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Qur’ān Sura 24:31:
"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 head covers over their chests and not to display their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons."

I ask this question since I have seen various kind of hijabs worn by Muslim women, from combination of simple head covers (which cover all their hair and wrap around their necks only) and casual dresses i.e. t-shirts and jeans (which sometimes form fitting to the bodies) to burqas, that hide all, but the eyes (like the ones in Saudi Arabia) or hide everything including the eyes (commonly found in Afghanistan).

2007-08-30 03:46:57 · 29 answers · asked by Duke of Tudor 6 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

29 answers

Hi Duke of Tudor,
As I said in another answer I gave about Hijab, Haircover has nothing to do with Islam. It is just a cultural thing. The Arabic word Hijab that was used in the Quran means cover. It doesn't mean Head cover. Of course when God said that women should cover themselves he meant it. He meant that women should cover their bodies and not wear revealing clothes. He didn't say cover your hair though.
This just a misconception.
http://www.submission.org/dress.html
http://www.submission.org/dress4.htm

I am a Muslim girl and I don't wear Hijab. For sure, when muslims hear this they would say this girl is bad.
First, although I don't wear Hijab I never wear short sleves. When I go out the only things that I show is my hands and my face besides to my hair.
Second, when I go out, men are not going to leave those girls who almost wear nothing and run after me to see my hair.
Third, If you think hair is attractive, I have seen many veils and Hijabs that are more attractive than hair. Those that have very wild colors and glitter and bling bling . Why don't you do like the Jewish and wear wigs (with my respect to all people of the book).
Fourth, if something is strange it is usually more attractive than something you are used to. In western culture, Hijab is not considered a very common thing and therefore it attracts people's sight more than the hair itself.
I am sure after submitting this answer I will get tens of emails from Muslims who want to "clean my mind". I would say please don't make yourself tired you will never convince me. I am a logical person. I rarely commit a sin and no this is not a sin.
I only wear Hijab when I pray because then I am talking directly with God and it is necessary to bo completely covered.
Yes you are right. Muslim women shouldn't wear clothes that form fitting of the body. I don't too. I always buy clothes that are bigger than my size. If they want to cover their necks and chests they can wrap a scarf around them so they don't show them.

Peace

2007-09-01 05:52:58 · answer #1 · answered by Mimi 6 · 4 6

Surah Noor, says:

" And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons..."
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]


3. Six criteria for Hijaab.


According to Qur’an and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing hijaab:

Extent:

The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face and the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these parts of the body. Some scholars of Islam insist that the face and the hands are part of the obligatory extent of ‘hijaab’.

All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women.

The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.

The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through them.

The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.

The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.

The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the unbelievers’ religions.


4. Hijaab includes conduct and behaviour among other things


Complete ‘hijaab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijaab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijaab’ in a limited sense. ‘Hijaab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijaab’ of the eyes, ‘hijaab’ of the heart, ‘hijaab’ of thought and ‘hijaab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.

2007-09-05 16:19:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

There is a lot of debate in the Islamic world as to what constitutes an Islamic dress and what parts of the body should be covered.

Here is what I believe...

All parts of the body should be covered except the face and hands. The dress should not be too bright/colorful or see-through so as to attract attention, should be lose so as the figure of the woman is not evident. And the dress should not resemble that of the male dress.

And lastly, there also should be hijab of the eyes, heart and mind.

2007-09-02 17:10:22 · answer #3 · answered by Wanderer 5 · 1 0

Thank you for contacting me for this question; i have not been active here because of other engagements. I shall be brief and will answer on the basis of Scripture.
Please understand that the Quran does not recommend a specific type of garment but asks females to be moderately dressed and to have, particularly, their bosom covered adequately. Hadith suggests that with the exception of palms and face, the rest should be preferably covered.
As for specific types of garments sported by women across the world, they are consequences of religion and custom. This is why the dresses vary greatly in South Asia compared to the Middle East or African Muslim countries.
The burqa, hijab and abaya are therefore the interpretations of these verses as exercised by people around the world. Our culture/tradition is ingrained in us so regionally, this interpretation varies from country to country.
The important thing is that while a woman has been asked to cover her self, in Surah 24, a man has been asked to keep his eyes averted. BOTH are EQUALLY important.
Thank you for seeking me response.

2007-09-01 10:23:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4 0

Here's a better translation of that verse... :)

And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed. (24:31)

The point of Hijab is to cover the outline of body... like the outline of chests shouldn't show... so that the person who sees u... couldn't even guess the size of them!!!... a tight t-shirt is therefore not acceptable... or a short one that shows the outline of hips through the pants or the skirt... that's why the abayas are long... also... only the circle of the face, hands till wrist, and feet till the wrist on the front part is allowed to be showed...
So any Hijab that u see... that shows the outline of the body... its not acceptable... I myself... if am planning on wearing a shirt... I make sure to buy a size bigger... n something that at least covers my hips...
Some even say... that Hijab should be like a tent... not the burqa in afghanistan.... but like an abaya or chador... that hangs over the shoulders... so the outline of the body is not visible... :)

2007-08-31 12:04:03 · answer #5 · answered by Samantha 6 · 8 0

From a Christian perspective women should dress moderately. This simply means that they should dress appropriately for the circumstances.
For example, a lady would not wear a bikini to Sunday morning service. Or lingerie to go to the theater.
On the other hand to suggest that a woman should be covered from head to toe when ever in public is strictly speaking a form of insecurity or basically a guilt trip. I mean no disrespect to those who are Muslim. I respect your right to your faith, but the hijab is just one more example of what we Christians call earning your salvation by works. It may be noble in the minds of some, but it clearly contradicts the Law of Liberty as taught in "The Book". Romans 8:2 clearly states:
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
I sincerely hope this helps.

Once again, no offense to Muslims or anyone else.

I Cr 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!(NKJV)

2007-09-02 14:38:12 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 4 0

The face and the hands can remain visible. The clothing should be loose and not transparent and should not look like male clothing.

I also read before somebody complain about seeing a woman's shape but this woman had very large breasts and the shaykh said that the woman will be judged on her intention because she tried to cover it up but even with her loose clothing some of her shape was somewhat visible do to her natural body proportions.

About the hijab actually covering the chest...I have seen different things written. At the time of the quran women wore veils but left there chest free...so they were ordered to use their veils to cover their chest. However, if your clothing already covers your chest completely I don't see why your veil needs to hang down as long as your neck and everything is covered.

I don't know though.
And God knows best.
Thanks for the question.

2007-09-01 10:37:12 · answer #7 · answered by Sassafrass 6 · 5 2

Others have given you an adequate response, but I want to comment on Christian apparel.

The Holy Scriptures tell us that God clothed Adam and Eve--we've been taking' it off ever since.

People just don't believe it when God demands modesty, and transgression resulted in the Noah's flood. After that, they were serious for a while, and women wore facial veils.

Today you see exotic hairdos, painted faces, dangling jewelry, and plunging necklines and elevated skirts. Why? Because men raise the eyebrows, give cat calls, and praise women for exploiting themselves on a cheap market.

Judgment will prevail, whether it is Christian or Muslim, because they must meet the Judge who can never be bribed and never argues--He just sets the standard and expects compliance.

Judgment day is predicted in mathematical prophecies in the Bible. One proves Jesus is the Messiah. See www.revelado.org/revealed.htm

Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua

2007-09-04 15:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

that's really a good question from a boy who cares about muslims women how to wear and what to wear
i can say that hijab should be a proud for all the arabic girls iam so proud of wearing it cuz i am happy to satisfy and please my Creator Allah the most high and i follow the best thing ever our blessed prphet peace be upon him had honored us with as being the believing women mentioned in the holy Quran from the seven heaven above is there something more honorable to a woman more than being mentioned in Allah's speech in Quran by our beloved prophet pbuh
hijab means that women should cover their bodies to not be seen by other strangers means in language hajeb yahjob covered from eyes so cover your body as you want but there are some conditions our porphets pbuh set them to be a good hijab not tigh not transparent not attractive so no jeans and no wears of the old jahilia means to put a veil on hair and let the neck and the chest uncovered no
better than to wear long and large stuffs like melaya and to put a good cover all over the head including neck shoulder and chest avoiding tigh trousers and short skirt not to show the body more atrractive
but i dont think niqab is not obligatory it is optional cuz el mustafa sala allah alayh wa salam refered to hands and face that can be uncovered and i dont like also that hijab worn in iran and afghanistan women give signs to terrorism and to fear of islam be easy dress in white why not
i have lot to say in this subject as far as iam concerned as a muslima mutahjiba

2007-09-02 11:33:41 · answer #9 · answered by Cleopatra mohamed'redouane's mom 4 · 2 0

There have been a lot of wonderful answers to this question. I am still kind of new to Islam and still learning all that I need to know. Personally I wear I scarf style hijab or something that just covers my hair, neck, and upper chest. I wear loose fitting clothing as well. Though here in the USA it is a little more difficult to wear Abayas or Jilbabs and still be able to go about the tasks of normal life.

2007-09-01 17:34:36 · answer #10 · answered by xendria18 2 · 3 2

The person who asked this question asked me via E-mail to answer it.

I am not a Muslim so I really can't comment on it.

The Bible also tells Christian women to dress modestly but it does not define exacly how to do that.

1 Timothy chapter two:

9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Pastor Art

2007-09-05 13:54:14 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

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