Muslim Hijab
Why must Muslim women cover their faces in public?
According to the USC- MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts , Muslim women wearg hijabs, face and body coverings, for modesty, and because Allah told them to do so:
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed…” (Qur’an 33:59)
Muslimg women feel they are making a statement about their identity by wearing the hijab, according to USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim texts. With their faces and bodies covered, men will see them for their intelligence and moral character, rather than for their beauty.
There are a few requirements for wearing the hijab:
- A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes.
- The head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.
- The clothing should be loose and thick enough that the shape of the body can’t be determined and the color of the skin can’t be seen.
Other dress requirements include: women must not dress like men; women should not dress like unbelievers; and, the clothing should be modest, not fancy nor ragged so as to gain admiration or sympathy.
It is also noted in the compendium that Western dress was once similar to Middle Eastern dress. The current Western dress is a fairly new invention; one that the Middle East hasn’t developed.