Social life is one of the most important aspects of human life. From the beginning of the creation of humankind, people decided to live together in order to meet their needs. In this issue, the quality of women’s social participation is one of the fundamental concerns in every culture. let's see about Muslim Women in Society.

Islamic Standards for Muslim Women in society

One of the most notable points in considering this subject in Islam is the condition of Muslim women’s social participation. Muslim women and men are supposed to appear in society equitably. Muslim women just like men have the right to vote, to educate, to teach, to glitter in high political, scientific, athletic states, etc.

Islamic society is a place where no one is known and respected for his/her gender but for his/her virtues and morality. Gender should not be the first outward appearance of one’s personality. In this way, if a Muslim woman cooperates as a teacher, doctor, worker, etc. no one is allowed to consider her sex; rather people are supposed to pay attention to her occupation and knowledge.

In fact, all of us are human beings in society, not women and men. For reaching this utopia, everybody has some duties. God tells us not to underline sexual beauties and also not to look at and search for them. A safe society must make our minds free for more important activities. Such superficial challenges decrease our mental power.

Hijab: A Way of Revealing the Inner Beauty

In this regard women also have their own responsibilities. Islam wants women to have a safe and respectful position in society. This is one of the reasons why Islam asks people especially women to cover their bodies and not to show off their beauties.

That is because no one should look at a Muslim woman as a sexually beneficial object. God in the Holy Quran says: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw closely over themselves their chadors [when going out]. That makes it likely for them to be recognized and not be troubled, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful” (33:59).

It means that this beauty is so valuable that must not be seen or touched freely. But the main point is that there is another beauty which is more important and more valuable than this one, and that is the beauty of our personality, which can affect our appearance. Women must be known by their thoughts; God does not want women, these delightful, beautiful, and also powerful creatures to be just spectacular scenery for men. So, if women wear Hijab people will pay more attention to their inner beauties.

Hijab and Social Activity

By ordering Hijab, Allah is not to say Muslim women must stay at home because Hijab is social apparel, not a domestic dressing. It means women can take part in social activities. Nobody is permitted to have an offensive look at a woman as a sexual object but as a precious and respectful citizen.

There is no contradiction between progression and touching advanced states and wearing Hijab. The thing that Islam limits are the irregular, unconditional, and dishonorable relationship between women and men, the limitation of sensuality.

Hijab and Instinctual Pleasures

Allah has created sexual desire, and it is our natural disposition to satisfy it. Also, Allah has not prevented Muslims from joys. We as humans must legalize our pleasures. This natural instinct is to satisfy by marriage and with our spouse, not anyone else. Women are not born for being enjoyable and admirable for all men.

This attitude is extremely cruel toward women, and if a woman is not sexually attractive, she becomes worthless to society. In short, Islam always emphasizes the freedom of mind and the pleasure of heart in society rather than the freedom of sensuality and misuse of feminine sex appeal. On the other hand, this perfect religion has not ignored human instinctual pleasures, rather it has recommended us to fulfill them in a controlled and morally and legally acceptable way.

A very significant aspect of Islamic life is “modesty.” According to the Islamic application of the term, modesty is a state of self-restraint which helps us check our manners and appearance, and correct them when necessary.

This general principle is also the main source of Islamic dress code or “Hijab”  in Islam which has nowadays caused a lot of questions and contradictions both among Muslims and non-Muslims. 

Hijab in Islam, the Real Meaning

When talking about hijab in Islam, maybe the first thing that comes to your mind is women’s wearing a headscarf. But is it all that the word refers to? Does hijab also have something to do with our manner and behavior? Does it concern Muslim men as well as women?

You can read this article to find out what hijab in Islam is really all about.

Can I Convert to Islam and not Wear Hijab?

Well, hijab is an Islamic ruling which is also mentioned in the Quran [i]. And submission to God, of course, means that we should follow His advice even if –or especially when—it is not really easy for us to do so!

Still, if a woman, for example, thinks that she can preserve her modesty without wearing a headscarf and is not quite convinced to conform to the Islamic cover limits –we all have our failures or our personal ideas, don’t we?—it doesn't mean that she cannot be a Muslim, or that she will not receive God’s mercy!

You can read this article to find out if wearing hijab in Islam is actually a matter of choice!

Is Wearing Makeup and Jewelry Allowed in Islam?

Islam has stressed on cleanness and tidiness maybe more than any other religion in the world. But does Islamic dress code or hijab place any restrictions on wearing makeup or jewelry? Are there special occasions where Muslims are prohibited from or, to the contrary, prompted to make themselves up?

This article tries to answer your questions with regards to wearing make-up and jewelry.

Hijab in Islam and other Abrahamic Religions

Some people think that Hijab and its implications are only related to Islam and Muslims. Well, it’s not. It may be the case that the special form of Hijab which is used by Muslims has some differences with other religions.

Have a look at this article, If you want to know more about the history of Hijab and modesty in the Abrahamic religions before Islam.

Why Muslim Women Cover their Hairs?

Really, why would women cover their hair? Why don’t men do this? What is that they are hiding beneath this Hijab? What is the philosophy behind it?

Is it useful for Muslim women or men? Is it only related to appearance and observing some religious etiquette? This article provides answers to this questions based on Islamic sources. 

Notes:
[i] Quran 24:30,31