of the Arabic Term Ghishwah
o The definition of this term is broken down into literal and metaphorical; the literal definition is a light veil; metaphorically it is a haze/sensation that envelopes someone like a translucent veil
o Ghishwah is found in the Quran in different forms as well:
• Chapter 2 (Surat Al-Baqarah) Verse 7 states, “Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.”
• Chapter 8 (Surat Al-Anfal) Verse 11 states, “[Remember] when He enveloped you with drowsiness [giving] security from Him and sent down upon you from the sky, rain by which to purify you and remove from you the evil [suggestions] of Satan and to make steadfast your hearts and plant firmly thereby your feet.”
• Chapter 11 (Surat Hud) Verse 5 states, “Unquestionably, they the disbelievers turn away their chests to hide themselves from Him. Unquestionably, [even] when they cover up themselves in their clothing, Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the chests.”
• Chapter 92 (Surat Al-Layl) Verse 1 begins by saying, “And by the night when it covers/envelopes.”
• Breakdown of the Arabic Term Khimar
o Khimar is a thin cover designed or destined only for the head of something
o Modifying the term to khamr changes the definition to mean alcohol or intoxicant—why?
• Because the usage of alcohol or intoxicants results in the cover up of the proper judgment of the human mind (head); this is the reason it is prohibited in Islam
• Islam requires that its followers always have a steady, stable and clear mind in life—never diluted
o The various forms of this term appear in many verses in the Quran, but here are a few, and one very significant verse that defines the ruling of the female head cover:
• Chapter 5 (Surat Al-Maidah) Verse 90 describes the prohibition of alcohol/intoxicants in Islam; it states, “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”
• Chapter 24 (Surat An-Noor) Verse 31 is THE VERSE that states the clear and direct rule about Muslim women being required to wear the head cover
• “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their head covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women….”
o From this verse therefore, it can be deduced that Muslim women are asked to not only wear the head cover, but ensure that their chests are covered as well
o This verse also demonstrates the fact that women in the past used to ALREADY cover their heads, because it calls them to extend their head covers over their chests
• Now what exactly is the required attire of women in Islam?
o In Chapter 24 (Surat An-Noor) Verse 31 the order for women to cover their heads and chests appears
o The verse also provides a statement of what should be covered exactly, and this verse is supplemented by a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which is highlighted here:
• 24:31 – “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their head covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women….”
• The Prophet was approached and asked what adornment/part of their bodies was God referring to when He stated “necessarily appear” and he replied, “The hands and the face.”
o So the Islamic head cover was clearly defined with this verse and this quote of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
o The rest of the attire was highlighted in Chapter 33 (Surat Al-Ahzab) Verse 59 which calls Muslim women to cover their bodies with a loose covering
o The verse explains that covering their bodies with a loose over-garment is a benefit to them because that is more suitable and they will be known and not be abused
• From this verse it can be understood that the purpose of a woman covering her body is not to become a victim of oppression, but rather for a purpose of creating identity and protection
• A Muslim woman wearing her divine outfit can easily be identified as a woman of moral value and stature, dedicating her efforts to serve humanity for the sake of God
• She is protected by her covering, no longer a victim of sexuality or harassment from the public, but rather an image of value
o Contrary to the common belief that this covering is a form of reducing attraction, it actually came to raise the level of a woman’s attraction, but not for her looks, rather for her worth and personality
o It is a factor of attraction that highlights a Muslim woman’s identity and worth from within, and it reduces the physical force that is currently invading the 21st century
o It puts the world’s focus on her personality and efforts in this world—not her body, which unfortunately is the only thing a woman is becoming valued for in today’s times
• A Historical Note For Today’s World
o Islam, like many other faiths, teaches about the story of Adam and Eve
o In Islam, it describes that when they both sinned and ate from the forbidden tree, their bodies were made bare and their privates revealed in shame as a form of punishment
o So this defines a connection deeply ingrained in Islam: The more a person is covered up and displaying modesty, the higher status he/she claims in the Eyes of God
o Islam calls for both men and women to practice modesty in their attires, but a woman receives an even higher level of honor and privilege from her Lord with the call to cover her head in utter pride of identifying to the world who she is and who she serves—God
o Also, as a clarification and a reminder, no man or woman is allowed to force any other person to do anything in Islam
• A woman cannot be coerced into wearing the head cover or the modest attire, even though it is mandated to her by God
o A person chooses to practice his/her own faith at their own level and that is between them and God—not between them and other people
