Monday, December 1, 2008
Is the Hijab a mandate of the holy Quran or the Hadith?? Part 1:
Posted by Inspired Muslimah at 7:37 PM
Ok sisters, before I even began, I know Iam entering a very dangerous territory in the subject of Hijab and whether or not it is mandatory. Many of you may know Iam not a full time Hijab but Inshallah I will be soon. Please make Duaas for me, inshallah. Iam currently reading the Quran and Hadiths to gain a better understanding of Islam. However, I cant help but to feel some of the more strict rules of Islam come from the hadiths and not the Quran. With that said, Allah (s.w.t.) Is perfect and so Is the Quran, and it just makes me wonder why he would leave such important intricate details out. I mean, the Quran is extremely detailed on everything…except Hijab. Hijab is a muslim womens symbol to the world that she is a muslimah. However, is it from the Quran or the Hadiths?? I invite you to explore both and come up with your answer. With the Quran being the only perfect book, since it was sent from Allah (s.w.t.) I would believe it would be more than sufficient as a guide to how a muslim should live its life, even in absent of the hadiths. I know hijab refers to modesty, but what says a women who shows her hair is not modest? Do you agree?? I have been doing some major research regarding Hijab and this is what I have found:
Hijab is mentioned in the Quran 7x:
(7:46,33:53,38:32.41:5.42:51.17:45.19:17)
Hijab or ħijāb (, pronounced: [ħi.ˈdʒæːb]) is the Arabic term for "cover" (noun), based on the root حجب meaning "to veil, to cover (verb), to screen, to shelter".
The problem is I have read so many different definitions of the Hijab and I cant help but wonder Allah(s.w.t) would not leave such an important topic up for interpretation, but would have been very clear in saying women should cover their hair, specifically.
Some of the main surah’s that are often used to prove the purpose of Hijab follow.
“And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, (with their Khimar) and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed." 24:31
This verse is very definitive in its instructions to muslim women. Allah (s.w.t.)mentioned in great detail, how we are to dress and act. Allah (s.w.t.)mentions subduing the eyes and covering the chest, why would he forget to explicitly mention, COVER THE HAIR ?” Allah (s.w.t.)knows best and I am not saying that women shouldn’t wear Hijab. Iam not saying that by any means but I do want to understand is where does it say Hijab to cover ones hair specifically. The only reason this is so important because there are muslims who don’t really even acknowledge that another sister is muslim if she doesn’t not observe Hijab. Surely something that is this important and that separates the believer from the kaffir would be more detailed.
Allah (s.w.t.)mentions that this is the only perfect book because it is from him:
"Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt." 6:114
And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered. 6:38
So where did the meaning of Hijab to cover a muslim womens head come from? Perhaps the hadiths. I learn soo much from reading the hadiths and Iam in no way discrediting them.
This is from the Quran also:
"Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all the things God has created? Does it ever occur to them that the end of their life may be near? Which message besides this (Quran) do they believe in?" 7:185
As for proof from the hadiths that women are to observe Hijab, meaning specially cover their hair, I am still working on it. I have more research to do before I give my opinion on it. I welcome all comments on this topic (respectful comments, that is). Iam not saying Hijab isn’t mandatory. I am just trying to find out where is says it is. Iam a new Muslim so I know I have a lot to learn and I am just trying to make the most educated decisions on how to live my life as a muslimah. If anyone knows other surah’s in the Quran or different places where it is mentioned please feel free. I want to learn from this.
The reason why this is so important for me is because of the variability of the hadiths. I have read mixed feelings on makeup,niqab, eyebrow waxing, and much more. I really feel it is important to fully educate myself and not just do what I am told. I want to feel good about wearing Hijab and not just wear it because other muslims may judge me for not wearing it. May Allah guide us all on the right path.
Part 2 will be an indepth look into the hadiths to see what they say regarding hijab.
4 comments:
The Qu'ran tells women to cover their breasts with their headress (the headscarf/khimar) and also to draw the garment called a jilbab over their clothes.So that actually comes for the Qu'ran, not the ahadith. Though the ahadith clarify what hijab/jilbab is (loose, opaque, not overly decorated with riches). May Allah S.W.T make is easy for you to wear hijab.
Salaams sis, thanks for your comment. I guess I am confused on how that means cover your hair? I read the ayat where it says to cover your breast and to draw jilbab over your clothes but I didnt see it say that you should cover your hair? Can you help me with this?
It says in the original Arabic to cover the breat with the headress (Christian and Jewish women were already covering their hair historically but they left their necks and chests bare). As Muslim women we were told to pull these headcoverings so that they covered our chests also. Since it was already a commandment for Jewish and Christian women to cover their hair [I just posted the excerpt on BM] women did not have to be told to cover their hair---they already doing so. The khimars =headscarves) were made from the overgarments of the shabiyat's aprons (R.A.), and many hadith decribe what women were wearing, including naming the colour green as one of the khimars worn by a woman who sat in the presence of AIsha R.A and the Prophet S.A.W. Many Christians are responsible for the loss of women covering their hair, as words of Isa were corrupted and put into the Bible saying the reason women were commanded to cover their hair was because they were less than men. Yeah, no wonder Christian women rejected this lie. But in doing so, they also rejected the protection of their hijab.
Thanks sis for your input, this is exactly what I was hoping for. Input from other sisters more knowledgeable on the topic. :D
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