By Fatmata Binta Bah

The hijab is a head covering predominantly worn by Muslim women. The primary intention of the hijab is to protect women from evil eyes. It is one symbol of modesty for women in Islam.

The practice is said to have originated from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who required his wives to be veiled in public as a way of protection.

One key purpose of the head scarf (hijab) is to cover the woman’s hair and the entire body as a way of practicing modesty and simplicity in the Islamic faith.

The Quran, which is the holy book of Islam, has many references supporting the idea of hijab requiring that “believing women should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.”

Muslim women are not permitted to display their beauty and ornaments. They should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty, except to their husband, father, sons, brothers, little children who have no sense of the shame of sex and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention.

The practice aims at protecting women from evil eyes. Allah (God) says in Quaran 33:59: “O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veil) over their bodies (when outside). This is most convenient that they could be known as such and not molested (abused).”

The profound benefits of wearing the hijab go beyond just adhering to religious obligations.

It offers women the opportunity to express their faith, promote modesty, self-respect, protect themselves from objectification and build a sense of community and sisterhood.

Muslim women with hijab serve as inspiring role models as they wear the hijab with pride and as a symbol of their faith.

It makes it easier to interact with men in a respectful manner. The hijab sets boundaries for both male and female with greater level of respect and formality.

It enables one to be more mindful of how you behave (walking or talking) as a representation of Islam, especially being in certain places which are not aligned with Islamic values.

It helps a Muslim woman to communicate to the world and in turn recognise other Muslim women which form a familiar community of warmth exchange of salaam (greetings), gentle smiles and a feeling of belongingness, acknowledgement and validation.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)