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Why is hijab modest?

Modesty is a term that is used often but that is not clearly understood. Islams code of modesty extends to all aspects of ones life, including the dress we wear. One way to conceptualize it would be to think in terms of moving from an outer layer to the inner workings of a system. So to answer the question why hijab is modest, we will define modesty in Islam (1), after what we will highlight that the inner humility completes the significance of the physical veil (2). 1- Modesty in IslamFirst of all, its important to remember that worship in Islam is a holistic concept which encourages God-consciousness in every facet of daily life, from charity and neighborliness to prayer and honest dealings in business, and modest behavior and clothing is an integral aspect of worship in Islam as well.Modesty is a sense of shame or shyness in human beings, a quality that prevents one from behaving badly towards others or encouraging others to behave badly towards you. Islamic ethics considers modesty as more than just a question of how a person dresses, and more than just modesty in front of people; rather it is reflected in a Muslims speech, dress, and conduct: in public in regards to people, and in private in regards to God. Any talk of modesty, therefore, must begin with the heart as the Prophet of Mercy Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, Modesty is part of faith[footnoteRef:2] , and that part of faith must lie in the heart. [2: Reported in the books of Saheeh Al-Bukhari andSaheeh Muslim.]

The modest behavior, in general, is the genuine desire to do good for no reason other than to please Allah, seeking no reward, or thanks, or public notice. Modesty also implies simplicity in everything without ostentation (for example, showing arrogance or pretentiousness because of wealth or beauty entrusted by God to the human beings).Furthermore, Islam clearly establishes that men and women are equal in front of God. At the same time, it does recognize that they are not identical. God created men and women with unique physiological and psychological attributes. In Islam, these differences are embraced as vital components to a healthy family and community structure with each individual contributing their own distinctive talents to society.Thus, Gods rules apply to both genders, but in diverse ways. For example, men are also required to cover parts of their body out of modesty, but not in the same way as women. Similarly, men are prohibited from wearing silk clothing and gold ornaments whereas women have no such restrictions. Therefore, God has ordained different commands for men and women while encouraging both to be modest.The responsibility falls on each gender to protect their own modesty and to control their own desires. This is a misconception to think that hijab is worn primarily to restrain mens illicit desires. Whether a woman dresses modestly or not, it is the obligation of each man to guard his own chastity. Indeed, it is not womens duty to regulate the behavior of men. Men are accountable for their own conduct; they are equally required to be modest and to handle themselves responsibly in every sphere of their lives.2- The hijab: a modest behavior leading to modest clothing and vice versaThe covering, or hijab, is the surface layer of modesty that everyone sees and that is very obvious to all. It is an outer manifestation of an inner commitment to worship God. More than a dress code, the hijab includes, with the modest clothing, modest behaviors, manners and speech. A modest behavior implies to not show up how great are the things we have achieved because everything we do has to be only for the sake of God and not to please the people around us. A modest behavior implies also to avoid arrogance or pretentiousness because of wealth or beauty entrusted by God to the human beings.So with the hijab, a woman does not have to live up to societys expectations of what is desirable, and she no longer has to use her beauty to obtain recognition or acceptance from those around her. She is free to wear what is convenient for her as a Muslim believer without following a fashion dictum. In this way, hijab liberates women from the need to conform to unrealistic stereotypes and images dictated by the media and frees women from being thought of as sexual objects of desire or from being valued for their looks, or body shape rather than their minds and intellect.We have to say that modesty goes hand in hand with value. While veiling is a reflection of ones beliefs, the hijab simultaneously becomes a tangible reminder to the woman herself: to embody the modesty and dignity it represents and to carry ones self in a way that pleases God. In that sense, the hijab symbolizes a journey of devotion rather than the end-result of piety, it is, in fact, a spiritual development.

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