Here’s the Truth Behind the Veil

HIJAB IN ISLAM a piece of clothing used as protection, especially in winter. The well-known Arabic dictionary Lisan al-Arab gives us two examples of its use during the pre-Islamic period: the first, as a cover for animals during the winter season and the second, as a covering or ‘chaadar,’ like a shawl for village women. Although the word ‘Burqa’ existed in the Arabic vocabulary at that time, the Quran did not use the word ‘Burqa’ for women’s veil. History shows that the present veil or ‘Burqa’ first came into vogue in Persia. When Islam entered Persia, an advanced civilization was already in existence there. Persian culture introduced many things into Islamic culture—for instance, the word ‘Khuda’ instead of ‘Allah’ and ‘namaz’ instead of ‘salat.’ Similarly, under the influence of Iranian culture, the ‘Burqa’ was adopted by Muslims. Gradually, it was Islamised and became a part of Muslim culture. At present, Muslims use the term ‘Hijab’ as equivalent to ‘Burqa,’ but the word ‘Hijab’ is likewise not used in the Quran in this sense. ‘Hijab’ literally means curtain. ‘Hijab’ is used in the Quran seven times, but not in the sense prevalent among Muslims today; that is, it is used in its literal meaning of ‘curtain.’ Regarding women’s veil, the Quran has used two words: ‘Jilbab’ (33:59) and ‘Khimar’ (24:31). But again, these words are not used in their present connotation. It is a fact that both words have a similar meaning, that is, chaadar or dupatta, which covers the body of a woman and not her face. So it is evident that the present ‘Burqa’ or ‘Hijab’ are