Ziaullah Khan
Islam has strongly emphasized the concept of decency and modesty in the interaction between members of the opposite sex. Dress code is part of that overall teaching. There are two verses in the Quran in which Almighty Allah talks about the issue of decency and hijab as defined earlier.
Quran Says in Surah Noor. Ch 24 verse 30
Say to the believing men that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste). This is better for them.”
This is a command to Muslim men that they should not lustfully look at women (other than their own wives); and in order to prevent any possibility of temptation, they are required to cast their glances downwards. This is known as “hijab of the eyes”.
Then in the next verse, Allah commands the Prophet to address the women:
Say to the believing women that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste).
This is a similar command as given to the men in the previous verse regarding “hijab of the eyes”.
This hijab of eyes is similar to the teaching of Jesus where he says, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, you shall not commit adultery. But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”1 So if you see a Muslim casting his/her eyes downwards when he/she is talking to a member of opposite sex, this should not be considered as rude or an indication of lack of confidence — he/she is just abiding by the Quranic as well as Biblical teaching.
After “hijab of the eyes” came the order describing the dress code for women:
and not display their beauty except what is apparent, and they should place their khumur over their bosoms
Khumur is plural of khimar , the veil covering the head. See any Arabic dictionary.
The second verse , inn Chapter 33 known as al-Ahzab, verse 59, Allah gives the following command to Prophet Muhammad:
“O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers that: they should let down upon themselves their jalabib.
Jalabib is the plural of jilbab , which means a loose outer garment. See any Arabic dictionary .
This means that the Islamic dress code for women does not only consist of a scarf that covers the head, the neck and the bosom; it also includes the overall dress that should be long and loose.
So, for instance, the combination of a tight, short sweater with tight-fitting jeans with a scarf over the head does not fulfill the requirements of the Islamic dress code.
I honestly believe that many Christians criticize Islam, without reading about Islam from reputable Islamic sources. Furthermore, I believe that Christians do not read their Bible. Take, for example, the head scarf, may Christians think that women in Islam are oppressed because men forced them to wear head scarf. How about the hundred of thousands of Muslim women in the West who put Hijab on? Can men force them to do that in the west?? This is just a big lie against Islam.Have you ever seen Virgin Mary in a movie without headscarf? She used headscarf in normal life.Hijab is a part of dressing. Sikh wear Turbine. Western women [not Christian Ladies] wear BIKINI. Even then media is not allowed to show First Ladies in their Bikinis !!.
Now let’s see what the Bible say about covering womens’ head:Genesis 24 64-66. (New International Version (NIV)64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.66 Then the servant told Isaac all he had done.67 Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.1 Corinthians 11. (King James Version)5-6 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven . 6 For if the woman be not covered , let her also be shorn : but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven , let her be covered .10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.13 Judge in yourselves : is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?1 Corinthians 11 (New Revised Standard)5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil.10 For this reason a woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled?
