The Comparative Study of Hijab in Islam and Christianity

In the process of writing this project a number of existing relevant literary materials on the moral principles of Hijab would be consulted. The literary works consulted in the cause of the project include among others; Abu-sufyan ibn Abubakar “Al-Hijab the pride of the Muslim sisters” the writer discussed on the moral principles of Hijab in an Islamic way that is absolutely based on the Glorious Qur’an and the teaching of the noblest prophet (S.A.W). The author analyzed the evil of displaying wickedness in our modern society, the pre-Islamic concept of Hijab, condition for acceptability of Hijab, the dignity of the woman and her modest dress. He later explains the kind of dress that is prohibited to wear in Islam like the types and styles of cloths. The benefit of Hijab in those who wear them and the status of those Muslim women in shari’ah.

Yusuf Al-Qaradawi “Al-Halal Wal Haram Fil Islam (The lawful and the prohibited in Islam)”. He discussed in the dress of the Muslim women and out time what and why Islam makes some types of dressing Haram to Muslim women. He dwell to explain the evils of such cloth that are transparent and revealing what is under neat or Haram to wear tightly fitly cloths, that can show the parts of the body that can be attractive. The prophet (S.A.W) described such women as being cloth yet naked, since their clothing being transparent and fine does not do the job of concealing the body but rather intends to reveal it such is the dress of the woman of our time.

Adam Abdullah al-llory “Al-Islam Li-yaoma wa gadafi Nigeria.” This book written in Arabic. The writer gives different meaning of Hijab, the purpose of wearing Hijab and its impact to the Muslim women’s with special reference to Glorious Qur’an and Hadith. He discussed the forms of Hijab and the wisdom behind Hijab in Islam. Yakubu Yahaya Ibrahim “A Glance al-surah Al-Ahzab” is another very important literature on this topics the way and manner in which Muslim woman is expected to dress in the society with the heading “model dressing’ based on the Qur’an and sunnah of the prophet (S.A.W).

Also Tafsir ibn Kathir in Surah an-Nur talk greatly about Hijab and etiquette of entering houses that are not one’s and ethics of privacy. The holy Bible containing the old and new testaments authorized King James Version also serve as the concept of Hijab. However, the New Testament has several verses that address the topic of the veiling of women. The most relevant material on women’s veiling in Christianity can be found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. All quotations below are from the King James Bible.

1. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
2. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
3. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven
4. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
5. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
6. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
7. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
8. But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
9. But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Woman’s hair and covering in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians It is important to consider what Paul says here about woman’s hair and how he distinguishes carefully the status of women’s hair from men’s.

• Paul emphasizes the fact that women need to cover their hair when praying or teaching: “every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head”.
• Paul also points out that if the woman does not cover her hair, she should shave it. However, since it is shameful to have it shaved here, it is better to cover it:
• “If the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered”,
• In addition, Paul recommends that women keep their hair long because long hair serves as a type of covering: “But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

It is an important to note; however, those literature which were reviewed contributed a lot to the completion of this work. The literatures were similarly with the ongoing research, for it discusses on the concept of Hijab in Islam, making reference from the Holy Qur’an and Hadith of the prophet (S.A.W). In addition to further explanation which the authors make is that, if we look at the nature of our research, it was similarly on this face. Moreover, those researches covers only the concept of Hijab in Islam, meanwhile the current research will further shade light on the concept of Hijab in both Islam and Christianity, A comparative, which makes the research a different with the reviewed literature. Nonetheless, they form part of this in reviewing some concepts.