Hijab: In Arabic, meaning barrier or partition
In Islam, however, it has a broader meaning. It is the principle of modesty and includes behavior as well as dress for both males and females.
The most visible form of hijab is the head covering that many Muslim women wear. Hijab, however, goes beyond the headscarf; Hijab refers to the complete covering of everything except the hands, face, and feet in long, loose and non-see-through garments. A woman who wears a hijab is called Muhaajaba
Understanding the term Hijab
The term hijab or veil is not used in the Qur’an to refer to an article of clothing for women or men, rather it refers to a spatial curtain that divides or provides privacy. The Qur’an instructs the male Muslims to talk to wives of Muhammad behind a hijab. This hijab was the responsibility of the men and not the wives of Muhammad.
Muslim women are required to observe the hijab in front of any man they could theoretically marry. This means that hijab is not obligatory in front of the father, brothers, grandfathers, uncles or young children
The Khimaar
In the English speaking world, the use of the word hijab has become limited to mean the covering on the head of Muslim women. However, this is more accurately called a khimaar. The khimaar is a convenient solution comprising usually one, but sometimes two pieces of cloth, enabling Muslim women to cover their hair, ears, and neck while outside the home.
My sister is a Muslim woman who is a very proud one when walking with her hair and face covered. She feels no shame walking around without her hair on show. She has embraced what many Muslim women have over hundreds of centuries have done..and I for one am happy as an older brother.
