Why Do People Wear the Hijab?

This Muslim woman is wearing a burqa, a garment that covers a woman completely.

Muslim women are often associated with the practice of hijab, or veiling, which is the covering of a body (except the face and hands) with cloth to instill a sense of modesty. However, hijab is not a universal Islamic practice, as many Muslim woman do not practice hijab, according to Muslim Culture Magazine's website. Belief behind the hijab is that men cannot judge a woman's appearance if she's covered, according to Islam For Today's website. The focus will instead be on a woman's character, morals and personality.

Quran and Hadith

The Quran does not require women to be covered but urges them to dress and act modestly, according to an Emory University website. Based on Muhammad's beliefs, the Hadith of Sahih Bukkari document has verses that refer to covering, such as "My Lord agreed with me ('Umar) in three things ... and as regards the veiling of women, I said 'O Allah's Apostle! I wish you ordered your wives to cover themselves from the men because good and bad ones talk to them.'"

History

Veiling began among upper-class urban women in countries such as Syria, Persia and Iraq. Women in rural areas traditionally did not wear hijab, according to Islam For Today. Also, the veiling tradition is thought to have started when Muslims became associated with people and cultures of Byzantine lands. Upper-class urban women, although Christian, practiced veiling in Byzantium to show off status and financial means, according to Muslim Culture Magazine.

Definitions

The hijab is composed of different levels. A burqa covers a woman entirely. She is able to see through meshlike cloth, according to Muslim Culture Magazine. Scarves cover hair only, and a chado is a cloaklike garment. An abaya covers everything but the hands, feet and face, and a niqab covers the face. Muslim women in hijab need to cover themselves only in public. They are not required to wear a veiling inside their homes around their husbands, brothers, fathers or uncles, according to Islam for Today.

Required Wear

For the most part, it's left up to a woman whether she wants to wear hijab, although some Muslim-dominated countries---such as Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia---require women to cover themselves in some fashion, according to Muslim Culture Magazine. Taliban rulers in Afghanistan require women to wear the burqa. Muslim countries that do not require women to wear veilings include Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt.

Fun Fact

Women are not the only ones who wear hijabs. According to Muslim Culture Magazine, the Tuareg Muslims of Algerian Sahara also practice veiling. These practicing Muslim men are required to wear an indigo veil over their faces while they are in public. The veil's purpose is to hide their thoughts from enemies and to also hide their desires of women they pass in the street.

References

• Islam For Today: Why do Muslim women wear the hijab?
• Muslim Culture Magazine: To Veil or Not to Veil
• English Emory: Women, Islam, and Hijab
• Women in Islam: Hijab