Modesty and Hijab from an Islamic viewpoint

Islam views women with respect. From the very beginning, Islam saved women from the ignorance of the pre-Islamic Arabs, and revived the human esteem, status and character which they had lost due to the patriarchal culture of the pre-Islamic period in Arabia.

Although in the modern era, feminism, which supports women’s rights, has strived to remove all sorts of discrimination imposed upon women, it has not observed moderation and has therefore, ignored the nature of women and the natural differences between men and women. Moreover, feminism has also eliminated and destroyed the healthy relationship between the two sexes and even between women and girls by supporting homosexuality and as a result, feminism has led to the instability of the family.

The existence of such ideas in the world as well as in our society due to the expansion of global communications, has more than ever before stressed the need for studying and investigating the recommendations of moral values such as chastity and hijab as well as their function.

Objective: The clarification of the function of hijab and chastity or modesty in the point of view of Islam has been referred to in this essay in an analytical and descriptive manner.

The results of this research include:

The strengthening of the family, valuing women and preserving their human character, the revelation of the great moral and human values, the flourishing of natural and innate talents, maintaining and preserving the mental health of individuals in the family and society, the growth of pure love, an increase in cultural, economic and social efficiency, the elimination of sexual provocation in the society, a healthy relationship among people of the same sex as well as people of the opposite sex.

Conclusion: In order to preserve the function of hijab and chastity, Islam has stressed the controlling of sexual desires, inviting and encouraging people to get married, punishment for immoral behavior aimed at maintaining the moral security of citizens.

Keywords: Hijab, chastity, Islam, feminism.

Introduction: Considering the expansion of feminism due to the revolution in communications in different societies, including the world of Islam, and as a result, the popularity of western moral values regarding sex, the need to pay attention to Islamic ethics on sex has become ever more obvious.

This essay investigates feminism and its achievements as well as mentioning a criticism of feminism from the point of view of Islam, the position and stand of chastity and hijab in Islamic ethics regarding sex, the functions of chastity and hijab in Islam, the methods to achieve chastity and observing hijab as well as preserving the results and achievements following chastity and the observance of hijab.

As a philosophical, cultural, political and social movement, feminism appeared following the Renaissance, the industrial revolution and other social, political and cultural changes in the late 18th century.

Feminism aims to revive women’s lost rights in a patriarchal system which has imposed numerous limitations upon women and strictly controls them, and has based men’s relations with women at home or in the society on severe restrictions and control.

In the modern era, feminist movements have through different approaches like, liberal, Marxist, radical socialist, existentialist, psychological and post-modern, tried to eliminate social, sexual, economic and educational differences as well as sexual oppression and harassment in the family and the environment. These differences are due to the existing patriarchal system. The question however, is what do these differences include? “They refer to those differences among individuals and positions which have been socially defined and individuals have occupied them, and which affect people’s lifestyle, especially, their rights, opportunities, privileges and bonuses.” (Grab, translated by Mohammad Taghi Siahpush, 1373, p.10)

Sexual differences are a subgroup of social differences referring to less value regarding women’s status in comparison with men’s status even in the same position. (Bastan, 1382, p.32)

We can see examples of this inequality between men and women in economic situations, women’s wages are lower than men’s wages and women are deprived of well-paid professional occupations, in education there is a lower rate of educated women and women possess lower qualifications, in politics, women are deprived of sensitive political posts and hold fewer political posts in comparison with men, in culture, the status of women is lower in cultural discussions and debates which are presented in the form of films and other educational material and in general, women have to observe more social norms and limitations in comparison with men.

But what does sexual harassment and maltreatment refer to? “Sexual maltreatment and oppression refers to the unjust exercise of power or the exercise of power together with violence and aggression.” (Bastan, p.33)

Based on the mentioned criteria, we can say sexual oppression refers to the unjust exercise of power or the exercise of power together with violence of one sex against the other sex. Examples of this are murder, beating, violence and aggression, rape and sexual exploitation of women.

Due to the fact that the existing sexual discrimination and sexual oppression regarding women takes place in a patriarchal system, feminists aim to eliminate patriarchy in different areas, because the concept of patriarchy refers to male-dominance in most social, cultural, economic and political fields. This is of course due to the characteristics of a patriarchal system which are as follows.

1. The extensive authority of men both at home and in the society.

2. A patriarchal system is paternal, the father’s name is taken by children, and women move from their fathers’ homes to their husbands’ homes after marriage.

3-In a patriarchal system, considering the distinctions and differences between men and women inheritance, credit, power, etc, are different between men and women.

4-Being a man means you are automatically stronger than women and traditions and customs are preferable and more valid in all cases.

Because of the existence and dominance of a patriarchal system, feminists are trying to eliminate this system through political campaign, passing certain laws and informing the women who live in a patriarchal system. Feminists are also trying to eliminate other factors which cause sexual discrimination and sexual oppression against women. Some examples of this discrimination are the limitations women face both at home and in the society, discriminatory laws and customs, economic factors and private ownership, different educational paradigms in bringing up girls and boys, sexual identity and the existence of different roles for men and women based on their gender……..

The achievements of feminism:

The achievements of feminism are as follows:

1- The elimination of sexual discrimination in the realm of politics for example, having the right to vote and holding political posts; in the field of education for example, increasing the rate of literacy among women and increasing the rate of academic education among women; in the field of economy, for example, women’s presence in industrial and trade centers, increasing employment among women, trying to receive equal wages and other factors like increasing women’s awareness concerning their right.

2. Trying to eliminate patriarchy, condemning patriarchal autocracy in the family, condemning rape and sexual violence against women and passing laws to defend women.

3.The belief that the difference between men and women is due to the existence of different educational and cultural clichés in the society and not due to the nature of men and women.

4- Increasing women’s esteem.

5- Feminism rejects the idea that men and women have to observe different standards of sexual behavior and sexual morals and gives women the right to have relationship outside marriage (independent of marriage.)

6-The creation of families without legal marriage, the legalization of abortion and negative advertisements against men and children as obstacles on the way of women’s freedom in different fields and regarding different activities, questioning the role of mothers and wives in the family which was once the symbol of sincerity, sympathy, kindness, love and sacrifice with the pretext that the role of mothers and wives limits women’s freedom. (Ghavi, 1384, p.9, introduction.)

7- The elimination of chastity and a complete change in the moral values because feminists believe that these moral values have been created by men for the exploitation of women. Regarding this, Wendy Shalit says, “In the past, people had to hide their sexual relationships, but now they have to be ashamed of not being unrestrained and have to hide their belief in chastity very carefully. (Shalit, translated by Samaneh Madany, 1384, p.33)

8- Lack of sincerity and affection in relationships between men and women. Regarding this Kant says, “Love based on sex views the lover as an appetizing object and as soon as the beloved is accessed and the thirst for sexual relationship is quenched, the lover will be thrown away just like throwing away a lemon which has been completely squeezed. Kant believes that sexual relationship alone and when not followed by love is a sign of contempt for human nature. (Ibid, p.35).

9. The elimination of men’s commitment towards women following the disappearance of different and specific standards of sexual behavior for each sex.

10. The elimination of financial support for women after divorce.

11- The popularity of homosexuality among women and legitimizing the practice of homosexuality.

The criticism of feminism in the point of view of Islam:

Because feminism believes in equality between women and men in all aspects of existence and as a result, in complete sexual equality, it therefore, considers all forms of sexual discrimination as a kind of oppression

Feminism also believes that sexual discrimination is derived as a result of a patriarchal system, the teaching of different roles regarding men and women and other social, cultural and educational factors.

Regarding the aim of feminism which is equality between women and men, Motahri says, “In feminism, attention has not been paid to the fact that there are other issues except equality and freedom. Equality and freedom are necessary but definitely, they are not considered enough. Equality of rights is one issue, and similarity of rights in the viewpoint of spiritual and material values is another issue.

In feminism, either on purpose or by mistake, equality is used instead of similarity or equality of rights is considered the same as similarity of rights. As a result, quality is overshadowed by quantity and being a woman is overshadowed by being a human. In the past, the problem was that it had been forgotten that women were humans, and nowadays, the problem is that either on purpose or by mistake, a woman’s natural and innate conditions, her role, her instinctive differences and specific talents have been forgotten. (Motahari, 1357, p.18-21)

As a result of the belief in the sameness between women and men, the standards of sexual behavior and different sexual morals specific to each sex disappeared. For women, the standards of sexual behavior for women included, chastity, shyness, modesty and monogamy, and for men these standards of sexual behavior specific to men included, jealousy, responsibility towards women, polygamy in case of being able to create justice in ones behavior and affection towards his wives and all other roles dedicated to each sex.

In feminism, it is believed that moral values in the realm of standards of sexual behavior have been created by men to control and limit women; therefore, chastity for girls and dignity for men are not considered values and actually, chastity in girls is considered to be rooted in the psychological complexes which should be found in her childhood period. Diane Passno considers the social damages created by feminism as follows:

1- The elimination of moral values.

2- Feminism has destroyed healthy relations among individuals of the same sex. Healthy relations among people of the same sex are controlled by homosexual women.

3- It has created a generation of men who do not respect women and abuse them sexually.

4- Feminism has weakened the family.

5- The alteration and distortion of the Holy book regarding the responsibilities of women and men. (Pasto, translated by Zeinab Farahmand, 1384, p.84)

However, in the sexual moral standards of Islam, chastity, modesty and shyness in women and jealousy and a sense of responsibility in men, have all been stressed as great values. Observing the mentioned values will lead to love and sincerity in the family, a healthy society, the prevention of dissipation, an increase in the dignity and respect towards women and the mental and emotional health of children who grow up in such families.

Regarding this, Wendy Shalit says, “Chastity in women is a natural reaction which helps a woman to protect her hopes, especially, the hope for having a man who will stay with her forever, not several different men who ultimately leave her. (Shalit, 1383, translated by Samaneh Madani, p.60.)

In the point of view of feminism, differences between men and women mean that one sex is considered superior in comparison with the other sex. However, in Islam it is not so. In Islam accepting the differences between men and women turns to the biological aspect of humans and the interest of the family and no one views the differences as a sign of superiority. Both men and women will be granted their rewards for the specific roles they have.

The values of Islam are different from those of feminism; therefore, many of the differences between men and women are not discriminatory and oppressive in the point of view of Islam.

Islam believes these differences are derived from justice, and aim to fulfill both individual and social convenience.

It absolutely rejects sexual oppression in the form of rape, sexual violence and physical, mental and verbal harassment. It also rejects all forms of unjust behavior towards women. Nevertheless, it officially recognizes some of the natural differences which are spiritual and innate rather than being acquired.

Certain differences in Islam, like differences between the rights of men and women in the field of marriage, divorce, inheritance, attestation, the kind and extent of retribution and the blood money received.

The mentioned differences are not innate. They are acquired and are aimed at creating the ideal society which Islam has planned.

Nevertheless, Islam does not believe that these differences lead to the superiority of one sex. In other words, Islam does not believe that these differences make women inferior and men superior. Actually, women can like men achieve scientific, material and spiritual degrees and men are not considered the superior sex.

God Almighty in ‘The Clans’ says, Surely, the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women, and the humble men and the humble women, and the alms giving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard their private parts, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember Allah much, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.

The position of chastity and hijab in the sexual moral standards of Islam:

Chastity, as an internal and exalted moral value, has a special place in the sexual moral standards of Islam. Chastity as the root of hijab and hijab as an external practice, reflect chastity as an internal value. In other words, chastity is the root and source of hijab. Islam has stressed certain moral values regarding sex. Values such as chastity and hijab and in doing so, it wants to maintain a woman’s dignity and respect and also wants to prevent the God-given talents of women to be wasted in mere sexual activity.

Therefore, chastity and hijab in Islam, are rooted in a more general and fundamental issue. This fundamental question is whether a man should be allowed to take pleasure in women freely anywhere he wants or should sexual pleasure be limited to married couples at home? Should sexual pleasure be possible at the level of the society or should it be limited to the family and people’s homes?

Contrary to the sexual moral standards of Islam, western sexual moral standards are based on free relations between men and women as long as the freedom of others is observed.

Islam wants all kinds of sexual pleasure to be limited to one’s legitimate spouse and the family and it wants the society to be solely dedicated to work and activity.

Therefore, Islam does not permit women to appear in the society in a stimulating manner when she leaves her home, neither does it allow men to ogle. Thus, it has stressed moral values such as chastity and hijab.




The functions of chastity and hijab in Islam:

Observing the sexual moral standards of Islam has certain functions some of which are named below:

1-Elevating the value of women: Chastity and hijab are ways by a woman preserves her value and status against men. With her innate intelligence and special feeling towards herself, she has realized that considering her physical weakness and even her economic weakness, she cannot domain men; therefore, she has used this desire in men to love and demand, as well as her own characteristic, which is being loved, to increase her value against men. She has done this by covering herself and observing chastity and shyness.

The chastity that a woman shows is a way of preserving her value and status against men. In this regard, the more chastity a woman shows, the more dignified she is, and the less she exposes herself to men, the more she will be respected.

2- Increasing the mental health of individuals in a society: When sexual relations are limited to one’s spouse and one’s home, the society will be free from sexual stimulation and this will prevent early adolescence as well as other problems such as sexual harassment and the creation of illegitimate children, who are rejected by the society. As a result, all kinds of mental problems will be prevented and the mental health of both individuals and the society will be improved.

3- The strengthening of the family: According to Islam, if sexual pleasure is limited to one’s legitimate spouse, the relationship among the members of a family will be made stronger and there will be complete sincerity and intimacy between the wife and the husband.

On the other hand, free sexual relationship in a society will lead to the appearance of rivals for both men and women, and as a result, the cases of sex out of wedlock will increase, men and women will have different partners and will seek variety in their relationships. All this will lead to the creation of instability in the family.

4- The efficiency of the society will increase and the society will be free of sexual stimulations: Hijab is a manifestation of chastity and it does not imprison or limit a woman or deprive her of cultural, social and economic activities, rather hijab refers to the covering of the body, except for the hands and the face, which will not by any means prevent women from taking part in social, cultural and economic activities nor does it waste or ruin women’s talents.

This covering of the body except the face and the hands will clean the society of all kinds of sexual stimulations and illegitimate sexual pleasure. In such a society, by preserving their human dignity and character, women will be able to engage in positive and constructive political, economic and social activities. (Motahari, 1353)

5-The flourishing of pure love: Chastity, hijab and covering the body, self-restraint and inaccessibility of a woman are significant factors in creating profound and ardent love.

In societies where sexual relationship between men and women is limited, the possibility of pure and ardent love and as a result, the creation of works of art will appear. However, societies in which sexual relationship between men and women is not limited, such ardent love will not flourish. In such societies, a woman will be viewed solely as a device for creating temporary and instantaneous whims. (Motahari, 1368)

6- The revelation of superior moral and human values: Showing respect for other people’s wives as well as observing their rights, respecting the concept of family, and the existence of zeal and prejudice towards other’s wives, are all considered values which will be revealed if chastity and hijab in women as well as zeal and commitment in men are institutionalized in the society.

On the other hand, through having family, superior human values such as friendship, tranquility, kindness and compassion will grow in a society.

Holy Quran Chapter 'The Romans', Verse 21: And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect,

Holy Quran Chapter 'The Cow', Verse 187

It is made lawful to you to go into your wives on the night of the fast, they are apparel for you and you are apparel for them,

7- The flourishing of natural and innate talents: Islam rejects ancient sexual morals which are based on celibacy and rejecting the instinctive human need under the pretext of reaching reality. Through celibacy and the rejection of the innate and natural need in humans, moderation and mental health in individuals will disappear and all the innate talents and powers of an individual will be wasted in fighting against this natural and vital need. Islam also rejects the modern sexual standards which are based on free sexual relationship between men and women. Islam only approves of the fulfillment of an individual’s sexual needs in the family and by observing moral values in observing moderation.

Therefore, Islam has determined the special position of everything in its moral standards. Therefore, by encouraging people to observe moderation in the fulfillment of their sexual instinct and the other aspects of human nature, Islam has specified the place of everything in its moral standards. In other words, not considering one’s sexual instinct as an ultimate goal in the lives of individuals and inviting them to other moral values as well as the flourishing of the other aspects of human nature, Islam has provided the means for all human talents to flourish and not just the sexual instinct.

7- A sound relationship among people of the same sex and people of the opposite sex: The sexual moral standards of Islam encourage women to observe chastity and hijab and encourage men toward zeal and commitment to their wives and families. Men and women are advised to get married in order for the creation of healthy relations among people of both the same sex and the opposite sex. Islam also guarantees a sound relationship among people by constantly feeling God’s presence, belief in the afterworld, and observing moral values in both formal and informal relations.

Ways to achieving chastity and hijab and preserving its results: In order to achieve chastity and to preserve the outcomes, Islam has recommended many ways.

1- Encouraging people to get married: Islam has stressed that men and women have to seek sexual pleasure through marriage only. In other words, they either have to get married or accept absolute deprivation. Contrary to western sexual moral standards that view marriage as a transition from freedom to limitation, the sexual moral standards of Islam are based on the transition from limitation to freedom, and such a marriage will result in stability. A person who has had many sex partners cannot commit himself or herself to a single man or woman.

2- Controlling one’s sexual desires: It is possible to control one’s sexual desires through observing chastity and hijab. Chastity and hijab create a healthy society in which social activities in all aspects can be carried out safely. Thus, chastity and hijab are among the best of human characteristics. Because marriage does not eliminate a person’s desire towards others, controlling one’s sexual desires is essential under all circumstances. Marriage is necessary but not enough, especially, if women enter the society in a stimulating manner and attire.

That is why associations between men and women have certain conditions in Islam and these conditions are solely aimed at preventing all kinds of provocations. Men and women must not stimulate each other’s sexual desires. Regarding this, in verse 31 of The Light God Almighty says, And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head coverings over their bosoms, and do not display their ornaments except to their husbands, or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need of women, or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women, and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known, and turn to Allah all of you, O believers! So that you may be successful,

3- Determining punishments for immoral deeds which do not involve chastity: In Islam, adultery is forbidden for both men and women and if they commit adultery, both will be punished. If they are single, they will be flogged a 100 times as God Almighty has said in the Light, verse 2, As for the fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them,(giving) a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them detain you in the matter of obedience to Allah, if you believe in Allah and last day, and let a party of believers witness their chastisement,

and if they are married, apart from being flogged a hundred times, they must also be stoned. However, Islam wants adultery not to be proved easily and to prevent accusations against chaste women. Islam has asked for four just witnesses who have seen adultery take place with their own eyes. In other words, if we have three just witnesses who have seen adultery take place with their own eyes, they are not allowed to mention it, because they will not be able to prove it. If they do mention it, they will be flogged 80 times as well as certain social deprivations, for instance, their evidence will not be admitted for good and they will be considered lewd for the rest of their lives. In The Light, Verse 4, God Almighty says, And those who accuse free women then do not bring four witnesses, flog them, (giving) eighty stripes, and do not admit any evidence from them ever, and these it is that are the transgressors,

In the opinion of Islam, if 1000 adulteries are committed and kept a secret, it is better than accusing a chaste woman of adultery. (Motahari, 1369)

Conclusion: One of the problems today is underestimating the principles of chastity, hijab and sexual restraint and moving towards facilitating and underestimating sexual relations and giving it a commercial aspect.

This will lead to the creation of numerous problems in the society and family such as divorce, an increase in the number of single parents, an increase in sexual diseases, especially, aids, an increase in mental diseases, the eliminations of a woman’s dignity, an increase in the number of illegitimate children who are not accepted by the society, the popularity of pornography, the elimination of moral values, expensive sexual relations for both individuals and the society and the lack of desire to get married.

To avoid such dire consequences, it is necessary to institutionalize moral values such as chastity, hijab, sexual restraint and self-control in the new generation as well as providing the means for timely and suitable marriage for them. If the age of marriage goes up, sexual stimulations in the society and media, inability in young men and women to exercise restraint will weaken self-control. That is why, the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW.) has stressed marriage as a means of observing moral values and has said, “Marriage is my custom, so whoever avoids my custom, is not related to me.” (Majlesi, Bihar-el-Anwar, 1403 after Hejira, p.220.)

He has also said, “Marriage is the best way to avoid being overcome by lust and to observe chastity and human dignity. (Mohades Nouri, 1408 after hejira, p.15)

Islam considers singleness as wicked and believes the worst people are those who can get married but avoid it. (Majlesi, 1403 after hejira, p.221)

Apart from marriage, we must control our sexual desires, clean our souls and carry out the punishments for immoral deeds which destroy a society’s moral security.