Islam 101
Modesty, hijab, and choice
Why do some Muslim women cover? The Qur'an starts with men.
4 min, Intro, Draft written with AI help: awaiting scholar review
Part 1 of 3
The Qur'an's passage on modesty starts with men: tell believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. Then it addresses women, adding that they draw their head coverings over their chests.
Qur'an 24:30
قُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَغُضُّواْ مِنۡ أَبۡصَٰرِهِمۡ وَيَحۡفَظُواْ فُرُوجَهُمۡۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا يَصۡنَعُونَ ٣٠
30 Tell the believing men to lower their gazes and guard their private parts; that is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.
The passage continues in Read.
Lesson
In the Qur'an, lowering the gaze comes before any dress code.
Part 2 of 3
Most schools hold that a woman covers everything but face and hands in front of unrelated men. The main Hanbali view, and many Shafi'is, require the face covered too. A minority of modern scholars argue the headscarf itself is not required.
Lesson
Most scholars say the headscarf is required. On the face veil, the schools differ.
Part 3 of 3
Many Muslim women describe hijab as their own act of devotion and identity. Others choose not to wear it. Forcing it, like banning it, takes away the choice. The Qur'an says there is no compulsion in religion.
Qur'an 2:256
لَآ إِكۡرَاهَ فِي ٱلدِّينِۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَيِّۚ فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَاۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٢٥٦
256 There is no compulsion in religion; the right guidance has become distinct from error. Whoever rejects Tāghoot[i.e., false gods] and believes in Allah has indeed grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Lesson
Forcing it and banning it both remove the choice.
Reflect, just for you
Seen by lamplight. It gives more each time.
Why do some Muslim women cover? The Qur'an starts with men.