What is the purpse of the hijab?

Question

Isn't it to cover, show modesty, for men not to feel attracted to the woman? are there people who wear the hijab as a fashion statementonly? Beacause I don't understand the purpose of covering your hair in order to seem less attractive to men, and then wearing loads of makeup, mainly on the eyes, some even permanently tatoo eye makeup and lip liner on. Can someone please explain the logic? I am trying to be open minded and accepting, but it's hard when I see conflinting behaviors.

Answer 1

Well thanks for posting this because it's always better to ask then to assume. You have the basic fundaments about the hijab down. It is to keep a woman modest, so that men don't look at her like eye candy, it draws attention away from the physical and draws attention to a womans words and mind. Also, Hijab does not only mean head covering, it means to cover. It also saves the woman from abiding by the western ideals of a womans beauty, and to keep her from struggling to please others physically.

As for the contradiction of makeup, It's a choice and some poeple like to go step by step before completely stopping something. Some woman wear it because they give into temptation and such.. other woman wear the hijab because they are so accustomed to wearing it that it's less for the sake of Allah and more of a habbit. You can't forget Muslim woman are also human, and many of the sisters go off the track, often unintentionally, everyone has to go at there own pace when it comes to any religion, even with the hijab. So I pray inshallah Allah guides all my Muslim sisters to find their own path and not give into societies needs. And also, no one is PERFECT in their faith, we can only strive for perfection.

As for the person who said Muslim women are ugly.. lol.. Sorry but Islams idea of beauty isn't a woman with transprent clothing and nudity. ( thats for that persons statement) and also, Muslim woman aren't only arabs, and WE ARE BEAUTIFUL... inside and out.

Hope that helped.

Answer 2

I don't also understand why we keep repeating this question. RedWine and Others, why do you care about people who judge others by appearance, if this is really what you think? The only one who will judge you is Allah, thats it. I said before, you need to ask yourself "Allah pleased with me or not, what am I doing right, and what am I doing wrong?" and dont worry about people. The very most important thing really is that you should not lie to yourself, and try convince yourself that you are doing right while you actually doing wrong. this is Shaitan's work. That's a general advice, and it is really between you and Allah after that. The Hijab subject was never an issue before, it was surfaced because of the West as usual, when France and other countries banned Hijab from some places, then it was the most spoken subject about. Then you got some sick people in Egypt supporting banning the Hijab, and here of course you get a natural reaction from Mulims. I think it is expected. The point I agree with you is the Zakat for example. Not many people as you said know Meqdar al zakat. and I believe you should educate friends and family if you found that they don't know, and everybody should do the same. I support your point here, because we don't have religious education in Egypt. .

Answer 3

thanks for asking the question out of understanding and not ignorance. before i give you the exact purpose for hijab which is the entire covering,the head scarf is called a khimar(kheemar). is or you to understand that just with all religions that culture is mixed w/religion and that there are 73 denominations of islaam so depending on that denomination there is a difference of opinions on what is exceptatable or permissible. the purpose of hijab or covering is for modety not just against the protection men. we do it to please (ALLAH,GOD). the same GOd that you worship. if yo u do research you will find that both christians and jews dressed in the same manner as muslim women of today do. people tend to be the ones who change parts of their religion that they don't agree with just like the catholics,protestnts.and lutherns did so many yeas ago. i was rasied a baptist so i'm very familiar w/christianity. but to get back to the question. you have to also understand some people are new to islaam and may not know how to properly dress and then you have the muslim women who immigrate and in an effort to become more modernized or able to fit in change who they are b/c now they're in america. well i'm american and i feel proud and respected to dress the way i do. i only have problems from women but the men tend to respest me and my sisters more b/c we are dressed this way. it's not a choice it's a way of life. i don't need to show everyone what i have just to want to fit in. i remember what i used to be like before islaam and i'm happy to say i'm a better person now. i agree if you're not going to be true a/b it and want to fit in so much, why bother at all. it defeats the purpose altogether. feel free to email me if you have anymore questions. i ask myself those same questions. some muslims even call me an extremist b/c i wear the niqab(face veil) but that's ok. i know i'm not and i am proud of who i am a proud african american muslim woman. BTW not all muslims are arabs as you see i'm a black female stop with all all of the sterostypes it just makes you look stupid and ignorant. stop believing everything you see on tv. and i know some beautiful arab sisters thank you.

Answer 4

I understand completely what you mean. I have seen women wearing hijab and then wearing short sleeves or capris. But make-up always seems a must-do type of thing. I don't understand their thinking either. I know that hijab is hide your beauty (hair is part of your beauty, it adds to it); by hiding your beauty you are protecting youself from harrassement. But doing all this make up adds to your beauty. These women don't understand that when you decide to commit, you must completely commit. This is a great topic...I could go on and on but I rather not! Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Hijab is an Islamic statement, but some women have little knowledge (or appreciation) to the hijab's goal of making women look modest, so they make up for it by other means. This isn't the right thing to do, but it's their choice.

Answer 6

Hijab is to protect the women from herself and from the world. It is a sign of respect to herself and it is also what ALLAH(SWT) commanded of all women to cover everything except the eyes according to a very strong Hadith. Muslim women believe that no man should see their beauty except for their husbands and fathers and brothers and father in laws and sons. Makeup shouldn't really be worn because that is drawing unwanted attention to the woman and besides it dries out the skin because of all the chemicals in it. I wear the hijab which is the headscarf but as soon as I get my first paycheck in September I'll be making sure I buy the niqab(face veil) and Abaya(long black robe that will cover me from head to toe) as well so I can get more good credit from ALLAH(SWT). The Muslim women aren't supposed to wear stuff that alters their bodies and wear things like makeup that draws attention to them. So they aren't even paying attention to the rules really. They say they are Muslim but they are only Muslim in name meaning they don't practice Islam to the fullest extent.

Answer 7

wearing heavy makeup that makes u look attractive is also against the right form of the islamic dress code for women.
the purpose of wearing hijab is not to make women inferior to men but actually to make them equal to them and to declare that these women are not intrested in attracting men and wish to be treated according to their personalities and work.
however for some young muslim girls it's hard to do the whole change in this world that is all based on looks and appearences nowadays so they take it gradually till they are strong enough to pull it all together.
However they shouldn't be the role modals.
Finally, i believe whatever other sisters wear, we shouldn't be judgmental and pray god to make us stronger against all these worldly temptations.

Answer 8

You answered your own question. As for the women that wear makeup, I don't know. But my Muslim friends told me that the purpose is for women to show modesty, to be valued for what's inside, etc...

Answer 9

Good question. The purpose of the hijab is to cover one's hair from other men to avoid harrassment, etc. Women have to wear it because they want to for the sake of Allah (swt) and to increase their faith. Women are only allowed to wear make-up for the husbands and husbands only, not to please other men. But I agree that women shouldn't wear LOADS of make-up, because that's not necessary in my opinion.

Answer 10

Modesty and also protection. Submission.