Islamic legislation has taken great care of Muslim women and guarantees the maintenance of their chastity and honor. The rules that have been imposed concerning their clothing are intended for the sole purpose of preventing corruption that results from the exposure of adornment. Islam does not restrict women’s freedom; rather, it is a means of protecting them against falling into the pit of degradation and exploitation, and saves them from being a target for the stares of men.
Merits of Hijab
Wearing Hijab (Islamic covering) indicates obedience to Allah The Almighty and the Messenger of Allah .
Allah The Almighty enjoined obeying Him and His Messenger and therefore, He Says (what means): {It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.} [Quran 33:36]
Also, Allah The Almighty commands women to wear Hijab, saying (what means): {And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof.} [Quran 24:31]
Also, Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance.} [Quran 33:33]
• {And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran 33:53]
• {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments.} [Quran 33:59]
The Messenger of Allah was reported to have said: “The woman is ‘Awrah.” The word “‘Awrah” implies the parts that women must cover.
Hijab indicates chastity:
Allah The Almighty makes adherence to Hijab a sign of chastity as indicated by the verse that means: {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 (as such) and not molested.} [Quran 33:59]
As Muslim women wear Hijab they cover themselves, and thus, will be known for maintaining their chastity and concealing themselves. Consequently, they {will not be abused} by wicked men. There is also an indication in {will not be abused} that the exposure of a woman’s adornment is a means of temptation and infliction of evil upon her and her family.
Hijab is purity:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran 33:53]
Hijab is referred to as bringing purity to the hearts of both male and female believers, since the heart cannot desire what the eye cannot see. Hence, the heart is purer when it does not see what it desires, at which time, there will be no temptation because Hijab does not give a chance for the aspirations of people who have diseased hearts. This is indicated by the verse that means: {Then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet.} [Quran 33:32]
Hijab indicates Sitr (concealment and protection):
The Messenger of Allah was reported to have said: “Verily, Allah is Bashful and the Concealer of faults; He likes modesty and concealment.” The Messenger was also reported to have said: “Any woman who removes her clothes in any place other than her home, Allah will tear His Sitr (Concealment and Protection) away from her.” This indicates that every person reaps what he or she sows.
Hijab indicates piety:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best.} [Quran 7:26]
Hijab indicates faith:
Allah The Almighty addresses no one but the believing women to wear Hijab. This is indicated by what He Says:
• {And tell the believing women.} [Quran 24:31]
• {And the women of the believers.} [Quran 33:59]
When some women from Banu Tameem entered upon the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, wearing very light clothes, she said, “If you are believing women, then this is not the dress of believing women. (However), if you are not believing women, then enjoy it (i.e. enjoy the clothes that you are wearing).”
Hijab indicates modesty:
The Prophet was reported to have said:
• “For every religion there is a (distinctive) moral and the (distinctive) moral of Islam is modesty.”
• “Bashfulness is a part of faith, and faith is in Paradise.”
• “Bashfulness and faith are inseparable, if one is removed, the other is also removed.”
Hijab maintains manly zeal:
Hijab also conforms to the zeal that normal men are endowed with and who cannot tolerate other men insolently staring at their wives and daughters. Many battles broke out before and after Islam out of zeal over women and for the sake of protecting their honor. ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I was informed that your women crowd with non-Arab disbelieving men in markets. Are you not jealous (over your wives)? There is no good in anyone who is not zealous.”