Hijāb
The Quran provides specific guidance regarding modesty and dress for both men and women, yet it avoids prescribing rigid, universal rules about clothing. This flexibility allows for cultural diversity while maintaining the principles of righteousness and modesty.
The Word "Hijāb" in the Quran
The term hijāb appears multiple times in the Quran, but never to mean a headscarf or veil for women. Instead, the word hijāb refers to a barrier or screen.
وَبَيْنَهُمَا حِجَابٌۭ
Wabaynahumā hijābun.
A barrier lies between them…
7:46
فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًۭا
Fattakhadhat min dūnihim hijāban.
She screened herself away from them.
19:17
Nowhere in the Quran is hijāb used to refer to a woman’s clothing or head covering.
The Word "Khimār"
The word khimār is often cited to justify the headscarf for women:
وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ
Walyadribna bikhumurihinna ʿalā juyūbihinna.
They shall also cover their cleavage with their khimars.
24:31
The word khimār in Arabic simply means a cover. It could refer to any piece of fabric used to cover oneself, such as a shawl or garment. In this verse, women are instructed to use their khimārs to cover their chests (not their heads or hair). This guidance emphasizes modesty rather than prescribing a specific item of clothing.
What Is Normally Shown
The Quran also allows flexibility in what parts of a woman's body may remain visible:
وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا
Walā yubdīna zīnatahunna illā mā ẓahara minhā.
And not to show their zinat except that of it which is normally shown.
24:31
This phrase grants women the discretion to decide what is appropriate to reveal based on the situation, time, and place, as long as righteousness and modesty are upheld.
Lengthening Outer Garments
The Quran commands women to lower their outer garments for protection:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّ
Yā ayyuhā an-nabiyyu qul li-azwājika wa-banātika wa-nisāʾi al-muʾminīna yudnīna ʿalayhinna min jalābībihinna.
O you prophet, say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to lower their outer garments. This is better so that they will be recognised and not harmed.
33:59
The term jalābīb (outer garments) refers to clothing that provides coverage. The verse does not specify how much to lower the garment, allowing for cultural variation and personal judgment. The intent is to protect women from harm and uphold modesty.
Exemption for Certain Women
The Quran permits elderly women who are beyond the age of marriage to relax their dress code:
وَٱلۡقَوَٰعِدُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا يَرۡجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعۡنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيۡرَ مُتَبَرِّجَـٰتِۢ بِزِينَةٍ
Wa-al-qawāʿidu mina an-nisāʾi allātī lā yarjūna nikāḥan fa-laysa ʿalayhinna junāḥun an yaḍaʿna thiyābahunna ghayra mutabarrajātin bi-zīna.
Regarding the elderly post-menstrual women who no longer seek marriage, there is no blame upon them for relaxing their clothes, provided they do not flaunt their zinat.
24:60
This concession demonstrates that the Quranic dress code prioritizes practicality and modesty rather than rigid uniformity.
Traditional vs. Quranic Interpretation
The Quranic dress code focuses on modesty and morality, not specific garments or practices. Historically, head coverings existed in various cultures and religions, including Judaism and Christianity, long before Islam. Their adoption into Islamic tradition stems from cultural influences rather than Quranic commands.
Examples:
- Jewish women covered their heads as a sign of modesty.
- Christian nuns wear habits, including veils, as a symbol of devotion.
- Arab men and women traditionally covered their heads for cultural reasons.
The Quran emphasizes righteousness, modesty, and morality over cultural or traditional dress.
Conclusion
The Hijāb Is Not a Quranic Command The Quran does not instruct women to cover their hair or faces. The term hijāb refers to a barrier, not a headscarf.
Dress Code Focuses on Modesty
The Quran advises women to dress modestly, cover their chests, and avoid flaunting beauty inappropriately. It allows for cultural and situational flexibility.
Avoid Mixing Tradition with Religion
Adopting cultural practices as religious obligations equates to adding laws to God's religion, which the Quran warns against:
Or do they have partners who legislate for them of the religion what God did not authorise? (42:21)
Ultimately, the Quran promotes modesty, morality, and the use of wisdom and righteousness in all aspects of life, including clothing.