Question:

Isn’t the way a woman carries herself along with her personality, more important than what she wears?

Answer:

Exactly, but the reality is that clothing is much of a social phenomenon. In Islam, the function of clothing must be both protection and beautification, but not seduction. Thus, to make sure a female’s personality and profession is acknowledged, her body (as the first point of contact) must be covered in a decent way, or else, her personality will be concealed by her body.

Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Question:

Does wearing something on one’s head make that much of a difference?

Answer:

Hijab is not just a piece of scarf on the head. It starts from the heart by thinking modestly, and then talking modestly, then walking modestly, and finally dressing modestly, part of which ofcourse is covering the hair. If it is observed as prescribed and if it is understood as expected, ofcourse it will make a big difference in maintaining a safer society.

Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Question:

Why do women have to wear hijab and not men?

Answer:

We need to answer this question from two angles:

1. To understand the anatomical, as well psychological differences between men and women. In a nutshell, the women’s body is hairless and more attractive to men. Of all her organs there are certain parts that psychologists call ‘female body hot spots’, such as hair, chest, legs and bottoms[1]. Displaying and adorning these parts have a grave influence in provoking men’s sexual desire. For example, if a woman smells the perfume of a gentleman, she may only enjoy its smell, whereas for a man her perfume is sexually provocative.
2. To understand the function of clothing:

There are two famous theories in psychology about the function of clothing; protection theory and seduction theory.

According to the first theory the primary motivation of clothing has been to protect the body against physical and psychological (moral) dangers.

Physical danger:

• weather : cold, hot,
• accidents : in dangerous occupations such as sports and some other crafts,
• human or animal enemies,

Psychological (Moral) danger against:

• indecency and immodesty
• sexual assault

Women’s covering the body as well as the body shape in front of a non-Mahram not only protects her against sexual harassment, it also protects families from falling apart.

Question:

Doesn’t hijab prevent one from being able to integrate into society in non-Muslim countries?

Answer:

Not at all. The proof for something is its existence. There are many Muslim women in the West – such as in Australia which I’m more familiar with – who observe Hijab much more seriously than some ladies in Iran or similar Middle East countries. They work in corporate companies, some are CEOs of their companies, and even police officers (as in Sydney, Australia for example) e.t.c.

Hijab is not to segregate men and women, it is to respect women in society so that they adorn themselves with modesty and sobriety, and not with plaited hair, gold, pearls, or costly attire. Hijab wants to give a chance to a woman to socially profess her godliness with her good and professional works, and not her seductive body.

Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Question:

Why do women have to cover when they pray, even if they are at home and no male is present?

Answer:

Hiajb is a symbol of a woman’s servitude to God (not to her husband as portrayed in the West). Thus, it is seen as her best dress code when she is standing before her Creator. We are recommended to wear our adornments when praying. ‘Adornment’ here is not to seduce but to be more humble and decent before God.

Men are also recommended to wear ‘Aba and turbans (which were outdoor dresses) in the old days, even if they pray in their bedroom. And God knows best.

Sheikh Mansour Leghaei