TEHRAN – In Islam, women and men are required to dress modestly. Islam enjoins specifically on women to cover their head with a piece of clothing called veil or Hijab in the presence of men outside of the immediate family, also known as Mahram.

The hijab has always been a topic for debate, or sometimes, a discreetly avoided subject.

The hijab is a concept. Yes, the biggest representation of the word is a fabric that covers the hair and neck area of a Muslim woman – but it's surprisingly so much more than that.

Hijab encourages modesty, both physically and spiritually. When a woman covers her head as per Allah’s command, it is her way of showing her belief in Allah and accepting all his commands. It makes the connection between the Almighty and that woman stronger.

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments1 except what normally appears.2 Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their hidden adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those bondwomen in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful.” [Holy Quran, 24:31]

The hijab represents a woman’s submission to her Creator and her connection with the faith. Wearing the hijab is a commandment from God, and refers to anything that conceals. The hijab is not limited to physical clothing, it's also about your behaviour and the way you conduct yourself.

The hijab is a test for Muslim women. It is clear from the Quran and the Hadiths that hijab is a religious obligation, which a woman has to undertake. 

First and foremost, dressing modestly and wearing the headscarf allows you to please Allah, as you are fulfilling the commandment set by Allah for women. 

One allegation often thrown at the way Muslim women dress is that it hides them, allowing them to be ignored by society. This is simply not true.

The hijab in every way is helpful to women morally, socially and psychologically as it gives them protection completely. The hijab is not new to this world. There was a hijab in every religion as the people changed the commands of God with time by their own choice and for their own profit, they have also erased the rule of hijab as well. If we go through history, we come across the rules of hijab everywhere in its own way.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly underlined the importance of the issue of hijab. He has emphasized that not only does hijab not mean the isolation of women, but it is also something that brings security and dignity for women. “Islam has obligated women to observe modest dressing (hijab). Hijab is a means of providing security: by observing hijab, Muslim women provide security both for themselves and for Muslim men. Wherever hijab is taken away from women, wherever they push women towards bareness and nudity, security is taken away primarily from women and secondarily from men and the youth. To preserve a healthy and secure environment wherein women can pursue their tasks and men can carry out their responsibilities, Islam has set hijab as an obligation: hijab is an outstanding obligation by Islam and its advantages are as I described.” (March 10, 1997)

A Muslim woman respects the rules and laws of the Quran and her dear prophets and follows wholeheartedly the rules of hijab. The woman who loves the Quran never feels hijab as a burden in her life and feels proud of her hijab. In Islam hijab comes under law so it remains until today but in other religions, it almost vanished as it is not under any law.

“Hijab gives women freedom and identity. In spite of the senseless and superficial propaganda campaigns launched by materialistic people, hijab does not shackle women. By ignoring hijab and failing to cover what Allah the Exalted has asked them to cover, women undermine their own dignity and value. Hijab brings about dignity. It makes women more valuable. It increases women's dignity and respect. Therefore, it is necessary to appreciate hijab and to be thankful to Islam for emphasizing hijab. Hijab is among the blessings of God,” Ayatollah Khamenei noted. (May 12, 2012)