why do muslim women wear veils?

Question

I get confused about this,is it because they dont want men looking at them? Are muslim men that bad? Im not taking the p*ss i really dont understand it.If you are walking around with a low top on or a short skirt you'll get looks from guys,but i dont think muslim women in head scarves get oggled at by men too much in the western world do they? It isnt stereotypically sexy so why the veil and not just a head scarf?

It bugs me as a women,a small part of me thought it was arrogance and another part thought it was oppression.If they are happy wearing it then good for them,but if they feel they need to than thats bad.And i dissagree,i dont think they are more beautiful or sexy,thats your opinion and has nothing to do with them breeding,immigrants are moving over here,the uk is packed to the rafters but that isnt because were more beautiful,its because its an easy life and im guessing their popuation is down to lack of contraceptives/them wanting large families or them wanting more sons.

Answer 1

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Muslim_societies#Clothing
A woman wearing a Niqab in YemenThe Qur'an requires believers, both male and female, to dress modestly.

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their adornment except that which ordinarily appears thereof and to draw their headcovers over their chests and not to display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons." (24:31).
Women must (citation needed) wear hijab. All those in whose presence a woman is not obliged to cover herself are called her mahrams. While in front of other women, she is only obliged to cover from her navel to her knees.

Traditionally, this sura has been interpreted to mean that women should cover all but their face and hands. Men are required only to cover themselves from knee to waist. Some Islamic societies have set even stricter dress codes for women, requiring women to wear chadors or burqas that hide all but the eyes. Some Muslims criticize this as excessive, referring to Qur'anic verses saying that it is wrong to refrain from what is permitted by God according to Qur'an 66:1. This is usually interpreted as applying to asceticism; critics of strict dress codes are applying this to clothing as well.

Some contemporary Muslims believe that the commandment to modesty must be interpreted with regard to the surrounding society. What is considered modest, or daring, in one society may not be considered so in another. It is important, they say, for believers to wear clothing that communicates modesty and reserve in the situations in which they find themselves. [3]

Esposito writes that customs of veiling and seclusion of women in early Islam were assimilated from the conquered Persian and Byzantine societies and then later on they were viewed as appropriate expressions of Quranic norms and values. The Qur'an does not stipulate veiling or seclusion, on the contrary, it tends to emphasize the participation of religious responsibility of both men and women in society.

From Me:
All men are "that bad" I don't know of a (straight) man who can look at a woman without thinking of her naked. Consider that in the USA until the late 1960's or early 1970's nuns wore a full habit covering head to toe - the raping of nun's was so common they were encouraged to travel in 3's rather than pairs as pairs could be too easily separated. If a man wants to sexualize a woman it is just as easy regardless of her attire or age. Not all men will act on the desire but it is there. To compare western culture to that of the middle east is like comparing the desert to the ocean - yes both are teaming with life but the life’s are vastly different as are their survival tactics. Rape still occurs in Muslim communities and their laws are very specific as to his punishment according to Muslim law it is death usually by stoning. We may not understand the value of this extreme modesty but the women raised in it appreciate the protection it offers. Anything a woman wears can cause a man to be aroused in some cultures a married woman is not allowed to sing or speak to a man for fear of causing arousal. The gist of all of these laws is simply to protect women from molestation or rape which would and does cause permanent damage to her psychologically and make a good marriage difficult as it is very hard for a man to understand the burden of rape on a woman’s heart and mind. Hope this makes sense.

Answer 2

To aruna: I awn to say this: Sati, and achut etc are social problems, not religious problems. Hinduiam does not anywhere say these things. Which is why, we no longer do those things. But, Islam actually says that women should be modest, cover their head, wole body, etc. And, don't have to do anything. If you read koran it always talks about men are allowed this, allowed that and women should od this, and do that... And, on that matter, bible says "women shud walk modestly, with their heads bent low..and not look into eyes of anybody." "that they should not get out of their homes during periods becasue they will defill whatever they touch with their impure hands" "that they should not speak in the church and if they have some problem tell their husbands about it becasue god will not listen to their prayers(as they are impure,dirty)" !!!!!!!!!!!!!! With all that, I am surprised cristians look down upon musmlims. both the religions are same. Ever seen how a nun dresses? It is the same as hijab except it is not black! And, they refuse to reform! Have u ever met a hindu religious leader say that women should cover their head or do sati on hindu religious channels? Of course not! It is only hindu political parties which say thses demeaning things and they have no scriptures to support! they just keep talking about "indian culture" when Indian culture promotes equaltiy. It is written in vedas that "gods bless the land where women are respected, educated, given every equal right be it in marriage or carres or reigion." EXACTLY LIKE THAT. So, please aruna do not talk when you do not know things. There are ppl here who wud have never heard of hinduism and they will get wrong ideas... But, I HAVE seen with these very eyes, muslim leaders(all men, womena ren't alowed thate either) say that women NEED to do it. When u r told that u will go to hell for not wearing hijab, who is going to not do it? Where is the right when it is a religious obligation? SAY NO TO VIELS AND PLOYGAMY AND INSTANT DIVORSE... And, please aruna, u shud know that caste system is privalent among muslims and cristians and sikhs too in India. The first time coverters are considered lower by cristians here even thou there is nothing like that in bible! Muslims have got caste problems too and they also have sect problems..It is not there in Jains,buddhists though. We have come forward to the new century, they refuse to do so. Tht is the only difference. Jai shree krishna!

Answer 3

They wear head scarves primarily for respect and honor. The word for scarf in Arabic is "hijab," literally meaning to veil or cover for shelter. I think in the US people look at women with head scarves more than women without them. This would not be the case internationally. Also, its not just from the eye of Muslim men, but men altogether.

You said, "but i dont think muslim women in head scarves get oggled at by men." If Muslim women did not wear head scarves then they would get looks from men, which is why they wear scarves. The scarf is just a fool-proof way to not get looks from others.

Islam doesn't say that men are bad. Islam and the Koran trust women to uphold moral values and be the first to put their foot down.

Muslim women are discouraged to show the contour of their legs and their body, so the veil is just an easier solution than wearing skirts and baggy shirts. At least that's what I think of it.

I hope this helps :P

Answer 4

I think it has to do with showing modesty. But I also so think it has to do with personal belief and opinion. For example, I have one Muslim friend who wears a head scarf, long sleeved shirts, and pants, but another Muslim friend who doesn't wear the scarf. When I asked her about it, she said she just wasn't ready to make that commitment. Now, we all go to an all-girls school with a uniform and the first friend I mentioned (who wears the head scarf) also said she would feel comfortable taking the head scarf off and wearing the uniform if she didn't have any male teachers and it was just women around.
I would be very interested to hear what Muslim women have to say about this.

Answer 5

in the muslim religion, a woman is more respected if she is covered because the only man who sees her beauty is her husband. Not the whole world. But one thing that people here in the USA assume is that they are forced to cover up. That is totally wrong. It is up to her if she wants to be covered or not. My husband is muslim and i am christain, and this is one thing we have talked about before, is if i convert, would i be covered up. I am for sure i would not, but the more form fitting clothes would go because in respect of him, and the religion. I have lots of muslim friends and family, and it is the choice of the woman. But it also depends on the country they are from. If they are say from Iran, about 99.99% are covered. If from Kuwait, its about 50-75%.

Answer 6

http://www.jannah.org/sisters/hijab2.html

I personally started wearing hijab 6 years ago because...I got sick of people judging me on my looks instead of my mind. I was tired of being hit on all of time and given jobs based on the above. After covering, I've noticed that people respect me more and put me on a higher pedestal. Not being covered, I always felt like a slave to look a certain way. Covering, strengthened my religious convictions and personality.

Answer 7

Likely so a potential bridegroom can't tell the pretty ones from the ugly ones and they all can get married and bear children.


It is a modesty thing

Answer 8

I don't know why, at all. My mom is Muslim and she just chose not to. That's fine, but when you pray the women have to wear the veil! Kids, when they pray, don't have to wear the veil. Not kids, I mean girls!

Answer 9

muslim comunity is dominated by male. its there tradition they dont want female to show any part of her body to others. even though they hide every thing they are more sexy than you and I. you can judge this by there population.

Answer 10

its because their religion there are not allowed to show their beauty in public there are only allow to show their face and body to their husbands,thats if they are married!muslims women in some countries are not allow to drive,to go out in public by themselves!!!i respect that,thats their religion.