Hijab and Related Questions (Part 1)
Those who are against hijab raise the following questions and problems:
1. Regarding the fact that women comprise half of the population in the society; could hijab lead to the isolation and backwardness of such active and large group which eventually turns them into a burden and consumer in the society?
In fact, hijab and covering never isolate woman in the society, for her current presence in different positions in the society proves the falsehood of this statement.
2. Hijab is a kind of obstacle and prevents woman from actively participating in productive processes.
First, this statement can be true if by hijab, we mean only “veil”. However, if hijab means ‘covering’,(veil is also a kind of covering), then there won’t be any problem. If we look at women covering in different parts of our country, we see that women in villages, in rice paddies and other agricultural fields do their duties while maintaining their hijab; it is also surprising that sometimes, they even do their tasks better than men.
Secondly, if we accept that hijab means ‘veil’ and it may be burdensome to have ‘hijab’, since this principle is beneficial to the community’s health and development, we have to tolerate it. When we learn knowledge, it is also troublesome; or other moral values such as honesty may also limit our freedom, but we have to tolerate them because they are useful.
3. Hijab stimulates men’s greedy nature and may further arouse their greediness. Thus, can it be seen as an efficient way?
Human being is greedy for anything which is prohibited or by which he is stimulated; however, hijab and women covering in the society is not as such. In fact, hijab in Islam is only considered as a kind of covering which protects and safeguards woman against terrible beams of men glances that are accompanied by the poison of sin.
By Mahboubeh Gandom Abaadi (A Seminary Graduate and Lecturer)
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
An Explanation of Hijab
Hijab in Islam
