Note: This post has been revised in a later post here. To get the bigger pictures one might want to read this one first, and then the revision.
Ayah number 4 God says" Fa Waylon lil mossaleen" "فويل للمصلين " [ Woe to those who worship/pray ] . This ayah taken out of context simply means be careful not to pray. One would think that God doesn't like those who pray. Which we know contradicts many other versus in the Quran stressing the importance of praying. But if we put this back in context the meaning becomes more sensible and in accordance with the rest of the book. I will talk more about context in another post.
Let us get back to the topic at hand. The Hijab or head scarf in particular. As I know there are three main verses which traditional Muslim scholars use to argue that Hijab is obligated by God. One is in soorat al Noor (24) Ayah/verse 31. The other two are in Soorat Al-Ahzaab. The first one is Ayah/verse 33 which specifically talks to the Prophets wives, and the second one is Ayah/verse 59.
I shall discuss Ayah 31 of soorat Al-Noor first and quickly. The English translation according to www.al-islam.com is :
[31] And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands.
For this arguments purpose I shall not get into details about the English translation, but the text in question is highlighted above. God only commands women to hide their bosom or Chest area. The word in Arabic used was Jaib. Jaib is commonly referred to nowadays as the pocket. Which I believe was still the name for pockets back in the old days. Only pockets were commonly placed in the chest area versus the pants or jacket for example. The argument to support this claim is the Quran itself uses the word Jaib in two other versus. Both referring to Moses (PBUH) and one of the Miracles God taught him when he was sent to the pharaoh. God asked Moses (PBUH) to insert his hand into his pocket (which the Bible refers to as the chest area as well) and then take it out to perform the Miracle.
Therefore this Ayah (31:24) clearly is asking Muslim women to cover their bosoms and not referring to covering the hair.
Now as to Ayah 33 in Soorat/Chapter Al-Ahzaab clearly is referring to the Prophets wives only. Proof of that is stated in the verse just before it when God says: " يانساء النبي لستن كأحدٍ من النساء" "Oh women of the prophet , ye are not like any other women." Therefore, these versus clearly cannot be used as an argument to tell other women what they should or should not do.
Finally Ayah 59 of soorat Al-Ahzaab, which probably both traditional scholars and I both agree to be the Ayah were Hijab is most clearly stated in. However, below you will find a point of view not many people talk about. It had occurred to me while reading the Quran and trying to understand it. I think most Muslims have a bad habit with reading the Quran in passing. Not really trying to figure out the message. They simply rely on what old school of thought (or ignorance) tells them.
Little do they know that when God is judging us, they will bare responsibility for their actions and not the scholars. As the Quran clearly states in so many places.
Back to the point of view I mentioned. Let us look at the context of this Ayah and in fact the whole Soorah. This Soorah is clearly Madaniyah ( Revealed in Madinah). The title means the parties or Allies. This is a well known battle that Muslims were attacked by Quraish and other Allies in Madinah. It also talks about the Jews of Banu- Qaynuqaa and their betrayal of the treaty. It talks
about the Monafiqoon (hypocrites) whom were hiding their disbelief. It also talks about some social aspects in Madinah. Moreover, there are some versus specifically talking to the Prophet PBUH.Then we come to the versus in question. Namely, 57, 58, 59, and 60. All are displayed in the figure on the right of this text.
We begin with Ayah 57 which serves as a transition between talking about the Prophet PBUH to talking about those who hurt the believers. Which brings us to ayah 58 loosely translates into : "And those who hurt the believers unjustly will bear responsibility for their actions and sins" " ".
Finally Ayah 59
" يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا " "Oh Prophet instruct your wives, daughters and women believers to cover themselves up with their outer garments so that they shall not be known and thus hurt, and God is Forgiving and Merciful" . Here we note the words so that they shall not be known (identified) and thus hurt. Therefore, God has stated a reason for the cover. Further investigation and pondering of this Ayah reveals the meaning well. I was puzzled when I read this Ayah at first. I thought: OK if all women covered up they will not be identifiable however, won't those who wish to hurt them still know that they are Muslims? It then becomes apparent that for the Muslim women not to be harassed they need to blend in. They need to dress up like other women and therefore not be subject to harassment. How was that possible? It is simple, they would dress like other women in Madinah namely like Jewish women. If one examines the Jewish women's dress code historically and in modern times. It is easy to see that specifically from portraits of Mary the mother of Jesus and other women from her time. Therefore, wearing like other Jewish women in Madinah would help Muslim women blend in and therefore not be subject to harassment.
In conclusion, this means that once Muslim women live in their own society where Muslims are the majority there will no longer be a need for them to cover up their hair. It is a practice that God commanded and has given us the reason. Now that the reason has passed I see no point in covering the hair. Of course if women wish to cover up let them feel free to do so. It is their prerogative. However, this comes to the matter where Muslim women live in the west. Especially in the post 9/11 world. If a Muslim woman feels threat or harassment for wearing a veil and being a Muslim then this is going against the logic behind Ayah 59. God clearly makes protecting women from harm the priority. Therefore, in my opinion women should try to blend in. Of course not bearing skin, showing their bosoms and wearing provocative clothes. As long as it doesn't go against the other commands from God in other versus.
This of course is my humble opinion and I would love to hear some comments.
