John B. Parisutham
Apr 4, 20132 min
During the ethics class we had question from a non-Muslim brother that wearing Hijab in a hot climate is ethical or not ethical”. To understand this we need to understand the concept of wearing a Hijab. It is not just to show that we are Muslims but also there are insights. It is primarily formed to safeguard the modesty, dignity and honor of men and women. When I say men and women you may feel that we only see girls wearing a hijab, what does it mean by a hijab to a men?
I would like to quote a verse from Al-Quran
“Say to the believing men to lower their gazes and guard their chastity” (Qur’an 24:30). “And say to the believing women to lower their gazes and guard their chastity, and let them not display of their charm– except what is apparent.” (Qur’an 24:31).
So, Quran does not impose the Hijab only for women it also states that men Hijab is that to lower their gazes and guard their chastity. Men and women, although having many qualities in common, they also have some unique characteristics. One of those characteristic is that women are beautiful, and likable beings, They are charming, attractive, and lovable; whereas men are charmed, attracted by and love women’s qualities. So, while men are lowering their gazes and guard their chastity women should also do the same.
They must be able to protect themselves for their companion in a way that Islam expects from a Muslima (Muslim women). When a man marries a woman, he wishes all his wife’s beauty and affection to be reserved for him. He wishes to be the only one who benefits from her charm, affection, beauty, sense of humour, kindness, etc. and to strictly avoid men sight to his wife. Man is, by nature, very intolerant of another man either looking at his wife or having any kind of relationship with her.
He would regard a close relationship between his wife and other men to be a violation of his lawful right. He expects his wife to follow Islamic and by adapting herself to Islamic behaviour and ethics. So if she is following that, she cooperates in maintaining his lawful rights. This has been understood by most of the girls in Islam that is the reason for them to wear Hijab although it is hot outside. I believe that covering the hair gives less attraction to men. Wearing Hijab is not an opinion of anyone. It is an obligation for Muslim women.
Another issue is that, women should only cover themselves with a Hijab while they are outside, they are allowed to be without Hijab at home in front of her close relatives. So Islam does not force something which is difficult to adapt or something unfair. This is my believe about Islamic ethics in wearing Hijab.