Why do some Muslim women wear a hijab?
Many Muslim women wear a hijab, a head covering, as an act of modesty and devotion to God, based on how they read the Qur’an. Many others don’t. In the U.S., Pew found about 4 in 10 Muslim women wear one all or most of the time, and about 4 in 10 never do. Both groups are tired of being explained by people who never asked them.
1 · MindWhat people believe, and how they know
“Hijab” means covering or screen. In everyday use it usually means a headscarf. The Qur’an tells believing women to draw their head coverings over their chests and dress modestly (Qur’an 24:31, summarized), and tells the Prophet’s family and believing women to draw their outer cloaks around them so they are recognized and not harassed (Qur’an 33:59, summarized). The verse just before 24:31 tells men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty too (Qur’an 24:30, summarized).
Muslims read these verses differently. Many scholars teach that covering the hair is required. Others teach that modesty is the command and the scarf is one way to keep it. That’s why you see wide variety.
In a 2017 Pew survey of U.S. Muslims, 38 percent of Muslim women said they always wear a head covering in public, 5 percent most of the time, 15 percent some of the time, and 42 percent never.
What each tradition or community says
It is a choice to obey God and be seen for who they are, not how they look. Many say it makes them feel steady, even protected.
Many believe modesty lives in character and dress generally, not in one scarf. They consider themselves fully Muslim and would like that to be enough.
In some countries and families, women are pressured or legally required to cover. Many Muslim women speak against forced covering, and also against forced uncovering.
2 · HeartWhat it feels like
For a woman who wears hijab in America, every day is a little public. People stare, compliment, pity or yell. Some ask if she’s hot in that. She is a person running errands, not a museum exhibit.
If you assumed she was oppressed, ask yourself how you’d know. If you assumed she was perfectly free, same question. The honest answer is that you’d have to ask her, and probably get to know her first.
We spent years telling women what to wear and calling it freedom. Then we started telling different women what not to wear and called it freedom again. Maybe let them get dressed.Neighbor Radio
3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor
Don’t touch it. Don’t pull it. Don’t ask her to take it off for a photo or to “see her hair.” Speak to her the way you’d speak to anyone in line at the pharmacy.
If a coworker wears hijab, treat it like any other part of her day. If someone harasses her, stand nearby, talk to her about anything else, and help her leave if she wants to. Jesus spoke with women others avoided, and treated them as people worth talking to (John 4).
This weekIf you know a Muslim woman well enough, ask her what she wishes people understood about her choice, whatever it is. Then just listen.
SourcesWhere it is in the scriptures
Qur’an
- Qur'an 24:31
- Qur'an 33:59
- Qur'an 24:30
Bible passages are quoted from the World English Bible. Other sacred texts are summarized, with references so you can find them.
Plain wordsWhat do these words mean?
- Hijab
- A headscarf many Muslim women wear. The word also means modest dress and behavior in general.
- Qur’an
- The holy book of Islam. Muslims believe God revealed it to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
- Prophet
- Someone believed to speak a message from God.
Four questions to take with you
From Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan, about the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Samaritan Test.
- Did they see? Or look right past?
- Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
- Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
- Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?
Try it on: the last time you saw a woman in a headscarf. Did you see her, or a debate about her?
Quick questions
Is the hijab required in Islam?
Many scholars teach that it is. Others teach that modest dress is the requirement and the headscarf is one form. Muslim women practice it differently.
What’s the difference between a hijab, niqab and burqa?
A hijab covers the hair and neck. A niqab also covers the face, leaving the eyes. A burqa covers the whole body and face, often with a mesh screen.
Can I compliment someone’s hijab?
Sure, if you’d compliment a scarf on anyone. Skip the questions about her hair.
- Qur'an 24:30-31
- Qur'an 33:59
- Pew Research Center, 2017: Religious beliefs and practices of U.S. Muslims
Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Each faith's and community's section is checked by someone from that faith or community. Until then, this page says so. Spot something wrong? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.