HiddenHijabi
Active Member
Asalaamu aleikum!
Regarding the burqa, I'm assuming you mean the Afghan-style one with the mesh screen over the eyes. Possibly the single most obvious reason that particular form of burka isn't more common is simply that it can be massively cumbersome and impractical for the most part. Things like crossing the road, or reading, would be difficult given the loss of vision.
There's also a number of historic and cultural reasons for the burqa or niqab being worn, including pre-Islamic veiling practices in some countries which are now Muslim or have Muslim populations, such as India, where the practice is often linked with marriage status, Iran, where earlier Persian cultures also covered the face, and Israel where there is some evidence of ancient veiling practices, as well as a current Haredi Jewish sect practicing this.
The arguments surrounding niqab and hijab are many but I'll try and sum them up. The Qur'an commands modesty for both men and women, and there is at least one verse where it states this:
"O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle."
Surah Al-Ahzab Ayah 59
There's also a number of hadith regarding the forbidding of covering the face during Hajj, which suggests that for such a statement to be made, the practice was common. Other hadith talk about covering all but the face and hands for prayer, and there is also a hadith which specifically mentions that some Muslim women, when the verses commanding modesty were revealed, that they 'looked as though they had crows hanging around their heads' suggesting that they wore long black headcoverings.
Niqab is more difficult and typically points to some of the reasons I've mentioned, but also some hadith which suggest, as I mention above, about women having to uncover their faces for Hajj.
It must be said that for all the talk of hijab, there are Muslim women who choose to wear nothing on their heads in their daily life and I wouldn't judge them as being 'lesser' Muslims for doing so. The argument over hijab really depends on the scholarly schools you want to follow, the country you're talking about and even just plain personal choice on the part of Muslim women.
Surah Al-Ahzab Ayah 59
There's also a number of hadith regarding the forbidding of covering the face during Hajj, which suggests that for such a statement to be made, the practice was common. Other hadith talk about covering all but the face and hands for prayer, and there is also a hadith which specifically mentions that some Muslim women, when the verses commanding modesty were revealed, that they 'looked as though they had crows hanging around their heads' suggesting that they wore long black headcoverings.
Niqab is more difficult and typically points to some of the reasons I've mentioned, but also some hadith which suggest, as I mention above, about women having to uncover their faces for Hajj.
It must be said that for all the talk of hijab, there are Muslim women who choose to wear nothing on their heads in their daily life and I wouldn't judge them as being 'lesser' Muslims for doing so. The argument over hijab really depends on the scholarly schools you want to follow, the country you're talking about and even just plain personal choice on the part of Muslim women.
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