Hijab is a religious obligation for Muslim women. It is a religious ordinance that is supported by both the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Thus, hijab is a duty that Allah Almighty prescribes for the Muslim woman, and she has to carry out that duty in compliance with the Command of Allah by showing her sincere faith in Allah through wearing the hijab.
In fact, Muslim women do not need instructions from anyone or any before they put on their hijab. Hijab is an obligatory act just as prayer and fasting.
As for the style of hijab, we have to say that Islamically there are certain requirements of a woman’s wear in general and she should be dressed in light of them. Concerning the conditions and requirements of a Muslim woman dress, the prominent Muslim scholar and da`iyahZeinabMostafa states:
“Allah Most High mentioned in Surat An-Nur the main requirements of the Islamic dress. This general description in the Qur’an has been explained in detail in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Islamic dress should be:
– wide and loose and not tight to the point of shaping the body
– not transparent or see-through
– not carrying a symbol of un-Islamic faiths
– not having sheer flagrancy that tempts
– not displaying excessive ostentation or showing off
– not to be a dress that is exclusive for men
Finally, our advice for Muslim ladies and students is that they should have their hijab in accordance with these requirements.
May Allah grant all of us all success