It would appear to the naked eye that women in Islam have no rights. Shrouded in the hijab, and often covering their faces, many believe that muslim women are masked in this uniform all day long. While muslim men, can dress as they please. ‘See the inequality’; they would say.

First things first; muslim women do not wear their Islamic garb 24/7. Rather the muslim woman’s attire that appears to be an ‘oversized bed sheet’ is merely an over garment which the muslim woman dons when she leaves her home, or in the presence of strange unrelated men. That means, in her home she dresses as she pleases, and can uncover her hair too.

Moreover, men have a dress code too. The minimum requirement for a male to cover is from his naval to his knees. That’s minimum. To you it may seem unequal, but I’m sure you would agree that men and women’s bodies are different! Therefore, a woman’s body necessitates that she covers more, as a woman is more attractive than a man, because Allah has given her that natural beauty.

Women’s covering also acts as a means of protection. Imagine your favourite sweet. Perhaps ‘gummy bears, or cola bottles, or a lollipop. Now, imagine placing that sweet in the middle of the garden, or even in the middle of your dining table with wrappers removed, and served on a plate. Now, if the flies didn’t get to it first, I’m sure someone else would. Do you see my point? No? Ok, here’s another example. Imagine you owned a block of solid gold, encrusted with diamonds, and rubies. If you left that hanging out of your pocket, as you walk down the street, or left it by the window for the world to see. I’m sure you would return home without it that evening.  Apply those above scenarios to women. An unclothed, semi-naked woman, will be feasted upon by hungry eyes, and even approached in an undesirable manner. In comparison, the muslim woman who covers herself, as per the requirements set by the Creator of mankind, will find herself free to walk as she pleases.  In Islam, the muslim woman is more precious than gold and diamonds, she is sweeter that the most delightful sweet. She is worth more, her value is priceless, and thus she is to protect herself.

“O Prophet, tell your wives and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves their outer garments. That is more suitable, that they will be known and not abused. And ever is Allah forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:59)

The hijab, jilbab, or niqab does not limit a muslim woman in any way. Rather it gives her freedom. She is known by it to be an upright, moral individual who possess good character. She is judged for her intellectual ability instead of her physical assets.

In society today, women have become the instrument of advertisement. If their bodies don’t cut it, they are more than often denied their due. In the west, where women have supposedly reached the peak of civilisation in their dressing and so-called ‘freedoms’ women are still not treated equally to men. According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in 2007, approximately 12,000 women were harassed in the workplace.

Sexual abuse to women is a common occurrence. Though the man responsible is charged, many do not realise, that the woman is equally at fault for dressing provocatively. Allah, the Creator of you and me, knew this would happen, that’s why He put laws in place to help us. In addition men have the responsibility to lower their gaze, but how can that be applied, when everywhere he turns, there is a woman who has exposed herself? On the billboards, in the shop windows, in the newspapers and magazines, even on your sweet packets, walking in front of you, driving in their cars, women dressing inappropriately seems to be everywhere.

Allah designated that women should cover themselves. Hijab is a stand against female exploitation, and a means of female liberation. Beneath it, a woman is free to do as she pleases and dress as she pleases. Women are not the trophy of men, but rather individuals with their own goal and attainments. The Hijab preserves our beauty, our character, and protects us from prying eyes. Hijab allows women to be judged for their worth and not their appearance. It is a modus of security and safeguard for the muslim woman.