Muslim women who wear a head covering are often seen as representatives of their entire faith, based on first impressions. This can be both a source of pride and a significant responsibility. While embodying their faith can be empowering, it can also lead to curiosity, feelings of being different, and even subtle forms of racism. In more extreme cases, Muslim women may unfortunately face hate and overt racism due to misconceptions surrounding Muslim head coverings.
To address these prevalent assumptions and misunderstandings, we’ve compiled answers to some common questions to clarify the reasons behind wearing a hijab. It’s important to note that the information provided here is based on consultations with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring a range of Muslim perspectives are represented.
What Exactly is a Hijab?
In essence, a hijab is a physical headscarf, but its meaning extends far beyond a simple piece of cloth. Dr. Zuleyha Keskin, an associate professor at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University (CSU), explains that the term “hijab” is multifaceted. She clarifies that it can be interpreted as a “veil of protection” or a “spiritual veil” designed to shield a person from negative influences.
“[It] protects one’s spirituality against anything that will negatively impact one’s connection with Allah [God],” Dr. Keskin states.
Dr. Keskin emphasizes that the hijab is both a headscarf and a metaphorical “veil of protection.” (Supplied: Zuleyha Keskin)
Dr. Keskin further explains that practicing hijab can involve wearing a head covering, but it also encompasses mannerisms, morals, and values. Similar to various aspects of other faiths, the interpretation of hijab is open to individual understanding and practice.
What is the Purpose of Wearing the Hijab?
The primary purpose of the hijab is to observe modesty, a principle that, according to Islamic law, should be followed from puberty onwards. The Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, contains verses addressing the concept of hijab and emphasizing modesty for both Muslim men and women.
Two key verses in the Qur’an highlight this concept:
- The first verse instructs men to lower their gaze when looking at women and to practice modesty – this is known as “hijab of the eyes.”
- The second verse states that women’s clothing should be modest and cover their bodies. Many interpretations of this verse include the covering of women’s hair.
Hijabs are available in a wide array of fabrics and colors, allowing women to express their personal style while adhering to modest dress. (Supplied: Pexels)
Professor Keskin adds that hijab also implies that both men and women should be mindful of their interactions, ensuring they act with morality and adhere to Islamic values in their dealings with others.
Hijab vs. Burqa: Understanding the Differences
When referring to it as a garment, the hijab is specifically defined by Professor Hakan Coruh, a senior lecturer in Islamic studies at CSU, as a headscarf worn by Muslim women to cover their hair and neck.
There are significant distinctions between different types of garments worn by Muslim women. (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)
Professor Coruh points out the numerous ways women personalize their hijab:
- The methods they use to pin their scarves.
- The extent of coverage the hijab provides.
- The colors and materials they choose.
A woman’s hijab style is often influenced by current fashion trends and her cultural background.
Muslim women around the world showcase diverse and distinct hijab styles. (Top-left: Pexels, Bottom-left: Pexels, Right: Yagazie Emez/iPhotodisc via Getty Images)
Beyond the hijab, various other garments are worn by Muslim women based on their interpretation of the Qur’an and cultural norms. These include:
- Burqa: This garment completely covers the body and face, featuring a mesh screen or grille over the eyes for visibility.
- Jilbab: A jilbab is an outer garment that covers the entire body and is often worn with a niqab, which conceals the face and hair.
- Chador: This is a full-length cloak that covers the head and body but leaves the face visible.
- Khimar: Similar to a hijab but longer and wider, a khimar also conceals a woman’s upper body.
- Dupatta: A dupatta can be worn loosely at the back of the head, sometimes allowing some hair to show, or it can be styled as a scarf, veil, or shoulder wrap.
Below are illustrations further clarifying the differences in these coverings.
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
ABC News: Sharon Gordon
Why Do Some Women Cover Their Faces?
While covering the hair is widely considered obligatory by many Islamic scholars, the consensus is that covering the face with a niqab or burqa is not mandatory. Instead, it is often viewed as an additional act of modesty.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that certain schools of thought within Islam, notably those followed by groups like the Taliban in Afghanistan, consider face veiling to be a compulsory aspect of hijab. Cultural and national dress norms also significantly influence the different types of coverings women choose to wear.
Some women choose to wear a niqab to veil their face as an extra expression of modesty. (Supplied: Pexels)
Is Wearing a Hijab a Choice for Women?
For the vast majority of Muslim women, the answer is yes. Muslim journalist Shazma Gaffoor emphasizes that she was not forced to wear the hijab and that the notion of women being coerced into wearing it is a common misconception.
Shazma Gaffoor chose to start wearing a hijab and highlights that this choice is a privilege especially in Western countries.
“It’s almost become ingrained in Western perception to view a woman in a hijab as being forced or coerced, which is often not the reality,” she explains. “In many places, particularly in the West… it is ultimately a personal choice.”
Shazma chose to begin wearing her hijab at the age of 20 and considers it an integral part of her identity. “[It’s] part of my identity, part of my style,” she says.
The decision to wear a hijab is often “a very personal journey.” “My experience will differ from someone else’s,” Shazma notes. “That’s the beauty of it – we all have different reasons [for wearing it].” For Shazma, wearing a hijab is about representing her faith, embodying modesty, and fostering a connection with God.
However, Muslim author Amal Awad, who does not wear a hijab, points out that while it ideally should always be a woman’s choice, this is not universally the case. “There are women globally who do not have the choice [to wear it]… Discussions about choice are more prevalent in the West,” she says.
“It’s indeed a Western privilege to hear Muslim women discussing how choosing to wear the hijab was their personal decision, and for many, it likely was. But we must be honest and acknowledge that this isn’t always the reality for all Muslim women worldwide.”
Do Women Feel Empowered by Wearing a Hijab?
Yes, many women find empowerment in wearing the hijab. Shazma recalls feeling “liberated” the first time she wore her hijab.
For Muslim women, wearing a hijab carries diverse meanings and personal significance. (ABC)
“For me, it felt like I was in control [of] how people interacted with me,” she says. “When people address me, there’s a certain level of respect… they engage with me as an individual rather than objectifying me. Since I began wearing the hijab, I haven’t felt objectified at all, whereas I often experienced objectification before.”
Is it Appropriate to Ask a Muslim Woman About Her Hijab?
There’s no simple yes or no answer; it truly depends on the individual woman. Generally, many Muslim women are open to answering questions about their hijab, provided that the questions are respectful and avoid clichés or stereotypes.
Shazma doesn’t mind questions but finds some, particularly those based on assumptions, tiresome. “It’s almost a standard question for people to ask if I’m hot in my hijab,” Shazma shares. “This is something we dread every summer, especially in Australia, as it’s such a common question directed at us.”
The depiction in ‘House of Gods’ illustrates how the burqini has enabled Muslim women to participate in Australian swimming culture. (ABC)
She considers it a “silly” misconception that Muslim women are unable to dress appropriately for the weather. “I remember once waiting for an elevator, and a lady literally stopped the elevator just to ask me, ‘Oh, I hope this isn’t offensive, but are you hot wearing that?'” Shazma recounts. “Even though I’m used to such questions, I was still speechless. It indirectly suggests that we can’t think for ourselves [or that] we’re unaware of our surroundings.”
When Can a Woman Remove Her Hijab?
A common misunderstanding is that the hijab must be worn at all times. In reality, a woman is only required to wear a hijab in the presence of men who are not her husband or close blood relatives (mahrams). In public spaces where only women are present, Islamic law does not necessitate covering. However, some women may still choose to wear it out of personal preference or habit.
Batul, a character from ‘House of Gods’, is seen without her hair covered while talking with her father and Isa. (ABC)
In the ABC TV drama series, House of Gods, many female characters wear a hijab, but scenes also depict them unveiled—such as when friends Batul and Jamila are at a women-only pool or in their homes. In other instances, Batul and her sister Hind are shown reaching for a scarf when they anticipate encountering a man who is not a family member.
Why Do Some Muslim Women Not Wear the Hijab?
In Islam, while hijab is considered a religious obligation, the Qur’an states, “There is no compulsion in religion,” implying that Muslims have autonomy in their religious practices. This is why some Muslim women choose not to wear the hijab, opting to express modesty in other ways.
Amal Awad explains that wearing the hijab is symbolic and carries “meaning and purpose.” (Supplied: Hoda Afshar)
Amal Awad points out that Muslim women are diverse in their appearance and may not always visibly appear Muslim. However, she emphasizes that this does not indicate they are any less devout in their faith. “I’m really tired of the one-dimensional portrayals of Muslim women,” she says. “If you search for Muslim women online, the first image you’ll likely see is of a veiled woman against a desert backdrop.”
As depicted in ‘House of Gods’, Muslim women can dress less modestly when enjoying a swim at a public, women-only pool. (ABC)
What is ‘De-jabbing’ and Why Do Women Choose to Stop Wearing Hijab?
The term “de-jabbing” refers to the choice to stop wearing the hijab. For many Muslim women, wearing the hijab is a deeply meaningful and spiritual journey. However, this is not universally true for everyone.
Amal Awad, for instance, wore the hijab for a period in her life but gradually modified her headscarf before deciding to remove it completely, ten years after she first started wearing it. Amal explains that her decision to stop wearing it was influenced by her evolving perspective on the hijab.
“I outgrew it. It no longer represented who I was… It ceased to feel like a genuine act of devotion,” she shares. “I no longer wished to cover my hair. I wanted anonymity, to blend in, and hijab no longer resonated with me or the person I was becoming.”
Amal’s decision was not without its challenges. Three years after removing her hijab, she wrote an article about her journey. “The reaction to that was extraordinary,” Amal recalls. She notes that some within the Muslim community found it difficult to understand her reasons for discontinuing the hijab. “[People say], ‘Oh, but it’s just a scarf,’ but it’s more than that. It’s a symbol,” Amal emphasizes. “It carries meaning and purpose. It communicates something about the wearer. There is so much more to hijab than just a piece of cloth.”
Want to explore more Muslim stories? Stream all episodes of House of Gods on ABC iview.
