Do Headscarfs = Hijab?
By Humza Mullick
HEADSCARFS and head coverings are some of the misrepresented words that have been connected with the Hijab. Many haven’t really understood the meaning or implementation of Hijab. Most misconceptions are due to: lack of knowledge or simply not wanting to obey Allah.
Linguistically, Hijab means a screen or covering (Hans Weir Arabic to English dictionary). Screen, when used as a noun means an upright partition used to divide a room, give shelter, or provide concealment and, when used as a verb it means conceal, protect, or shelter with a screen. Conceal means to prevent from being seen or known. (Oxford dictionary, online version).
In Islamic Shariah terms, Hijab means covering or veil. Allah said in the Qur’an:
“Nay! Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day.” (Qur’an, 83:15)
The word used here is ‘Mahjooboon’ , which is derived from ‘Hajaba’ which means to prevent from being seen. Allah also says in the Qur’an:
“And when you (Muhammad, peace be upon him) recite the Qur’an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil (or screen their hearts, so they hear or understand it not).” (Qur’an, 17:45)
These verses show that both linguistically and Islamically, Hijab refers to something that covers and veils. During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), when Allah commanded that Muslim women must cover in front of non-Mahram men, they tore their ‘Murats’ – woolen dress or a waist-binding cloth – and covered themselves.
In another verse, Allah said:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 33:59)
A major mistake many make is restricting the term ‘Hijab’ to mean a flimsy scarf that covers the hair only; in other words, a ‘headscarf.’ Some Muslim women in the West wear tight jeans, t-shirts and a headscarf while going out and think they are adhering to the Islamic dress code. This is incorrect. Some of the conditions laid out in the Qur’an and Sunnah for Hijab are as follows:
• Covers the whole body, Some scholars say it includes covering of face and hands, while others say it is recommended and not obligatory.
• Not a display that attracts attention
• Not perfumed
• Not transparent
• Roomy, and not tight-fitting
• Doesn’t resemble the dress of men or what is specific to non-Muslims.
Hijab is for all times and all places, not restricted for Muslim lands alone. Some wear Hijab in Muslim lands and switch to headscarfs in the West. We have to fear Allah everywhere we go and this dysfunctional practice is a direct result of our weakness in our understanding of Tawheed (monotheism) and a deficiency in our Aqeedah (belief). Hijab is a protection of Muslim women’s honour and respect.
Islam is about submission to the Creator in all aspects of our lives. When we are instructed to do something by Allah, we should just “hear and obey.”
Posted by SAKINA AND SARA 
Will I go to hell for no hijab?
February 6, 2009Dear Sister, my daughter also went through similar feelings because she tried it before she was required to wear it, there fore I let her remove it with her understanding that when it was a required thing to do at puberty, I hoped she would accept to wear it for her own self and not for pleasing me. Hijab is for yourself, for your dignity and modesty and for the pleasure of Allah swt. NOW, will you go to hell for it? We are not in any position to say no— or yes!!! This is only the right of Allah swt and those who presume to know will place themselves equal to His majesty. Should you lie to your mom? NO…. you need to sit down with her and ask her for help, for strength,,, and look into the reasons why it bothers you to wear it. Is it because of social pressure to take it off and fit in with ‘your friends’??? Know truely dearest sister, that true friends will love you no matter what you wear or how you look, and that is one of the purposes of hijab. People need to see you for who YOU are not —-what you dress in.
Some women who do not wear hijab do so because they think that iman or faith is enough, but we need to follow and submitt to what Allah has requested of us. So yes hijab is a fard, or an obligation on us.. But it is also our crown that we should wear with pride and dignity. Putting the hijab was a hard thing for me to do when I was 20,,, and I thought seriously of all I would give up or change in my life.. but when I put it I knew it was a great choice. You have to choose it for yourself in order to please Allah, and when you choose to do so is in your hands, but don’t lie about it because you will also be lieing to yourself first of all. Even if your mom doesnt see you — surely Allah does. He knows what is in your heart more than anyone can and he understands well your struggles and feelings. so trust in Allah and in His mercy and if you decide that now is not your time then you must make intention that soon you will return to wearing it for His pleasure and your blessings. May Allah swt guide you to the right choice and help you to over come these difficult feelings. Lastly, let me just mention- as maybe I have in one of my articles here, that choosing the right kind of scarf is important!!! I have high school girls on our bus who wrap and wrap and wrap the material around their head and neck. I look at them and wonder uffff how annoying —how can she stand it like that—- it would suffocate me and make me feel irritable. My daughter wears the two piece which I also dont like because it feels tight, and short… Sooo I chose the square hijab that you fold in half as a triangle and then pin under the chin. I use a comfy head band to hold the hijab in place so it doesnt slip around and bother me all day. Play around with different kinds and see what makes you feel comfy and pretty and great knowing you are doing a good thing for yourself. I pray that Allah will make it easy for you and give you the strength you need, and you will find out for yourself why you will want wear it!!
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