++ [ originally posted by gray
] ++
thanks for the answer
btw I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but nobody answered my first question
Sorry I missed the Q before Graham...
From my sources:
"
What is the Hijab? The word itself comes from the arabic word "hajaba" meaning to conceal or hide from view. Hijab is the modest covering of the head and body of muslim women.
Who has to wear it? All muslim adults are supposed to wear the appropriate hijab for their sex.This is one Hadith related by Abu Dawood: "Ayesha(r) reported that Asmaa bint Abu Bakr(r) came to the Messenger of Allah(swt) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this.' He pointed to the face and hands."
Why do they have to wear it? [Basically,] muslims must wear the hijab because Allah(swt) ordered it. Muslims have two sources for guidance. The first and most important source is Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah(swt). They may then use Hadith which is the sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) who was chosen by Allah(swt) to be a role model for mankind."
It's all about just being modest.
Here are two passages from the Qur'an that order the hijab.
"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)
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. (Qur'an 24:30)
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands..." (Qur'an 24:31)
..........
also why do some Muslims consider the whole body of a woman to be aurat, whilst others allow the revealing of the hands and feet?
Don't you mean "Hands and Face?"
Anyhow, in a nutshell, Women are not obliged to cover their face and hands, though they may if they want. Men also must look away from a awrah.
Extreme cultures made covering the whole obligatory over time because of innocent mistakes by some scholars when interpreting the Quraan and Hadith. These cultures also brought back a lot of old pre-Islamic arabian mentality towards women. Sadly today, these things are being assosiated with the religion itself. An Example is the terrible reality that women used to go though in Afghanistan.
I can copy the full text of my source if you'd like.. It's pretty long though.