The Veil in Islam Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Veil in Islam - Research Paper ExampleMuslim women who strictly adhere to the requirement believe that it is an act of obedience to God and a stride towards freedom. In this regard, womens freedom can be evaluated by their physical appearance rather than their intellect. The concept of veiling in Islam emanates from the need to maintain the association between the body and mind. It is often believed that c everyplaceing the body is one room of shielding the heart from impurities. For that reason, men ar admonished to avert their eyes from women, and subsequently, women are required to put on loose outer garments, and dissemble up their bosoms and heads (Hibri 8). Although the Holy Quran directs that women needs to veil themselves, the degree and style varies well depending on the situation. Veiling in Islam women is highly dependent on interpretation of various scriptures on the practice, culture, and personalized preferences. According to chapter 33, verse 60 of the Quran, Allah says O prophet Tell your wives and your daughters, and women of the believers, that they should pull down upon them of their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. That is more likely that they may thus be recognized and not molested. There are dickens distinct interpretations of this scripture that has created two forms of veiling. In light of the instruction, some Muslim women choose to cover their heads eyepatch others choose to cover their faces. However, there are others who choose to adopt a compromised position of the two by covering their faces, only when they apply makeup (Ali 719). Majority of Muslim women veil themselves because of the need to uphold modesty, dignity, respect, and safe-conduct themselves from evils and harm. There are two fundamental parameters, which come from hadith or traditional reports, and Quran that guide the Muslim women dress code. The first parameter comes from Quran, and is indicated that a womans body should be covered in su ch a manner that only her feet, hands, and face are revealed, except under uncontrolled constituent (Quran 24 30-31). Additionally, women are required to put on loose clothing so that their body coordinate is not revealed. The second parameter come from hadith, and states that Muslim women should not put on clothing similar to that of men, or in a manner similar to those who do not believe God. This implies that their clothing should be simply modest, and not overly fancy or ragged. The traditional reports or hadiths presented a number of instances where women were admonished to cover up their nakedness. Scrutiny of the reports reveals that the definition of a womans nakedness is so wide and covers her inbuilt body. Ibn Qudama in al-Mughni (1 349) posited all of the womans body is considered her nakedness (Ali 412). In the Quran and the prophetic Sunna, there are some fundamental requirements that suggested the manner in which Muslim women are supposed to dress that includes the extent of covering, thickness, looseness, color, appearance, and demeanor, variate from mens clothing, variation from unbelievers clothing, and prohibition of ostentatious or vain dressing. Although modest dressing and hijab is mandated in the Quran, many Muslims dispute that it is not a strict condition, but simply a strong suggestion. Because of change interpretations and cultural differences, many women in the Islamic world have adopted fashions of their country.