Why Do Muslim Women Cover Up

Bismillah ar-rahmaan ar-rahim. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Many people, including a large of number of Muslims themselves, find it `oppressive’ and an infringement of their human rights to be told that Muslim women have to cover themselves, revealing only their faces and hands. Many say that we need to reinterpret the holy Quran in the `modern’ light of today’s globalised world. In many ways, `modern’ may mean `without divine guidance’ as many so called `modern’ ways is a result of man’s vain desires (nafs) as they often contradict God given laws.

A Muslim is someone who submits to the will of God. Allah SWT revealed an important verse to our holy Prophet Muhammad SAW. We can find this verse in Al-Quran which states that:

“They (the believing women) should draw their head coverings over their bosoms”. (Surah An-Nur, 24:31)

Al-Quran is divine guidance for all mankind till the end of the world. It is suitable for all times. It is not only contemporary but is actually far more advanced as proven by scientific discoveries of today. Awareness of our spiritual rights and obligations liberates us of the shackles of negative man-made expectations, which fog our minds and divert us from the true path to salvation. It may be a little difficult for some Muslims to cover their aurat because of the influence and approval of the so-called `modern’ world, which constantly demands they to look their `best’.

It is a competitive world out there. There is a subconscious need to be accepted and respected and even admired, by others. This is very much the nature or fitrah of man.

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should put their outer garments; that is most convenient in order that they should be recognized (as Muslims) and not be molested. (Surah Al-Ahzaab 33:59)

We are ambassadors of Islam and we should take our responsibility as vicegerent of this world seriously. After all, we will have to present our book of records to the Creator on the Judgement day. We are being observed in all that we do as we go about in society. Our appearance and behaviour tells people much about Islam – do our best at all times as an Ibadah. This is liberation and an expression of our identity. Putting on the hijab (veil/scarf) provides a message that a Muslim’s privacy should not be violated. This tells people around her to know her as a person rather than as a decorated object that is always trying hard to please others. This is liberation. A Muslima is no exhibitionist or is she an exhibit. She is an honoured mother, wife, daughter and our sister in Islam.


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