The importance of hijab and science

SISTER AMMARA


Some Scientific Reasons for Wearing Hijab

Hijab or ḥijāb (حجاب) is the Arabic word for “curtain / cover” (noun),

based on the root حجب meaning “to cover, to veil, to shelter”. In popular use, hijab means “head cover and modest dress for women”

The majority of Islamic scholars agree to the definition as covering everything except the

face and hands in public.

“O Children of Adam! We have sent down clothing to you to conceal your private parts, and fine apparel. But the garment of the fear of Allah – that is the best! That is one of Allah’s Signs, so that hopefully you will pay heed.”

(Surat al-A’raf, 26)

Protecting the head is very important from a health perspective. Results of medical tests show that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head, so persons wearing head coverings during cold months are protected about

fifty-percent more than those who do not.

Protecting the head is even more important in warm weather. V.G. Rocine, a prominent brain research specialist, has found that brain Phosphorus melts at 108 degrees; a temperature that can be easily reached if one stays under the

hot sun for any length of time without a head covering. When this happens, irreversible brain damage, memory loss and loss of some brain functions can result. Although this example is extreme, Brain damage can still be measured in small degrees from frequent exposure to and overheating of the head.

Protective clothing, such as Hijab, long sleeves, and covering clothes can block out the sun’s harmful rays. Sun damage produces most of the skin changes that people commonly associate with aging. Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is responsible for fine and coarse wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, brown and red spots, and the rough texture of sun-exposed skin.

It was published in the British Medical Magazine that “the melanoma malignant cancer” which was one of the rare cancers is now spreading among women. The cases of this type of cancer are increasing among young

women. It affects their legs. The medical publication went on saying that the

main cause behind the spread of short dress & fashions which expose the body of women to the rays & light of the sun. Moreover, the transparent dress and legs gloves do not help in avoiding this type of cancer. This type

of cancer can also be transferred from mother to baby in the womb (if she lives long enough to give birth).The Medical Magazine appealed to the environment doctors to participate in collecting information about this type of cancer, because it is becoming an epidemic henomenon.

Good quality sun protection clothing covers a maximum amount of skin yet is designed to be cool and comfortable to wear.

Does this not perfectly describe the Islamic dress?

Hygienic Purposes:

Hijab or head-covering ensures cleanliness and purity. Workers in a number of professions wear “veils” – nurses, fast food workers, health care providers and many more. In fact, when we compare the number of workers who cover

their heads to the number who do not, we find that more people probably cover their heads than do not.

Why only women?

Science has confirmed that visual stimulation plays a predominant role in the physiology of men compared to women. The fact that the sex-industry in the West is targeted towards the male-market confirms it.

An estimated 91% of victims of rape are female, 9% are male and 99% of offenders are male. (Bureau of Justice Statistics 1999).

According to USA TODAY reporter Kevin Johnson “no other major category of crime – not murder, assault or robbery – has generated a more serious challenge of the credibility of national crime statistics” than has rape.

“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed…” (Qur’an 33:59)

Conclusion:

Indeed, the teachings of Islam cater to humanity-at-large. All problems affecting man and his environment can be solved through proper implementation of Islamic Law. But, how can the current global problems be solved through Islam, when Muslims themselves do not implement it? How can we prove to others that we can solve their problems when we ourselves

have more problems to solve?

“Help one another in righteousness and piety, but help not one another in sin and rancor: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment.” (Qur’an 5:2)

Hijab is not only the responsibility of the woman, it is also the responsibility of the man as a father, a husband, and/or a brother to make sure proper implementation of Islamic Law is enforced kindly, for it is their right to be

treated gently.

“All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of the people of his house and he is responsible. A woman is the shepherd of the house of her husband and she is responsible.

Each of you is a shepherd and each is responsible for his flock.”-Bukhari, Muslim

Let us make a small promise to Allah right now that we will start doing the things for which we were sent to this life to accomplish.

May Allah make it easy for us all!! Ameen.