One of the most important questions asked by non-Muslims is:
Why does Islam make hijab mandatory for women?
Islam has introduced hijab as an honour, and a precious gift from God. It is known as part of the decency and modesty in interaction between members of the opposite sex.
Hijab is not just for women, but it is mandatory for men too. As God says:
“Say to the Men believers to cast down their looks and to guard their private parts that is decent for them. Indeed God is Aware of what they doâ€. (Quran, Chapter-24, Verse-30)
- Hijab protects both women and men from evil intentions.
- Hijab contributes to the stability and preservation of marriage and the family by eliminating the opportunities for extramarital affairs.
- Finally, it compels men to focus on the real personality of the woman and deemphasizes her physical beauty.
Feminists and the Western media often portray the hijab as a symbol of oppression and slavery of women, while they are subconsciously reacting to the Judeo-Christian concept of veil.
To look at one’s own religious or cultural history and then to pass a judgment against another religion is an intellectual miscalculation.
It makes every intellectual surprised that the society which shows tolerance towards those who would like to go around topless but finds it difficult to tolerate a lady who by her own choice wants to observe hijab!
Indeed Hijab is not a symbol of oppression. Neither does the hijab prevent a woman from acquiring knowledge or from contributing to the betterment of human society. Historically women have also greatly contributed to Islam. Lady Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet, played a significant role in the early history of Islam. A successful businesswoman in her own right, she was the first person to accept the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny). Her acceptance and faith were a great source of emotional support for the Prophet.
The first Muslim person to be martyred in Muslim history was a woman by the name of Sumayya, the wife of Yasir and the mother of ‘Ammar. She was killed along with her husband for refusing to renounce Islam.
Lady Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) was a beacon of light and a source of guidance and knowledge for women in social and political affairs.
We ask those who are against the concept of Hijab, Â when you see a nun in her habit, what do you think of that? Is that a symbol of oppression or a dress that demands dignity and respect? The habit of a nun is a complete hijab. Why then the double standard?
We salute those who have found the courage in themselves to observe hijab in all types of societies, and appreciate those who respect the divine mandate of Hijab.
The Almighty God says:
يَا أَيّÙهَا النَّبÙيّ٠قÙلْ Ù„ÙأَزْوَاجÙÙƒÙŽ وَبَنَاتÙÙƒÙŽ ÙˆÙŽÙ†Ùسَاء٠الْمÙؤْمÙÙ†Ùينَ ÙŠÙدْنÙينَ عَلَيْهÙنَّ Ù…Ùنْ جَلَابÙيبÙÙ‡Ùنَّ Ø°ÙŽÙ„ÙÙƒÙŽ أَدْنَى أَنْ ÙŠÙعْرَÙْنَ Ùَلَا ÙŠÙؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّه٠غَÙÙورًا رَØÙيمًا ï´¿ÛµÛ¹)
O Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters and the believing women to draw their veils closely over themselves, (when going out) that makes it likely for them to be recognised and not be troubled, and  Allah is all- Forgiving, the Most Merciful. (Quran, Chapter-33, Verse-59)
To learn more about the pure Islam, please visit our website: www.findtruth.co.uk
