Why are hijabs worn?

Question

why are hijabs worn? What do they symbolise? I'm really curious because i don't have any muslim friends or relatives.

Answer 1

For the same reason that the Bible tells women to cover their hair during prayers (or else, their prayers won't be accepted).
"...Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head" (1 Corrinthians 11:3-6).
And, "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God" (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

The Quran tells us Muslims that "...they (believing women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof [e.g. face] ; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women...or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..." (Quran 24:31).

Now, other than that it's a Guideline from God, the thing is, the Hijab keeps us Muslim women protected. But let's first define "Hijab". Hijab is for both women AND men. Men are also supposed to dress modestly, appropriately just as women are; but women have a bit more that they should cover since men tend to get easily aroused by women than women are by men. In the Quran, God says, "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do" (Al-Qur’an 24:30).]
Hijab is also something that symbolizes modesty, self-respect, not caring about what others will think of you or your looks or the way you're dressed. We Muslim women ignore what others have to say about our dressing style; we love it ourselves, and we know we look like the most beautiful things in God's eyes, and to us, that's ALL that matters. We don't care if men will hate us because our bodies aren't exposed to them; we feel happy that they can't see our bodies, in fact.
The Hijab, for a female, symbolizes a faithful female follower of Islam who has a certain way of living. She follows Islam to the best of her ability, the way her Creator has told her to do so; she, at ALL costs, avoids lying, cheating, fighting, cursing, and other actions that God doesn't like; she treats others with respect, love, and justice; she shares her knowledge with others and receives blessings for doing so; she obeys every law as long as it doesn't go against God's Teachings. This is what Islam tells a Muslim (male and female) to do, and this is what every Muslim SHOULD do. When you see a female covered with hijab, this is what should come to your mind.
Hijab does NOT symbolize oppression as many non-Muslims think!!! It actually frees us women of the hunger of men. When men see us, they don't desire us, and that's the best thing ever. When men see us, they don't see our physical stuff, but if they like us, they can only want us because of who we are inside and NOT what we are on the outside (some kind of a sex object made for a man to enjoy). Imagine 2 females walking together, one covered with hijab (headscarf) and the other's a western female who's not so covered. Tell me something...If men are walking by or if the females walk by some male(s), which of the 2 females do you think the men would admire or want to go after? Obviously not the covered one, right? Generally speaking, men like to see women who're NOT so covered.
Who do you think is being oppressed here? A woman who's covered, dressed properly in order to please God, or a woman who's not so covered, dressed in such a way that'll please men? I believe the one who's dressed in order to please MEN is being oppressed, wouldn't you say?
We Muslim women dress properly and modestly in order to please God and NOT to please men. We don't wear tight clothings or any kind of clothes that'll entice men or will make men happy. We do exactly the oppposite. Muslim countries have among the lowest rates of rape; the western world has the most (America being on top of the list). Do you think you can tell me why? Yes, yes, it's rarely the female's fault, but males DO feel attracted to females based on how the females dress--that's like the first impression men get of women.
Hence, Muslim women are told to cover their chest, neck, arms, legs, and hair and not to show their body outlines/curves either. We DON'T, however, have to follow this guideline when we're with our fathers, brothers, obviously husbands, sons, or any other males whom we CAN marry.

If you have ANY more questions about Islam or its followers and its Holy Book, Quran, PLEASE feel free to email me! I'd feel privileged to answer. :D
Peace and blessings be upon you and your loved ones!

Answer 2

An article to a non muslim women.........?
When you look at me
All that you can see
is the scarf that covers my hair
My words you can't hear
because you're too full of fear,
mouth gaping, all you do is stare

You think it's not my choice
in your own "liberation" rejoice.
You think I'm uneducated,
trapped, oppressed and subjugated,
You're so thankful that you're free.

But non-Muslim woman you've got it wrong
You're the weak and I'm the strong.
For I've rejected the trap of man.
Fancy clothes - low neck, short skirt
those are devices for pain and hurt.
I'm not falling for that little plan.

I'm a person with ideas and thought.
I'm not for sale, I can't be bought.
I'm me - not a fancy toy,
I won't decorate anyone's arm,
nor be promoted for my charm.
There is more to be than playing coy.

Living life as a balancing game - mother,
daughter, wife, nurse, cleaner, cook, lover
and still bring home a wage.
Who thought up this modern "freedom"?
Where man can love'em and man can leave'em.
This is not free, but life in a cage.
Always jumping to a male agenda
competing on his terms.
No job share, no creche facilities,
no feeding and nappy changing amenities
No time off for menstrual pain,
"hormones" they laugh "what a shame"
No equal pay equal skill
your job they can always fill.
No promotion unless you're sterilised.
No promotion unless you're sexually terrorised.
And this is liberation?

Non-Muslim woman you can have your life.
Mine - it has less strife.
I cover and I get respected,
surely that's to be expected,
for I won't demean the feminine,
I won't live to male criterion,
I dance to my own tune
and I hope you see this very soon.
For your own sake - wake up and use your sight.
Are you so sure that you are right?

Answer 3

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376421.stm

Read the latest news about the harmful effects of sexualisation of women on young girls. This is an independent study conducted in the US and very recently in the news. Hijab is worn by muslim women to cover themselves up so that they are not treated as sexual objects but as humans.

Answer 4

Thye are supposed to free women from being viewed as a sex object, making them equal in society.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work.
Mostly they are used as a form of subjugation and separation, alienating women from society in general.

And in a country where women died for the rights of the freedom of women, I find the use of them offensive.

Are the efforts of the Panchurst sisters and the Suffragettes so easily forgotten? Less than 100 years ago.

The comments from men and wearer of hijab show who is really the inhibited one. It shows that the male population need protection from the sexuality of women as this sexuality can controll the male species!
And in answer to the suggestion that all western women wear revealling clothes is just a generalisation that is not borne out in fact!

Answer 5

salam sis i appreciate people who positioned on or dont positioned on the hijab i think of its a variety of interpertaion some human beings intereperate the quran to declare its mandatory some dont take the verses in that way i for my area dont positioned on the hijab and its to no longer be socially time-honored its my selection i dont care what number thumbs down i'm getting for asserting that its basically in my opinion the hijab skill to no longer allure to interest from the alternative intercourse i think of if i positioned on denims and a tunic i allure to much less attenion then from a hijabi modesty could be obtained without hijab in my opinion in case you place on the hijab congrats sis i trully salute you and appreciate you and that i'm hoping that youd appreciate me as nicely pepace outzz and a lot lovezz

Answer 6

hijabs (head scarfs) are worn to preserve modesty. just think of Mary, the mother of Jesus. she is a role model to all Muslim women.

Answer 7

Because men would take them seriously. Men generally would look for the things on the girls body rather than looking into her mind and soul, that is why muslim women wear the hijab. So they would have some respect and dignity they deserved.

Answer 8

The lie is modesty.


All humans have a face... its their idenity, their personality, their expression as is hair.

To be in a burka does not mean you are no longer seen as a sex object and a person instead.


it means you are not seen as a person at all...as no humanity,

Plus forget sex objects beauty in men and woemn is there to help people couple up and fall in love.


Islam wants women controlled in arranged marriages so fathers are scared that females will find their own boyfriends or husbands and not under their control.






If you look at where islan origonated ... ie sandstorm desert


It appears to be the equivalent of an eskimo suit ie sand storm protection.


But its main use is hiding woemn and separating them from friends and society and potential boyfriends as islamic men want to control woemn so lie to them from birth with rubbish like modesty when they are scared of females using sexaulity over them.


or having any identiy ie a face or interacting with others ...


Ie all about control and separation



Is islam respected woemn explain why in countries where they have the burka, women are not allowed to mix with guys, drive, even walk outside the house without a controlling husband, brother or father.

Answer 9

Modesty. I wear Mennonite type dresses and head coverings for worship.

Answer 10

ALLAHA orderded women who believes on HIM that hide themselves from ''na meham''_____na mehram are those to she has no relation or
whom can a female marry and others '' father ;brother;mother's brother 'father's brother 'brother in law and her brother or step brother are mehram .with them she can 't marry so there is some relexation in hijjab .

but about na mehrams she has to be ordered to do hijjab.

even her one single hair must be covered .other wise it is a SIN.
females are pretty and there beauti entice the male so that ALLAHA ordered to HIJJAB

Answer 11

hijabs are worn so wives of one muslim man will never know each others' face. it is also worn by man to commit suicide bombing.