Hijab

A hijab (Arabic: حجاب‎ ḥijāb) in common English usage is a veil worn by some Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the head and chest. The term can refer to any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conforms to Islamic standards of modesty. Hijab can also refer to the seclusion of women from men in the public sphere, or it may denote a metaphysical dimension, for example referring to "the veil which separates man or the world from God." People usually talk about "the hijab" rather than "a hijab", as evidenced by this article.

108056

Girl . Hijab

Why should a nine year old girl be obligated to wear Hijab if they have no idea why as they are not physically or mentally matured? Wouldn't it make more sense to wear Hijab when they understand why it is a rule and why they should wear it?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 1 month ago

The main underlying purpose behind hijab seems to be discouraging harassment or misconduct from men and encouraging modest interactions.

When it comes to protecting girls from sexual harassment or indecent conduct from men, I certainly don't think that a girl has to be mature enough to understand things that her parents tell her to do. For instance, parents might tell a child not to wear certain things in public, not to go certain places alone, not to talk to certain people, not to get into a car with a stranger, not to talk to strangers online, etc.

The parents say these things because the child isn't usually old enough to understand them.

Of course boys should be protected too, but usually there is an extra concern about girls.

Obviously the hijab does not wholly prevent harassment or misconduct, and it is wrong to say that it does, but since discouraging harassment and encouraging modest interactions seems to be the underlying purpose behind it, this is the angle I am responding from.

There are other things surrounding the hijab such as presenting one's identity as a Muslim. Most children who are nine years old are able to understand that and verbalize it to others (e.g. "I wear hijab because I am Muslim") if they have been raised in a religious family or environment.

Of course, I understand that hijab can be stressful in a minority situation and there may be things that the child is not yet ready to handle, such as Islamophobia or bullying. This might be a different situation. However, these are more situation-related, not related to the main idea of hijab.

101516

Hijab

Why is Hijab not optional?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answer updated 1 month ago

Allah The Glorious knows everything which is necessary for human beings, that is why He orders us to do it as a compulsory act and not an optional act e,g. Praying the daily prayers, fasting during the month of Ramadan, paying Khums and Zakat, etc.

Wearing Hijab is compulsory on every Muslim female because it is essential to protect her dignity and save her and the society from harm. Allah says in Quran: O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and women of the believers to draw their cloaks ( veils) all over their bodies, so that they will known ( as pious women) so that they will not be harmed. (Sura 33, Verse 59).

We as Muslims believe in the Absolute Wisdom of Allah (SWT) which means that every order from Him is based on full wisdom for our benefit.

'Wassalam.

106217

Hijab . Woman . Spinster

Can you explain the Hijab rules for an unmarried woman?

Hijab is compulsory on every Muslim female, with no difference between married or unmarried. Hijab means covering the whole hair and body of the female except her face and paws. The dress should not be tied showing the size of the body nor transparent.

Wassalam.

104536

Parents . Hijab . Chastity . Clothing . Obedience

If one's parents like for them to appear beautiful by wearing clothes and Hijab in a way that attracts the eyes of men and women, would it be right to disobey them in this case if the daughter prefers complete chastity?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 2 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

There is a hadith that says:

لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق

There is no obedience to a creation through disobedience to the Creator.

We cannot obey the laws of others at the cost of disobeying Almighty God. If hijab has been mandated by Almighty God, then we as His worshippers must comply to His law. So, we must not disobey God just to follow what someone else says, even if they are our parents whom we must obey. Our obedience to our parents is obligatory, but not in performing haram acts.

Clearly, in this case, the parents have a misconstrued approach to how their daughter should appear or conduct herself in public. They might be under the impression that by doing this, she will get married, but of course this is the worst way and its a very damaging approach.

The daughter should not comply with what her parents want, and respectfully decline, by explaining how unhealthy this approach is.

It's not just a matter of religion, but also on a human value and social level as well.

In Islam, attraction should not be by the gazing of onlookers, but by personality and moral qualities and righteousness.

With prayers for your success.

105505

Sin . Hijab . Girl . Baligh

Is it a sin to not wear Hijab once a girl becomes Baligh, even if she is not mentally ready for it? And when does one become Baligh?

The previous answer is complete; I just wanted to add that "not being mentally ready" could mean a number of different things.

My first impression when reading that was that it could mean she is not mentally ready to wear the hijab in a minority society (or a Muslim area where hijab is uncommon) - for instance, at a school where there are no other girls who wear hijab, and she might be under pressure to explain herself (but not be able to do so yet), or be teased, ostracized, or bullied, especially if she is shy or sensitive and does not have an assertive personality or a strong ability to stand up for herself.

In some places, Islamophobic harassment might also be a concern.

Not that it necessarily has anything to do with her personal sexuality.

I just wanted to add that because sometimes there is a tendency to discuss the hijab wholly in the context of sexuality or modesty, wheres in minority societies, the main challenges and pressures regarding hijab are usually social and relate to things like Islamophobia.

In any case, it is good to acknowledge, respect, and nurture the inherent maturity of young people. Even if they are still maturing in many ways, throughout much of history, young people have taken on many lifelong commitments at a young age, such as apprenticing to a profession, training in sports or the arts, or a religious conversion. Of course it is also good to acknowledge the limits of a child's maturity, since one doesn't expect someone who is 9 to be mature in every way. Still, in this day and age, in some societies, everyone who is under 18 is treated as a child which does not benefit them either; it is good to have a balance.

Sin . Hijab . Girl . Baligh

Is it a sin to not wear Hijab once a girl becomes Baligh, even if she is not mentally ready for it? And when does one become Baligh?

Bismihi ta'ala

Inner and outer modesty, chastity and hijab is something Almighty God has mandated for all men and women.

It is necessary for us as Muslims to familiarise ourselves with the many benefits of inner and outer hijab, and the earlier we learn this the better.

Young boys need to be modest, and so do young girls, even though they might not be intellectually mature enough. As long as they are aware of their surroundings, and have entered into the age of religious maturity, they become responsible and accountable for what they do.

This is what bulugh and takleef means.

Furthermore, being modest and having hijab does not necessarily mean one is sexually active. It is a process of engaging with the natural and mental development of a male/female.

An Islamic lifestyle prepares us for the world, and whether this particular girl might be mentally ready or not, she must adapt to what it is that our religion wants from us, as the Almighty has accommodated to all that is required for us in our natural needs as humans.

A young girl who reaches the age of taklif will realise how beneficial and positive hijab is when she prioritises her spiritual and moral conduct over everything else, and she will realise how intellectually mature she becomes.

As for the age of bulugh, for a female it is completion of 9 lunar years. For a male, it is the occuring of one of the following, whichever one occurs first is the sign of his bulugh:

1. having a wet-dream.
2. growth of thick pubic hair.
3. completing of 15 lunar years.

And Allah knows best.

101146

Women . Hair . Hijab . Man

Why do women have to cover their hair and wear the Hijab when men can also have hair that is attractive for women?

First of all, we as Muslims believe that Allah is The All Knowing, Most Wise, Most Merciful and we believe that everything comes from Him is based on full wisdom for our interest, that is why we never question His Wisdom in any matter. We believe that the full reason is best known by Allah (SWT), the Messenger (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) who are the real successors of the Prophet (SAWA).

We also believe that our human abilities of thinking are limited and can never reach to everything. We know for sure that every order from Allah (SWT) is based on our benefit and we don't question the details.

Hijab is obligatory on females because Allah (SWT) who created males and females made males more attracted to females than females to males in usual situations. Hair of man can be attractive to some females in some situations but females are in general are much more attractive to males. This can be one of the reasons. Men are responsible to work hard to earn livelihood for their families. Hijab of women is for maintaining her dignity, modesty, safety and honour. Hijab also provide safe atmosphere away from sinful acts. Allah (SWT) says in Quran about Hijab on women (So that they are known so that they should not be harmed ( كي يُعرَفنَ فلا يؤذَين)) 33:59).

Wassalam.

100629

Makeup . Music . Hijab

Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to create videos on Youtube if she dresses modestly without any makeup and the videos are without any music?

Muslim female must keep herself away from harmful exposure to non Mahram men. Full Hijab is must and she should not allow any misuse to her photo or video especially if she is young or looks attractive.

'It is permissible for Muslim woman to teach or guide others through Internet including YouTube etc after being sure that she is abiding to the Islamic teachings which aims to protect her from any type of exploitation.

Wassalam.

100406

Hijab

Can a woman remove her Hijab around a gay man? And should she wear Hijab around a lesbian woman?

Bismihi ta'ala

As long as he is a male, and a non-mahram, a woman must observe outer and inner hijab in his presence.

She cannot remove her veil in front of gay men.

As for lesbian women, she does not need to wear hijab in front of them, as long as she knows there is no haram entailed, like lustful gazes. In the case that there is, it is best for her to cover up.

And Allah knows best.

100619

Hijab . Niqab . Freedom

Muslims often condemn Western countries that try to ban Hijab or Niqab. Should they also not condemn those Islamic countries that try to impose Hijab on all women regardless of their religion?

Bismihi ta'ala

If we were to take each by its correct definition, we will be able to see a difference here.

Western countries are generally democratic and secular. That means the political party is chosen by majority of votes, and secular is that religion has no involvement in the affairs of the government or laws.

Well, that's what it is assumed to be.

So, one can follow any religion, and the way they dress is not dictated onto them by government or law.

An Islamic country is different. It functions within what is mandated by religion. There is the public sphere, and the private. In the public, whether you are religious or not, you must observe the law of the religious state. In the private, you can do as you wish, if you are not religious or follow another religion.

So, after this very brief definition, according to the Western system of government and secular law, banning someone from wearing a religious garb is certainly against the very foundation of what they claim they have, which is freedom of expression of what to wear and which religion to follow, under secular rule.

You can condemn them based on what they are claiming they uphold, and that is the sad situation of today's society, unfortunately.

With prayers for your success.

99852

Islam . Hijab . Sin . Conversion to Islam . Art

As a recent convert to Islam I have started wearing the Hijab. However, there are pictures of mine out there, without the Hijab, that were taken earlier. Is that counted as a sin?

You should try your best to get your previous pictures ( with out Hijab) and keep them away from public display. If you could not get all of them, you will not be responsible about them as you were not a Muslim when the photos were displayed. Now when you are a Muslim, it is not sin on you as it is out of your ability to remove it.

Wassalam.

Islam . Hijab . Sin . Conversion to Islam . Art

As a recent convert to Islam I have started wearing the Hijab. However, there are pictures of mine out there, without the Hijab, that were taken earlier. Is that counted as a sin?

Bishimi ta'ala

Congratulations on adorning the attire of Islam and wearing hijab. In regards to previous images of you without hijab, no, it is not considered a sin. What you are able to do is for your comfort and peace of mind, if you have access to these images, ask them to be kindly removed, and hopefully they will comply.

With prayers for your success.