The Hijab is now considered a universal Islamic dress for women. We need to check back when did the Hijaab/Hijab come into being. It has a very interesting story behind it. The application of the Hijab is outdated in the present world. According to the Hadiths, any woman who wears the Hijab is confessing that she is living in a place without a restroom/toilet/loo. This Islamic dress for women has come to be identified as part of the Islamic Dress code under Shariah law.
Notice the picture below. Muslims, often bring up this argument comparing the Habit of the Nun with the Muslima’s Hijab. Read this article and next time your Muslim friend tries to compare the Habit of the catholic nun with the Hijab, you will have a reply which might be surprising to them.
Table of Contents
The Purpose of the Habit of the Nun
A nun is a woman who has given herself to praying and service to society. Officially, most of her actions are involved in the works of the Church. The Church has certain rules and she is well aware that she has to abide by those rules. As prayer is an important and constant activity in her life, she is obligated by the Christian scriptures to cover her head.
But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.
1 Cor 11:3-6
It is mandated upon the woman to cover her head “While Praying or Prophesying“. Christian women are not mandated to cover her head always unless she is praying or prophesying. The Nun’s dress makes her always ready for prayer and that is a convenience.
The Original purpose of the Hijab
Just as we investigated the Bible for the Habit of the Nun, we will go to the Islamic Scriptures to investigate the Hijab.
The Following is the Divine Verse of al-Hijab
Narrated `Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) `Umar bin Al-Khattab used to say to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) “Let your wives be veiled” But he did not do so. The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to go out to answer the call of nature at night only at Al-Manasi.’ Once Sauda, the daughter of Zam`a went out and she was a tall woman. `Umar bin Al-Khattab saw her while he was in a gathering, and said, “I have recognized you, O Sauda!” He (`Umar) said so as he was anxious for some Divine orders regarding the veil (the veiling of women.) So Allah revealed the Verse of veiling. (Al-Hijab; a complete body cover excluding the eyes). (See Hadith No. 148, Vol. 1)
Sahih al-Bukhari 6240
In simple words, when the wives of the prophet used to go out to defecate in the open, people could recognize them. So they requested Muhammad to have these ladies cover up their faces. They were embarrassed to see them out in the open with their dresses lifted. The following is another such narration.
A’isha reported that Sauda (Allah he pleated with her) went out (in the fields) in order to answer the call of nature even after the time when veil had been prescribed for women. She had been a bulky lady, significant in height amongst the women, and she could not conceal herself from him who had known her. ‘Umar b. Khattab saw her and said:Sauda, by Allah, you cannot conceal from us. Therefore, be careful when you go out. She (‘A’isha) said: She turned back.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was at that time in my house having his evening meal and there was a bone in his hand. She (Sauda) cline and said: Allah’s Messenger. I went out and ‘Umar said to me so and so. She (‘A’isha) reported: There came the revelation to him and then it was over; the bone was then in his hand and he had not thrown it and he said:” Permission has been granted to you that you may go out for your needs.”
Sahih Muslim 2170a
As a result of embarrassments like this, the ever-ready Allah had to drop in verses to Muhammad so that his Sahabis might be saved from unwanted visions.
The Origin of the Hijab and the Burqa is only to hide their faces when they defecate in the open that others might not identify them later. It is to cover up their shame. It has got absolutely no religious or spiritual significance, for Muslims.
In Muhammad’s time, if a woman is covered like this, It has to be assumed that she is going for the call of Nature.
Conclusion
Now that we know the difference between the intent of both the Habit of the Nun and the Hijab and Burqa of the Muslima, we should not be in any confusion. Every time I see a Muslima in the Burqa or the hijab, it reminds me of the yucky story. Why do Muslim ladies still want to continue with the shameful history they have been subjected to? Do they really take pride in the dress of the Hijab?
We are living in modern times. We do not have an issue with replying to the call of nature with the most modern amenities around us. Why do we need our Muslim sisters’ parade around in the Burqa and Hijab that reminds us of the medieval times of barbaric Islamic regimes?
End of “The Hijab – Islamic Dress Code Rules 1“
1 comment
Very nice 👍. I never knew the story of hijab before. Thank you admin