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Among the virtues of observing the proper hijab for Muslim women, is that first and foremost it is an act of obedience to Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW).
Indeed, Allah (SWT) orders the wearing of hijab in the Quran when He (SWT) says,
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc., and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks, and bossoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment ..." (An-Nur 24:31)
The same order was given by His Prophet (SAW) when he said,
"The woman is awrah, (that which must be covered)." (Tirmithi)
The modest appearance of the Muslim woman, dressed in correct hijab (see Conditions of Hijab), is a sign of purity and dignity. It tells the world that she is a chaste woman, and sets her apart from the immoral behavior associated with women who go out in clothing that leave nothing to the imagination. As a chaste, modest woman, the hijab shows that she does not want her sexuality to enter into her interactions with men in the smallest degree.
The hijab also serves as a screen for the Muslim woman and the evil that exists in the society around her. When a woman wears the hijab she is less likely to be sexually harassed by men with sinful motives. She is also less likely to be exploited for her beauty and feminity. Her intelligence and skills, instead of her looks and sexuality, judge her. An Iranian schoolgirl was quoted to have said, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and minds. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks."
By wearing the hijab, when she is outside the confines of her home, the Muslim woman is free to concentrate on the tasks she has set out to do. She is not trying to impress anyone with dazzling displays. She is not worried about whether her hair and make-up are in place, and could care less if men find her attractive, or whether her clothes are the latest "thing." The hijab frees her from the need of constantly seeking approval from others, and frees her to only seek the approval of her Guardian Lord.
Another virtue of the hijab is that it prevents unnecessary rivalry and competition between women. Due to this sense of competition, the "liberated" woman wastes her wealth and sacrifices her health and well-being, through plastic surgery, in a desperate attempt to keep up with society's fleeting and everchanging image of beauty. In Islam, through the hijab, women learn to appreciate each other based on knowledge, piety and societal contributions. The hijab gives women the right to reclaim their own bodies as private property and not something for all to speculate about and to scrutinize.
!!! Allahu Akbar !!!
Information from Al Jumuah Magazine Volume 10, Issue 5, Page 22
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