Why should Muslim Women wear Hijab?

Ask yourself, or ask the next person who asks you that question, if a female judge walked into the courtroom wearing a tight miniskirt and low-cut blouse, would you take her seriously? Who would you respect more, a woman dressed like that or one dressed modestly? The Qur’an was revealed for all times, and though circumstances change, human nature does not. The fact is that men do like to look at women, so a woman who covers herself is more likely to be respected as a person than looked upon as a piece of meat or toy!
Muslim women wear hijab—which is more than just a head cover—because God ordered them to do so in two places in the Qur’an, and because Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also ordered it. The Qur’an says in Surah 24, verses 30 – 31 what means:
*{Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and and their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigor, or children who know naught of women’s nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.}*
These verses tell us that our Islamic dress is not just a matter of covering the head alone, but also of covering the bosom, which is attractive to men, and of lowering the gaze and walking in a way that does not attract attention. Note that the order to lower the gaze was addressed first to men..
Also the other verse about the same point, which is verse number 59 in Surah 33:
*{O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them [when they go abroad]. That will be better, that so they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.}*
This indicates that one of the reasons for hijab is to distinguish the believing woman from the non-believing. This relates to the logic behind hijab.
Al Sayda Aisha:
Mentioned the women of Ansar, praised them and said good words about them. She then said: When Surat Al-Nur came down, they took the curtains, tore them and made head covers (veils) of them. (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4089) Allah knows best
Prophet(SAW) said (Frightening hadith!):
“That among the signs of the Day of Judgment is that there will be women who will be dressed but will be naked, so curse them because for they are truly cursed! And they will never ever smell the fragrance of Paradise – authentic narration.” Allah knows best

Also the other verse about the same point, which is verse number 59 in Surah 33:
*{O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them [when they go abroad]. That will be better, that so they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.}*
This indicates that one of the reasons for hijab is to distinguish the believing woman from the non-believing. This relates to the logic behind hijab.
Al Sayda Aisha:
Mentioned the women of Ansar, praised them and said good words about them. She then said: When Surat Al-Nur came down, they took the curtains, tore them and made head covers (veils) of them. (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 32, Number 4089) Allah knows best
Prophet(SAW) said (Frightening hadith!):
“That among the signs of the Day of Judgment is that there will be women who will be dressed but will be naked, so curse them because for they are truly cursed! And they will never ever smell the fragrance of Paradise – authentic narration.” Allah knows best
August 7, 2008 at 3:45 pm
thank you for this great effort and we want you to give your best for ever.
April 15, 2009 at 7:45 pm
This is quite a up-to-date information. I’ll share it on Facebook.
May 23, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I don’t want to wear hijab. I find it ridiculous that the comparisons are always mini skirts or hijab. I don’t wear mini skirts, I dress very modestly, but I dont want to wear hijab. If muslim men are sexually aroused, if a woman dresses modestly but not in hijab, then tell men to stay at home and women can run their lives, the country, the world, quite well thank you very much! It is ridiculous that for men’s insecurities, women have to be penalised. And I am mightily tired of these arguments that are extremely condesending towards women saying its for our protection and respect etc. Teach muslim men to respect women whatever they wear. That is a basic human courtesy. Muslim men actually do not respect women at all! Whether you wear hijab or not.
June 1, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Salam Asia,
First let me start by saying, that hijab is a “must” in Islam. However, you are not forced to wear it because this comes from the heart.
Let’s keep men out of this as you mentioned in your comment. You wear it not for people or because of men, but for Allah and yourself. If you respect your religion and believe in Allah you will do everything he ordered us to do. It’s not about arguing whether men look or not, but as Allah mentioned in Quran,
“Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment.”
You don’t need to wear it if you dont respect it. If you have doubt in hijab, then you will have doubt in Allah. Recharge your eman and may Allah show you the right path ameen.
September 1, 2009 at 3:06 am
thank you 4 this information..
September 1, 2009 at 5:32 am
You’re most welcome
Happy ramadan
September 28, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Aslm alkm! I believe in Allahs as my Rabb and practice islam like any other muslim. And believe that Islam is from the heart and its not an hijab that will stop a woman from sinning. I live in a non islamic country and do not wear hijab and my husband has no problem with it. He knows I will respect him. So why should one opress one another with a hijab. If Gods will for a muslima to wear a hijab he will direct her. Islam also teaches us to respect one another. And nobody is perfect and I don’t believe that a veil woman is better than one which is not covered.
I
September 28, 2009 at 7:22 pm
My dear sistrers in islam let us not be the judge of our sisters action. Allah guide wjom he will. And if something happen it was to happen through whichever path he or she takes. JazakAllah for the sisters who give best advice with the head covering may Allah reward you all. But please also learn to respect the one who does wish to do so. If they have their islamic knowledge let us not chase them away from the religion of truth and understand them and pray that Allah guide them. No one is perfect a veil woman may not posess the quality that one who who doesn’t waer hijab. Let our Rabb be the judge and let each one of us learn and read the Quran to benefit ourselves and our neighbours and called others to the religion of truth. Do not opress one another in the religion of peace. Each one one of us practice to our own capabilty. Ameen!
September 28, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Salam vicfasha,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, I respect every word you wrote.
Its true that not all vieled women practice Islam correctly and they might not do what Allah ordered us to do such as praying. However, lets not always look at the bad side, there’s alot that follow Islam the correct way.
As I mentioned in my previous comments, that hijab is obligatory which Allah stated in Qura’an and that our prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) quoted too.
Even though that your husband doesn’t force you to wear it, you have to wear it from your heart because its a “must” in Islam, excatly like praying, pilgramge, charity. If you have doubt on Allahs words you should try to read Quran again and follow what Allah told us to do. You won’t wear hijab for your husband or the society but for Allah’s sake, for your religion and for the hereafter.
Lets talk common sense if not in religion. Why should you cover up when you pray? and not cover up when you finish praying? Does Allah sees you only when you pray? but when you finish, he’s gone?
Whats important my sister is that if you ever think of wearing it, you should wear it from your heart and remember you should respect what you’re wearing becuase its a symbol of Islam. Lets not follow others that ruined the name of hijab and let us give back something to Allah because he gave us alot. lets not forget!
Don’t waste time my sister, nobody knows when he/she will die. Life is short but the hereafter is eternal.
Do what Allah ordered us to do before its too late! Allah the Al-mighty that gave us life, health, food, education, a family.. lets thank him and follow his commands to gain paradise and protect us from the grave and hell punishments Ameen.
May Allah protect you and take you to the right path Ameen.
November 14, 2009 at 8:42 am
On behalf of findislam,
i would like to think you sister for these very knowledgeable comments you have made. You provided clear knowledge, clear proof, as well as understanding in Islam. You are welcome to write articles or even add any changes you may feel are needed for (www.findislam.wordpress.com)
JazakAllah
November 14, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Salam Alykom Findislam,
I really appericiate your wonderful comment, it made me speechless. I trully respect your words.
Thank you for asking me to write on your blog.
JazakAllah khayran
October 7, 2009 at 11:26 am
thanx 4 da info……