Is It Haram To Not Wear Hijab?
Muslims might ask today, is it haram to not wear hijab? The hijab is compulsory for all Muslim women who have reached puberty. Hijab is a commandment of Allah, and a Muslim woman who does not obey Allah deserves punishment for disobeying the creator’s command.
Hijab is a very controversial topic among Muslims and we see in today’s era that many Muslim women don’t follow the command of Allah by wearing hijab. To understand the concept of hijab we have to learn everything about it.
Is It Haram To Not Wear Hijab In Islam?
Hijab is required for all Muslim women who have reached puberty. We need to understand everything about hijab to understand the importance of Allah.
Shaykh Muhammad al-Salih al-‘Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The Hijab prescribed in shari’ah means that a woman should cover everything that it is haram for her to show, i.e., she should cover that which it is obligatory for her to cover, first and foremost of which is the face, because it is the focus of temptation and desire.
[Fatawa al-Marah al-Muslimah, 1/ 391, 392]
A woman is obliged to cover her face in front of anyone who is not her mahram (blood relative to whom marriage is permanently forbidden). From this we learn that the face is the most essential thing to be covered.
There is evidence from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the views of the Sahabah and the imams and scholars of Islam, which indicates that women are obliged to cover all of their bodies in front of those who are not their mahrams.
The verse in which Allah says indicates a universal requirement:
“O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[Quran 33:59]
The hijab is also explained from the hadith of the most beloved wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin:
May Allah have mercy on the early immigrant women. When the verse “That they should draw their veils over their bosoms” was revealed, they tore their thick outer garments and made veils from them.
[Sunan Abi Dawud 4102]
The sincere Muslim woman is one who is sincere in carrying out her responsibility to his Lord, obeying His laws, and avoiding what He has forbidden. A Muslim woman should follow the command of covering herself as it’s an obligation.
It is not for a believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter—to have any other choice in that matter.1 Indeed, whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has clearly gone ˹far˺ astray
[Quran 33:36]
The things that Allah order us Muslims might not be big or favorable in our eyes as we are merely a creation and don’t understand the best ways to live our life but we should always know that there is a big motive behind all these rulings.
If Allah has ordered anything it’s the best for all of us and we should follow it irrespective of what we think about it.
“when you passed it from one tongue to the other, and said with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, taking it lightly while it is ˹extremely˺ serious in the sight of Allah.”
[Quran 24:15]
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What Is Hijab?
In Arabic, hijab means to cover or conceal. Hijab is the name of a type of head covering. In the Muslim world, hijab can be any covering done by Muslim women to hide their natural beauty from non-mahrams around them.
Hijab can be in any form like a veil or any other form of cloth used to cover the head and the chest area so that the natural figure of the Muslim woman is hidden.
Covering a woman’s arms and legs and the full body is also hijab. She can cover it with the choice of clothes she likes but they have to be loose so that her body is not visible through the clothes.
She is allowed to show her feet and face to non-mahrams in Islam and some scholars also say that only the yes part is allowed to show in front of other men.
Why Do Muslim Women Wear The Hijab?
Let us first consider why Muslim women are encouraged to wear the hijab in Islam. The primary motivation is modesty. Different countries wear the hijab in different ways, but they all cover a woman’s hair. Typically, the hijab is worn with modest attire to shield the woman from the eyes of both men and women.
Furthermore, its objective is to limit a woman’s beauty to her family and husband. She must protect her attractiveness and appearance from all non-mahrams.
Another reason is the protection of the woman herself from strangers. The hijab, when worn with a veil, draws little to no attention to the woman. It’s a significant benefit because it protects women from being sexually harassed or even raped.
If two women are walking through a dangerous region. One woman is dressed in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt, while the other is dressed in a hijab and a veil that hides her figure.
Which of those two women would you prefer to be safe? The second lady, most likely! That is what we mean when we say hijab functions as a protective layer.
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Punishment For Not Wearing Hijab?
In spite of the fact that we do not know whether a woman who does not wear the hijab will end up in Hell, it is certain that she merits Allah’s punishment for disobeying His law.
Quran doesn’t specify any punishment for not wearing the hijab so we can’t make assumptions about its punishment.
However, there is a sahih hadith that tells about women who wear revealing clothes.
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) having said this:
Two are the types of the denizens of Hell whom I did not see: people having flogs like the tails of the ox with them and they would be beating people, and the women who would be dressed but appear to be naked, who would be inclined (to evil) and make their husbands incline towards it. Their heads would be like the humps of the bukht camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they would not smell its odour whereas its odour would be smelt from such and such distance.
[Sahih Muslim 2128]
The smell of paradise is known to be the strongest there is and its smell can be smelt from very far. This hadith tells that the women who wear revealing clothes might not be able to even smell the fragrance of paradise.
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Can A Husband Force His Wife To Wear Hijab
A husband is the head of the house and by that rule, he is responsible for the actions of his kids and wives and all under his protection. So, this topic is a bit controversial as well. Husbands believe that it’s their right to force their wives to wear hijab but on the other side, women believe that it is their own choice.
The best method here would be that husbands should suggest to their wives and tell them everything about hijab and ask them to wear it. By advising their wives the responsibility of the husband will be over and if the wife still doesn’t follow the hijab rulings then it is on her and she will be punished by Allah.
Forcing someone can go wrong in many ways. A certain amount of force can be allowed but only by the tongue. A husband is not allowed to hit her wife under any circumstances.
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Is It Necessary To Wear Hijab In Islam?
The head covering is required by the Quran, hence it must be worn. Sur-e-Noor and Surah al-Ahzab demand covering the head, hence it is an essential part of Islam. Every Muslim woman should follow the rules of Allah and wear a hijab.
Which Quran Verse Talks About Hijab?
Surah 33 Verse 53 tells about the hijab and the full body veils to cover the main attractive parts of the body of the women.
“O believers! Do not enter the homes of the Prophet without permission ˹and if invited˺ for a meal, do not ˹come too early and˺ linger until the meal is ready. But if you are invited, then enter ˹on time˺. Once you have eaten, then go on your way, and do not stay for casual talk. Such behaviour is truly annoying to the Prophet, yet he is too shy to ask you to leave. But Allah is never shy of the truth. And when you ˹believers˺ ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and theirs. And it is not right for you to annoy the Messenger of Allah, nor ever marry his wives after him. This would certainly be a major offence in the sight of Allah.”
[source]
Can You Force Someone To Wear Hijab In Islam?
There is no compulsion in religion. No matter how old they are, no one should be forced to wear the hijab, however, they can be encouraged to do so. However, in the end, it is up to the people and their own choices.
Is There A Dress Code In Islam?
Men’s traditional clothing traditionally covers the head and the area between the waist and the knees, while women’s clothing conceals their hair and body from the ankles to the neck. The faces of some Muslim women are also covered.
Is It Mandatory To Cover The Face In Islam?
Most Islamic scholars believe that women are not compelled to cover their faces in public, but some argue that there are a variety of reasons why women may cover their faces in public, and this practice must be interpreted in the context of a specific social setting.
Covering the face is highly suggested but not an obligation in Islam.
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Final Thoughts
Wearing a hijab is an obligation for all Muslim women who have reached puberty. This law is written in the Quran and the Prophet (peace be upon him) has told about the punishments for women that wear revealing clothes.
A Muslim woman should always guard her beauty and her attractiveness is only for her husband and all the mahrams of her family.
And Allah Knows Best.
