What is ḤIJĀB? 🧕§
Comprehensive Definition:§
- Religious Context: Hijāb (حجاب) primarily refers to the practice of veiling or concealing, described in the Qurʾān. Specifically, Hijāb refers to the seclusion of women, as instructed in Sūrah Al-Aḥzāb (33:53): “And when ye ask them (the Prophet’s wives) for an article, ask them from behind a curtain; that is purer for your hearts and for theirs.”
- Mystical Context: Among Sufi mystics, ḤIJĀB symbolizes anything that obstructs the illumination of divine light in the soul of man. It signifies spiritual veiling that prevents an individual from truly experiencing and recognizing the presence of God.
Etymology:§
- The term ḤIJĀB stems from the Arabic root ḥ-j-b, embodying the concept of concealment, partition, or barrier.
Background:§
- The practice of wearing Hijāb has evolved over time and varies greatly across different cultures and communities within the Islamic world. It is less about uniformity and more about individual and collective interpretations.
- Historically, the concept of modesty and veiling was not exclusively Islamic and can be seen in other cultures and religions, reflecting a universal norm during ancient times.
Cultural Differences and Similarities:§
- Variations: Hijāb can take many forms, ranging from the headscarf covering the hair, niqāb which covers the face except for the eyes, to burqa which covers the entire body including the face with a sheer screen to see through. These variations represent cultural interpretations of the same fundamental principle.
- Synonyms: Veil, Veiling, Modesty Garment.
- Similar Concepts in Other Religions: Similar practices are seen in Orthodox Christianity, wherein women wear headscarves, and in Hinduism and Judaism where concepts of modesty and veiling appear.
Antonyms:§
- Unveiled, Unveiling, Exposure.
Related Terms:§
- Ṣūfī: Islamic mystics who pursue direct personal experience of God.
- Awrah: Refers to the intimate parts of the body which should be covered.
- Haya: Islamic virtue of modesty and shyness.
Exciting Facts:§
- The Qur’anic prescription of Hijāb was specific to the Prophet Muhammad’s wives initially but later extended to Muslim women broadly.
- Sufis interpret ḤIJĀB allegorically, considering worldly desires and sins as veils that obscure one’s spiritual vision.
Quotations from Notable Writers:§
- Imam Al-Ghazali: “The true hijab is in the heart, for if you cover everything but the heart is still uncovered by the mere inclinations and vanities of life, the purposes of modesty are defeated.”
- Rumi: “When you seek Love with all your heart, you shall find its echoes lingering in the hide and seek of Hijāb.”
Suggested Literature:§
- “The Veil and the Male Elite: A Feminist Interpretation of Women’s Rights in Islam” by Fatema Mernissi – An insightful exploration of the historical and contemporary dimensions of Hijāb.
- “Mystical Dimensions of Islam” by Annemarie Schimmel – Provides comprehensive understanding on how terms like Hijāb are reinterpreted in Sufi mysticism.
References:§
- Qurʾān, Sūrah Al-Aḥzāb (33:53)
- ‘Abdu’r-Razzāq’s Dictionary of Ṣūfī Terms
Farewell Thought:§
As you journey through understanding the various facets of ḤIJĀB, remember it is a tapestry woven with threads of faith, culture, and spiritual insight, revealing profound layers of Islamic tradition.
Warm regards,
Sahar Idris, October 2023
