Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to take off her hijab so as to avoid harrassment?

Question

khen_hm: The Qu'ran 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 God is Well-acquainted with all that they Do. And say to the believing women That they should lower their gaze And guard their modesty: and they Should not display beauty and Ornaments expect what (must Ordinarily) appear thereof; that They must draw their veils over Their bosoms and not display their Beauty except to their husbands, Their fathers, their husband's Fathers, their sons, their husband's Sons, or their women, or their Slaves whom their right hands Possess, or male servants free of Physical needs, or small children.

Surah 24: An-Nur: 30 and 31

Answer 1

if she goes out for some necessary reason and she is afraid that she may face harassment, then she should look at what kind of harassment it is. If it is something that can be put up with, such as swearing or insults, or just hostile looks from some people, this does not mean that it becomes permissible for her to take off her hijab, because one can put up with this kind of harassment. It is false to say to a woman: give up your hijab because of some words that you hear on the street; rather she should be patient and put up with it. This comes under the heading of testing the faith of the believing woman. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.

3. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allaah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allaah knows all that before putting them to test)”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:2-3]

If she is going to be faced with unbearable harassment, such as being beaten or killed or having her honour tarnished, and she has to go out for some necessary reason, then in this case it is permissible for her to reduce her hijab to a lesser kind, such as covering the head and neck only. She may give up only as much of her hijab as will protect her from being exposed to harm, because necessity should not be exaggerated. Or she may cover herself without the kind of hijab that people are used to, so that the Muslim woman will not appear as a target for harassment in the eyes of those people.

Answer 2

All the answerers are avoiding the first answer given --where in the Quran says that women MUST wear Hijab? It is an individual right and indeed, a personal practice, which comes from cultural aspects rather than religious. Most women in Asia don't wear Hijab. In fact, they don't wear them when they are in Mecca (mind me if I am wrong, I was only told about this upon a similar question some time back).

Answer 3

where do u live? if it threatening your life then i think yes , and if it is just harassment from people such as didjlot then i don't think taking off your hejab will do any good because people like him they just don't like Muslims even if you are an angel, i had so many difficulties with my boss when i first wear my hejab she gave me a lecture and started talking about how bad i look and i was the best employee to dress but the more she talked the more i did stick to my hijab after few months she was transferred to another department lace so try to hold on to it as much as you can , defend it and be proud of it if not then do what suites you and good luck .
and didjlot this question is not for you, you know nothing so keep quiet

Answer 4

Just remember that a woman had to wear hijab so that Mohammad would not be constantly tiltillated. (this is historically captured in the hadiths) He had a weakness for women and even he had reached his own theoretical limit (satisfying all his wives in one night) so he rather that they covered themselves completely. Any part of their skin could tiltillate him. I can understand modesty but dressed in black drapes ? C'mon!
Apparently Sheikh Hilally in australia has the same problem of being easily titillated so that he refers to all australian women as being "uncovered meat", even the modest ones if they do not wear hijab ! Male Pervert trying to cover up his perversity by blaming women.

Answer 5

Jill, if you are in the US and people are giving you a hard time, the LOGICAL THING TO DO is to tell them to mind their own business. People are free to practice their religion, *especially* in the US. She should only remove her hijab if her life is threatened, otherwise she should simply ignore the ignorants who feel the need to trouble her. Hijab is like clothing. I would never remove a piece of my clothing for any idiot.

Answer 6

This is what God says in the Quran about people slandering innocent women and harassing them:

024-023 Lo! as for those who traduce virtuous, believing women (who are) careless, cursed are they in the world and the Hereafter. Theirs will be an awful doom.
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They are the ones in loss; if a woman fears her security then it is no harm for her to take it off. Islam is about faith and persecution in the eyes of this religion is worse than killing.
Cheers & God bless.

Answer 7

I thought it was a voluntary thing. If so, of course she could take it off.
However, if she is forced to wear it (like the women in fundamentalist countries) then she would be beaten if she took it off.
I would like to see all Muslim women throw off this symbol of oppression in support of their sisters.

Answer 8

If you are in the US and people are giving you a hard time, what do you think would be the most logical thing to do? There is no law here that says you must wear it.

Answer 9

Yes, Because you are ordered by God to protect yourself, rather than a piece of cloth.

Answer 10

Sure, why not?

Although it is a sin, but that's just between the woman and God, she must answer to God one day.

Society however, has no problem with that.

What sort of harrassment anyway?