Question about Islam.?

Question

I am a Christian, but I am studying Islam in my world history class. One thing I'm not quite clear on why Muslim women have to be clothed from head to toe when out in public. Doesn't it teach in the Quran that both men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah?

Answer 1

From the islamic point of view, both men and women have equal status in society. This balances out where women's covering is concerned too, actually.
While women are supposed to cover themselevs up decently according to Islamic teachings, men are required not to stare at every woman. Men are as responsible for being "modest" in their gaze as women are in their dressing.
The logic behind this is the simple fact that around the world it is men who are tempted by women's bodies and want to stare at every curve, not otherwise. But I certainly don't adhere to the "tempted to rape" theory which is frankly, savage. I think it is a consequence of religion frowning upon sex between umarried couples. It is a prevention of such "sins" if you will.
As for head to toe, this is a cultural thing; look it up in the Quran. According to the strict Islamic dress code, the woman should be "decently" dressed, not necessarily covered head to toe. The variious forms of veils and other garbs are outcomes of religious interpretation mixed with cultural legacy across the world.
As a Muslim, I cannot even think about telling my wife to dress up like a shuttlecock; she wears what she pleases because I am certainly not her moral police. Moreover, having a penis between my legs does not make me better than her. We are individuals, not penises and vaginas.
Just my two cents.

Answer 2

As a muslim female, I can honestly tell you that this ruling about women covering up is one of the best in islam.
We women are subjected to numerous propositions our whole life......We are stared at to the point where some men make us feel umcomfortable. The hijab is their as a protection for us against any type of sexual agression. The women who have never been in this situation probably won't feel the same way as me, but go and ask any woman who has and she'll probably change the way she dresses etc....( esp. rape victims) ..... God knows all that is best for us and their is a great wisdom behind this ruling and when you look at the how men and women think , you'll see most studies involving this matter, that a man will be turned on faster than a female just by looks , but women have differnt approach to that topic..... There is a dress code too for men in islam from the waist down to the knees. Look at the anatomy of both sexes for a minute.....Women have to cover from the head down because the sexual attraction can start from the hair of a female and of course to cover the chest and the rest of the body. For men, their isn't a threat in any other area except for what god has commanded him to cover.....Do you see why women should cover up? Jesus's mom was always portrayed covered up. A muslim female covers the same areas that a nun does, but the muslim is the opressed one and not the nun???? This is a sign of a respectable women. I hope this helps.......let me know if you need some more help.

Answer 3

This is because, yes men and women are exactly the same in allah's eyes but a women has to be covered from head to toe beacuse they can not show their figure to men. This is so that women are not attrackted to men.
In islam you're not allowed to go out with any one.

Answer 4

Its not just to keep a man from wanting to lust or rape.It is also about making a statement of sincere modesty.A Muslim woman who chooses to wear the veil is also showing the world that she is a devout and pious woman who takes her religion seriously.Catholic nuns who practice the wearing of their Habit report feeling a certain liberation in not having to dress to suit the worlds expectations of them.I second that feeling .We are not meat.We are human beings other than just for sexual gratification.Men in Islam also have certain dress codes.They are not permitted to show their flesh between their naval and their Knees.So no shorts.Unless they go past the knees.

Answer 5

It's important to understand that in Islam, both men and women must dress modestly. It's not a "women only" thing.

Answer 6

Peace be upon you
it is a nice question ,and you of course know how was the mother of the Jesus clothed.
it is for protection , it is exposed that women shy more than men due to their psycological nature.
We all are equal in front of the God ,but the God care of the female psycological nature.
The female body can seduce but the male body not by the same degree.
And as the woman is important in building the sociaty ,we should care of her as a mother , wife and daughter.
some guys if see a naked woman , they will let all of their work and look at her , but the good woman , wear respectable wide clothes and let men concentrate in things more important for their sociaty.

Answer 7

Hi, ...78:

The Quran teaches that Muslim women must cover their entire body, excluding the face. In the O.T., women were modest and wore veils, too. Christians were just told to dress modestly.

Early Christians knew Mohammedanism was a judgment of God for their sins. You can read about it at www.revelado.org/islam.htm

Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua

Answer 8

ppl above have described why women should be modest in theri clothing but if your looking for commandment then here it is

“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 therof; 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 the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Quran 24:31).
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)

Answer 9

although men and women are equal in the eyes of god,but they're different in the eyes of people.and its good for protecting women against sexual harrasment and make a better society and families because all parts of women body can attract a man and make him excited

Answer 10

Why not broaden your understanding on Islam?

Links below would help you to clarify thing unclear to you about Islam.

http://www.turntoislam.com/

http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/quran/