Why Do Muslim Women Wear The Veil?

The matter of women’s dress mighty seem unimportant to some, especially in today’s western societies; however, Islam assigns to it moral, social and legal dimensions. Islam has defined the roles of men and women by allocating certain duties to each and granting certain rights to each. This is in order to maintain a proper balance in society. When men and women observe the proper Islamic dress, they not only protect their own honor and reputation, but they contribute greatly towards peace and order in society.

In general, there are certain guidelines concerning Muslim women’s dress. Their garments should not be tight or transparent as to reveal the shape of what is covered. They must cover their entire bodies. This mode of dress is called ‘Jilbaab’ which refers to a woman’s outer garments, with which she is entirely covered. Muslim women do not dress modestly in obedience to their fathers, brothers or husbands, but only in obedience to Allah’s عَزَّوَجَلَّ commandments.

Both men and women are expected to be chaste and modest and avoid type of dress and conduct that may invite temptation. Both are instructed to look only at what is lawful for them to see and to guard their Chastity. Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ directs men first and then women in the magnificent Quran:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَ‌ٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَ‌ٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَ‌ٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَ‌ٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣١﴾

Command the Muslim men to keep their gaze low and to protect their private organs; that is much purer for them; indeed Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is Aware of their deeds. And command the Muslim women to keep their gaze low and to protect their chastity, and note to reveal their adornment except what is apparent, and to keep the cover wrapped over their bosoms; and not to reveal their adornment except to their own husbands’ or fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons or sister’ sons, or women of their religion, or the bondwomen they possess, male servants provided they do not have manliness, or such children who do not know of women’s nakedness, and not to stamp their feet on the ground in order that their hidden adornment be known; and O Muslims, all of you turn in repentance together towards Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), in the hope of attaining success. (It is incumbent upon women to cover themselves properly.) [Noor 24:30-31]

The additional requirement for women to conceal their adornment and natural beauty is due to their grater need for privacy and protection. Except in the company of chose relatives, a woman is required to cover her entire body with loose fitting garments.

The Holy Quran states why Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has prescribed particular dress regulations for women:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٥٩﴾

O Prophet (صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم)! Command your wives and your daughters and the women of the Muslims to cover their faces with a part of their cloaks (draw their veils over themselves); this is closer to their being recognized and not being harassed; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. (It is incumbent upon women to cover themselves properly.) [Ahzab 33:59]