Why We Wearing Hijab In Islam

The importance of Hijab in light of Quranic verses:

The word Hijab is taken from the Arabic word Hajaba which means to hide or to conceal. In the present society, wearing Hijab refers to the covering of Muslim women or the Muslim women dress or veil. Today we see many non-Muslim and Muslim women asking about Why do Muslim Women wear Hijab? the answer to this is that Muslim women are ordered by Allah to cover their head and wear Hijab and veils. Covering the beauty for a woman is for her honor and protection rather than suppression. Importance of Hijab and virtues of Hijab can be judged by Quranic verses. Hijab or the covering of Muslim Women is mentioned in Quran clearly.

Verses of Holy Quran on Hijab:

Here are a few verses on what Allah says in the Quran about Hijab

1. Hijab is for Modest and respectable women:

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [al-Ahzab: 59]

This verse clearly indicates that Allah has made Hijab an expression of chastity and modesty. The virtue of wearing Hijab explained in this verse is that Muslim woman will be identified as respectable woman when she wears Hijab or a veil.

2. Hijab is purity:

And when you ask (the Prophets wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. [al-Ahzab: 53]

The heart may become more pure with the Hijab as the sight is blocked and there will be prevention of evil actions or thoughts. Another verse from the Quran sheds light on the importance of Hijab:

And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salat (Prayers), and give Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet P.B.U.H), and to purify you with a thorough purification [al-Ahzab: 33]

3. Hijab is honorable:

A Muslim womens voice is also a part of her Hijab. She should speak in a honorable manner to become an honorable woman as indicated by this verse:

Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner [al-Ahzab: 32]

4. Hijab is righteousness:

O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment; and the raiment of righteousness, that is better [Al-Araf: 26]

This verse of the Quran indicates that Hijab for a Muslim woman is to safeguard her body as a manifestation of the order of Allah; rather than showing off her body. It is an act of righteousness (Taqwah) for her.

5. Hijab is for successful women and believing women:

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent and to draw their veils all over (i.e. their bodies) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands fathers, or their sons, or their husbands sons, or their brothers or their brothers sons, or their sisters sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful [An-Nur: 31]

Hijab and veil is not meant for restriction rather it is a means in which Muslim society may function in an appropriate manner. Islamic regulations are unique to the highest standards of the Muslim identity of chastity, righteousness, and moral uprightness. Islam protects and safeguards the individuals and the society from awkward situations. The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said:

Verily for every religion there is a characteristic, and the characteristic of Islam is Haya`a (modesty, shyness, bashfulness) [Ibn Majah]

Keeps You Conscious of Allah

Hijab an almost constant form of da’wah, reminding you of Allah (SWT). The act of wearing veil itself is an act of submission. Whenever I am faced with the awkward decision of deciding whether to do xyz, I ask myself how that action fits within the scope of hijab. As they say, hijab is not just the cloth on your head; it is the way you carry yourself, your manners (akhlaq), your actions, etc. Wearing veil reminds you to be conscious of Allah (SWT) and to stay within His limits.