This article is going to briefly deal with the philosophy of hijab referring some verses of the holy Quran.
Hijab” is an Arabic word which means veil, curtain, a barrier or partition. There are several similar meanings for Hijab as per dictionary. It is a wide piece of cloth used to cover the whole body of a woman, particularly Muslim woman. It is also considered as veil that covers a woman’s body and head fully or partially in the presence of a non-related man
The true philosophy of Hijab is to respect, honor and protect a woman. This philosophy treats woman as a very respectable human being with distinguished rights and privileges that ensures a respectable and honored position of woman in society.
The holy Qur’an addresses Islamic modest dress as follows:
"Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do and tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their privates parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof, and to wrap [a portion of] their Head-covers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers… ” [1]
According to this verse of holy Quran men are required to cast down their gazes in humility and to observe the general philosophy of modesty of the heart and dress. One of The main philosophy of casting down of the men's gazes could be this that looking at the Naked parts of the women's bodies, affects the men, especially, the youth's nerves, generating within them pathological nervous excitement and at times even brings about psychological disorders; as a result, that perpetual excitement leads to disorders and diseases.
For human beings, especially, for women peace and security is very important that is why a woman must not motivate any greed towards her. Hijab could bring security and peace of mind for a woman; hence, she feels more peace under the protection of a protector. Hijab is something that keeps woman against the indecent glance and probable damages which gives woman immunity and calmness. Women should also respect themselves as dignified beings and interact with men in purity. They should not modify their behavior around men so as to seem invitingly attractive or flirtatiously pleasing and thus allow themselves to be objectified.
But it must be noted that Hijab does not prevent men and women from interacting for the purpose of study, work, performing good deeds, and so on. Islamic modest dress does not socially suffocate women by denying them free and necessary movement, expression of opinion, education, health care and other human rights.
Notes:
[1] Al-noor: 30-31. قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنّ