Hijab is an Arabic word meaning barricade or divider. In Islam, however, it has a broader meaning. It is the principle of virtue and includes conduct as well as outfit for both males and females. The word “hijab” refers to both the head covering conventionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general.

According to Islamic scholarship, hijab is given the wider meaning of modesty, privacy, and morality. In one popular school of Islamic thought, hijab refers to the complete covering of a female except the hands, face and feet in long, loose and non see-through garments. Typically, Muslims disagree as to whether the hijab should be required on women in public; whether it should be banned in schools; or whether it should be left for the women to decide.

The word hijab or veil is used in the Qur’an to point at a spatial screen that divides or gives privacy. Virtue, in Qur’an indicates both men’s and women’s gaze, gait, attire, and genitalia. Instructions for covering of the entire body except for the hands, the feet and the face, are found in the teachings of fiqh and hadith that are developed later.

Islam desires harmony and reserve in society as well as individual life. So it requires women to be careful in their contacts with other unrelated men. To protect one self from the eyes of other males is an obligation on the Muslim women, from Allah, and those who do not oblige by His rules, are deliberately disobeying Him. In present times, when corruption and fraudulency is growing in society, every woman should wear the hijab. It is the only thing which defends a woman and makes her feel safe.

It is recommended that women wear clothing that is not very tight for the body: either unassuming forms of western clothing, or the more customary jilbāb, or the burqa, a high-necked, loose-fitting robe that hides the arms and legs. It covers women most completely: either only the eyes are visible, or nothing at all. It conceals one’s figure and curves, and avoiding any make up. The hijab has grown to an issue of some dynamic debate, in Muslim countries as well as within Western countries with Muslim populations.

Furthermore, the hijab gives women an air of authority, dignity and respect; an aura of self esteem that a non-believer can never declare to enjoy. The true Muslims observing hijab in its true sense are also secure from aggression against the females. It acts as a kind of security from offences, working towards equality of the two genders, providing them with respect and confidence, and most importantly, submission to Allah’s orders.

In the matter of hijab, the conscience of an honest, sincere Believer alone can be the true judge, as has been said by the Noble Prophet: “Ask for the verdict of your conscience and discard what pricks it.” Wearing the hijab allows women to be confident in offices and social events as human beings, and not merely as sexual commodities. It protects from the lustful looks of men, and not diverting people’s attention from construction social work, thus leading to improving the moral character of the society. In conclusion, women can achieve true dignity and experience true liberation only by observing hijab and not discarding it.