About Islam: Why Do Muslim Women Have To Wear Head Covers?



Posted: Tuesday, November 28, 2006

by
God's Mosque.org

Many people in the West believe head covers are required attire for Muslim Women. Most Muslim women, for that matter, are not sure what God's exact requirements are for their "Islamic" dress code. Since religious scholars come from diverse religious schools of thought, then of course there are vast differences between what's consider to be appropriate women's clothing. Some believe head covers are a necessity for pious Muslim women, while others don't. In order to come to the correct understanding on required garments, it is important to explore what God tells us through His scripture, the Quran. Refering back to the Quran allows us to avoid confusion from contrasting opinions. There will be no contradictions, and the truth will be exhibited.

Upon referencing the English Quran tanslation by Dr. Rashad Khalifa, we find nowhere in the Quran does it require women to cover their hair, arms, legs, etc. The religious rules imposing head covers, or Hijab, are from sources outside of the Quran; mainly from religious scholar’s edicts, and Hadith [1]. However, it is not wrong to wear head covers on account of cultural tradition, and so rules should not be imposed stating that head covers can not be worn. The rules in the Quran for women’s dress code are as follows. First, the best garment is the garment of righteousness; for women and men [2]. Second, women shall cover their chests, and reveal only what is necessary. This implies modesty [3]. Third, women shall lengthen their garments to be recognized as righteous [4]. Fourth and final, women AND men shall subdue their eyes and maintain their chastity [5]. We can now see that in the Quran, the parameters of the Muslim women's dress code are simple and unimposing [6].

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 12:111, 31:6, 39:23, 39:29, 45:6, 52:34; [2] 7:26; [3] 24:31; [4] 33:59; [5] 24:30-31; [6] Appendix 18, and Appendix 19 of the Quran translation by Rashad Khalifa.

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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Anonymous
 4 years 344 days ago.
Great article!
» left by Mrs Mallick
from Pakistan 4 years 59 days ago.
Hi! it is very informative regarding Head cover. The fact that muslim women should cover their heads is referred to a WEAK(MURSAL) Hadeeth. If interested in reading further please visit: Is Head Cover For Women Mandatory In Islam? by Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph.D at the website of Islamic Research Foundation International(IRFI DOT ORG) Sincerely
» left by Anonymous
 3 years 123 days ago.
excellent article!
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