Hijab

An Iraqi girl wearing a headscarf.

Overview

Origin

The word hijab is used in the Qur'an to denote a partition, or a curtain,^[1]^[2] but in modern usage often refers to a woman's headscarf. This is often done amongst Muslims for females over the age of puberty.^[3]^[4]

The word ḥijāb, or a derivative, appears eight times in the Qur'an and never connotes any act of piety or headscarf.^[5] It appears as an "obstacle" (7:46), a "curtain" (33:53), "hidden" (38:32), a "wall of separation" (41:5, 42:52, 17:45), "hiding" (19:14) and "prevented" or "denied access to God" (83:15).^[6]

Perspectives

For most Muslims, the headscarf, a symbol of hijab, is worn in the presence of adult males outside their immediate family; it is not necessary when females or males are within their immediate family. However, some Muslim scholars and activists maintain that the practice of covering the hair with a hijab is not mandated in Islam.^[7]

Types

The hijab as a headscarf can come in several different types, such as an ordinary veil, which only covers the head, a niqab, a burka also known as an abayah, which covers the entire body, and any form of covering used to veil.^[8] There are many styles to wear. The Quran however has no requirement that women cover their faces with a veil, or cover their bodies with the full-body burqa or chador.^[9]

Hijab mandate

The hijab as a headscarf is currently required by law to be worn by women in Iran and Afghanistan.^[10] It is no longer required by law in Saudi Arabia since 2018.^[11]^[12] In Gaza, Palestinian jihadists belonging to the Unified Leadership (UNLU) have rejected a hijab policy for women.^[13] They have also targeted those who seek to impose the hijab.^[13]

Hijab ban

Other countries, both in Europe and in the Muslim world, particularly France,^[14]^[15] have passed laws banning some or all types of hijab in public or in certain types of locales.^[16] Austria, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain and Norway have varying levels of hijab ban.^[16]

Hijab Media

Two mannequins; one to the left wearing a hijab on the head and one to the right veiled in the style of a niqab
Women of Syria in hijabs. The Great Mosque of Aleppo, 8th century CE. Current building dates back to the 11th through 14th centuries. It is architecturally similar to the Great Mosque of Damascus. The mosque was seriously damaged during Syrian Civil War but is due to be restored. Aleppo, Syria.
Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani education activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, wearing a loose head scarf
Early costumes of fourth to sixth century (Free) Arab women (before Islam); It can provide clues in understanding some of the Quranic Urf related emphases such as ma'ruf and munkar as well as sunnah and bid'a on favored female dressing. Painting c.1861-1880
According to Islamic horror literature, known as Kitab-ul Fitan stories (fabricated for some) associated with the ascension, Muhammad, accompanied by Buraq and Gabriel, visits hell; "shameless women are punished for displaying their hair to strangers."(Iranian miniature, 15th century)
A Tunisian woman wearing a hijab
Afghan army and police officials wearing hijabs in Kandahar (Period before Taliban rule)
Greek bronze statuette of a veiled and masked dancer, 2nd–3rd century BC
Pre-Islamic relief showing veiled women, Temple of Baal, Palmyra, Syria, 1st century CE
Roman statue of a Vestal Virgin
Wearing or not wearing a hijab can also be an act of protest. In August 2014 a mother of one of the Camp Speicher massacre victims threw her headscarf at the Iraqi parliament speaker, Salim al-Jabouri.