"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?"?

Question

This question is one which is asked by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe hijab (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

Allah (SWT) said, "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That is better in order that they may be known (as free respectable women) and not annoyed..." (Holy Qur'an, 33:59)

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character.

The Muslim woman who covers is filled with dignity and self esteem; she is pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman: as a chaste, modest, pure woman. She does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree.

A Muslim school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and minds. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks."

The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Holy Qur'an says: " Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts. That will make for greater purity for them. Verily, Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof and to draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Holy Qur'an, 24:30-31)

These verses from the Qur'an contain two main injunctions:
1. A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes.
2. The head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met.

The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind.

The following is a Tradition of the Prophet : " 'Aeshah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that Asma'a, the daughter of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him,) came to the Messenger of Allah while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asma'a! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands." (Abu Dawood)

The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary.

Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet stated that in later generations of his Ummah there would be "women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." (Muslim)
Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman.

In addition there are other requirements:
1. Women must not dress so as to appear as men. "Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" (Bukhari)
2. Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
3. The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.

Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering.

Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being.

The basic requirements of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative.

A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women. For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.

Answer 1

First of all it's called: (Hijab) or in English (Veil).

Muslim women should cover their heads with a Hujab aka Veil because it's a distraction for men and it arouses sexual interests for them, it's an attraction.

There is a saying which say: One Woman/Female Can Distract A Million Man/Male, but One Man Can Only Distract One Woman.

So basically it's a MUST in Islam to cover our heads,
but of course not everyone abide by the rules or follow Allah's words. Just like any other religion, it has the people who follow and the people who are just named by the religion. :)

Answer 2

The mentality that despises women, excludes them from society and regards them as second class citizens is a wicked pagan attitude which has no place in Islam. The Qur'an summarizes the civilized social relationship between the two genders.
God's commandments about the status of women and the relations between men and women, which have been revealed to us through the Qur'an, consist of full justice. In this regard, Islam suggests equality of rights, responsibilities and duties between the two genders. Islam is based on sympathy, tolerance and respect for human beings, and does not discriminate against women in this matter.
The examples of good morals communicated to us in the Qur'an are universally compatible with human nature, and are valid for all stages of history.
The men and women of the believers are friends of one another. They command what is right and forbid what is wrong, and establish prayer and pay alms, and obey God and His Messenger. They are the people on whom God will have mercy. God is Almighty, All Wise. (Qur'an, 9:71)

Answer 3

The word 'Christian' is used loosely today. Many people claimed to be Christians and don't believe in the Bible or are obedient to God's words. Just because people titled themselves Christians, do not necessarily mean they are BORN AGAIN Christians. First and foremost, we ALL fall short of God's glory, meaning we are not all perfect and do fall. The Bible said the righteous falls 7 times and gets up. So who are you to judge Christians and say we're not willing to change our life to serve God? For those 'Christians' who dismiss God's teachings are not born again Christians, much like yourself. If you were a true born again Christian, there is no way you would have turn away from the truth. One last thing, just because you dress modestly and pray when told to by the 'Holy' Qur'an does not make you any righteous. Christianity is based on relationship with our heavenly father Jesus Christ who is Lord, and what you are practicing looks like religion and self rightness. God is love

Answer 4

Men have to be modest also. Both genders are expected to lower their gaze. Women have the same weakness for visual stimuli. :) There are gorgeous men and plain women, so it's not just some women that are attractive, men are too.

Answer 5

Assalamualaikum Noha!
It seemed to me that you answered your own question.

Anyway just to add, the concept of Muslim women covering their heads is the same as the Christian nuns covering their heads, Jews do not eat pork, Sikh men wearing turban, Hindus don't eat beef, etc. It is all about the faith and submission to their religions and God(s).

What is needed here is rather than drawing bias conclusion about other religions, one needs to open up more and understand the reasons deeply.

Answer 6

that was a wonderful post a little long but great..finally people are saying good things and stating true facts about the wonderful religion of islam and to you who said cuz they are ugly you are a disgusting pig....this is why the women do this to hide their beauty and they dont care what you or anyone else thinks...i guarantee you they are beautiful women but only their husbands will see and thats how it shud be!

Answer 7

I am happy you able to explain the way muslim dress themselves with such respect. What you wrote is beautifull, educated and understanding. Hats off to you.

Answer 8

...and the simple answer is....

The male is weak and distracted by beauty. So women have to be covered to keep men from being distracted.

Answer 9

Because Mohammad took his stepson's wife while he was away in the service of Mohammad.

Answer 10

1st off, huggy bunny, it's not b/c we are a distraction to men. did you even read his "question" the answer is right there. in addition we do not have to cover our faces!!!

very good summary. a little long though a lot of people will not read it. alahmdulillah we are muslims!!!