If Islam is so equal, then why do women have to cover up more than men do?

Question

Muslim men must cover from the navel to the knee. Muslim women must "throw their cloaks around themselves when out in public," effectively covering everything but their hands, feet and the oval of their face.

How is that fair? And why is it necessary in 2007? I understand the original purpose, the idea behind it (so that men do not get tempted by women) - but in Western society today, a woman dressed conservatively (long pants or skirt, long sleeves) is not stared at, thus making covering her hair unnecessary. Why then, the specific rules? Are the dictates of the Qur'an really for all time, or is it being interpreted incorrectly?

Yellowandblack07- I didn't say they weren't equal in Islam in terms of justice. Read again, then answer.

Wildkatusa - You still didn't answer my question - where is the responsibility of the men? Sure, a man might harass a woman, and that's a reason for women to be modest, but why isn't the man held responsible?

No one has managed to answer this yet, and I wouldn't expect a Muslim to answer it properly anyway.

1. Yes, my husband knows how I feel - he does not believe hijab to be necessary either, and would never ask me or a daughter to wear it.

2. I'm not Christian, who gave you that idea?

3. I asked "Why is it necessary in 2007?" I suppose I was not clear enough. Deleting this, asking again, thanks.

Answer 1

Well let me reverse the question. Why is it acceptable for men to be topless and women not? Also why do men make more (statistically) working the same jobs as women? Why did all civilizations treat their women like dirt for most of history? Why couldn't women vote until the 20th century? My point is I believe that all societies have inequality between the sexes. While muslim societies have a far greater inequality, it is undeniable that women are far from "equal" in western societies. I have not read the bible but I consistently get the idea from Christians that men are the natural head of household, and I'm pretty sure most other religious texts espouse the same notion. It could, and has, been argued that feminism (the notion that women are "equal) is heretical and contrary to God's will and that working women have lead to the decline of the American family. I could go on but the fact remains that in all societies, it is always expected that women dress more conservatively than their female counterparts.

Answer 2

Men and women are not considered the same in Islam, or anywhere in the world. They are biologically and anatomically different. The equality Islam proffesses is that on Judgement day they will be treated equally as the sin of a man is equal to the sin of a woman who commits the same act, as is the good thing they did, it will be classified the same. If a woman did a good thing and a man did the same thing they will be blessed from their Lord in equal measure.
The hijab thing should not be looked at as 'fair' or not, because you're thinking of it by looking at dressing. Ask a bigger and harder question like - is it fair that God created man and woman differently? Why?
The hijab is a duty written for women from God, so if you want to blame anyone for this ruling why don't you blame God?
Human nature doesn't really change, people are still raping and taking women's virginity outside of marriage today as they did since the beggining of mankind, so it doesn't mater if it's 2007BC or 2007AD, they are pretty much the same.
The hijab counts for more than just conservative dressing, it is a sign of faith and a sign for people who lack some morals to say 'back off', whereas conservative dressing alone just says I have some morals or my body is actually ugly and I don't want to show it off.

Answer 3

Yes Islam is so equal, all you need to know is just inf about why God ask just the women to wer wear Hijaab

Hijab' is an Arabic word that describes Muslim women's entire dress code, which includes a veil and whatever else is needed to cover everything except the face and hands. It is adopted at or before puberty- an age when Muslim children become fully accountable for their actions.

This essay will attempt to briefly enumerate the basic requirements regarding Muslim women’s dress (Hijab) as stipulated by the 'Sharee’ah' (Law) of Islam. The term 'Hijab' itself includes not only dress and covering the body, but methods of behavior before members of the same and/or opposite sex, promoting privacy for females and prohibiting loose intermingling between males and females, and thereby encouraging modesty, decency, and chastity.

The following requirements represent those agreed upon by the overwhelming majority of scholars and are all solidly backed by firm evidence taken from the Qur’an, the 'Sunnah' (Prophet's tradition) and the practice of the 'Sahaabah' (Prophet's companions):

Just try to read this articles

"Do you have to wear that thing on your head?"

http://www.thelastingmiracle.com/eng/article.aspx?id=121&cat=121

Defining Hijaab

http://www.thelastingmiracle.com/eng/article.aspx?id=122&cat=21

Just Try one time to read avout Islam you will not lose any thing

May god bless u

Answer 4

hijab is a woman's choice. The Holy Quran says for a woman to cover her head. This is for a reason and many Christian religions used to teach the same but Christianity changes constantly whereas Islam stays the same.
The hijab is really a good thing and it shows the woman's faith. Muslim women who truly follow Islam are very strong women indeed.
Just because you don't agree doesn't make it wrong.
you seem to like bashing Muslims. Does your husband know you feel this way? I doubt it

Answer 5

Islam is equal when it comes to justice.

You can't really rationalize that Islam doesn't treat men and women equal (in terms of justice) because of the amount of clothes that either group is suppose to wear, that is ridiculous.

The USA is a country that treats men and women equal, yet men can show thier breast in public and women cannot (for the most part). Is the USA now a sexist country, trying to limit the "rights" of women? I mean, "come on", this is 2007, why not allow a woman to show her breasts?

See, things are just different in nature. With so many intellectuals in this world, why can't the general public just acknowledge that?

Answer 6

I know of many Muslim women (including my husband's sister) who do not cover, and it is their choice. I have not heard one single Muslim woman complain about wearing hijab. Actually the ONLY people I do hear complaining are people who do not practice Islam and/or do not wish to accept the religion and its practices. I see plenty of valid explanations here for how men and women are told to cover and why. If that is not good enough then what exactly is the "proper answer"?

Answer 7

I don't understand what's the problem. Before Islam as we know today, the women covered their hair. Why not just continue tradition, if you're Muslim, or not. What's wrong with being modest?

Answer 8

if u are a practising person in your religion, u just follow what it says in the book..u dont question it..

..also, these days in the western society, (where i live, england..) a lotta people either dont have a religion, (i have tons of white mates but i dont think any of them are christian/jewish or anything else..) or if they do, they dont really follow it..same goes for some muslims..me, i'm muslim but i dont wear a headscarf and i dress in jeans n stuff..but some muslims wanna keep to their religion and dont care about peer pressure or what everyone else is doing..thats why they cover up..they wanna do the thing their religion is sayin..regardless of what the year is etc..

Answer 9

If a woman is wearing loose clothes, not skin tight clothes, then she doesn't have to wear the burqa (the long robe). But she has to cover her hair because hair is something that is very personal to a woman. She doesn't have to cover her hair in front of her family (brother, son, father, husband) but otherwise she should. This is because for the same reason, so that men don't get attracted to her (thru her hair).

Edit: Tupid, Muslim women are allowed to pray in mosques. It is preferable for them to pray at home but if they want to go to a mosque, then they can. Maybe you haven't seen the pictures of Masjid-e-Haram or Masjid-e-Nabawi in Makkah and Madinah. Muslim women go there and pray......

Answer 10

we are equivalent contained in the eyes of Allah It does not recommend our ROLES are equivalent. Is the function of the King and the function of a beggar the same ?? No, yet contained in the eyes of Allah, they're going to be judged both !! females conceal for secure practices from the adult males of the devils. for sure you dont favor masking, as no guy has ever appeared at you in that way - and so that you may want to be labeled among the elderly, the position their is not any requirement to conceal. YOUR grandmother didnt go away the homestead wihout masking up !!! - Its not our fault your society has morphed right into a Godless, superficial, sex and violence fuelled society Islam gave females resources rights 1400 years in the past. females had the right to vote only a one hundred years in the past contained in the west attempt getting slightly attitude.... "females are dealt with unjustly in those international places." - sure, no kinfolk contributors violence hostile to females the following !! Jeez - provide me power !!