The hijab in Islam is a divine command rooted in the Quran and Sunnah, emphasizing modesty, dignity, and protection. Quranic verses like Surah An-Nur (24:31) and Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59) instruct women to cover themselves to preserve their honor and prevent harm.
Hadiths further clarify this obligation, with the Prophet (PBUH) advising women to cover everything except the face and hands. Beyond clothing, the hijab symbolizes spiritual devotion, self-respect, and obedience to Allah, reinforcing a woman’s identity while safeguarding her from societal pressures and unwanted attention.
The evidence from the Quran and Sunnah establishes the requirement for Muslim women to wear the hijab, emphasizing modesty and respect. These guidelines are integral to Islamic teachings and practice.
Table of Contents
Quranic Evidence For Hijab
Surah An-Nur (24:31):
سورة النور: ﴿وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ﴾.
Translation:
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests…”
Explanation: This verse instructs Muslim women to dress modestly, covering their beauty except for what is necessary, and to draw their veils over their chests.
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59):
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
Translation:
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused…”
Explanation: This verse emphasizes the importance of modest dress to ensure women are recognized as respectable and to prevent harm.
Evidence from the Sunnah For Hijab
Hadith of Aisha (RA):
Narration: Aisha (RA) reported that Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA), entered upon the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger (PBUH) turned his attention from her and said:
“O Asma, when a girl reaches the age of menstruation, it is not proper that anything should be seen except this and this,” pointing to his face and hands. (Abu Dawood)
Explanation: This hadith highlights the importance of covering the body, with exceptions made for the face and hands.
Hadith of Umm Salamah (RA):
Narration: Umm Salamah (RA) reported that she asked the Prophet (PBUH) whether a woman can pray in a long shirt (like a nightgown) and headcover without a lower garment. He replied:
“If the shirt is long and flowing and covers the top of her feet.” (Abu Dawood)
Explanation: This hadith emphasizes the need for women to cover their bodies adequately, particularly during prayer.
The evidence from the Quran and Sunnah establishes the requirement for Muslim women to wear the hijab, emphasizing modesty and respect. These guidelines are integral to Islamic teachings and practice.
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Conclusion:
Islamic teachings emphasize the hijab as a fundamental aspect of modesty and dignity for Muslim women, as mandated by the Quran and Sunnah. The Quran explicitly commands believing women to cover their beauty and dress modestly, as seen in Surah An-Nur (24:31) and Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59), which instruct women to lower their gaze, guard their chastity, and drape their outer garments for protection and recognition. These verses highlight the hijab’s role in preserving a woman’s respect, ensuring she is identified with dignity, and shielding her from harm.
The Sunnah further reinforces the hijab’s necessity through authentic hadiths. Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) advised covering everything except the face and hands upon reaching maturity, underscoring the obligation of modest dress. Similarly, the hadith of Umm Salamah (RA) emphasizes the importance of full coverage, particularly during prayer, ensuring a woman’s attire is modest and flowing.
Collectively, these evidences affirm that the hijab is a divine command, deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, serving as a means of obedience, protection, and spiritual connection.
