Seven Problems With Hijab
February 1st is World Hijab Day, it is also No Hijab Day. In the spirit of the latter, let’s examine some very real problems the Islamic covering has, both scripturally and socially.
It is important to note this article is not written to support bigotry against Muslims or anyone else. It is also not intended to support prohibitions by governments or other entities on any sort of dress. It is simply to provide information so people, including Muslim women, can make these decisions for themselves.
Let us begin.
1. Quran
It may come a surprise to some that nowhere in the Quran does it explicitly say women should cover their heads. The closest it comes are the following verses:
“…and not display [woman’s] beauty except what is apparent, and they should place their khumur over their bosoms…” (24:31).
and
“O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers that: they should let down upon themselves their jalabib.” (33:59).
What are these things? They are simply elements of clothing. Many interpret khumur to be a “head covering”, but it can also be defined as just a covering in general, for shoulders, or, in this explicit case…