Question:
I know that Muslim women have to wear the hijab. Can you please explain what this term exactly means in Islam?
Answer:
The term ‘hijab’ (veil; obstacle) is rather a new term used nowadays to express woman’s Islamic dress code. The traditional term used by our jurists is ‘Satr’ which means to cover. Anyway, whatever you name the issue, Hijab is a social etiquette prescribed by all divine religions to provide a safe and professional relationship between the opposite sexes. It must be noted that before Islam speaks about women’s covering in public, it has spoken about men’s lowering their gaze (Refer to Surat Noor, Ayah 30-31).
Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei
For more Q&As on the Hijab please see here