Hijab is not for preventing women from being in society -as well as women work in different situations in non-Muslim countries-, rather, it is for protecting from being abused.
Question:
Doesn’t hijab prevent one from taking part in society in non-Muslim countries?
Answer:
Not at all. The proof for something is its existence. There are many Muslim women in the West – such as in Australia – who observe Hijab much more seriously than some ladies in Iran or similar Middle East countries. They work in corporate companies, some are CEOs of their companies, and even police officers (as in Sydney, Australia for example) e.t.c.
Hijab is not to segregate men and women, it is to respect women in society so that they adorn themselves with modesty and sobriety, and not with plaited hair, gold, pearls, or costly attire. Hijab wants to give a chance to a woman to socially profess her godliness with her good and professional works, and not her seductive body.
The verse 59of surah AL-Ahzab is referred to this subject as well:
"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. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful." [1]
Note:
[1] "يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا"
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