"Hijab" is the term used by many Muslims women to describe their head cover that may or may not include covering their face except their eyes, and sometimes covering also one eye. The Arabic word "Hijab" can be translated into veil or yashmak. Other meanings for the word "Hijab" include, screen, cover(ing), mantle, curtain, drapes, partition, division, divider.
The Islamic dress code for women is based on verses in the the Holy Qur’an and the narrated traditions (ahadith; singular hadith) of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and early Muslims.
Based on the Qur’an and ahadith, most scholars agree that Muslim women should cover their hair and wear outer garments outside the home and in the presence of men whom they would be eligible to marry.
Three rules for muslim women dress code:
1. The best garment
2. Cover your bosoms
3. lengthen Your garments
1. THE BEST GARMENT
"O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that they may take heed." (7:26)
This is the basic rule of dress code in the Quran. This is the first rule in women dress code in Islam (Submission). What is inside your heart is more important for God that the dress you wear.
2. COVER YOUR BOSOMS
The second rule can be found in 24:31. Here God orders the women to cover their bosoms whenever they dress up.
Can we find the word "Hijab" in the Quran?
The word "Hijab" appeared in the Quran 7 times, five of them as "Hijab" and two times as "Hijaban," these are 7:46, 33:53, 38:32, 41:5, 42:51, 17:45 & 19:17.
None of these "Hijab" words are used in the Quran in reference to what the traditional Muslims call today (Hijab) as a dress code for the Muslim woman.
Hijab as it appears in the Quran has nothing to do with the Muslim Women dress code.
3. LENGTHEN YOUR GARMENTS
The first regulation of DRESS CODE for Muslim women is in 7:26, the second is in 24:31 and the third is in 33:59
"O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall LENGTHEN their garments. Thus, they will be recognized and avoid being insulted. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful." In 33:59, God sets the other regulation for the dress code for the Muslim women during the prophet's life.
It is clear from the above verses that the DRESS CODE for the Muslim women (Submitters) according to the Quran is righteousness and modesty. God knows that this modesty will be understood differently in different communities and that is why He left it open to us to decide for ourselves.
