What does Hijab mean actually?

We all have an idea about the term ‘Hijab’. It is generally thought to be a tradition imposed over women of this age by Islam of the old age (That’s what the so-called feminists think, don’t they?).

Even many of the modern Muslims (!?!) also agree with that.

But as I always stick to facts, let us jump over to those:

Meaning of Hijab:

The word Hijab means, indeed, a covering between two things, restriction, or we can say a semi-permeable membrane.

The word Hijab appears in the Quran for five times in lexicographic meaning, In the verses – 

Chap.7 Verse.46; Chap.19 Verse.17-19; Chap.33 Verse.53; Chap.41 Verse.5; Chap.42 Verse.51

(Check out the verses here) 

In all these verses, Hijab indicates barrier, seclusion, behind the screen, from behind a veil which all indicate to the fact that Hijab does not actually mean women veil or covering which is a common practice by the Muslim women. So, that is certainly an implementation, isn’t it? A new thing added in Islam, huh?

This claim is certain to an extent if you stick only to the word Hijab. Because the verses of Quran only mean a barrier by Hijab. Allah says about talking to wives of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm.) in Quran,

“…When you ask his (Sm.) wives for something, do so from behind a screen: this is purer both for your hearts and for theirs.” (Surah Al- Ahzab: 53)

It clearly indicates that the wives of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm.) need to be more modest and chaste, and thus Allah ordered them to put a covering between them and other people.

What about the general women? Do they need to do any covering?

The answer is a big YES! How? Allow me to explain.

In the holy Quran,

first of all, Allah orders men to maintain Hijab in a thematical sense,

“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.” (Surah An-Nur: 30)

Lowering the gaze is the main covering for men. Then in the next ayah, Allah says,

“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and ……” (Surah An-Nur: 31)

So, in this ayah, to indicate covering, Allah uses the word ‘Khumur’ which is the plural of Khimar. The word Khimar means a covering over the chest so that it may not be exposed. I will explain the history, later on, let me tell you about the next ayah for modest clothing of women. Allah says,

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Al-Ahzab:59)

Here, to mean the word outer garment, Allah uses the word Jalabib which is the plural of Jilbab. Jilbab, according to the Lisan al-Arab by Ibn al-Mandhur, refers to an outer garment (like a cloak) but it should have the following characteristics:

1.       It should be loose enough to conceal the structure of a woman (of her body).

2.       It should be long enough to cover the whole body except for wrists and face.

3.       It should not be extra attractive to attract the opposite sex.

If an item of clothing has these three qualities, we may call it a Jilbab (The 3^rd one goes in case of Khimar too). Now, let’s come to the point that some argue about Khimar and Jilbab being misinterpreted and that these two words actually implement that,

Women should only wear modest cloth according to their culture and customs.

 Really?? Then read the following Hadiths, you all will come to know the truth,

Hazrat Aisha (Ra.) said, “When [the verse]: ‘They should draw their khimar over their chests’ was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets [worn as a lower garment] at the edges and covered [themselves] with it” (Bukhari: 1997)

She (Ra.) again said about an incident with her brother, “He seated me behind him on his camel. I lifted my khimar [from my head] and took it off from my neck. He struck my foot as if he was striking the camel. I said to him: Do you see anyone [else here]?” (Muslim: 2007).

These verses clearly justify that the Khimar was an obligation for the Women, and it was in its true meaning, not that it was only indicated in a thematic sense. Coming to Jilbab,

Ummul Atiyya narrated, “We were ordered to bring out our menstruating women and screened women to the religious gatherings and invocation of the Muslims on the two Eid festivals. These menstruating women were to keep away from the musalla. A woman asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What about one who does not have a jilbab?". He said, ‘Let her borrow the jilbab of her companion’”. (Sahih Bukhari Book 8:347)

It means that Rasulullah (Sm.) emphasized greatly on Jilbab and Khimar. That’s why he (Sm.) instructed to even borrow from anyone else if someone misses out her jilbab while outside.

 

What do we learn from all these? Our mothers, sisters, wives, friends deserve to know the best practice for them to save them from being molested to a great extent.

To know why Hijab (or you may say Khimar/Jilbab) is the best solution for eradicating (notice the word!) Rapes, Molestation and to know the history of Hijab, stay tuned with us by Subscribing.

Read my Next post on Hijab HERE.