A Muslim woman may wear whatever she pleases in the presence of her
husband and family or among women friends. But when she goes out or when men other
than her husband or close family are present she is expected to wear a dress
which will cover all parts of her body, and which should not reveal the figure.
What a contrast with Western fashions which every year concentrate quite
intentionally on exposing yet another erogenous zone to the public gaze!
In the past few years we have seen the rise and fall of the minidress, the
micro-skirt, the wet look, hot pants, the see-thru', the topless and other
garments designed to display or emphasize the intimate parts of a woman's body.
One may observe a similar tendency of late in men's dress which has become almost
skin-tight, although here the men's fashion designers appear to have come to a
temporary standstill until men are liberated enough to accept topless or
see-thru' trousers, which is fortunately not yet the case.
The intention of Western dress is to reveal the figure, while the
intention of Muslim dress is to conceal it, at least in public. The relevant
verse of the Holly Qur'an says:
"0 Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the women of the
believers to draw upon them their over-garments. That is more appropriate so
that they may be recognised and not molested" (Qur’an 33:59).
It is therefore required for a Muslim woman when she goes out to wear a
dress that covers her from head to foot and does not reveal the figure.
According to some scholars only the hands and face should be left uncovered,
while according to some others the face should also be covered. There are therefore
two opinions on this matter.
The onus of modest behaviour however falls not only on women. The
injunctions of the Qur'an are directed to men and women alike. Allah (God)
says:
"Tell believers to avert their glances and to guard their private
parts; that is purer for them. God is Informed about anything they do. Tell
believing women to avert their glances and guard their private parts and not to
display their charms except what (normally) appears of them. They should draw
their coverings over their bosoms and not show their charms except to their
husbands…. " (Qur’an 24:30-31 ).
