When we look at the Holy Qur’an we find that it has addressed the issue of hijab in about ten verses and in none of these verses does Allah (s.w.t) introduce hijab as a new command. It is not a new command. Islam did not introduce hijab for the first time; rather, Islam tries to remind us of that which has always existed and ensure that we understand and practice it in its proper way.
For example, Prophet Muhammad (s.a) was asked by Allah (s.w.t) to tell ladies that they should keep their covering, or jilbab, close to themselves, so that it covers them properly:
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw closely over themselves their jilbāb..." 1
When we look at the Holy Qur’an we find that it has addressed the issue of hijab in about ten verses and in none of these verses does Allah (s.w.t) introduce hijab as a new command. It is not a new command. Islam did not introduce hijab for the first time; rather, Islam tries to remind us of that which has always existed and ensure that we understand and practice it in its proper way.
Allah (s.w.t) did not say that they should wear a jilbāb because this was a known and understood idea at the time, but they did not know how to practice it correctly so sometimes they wore it so loosely that the parts of the body supposed to be covered were visible, so through the Holy Prophet (s.a), Allah (s.w.t) asked them to keep their jilbāb close to their bodies so that it suitably covered and protected them.
Allah (s.w.t) also told the Holy Prophet (s.a) to ask the believing men to be cautious about their approach in looking at women because this is another aspect of a woman’s protection.
Tell the faithful men to cast down their looks and to guard their private parts. That is more decent for them. Allah is indeed well aware of what they do." 2
Thus, part of the protection of her beauty derives from the lady wearing proper hijab and part of the protection comes from Allah (s.w.t) asking men to respect a lady by not having bad intentions when looking at her and by not looking at the parts of her body that are not to be seen. To protect the beauty of a lady, Allah (s.w.t) says that men of faith, principles, and high values should be careful about the way in which they look at her, all of which is done out of a sense of care, respect and honour for a lady.
Thus, part of the protection of her beauty derives from the lady wearing proper hijab and part of the protection comes from Allah (s.w.t) asking men to respect a lady by not having bad intentions when looking at her and by not looking at the parts of her body that are not to be seen. To protect the beauty of a lady, Allah (s.w.t) says that men of faith, principles, and high values should be careful about the way in which they look at her, all of which is done out of a sense of care, respect and honour for a lady.
Hijab is not merely related to clothing
Hijab is not merely related to clothing, It also regulates the manner in which women should look, how contacts should be formed and maintained, and the manner in which they are to speak. For example, Allah (s.w.t) says in the Holy Qur’an:
O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech." 3
Another important part of hijab is reducing unnecessary contact with unrelated members of the opposite gender. A man and woman who are not related should keep their contact to a minimum.
The wives of the Prophet (s.a) are asked not to speak very humbly and softly to men who are not related to them by birth or marriage in case they have a sickness or weakness in their heart and who therefore may think that the lady is giving them an improper signal.
Another important part of hijab is reducing unnecessary contact with unrelated members of the opposite gender. A man and woman who are not related should keep their contact to a minimum. As previously stated, Islam is not against women being active in society and, indeed, hijab facilitates this. However, men and women should not form and increase unnecessary contacts without having specific and useful aims and intentions.
For example, if there are men and women working together in the same office they should keep their contacts at a reasonable level. They must not openly and freely speak to each other, and this includes laughing, joking, or doing everything apart from, for example, physically touching each other. 4
[1] يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
(33:59)
[2]قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
(24:30)
[3] يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
(33:32)
[4] read more: Hijab and Family Life, written by Dr,Mohammad Ali Shomali.
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