Muslim feminist views on hijab

The Qur'an states that both men and women should be dressed modestly (33:59-60, 24:30-31; in translation by Ali, 1988, 1126–27). However, it does not use the words veil, hijab, burqa, chador, or abaya. Instead, it uses the words jilbab (cloak) and khumur (shawl). These garments do not cover the face, hands, or feet.

Until the third through the ninth centuries (Hijri) women prayed in mosques unveiled.

Women in opposition to the hijab claim that whole body covering with the burka, chador, and other items of clothing is a cultural tradition that arose from a conservative reading of the Qur'an by male mullahs, and that the Qur'an itself does not require such covering.[2]

A number of Muslim feminists, including Fadela Amara and Hédi M'henni, support bans on the hijab due to their view that the hijab inherently represents a subjugation of women. Amara supported France's ban of the garment in public buildings, saying "the veil is the visible symbol of the subjugation of women, and therefore has no place in the mixed, secular spaces of France's public school system."[3] She also pointed to the fact that feminists in Algeria fought against wearing the veil, accusing those who criticized the ban as participating in neocolonialism.[3] Mhenni expressed support for Tunisia's ban on the veil on similar grounds, claiming that acceptance of the veil would lead to acceptance of women's rights being limited.[4]

Sihem Habchi, director of the French feminist movement Ni Putes Ni Soumises, expressed support for France's ban on the burqa in public places, stating that the ban was a matter of "democratic principle" and protecting French women from the "obscurantist, fascist, right-wing movement" that she said the burqa represented.[5][6]

There are also other Muslim feminists who see the veil as a symbol of Islamic freedom or otherwise attribute a personalized meaning to it.[7]

Anyone who prohibits the hijab is taking away women’s rights to Freedom of Religion because the hijab is a basic practice among all Muslim women and Muslims believe it is mandated by God. Prohibiting the hijab is religious oppression. Women deserve the right to practice their religion. Incidentally, nuns faced similar oppression at times throughout history for wearing the Catholic Habit. [8] The Habit is very similar to the Hijab and both resemble the Mother Mary and communicate modesty and devotion to God. In fact, many nuns were executed by France in the French Revolution of 1790s for refusing to abandon their Habits. Nuns were similarly targeted in England in 1847, South Carolina in the 1830s, and several other countries throughout history.

Muslim feminists see the efforts to control the clothing of women as direct oppression. For hundreds of years, women have been standing up against this oppression and demanding the right to wear conservative religious clothing such as the Habit or the Hijab.

The primary purpose of the hijab is identified by Allah in Quran 33:59 when He says, “so that they may be recognised.” Muslim women wear the hijab to show that they are Muslim and proud of being Muslim, followers of God. [9] The hijab identifies Muslim women as servants of the One and only God. Muslim women wear the hijab as an act of faith and submission to God. It has never been a symbol of oppression among believing Muslim women, but rather, it is a symbol of faith, devotion, and “haya” (natural or inherent modesty). Muslims believe the hijab is the most natural and comfortable way for women to dress. However, this is secondary to the primary purpose of following God’s will to be identified as Muslims.

The word “khimar” in the Quran means “head covering” in the same way that a “sock” would mean “foot covering.” [10] It is incorrect to translate “khimar” as a “cloak” in the same way it would be incorrect to translate a “sock” as a “tube of fabric” that one could mistake for an ankle warmer or legging. A sock is clearly different from a leg warmer because a sock covers the foot. In the same way, a “khimar” was always a head covering (since before Islam). Therefore, Allah clearly commands a head covering in the Quran. Muslims have always agreed the head covering is ordered by God but Muslim scholars have different opinions on the face covering. Most Muslims believe that the face covering is not mandatory but it is beneficial and is copying the practice of the Prophet Mohamed’s (pbuh) wives and the early Muslim women. Some Muslims believe the face covering is mandated due to the specific language in the Quran and the practices of early Muslim women. [11]

Feminists such as Leila Ahmed say the veil no longer represents "a woman's brainwashed submissiveness or at the very least her lack of choice" and note that many American Muslims have worn the hijab to show opposition to anti-Muslim discrimination following the September 11 attacks or to show solidarity with Palestine.[12]

Since 2012, the hijab has become more prominent in countries of the world where state law does not require women to wear the hijab.[7] For some of these women the hijab acts as a statement of pride in Islam, femininity, and sexual identity rather than as a representation of the oppression of women. Feminist philosophers such as Luce Irigaray note that the veil can take on the role of empowerment regarding a woman's sexual difference from man.[7]

Some feminists link the freedom to wear the hijab to women having a right over their own body. Publicist Nadiya Takolia adopted the hijab after becoming a feminist, saying the hijab "is not about protection from men's lusts," but about "telling the world that my femininity is not available for public consumption...and I don't want to be part of a system that reduces and demeans women."[13]

Many modern Muslim feminists believe a woman's freedom of choice is the most important thing and that she should be able to choose whether to wear the veil or not without being coerced or threatened. This view holds that in accordance with a Muslim feminist's personal expression of Islamic faith, Muslim women should be able to define dress codes for themselves and what they deem to personally empower them. .[14]

If women do not want to follow Islamic guidance then Muslims are prohibited from forcing it on them. Muslims are not allowed to force anyone to wear the hijab or practice Islam. God clearly states in the Quran in Al-Baqara 256 that “there is no compulsion in religion.” (See Wikipedia page Al-Baqara 256 for more information on this verse) Religious acts must come from the heart with the intention to worship God. If anyone is forced, then they act without intention and their acts are meaningless. Therefore, there cannot be any compulsion in religion. Compulsion invalidates religious actions.

• Awrah
• Haya (Islam)
• Hermeneutics of feminism in Islam
• Hijab by country
• Nazira Zain al-Din
• Purdah
• Types of hijab

• "Hammad, Amber (2021) Unveiling The Veil: Self-Representation in Contemporary Muslim Female Art".