Chapter 13

Islamic Hijab

Menandwomen,althoughhavingmany aspectsincommon,alsopos-
sessuniquecharacteristics.Onesuchcharacteristicisthatwomenarea
delicate, beautiful, and likeable beings. They are charming, attractive,
andloveable;whereasmenarecharmed,attractedbyandlovewomen's
qualities.

Whenamanmarriesawoman,hewishesa]lhiswife'sbeautyandaf-
fectiontobereservedforhim.Hewishestobetheonlyonewhobenefits
fromher charm,affection, coquettishness,beauty,senseof humour,etc
andtostrictlyavoidmen.Manis,bynature,veryardentandintolerant
ofanothermaneitherlookingathiswifeorhavinganykindofrelation-
shipwith her. He would regard a close relationship between his wife
andothermentobeaviolationofhislawfulright.Heexpectshiswifeto
observeIslamicHijab(statutoryIslamicdressforwomen)andbyadapt-
ingherselftoIslamic behaviourandethicssheco-operatesinmaintain-
ing his lawful rights.

Anyfaithfulandferventmanwouldhavesuchawish.Awoman'sso-
cialbehaviour,whichisbasedonIslamicethics,wouldsetherhusband's
mindatrest;hewouldthenworkenthusiasticallytoprovideforhisfam-
ilyandhisaffectionforhiswifewouldincrease.Suchamanwouldnot
beattractedtootherwomen.Onthecontrary,amanwhosewifeisnot
concernedwith Islamic Hijabanddisplaysher beauty to othermenor
socialiseswith them, would seriously become upset.He would regard
his wife as responsible for trampling over his rights. Such a husband
would always suffer from distress andpessimismand his love forhis
family may gradually fade away.

Itisthereforeintheinterestofsocietyandwomenthattheyshouldbe
dressed modestly and behave humbly; they should appear in public