Wearing a hijab can have many hidden benefits for Muslim women. It can be seen as an expression of spirituality, a way to convey modesty and foster respect, a source of female empowerment, and an expression of activism and pride[1].
It can also protect women from depression[1], enhance emotional and physical intimacy[1], and provide protection from dust and harm[2].
Additionally, it can help keep the wearer cool in summer months and warm in winter months[2], reduce the need for hair dyeing or other beauty treatments[3], and allow them to assert their pride in the face of Islamophobia[4].
Finally, it can be liberating for some women by allowing them to focus on their inner selves rather than their outward appearance[3].
Modern Advantages of Wearing a Hijab
Increased Acceptance in Society
Wearing a hijab has become increasingly accepted in society, with many Muslim women finding it to be liberating and empowering[3][4]. It is seen as a symbol of cultural identity, piety, and modesty[1], and provides Muslim women with the opportunity to associate and carry out tasks with their male work colleagues without being judged for their behavior[3].
Additionally, wearing a hijab can provide Muslim women with inner peace and power, as well as improved mental stability[4].
The right to choose whether or not to wear a hijab is also an important part of this increased acceptance. Women should be free and empowered to choose not to wear hijab if they wish, but also free and empowered to wear it if that is what they prefer[5]. This freedom of choice has been hard-fought by many Muslim women who have faced discrimination for choosing to wear the hijab in countries where it was banned or discouraged[5].
Fashion and Self-Expression
Wearing a hijab has become an increasingly popular form of self-expression for Muslim women in recent years[1][4]. This is due to the emergence of modern trends in hijab fashion, which have allowed Muslim women to express themselves while still adhering to the principles of modesty[1]. The hijab is also seen as a symbol of cultural identity, piety, and modesty[2], and many Muslim women wear it as a way to resist standards of feminine beauty that demand more exposure[3].
In addition, some women wear the hijab as a convenience, as it can reduce comments from others about being out in public and lessen incidents of harassment on the street and at work[3]. Social media and influencers have also played an important role in changing the meaning of the hijab by promoting hijab fashion and turning it into a commodity in the market[4].
Finally, it is important to note that wearing a hijab should be a choice made freely by each individual woman. Muslims need to be able to freely debate the headscarf without judgment or pressure from their peers[5], and women should be empowered to choose whether or not they want to wear it without fear of being judged or ostracized[5].
Professional Advancement
Wearing a hijab can provide many advantages to Muslim women in modern society. It can protect them from unwanted attention and harassment, signify their outer beauty, and eliminate the need to show off[1].
Additionally, wearing a hijab is an act of worship to Allah that allows Muslim women to reclaim the narrative around their faith[2].
Hijab-wearing women often face challenges in the workplace due to their overt Islamic head covering[3]. However, many Muslim women view wearing a hijab as a positive thing that allows them to retain their identity and express their faith[4]. Wearing a hijab can also be beneficial for professional advancement as it can help create an atmosphere of respect and understanding in the workplace. It can also serve as a reminder of one’s commitment to Islam and help foster an environment of mutual respect between colleagues.
Cultural Identity
Wearing a hijab has become an important part of many Muslim women’s cultural identity[2][3][4]. It is seen as a way to express pride in their ethnic identity and religious affiliation[2], as well as to reject western influences of dress and culture[4]. For some, it is also a way to avoid harassment and unwanted sexual advances in public[4].
In addition, wearing a hijab can have modern advantages. For example, it can help desexualize women in the public sphere[4], allowing them to be judged based on their qualifications rather than their appearance[2]. It can also be used as a form of communication, conveying messages such as piety and modesty[1].
Studies have shown that Muslim women view wearing the veil positively, with many believing it is obligatory for every female Muslim who has reached puberty[1][5]. However, opinions on the practice vary between different countries and cultures. For example, a study comparing Muslim women’s views on wearing the veil in Indonesia and India found that there were differences in how they viewed the practice[5].
Social Harmony
Political Empowerment
Psychological Benefits of Wearing a Hijab
Boosting Self-Confidence
Building Self-Respect
Strengthening Faith
Improving Mental Health
Reducing Anxiety
Enhancing Spirituality
Health Advantages of Wearing a Hijab
Protection from the Sun
Avoidance of Hair Damage
Minimization of Hair Loss
Reduction of Allergies
Prevention of Infections
Promotion of Cleanliness
What are the Psychological Benefits of Wearing a Hijab?
Wearing a hijab can have psychological benefits for Muslim women, such as increased life satisfaction and fewer symptoms of psychological distress[1]. It can also be a source of female empowerment, an expression of activism and pride, and a means to command increased respect from men in social encounters[1]. Additionally, hijab may act as a buffer against psychological distress and is associated with greater religiosity[2]. Finally, hijab dissociation (not wearing the hijab) can be used as a form of compensatory mechanism to cope with psychological trauma[3].
What are Some Health Advantages of Wearing a Hijab?
Wearing a hijab has numerous health advantages, including protection from the sun’s harmful rays, wind and dirt[1][2][3][4]. It also helps to preserve body heat in cold months by preventing 40-60% of it from being lost through the head[3][4]. Additionally, wearing a hijab can help to prevent cross-contamination and ensure cleanliness and purity[4].
The hijab also serves as a reminder to women of their religious duties and behavioral expectations[3], while helping to minimize sexual enticement and moral degradation in society by creating stability in both families and communities[4].
Why do Some Women Choose to Wear a Hijab?
Many Muslim women choose to wear a hijab for a variety of reasons, including as a sign of passage into adulthood, to identify themselves as Muslim and show cultural pride, to value family traditions or local customs, and as a symbol of religious commitment and devotion[1][2][3][4]. The hijab is not required by law in most places, so it is ultimately up to the individual woman whether or not she chooses to wear it. Some women may choose not to wear the hijab at all or only for religious occasions[4].
The hijab has often been misunderstood by people outside of Islam, leading to misconceptions about its purpose and meaning[4]. However, many Muslim women view wearing the hijab as an act of empowerment and self-expression[1]. World Hijab Day on February 1st was created in 2013 as a means to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women (non-Hijabi Muslims/non-Muslims) to experience the hijab for one day[2].
What are Some Misconceptions About Wearing a Hijab?
There are a number of misconceptions about women who wear hijab. Some common ones include:
- That Muslim women are forced to wear hijab [1][2]
- That hijab prevents women from participating in society or oppresses them [1][3]
- That wearing hijab goes against American values [3]
- That Muslim women wear hijab all the time, even at home [4]
- That Muslim women are held to higher standards and scrutinized more harshly because they wear hijab [5]
What are the Challenges Faced by Hijabi Women in Society?
Hijabi women face discrimination in a number of contexts, such as being harassed, fired from jobs, and denied access to public places[1]. Islamophobia amplifies the ramifications of this discrimination, which often occurs in public spaces and is perpetrated by White people[2]. Hijab-wearing Muslim women and converts also face challenges such as discrimination, hatred, and misunderstanding[3]. Working Muslim women must also contend with the obligations and requirements of salah[4], while Muslim womanhood is linked with ideas of submissiveness and subordination[5].
How does Wearing a Hijab Impact a Woman’s Professional Life?
Wearing a hijab can have both positive and negative impacts on a woman’s professional life[1][3]. On the one hand, Muslim women who wear hijab may face discrimination in the workplace, such as being harassed, fired from jobs, or denied access to public places[1]. On the other hand, some Muslim women view wearing hijab as liberating and empowering[2][3], and it can even protect them from depression[4].
Studies have also shown that wearing a hijab can affect how people perceive a woman’s facial attractiveness[5]. Since wearing a hijab has substantial effects on the visibility of external features, Emirati Muslim women who wore hijabs were perceived to be more attractive than those who did not wear hijabs[5]. This could potentially lead to more positive perceptions of Muslim women in the workplace.
Overall, while wearing a hijab may lead to discrimination in some cases, it can also be seen as an empowering choice for many Muslim women.
What are Some Common Styles of Hijab and how are they Worn?
There are many different styles of hijab that are worn around the world[1][2]. Common styles include the Everyday Wrap, which is one of the most recognizable and widely-known hijab styles[3], and the Niqaab, which covers the face and entire head but with a place cut out for the eyes[2]. Other popular styles include the Tatarstan and Caucasus style, which is always worn with a scarf[2], and the Mukena, an Indonesian hijab worn almost exclusively for praying[2].
In addition to these traditional styles, there has been a recent trend to style different accessories on top of the hijab such as hats, beanies, and earrings[4]. Hijabs come in many patterns, fabrics, colours, and styles[4], so it is up to personal preference to determine which type is most commonly worn.
When wearing a hijab, it is important to ensure that it covers both the head and neck but leaves the face unobstructed[4]. Step-by-step instructions can be found online for how to tie a hijab in various ways depending on fabric choice and desired look[3][4].
How does Wearing a Hijab Promote Modesty and Morality?
Wearing a hijab is an outward manifestation of an inner commitment to worship God and uphold Islam’s code of modesty[2][3]. The Qur’an instructs Muslim women and men to dress modestly, and for some, the hijab is worn by Muslim girls and women to maintain modesty and privacy from unrelated males[1]. This includes modesty in behavior, manners, speech, gaze, gait, garments, and genitalia[1].
The hijab is seen as a way to avoid harassment and unwanted sexual advances in public[3], desexualize women in the public sphere[3], and retain their modesty, morals, and freedom of choice[2][3]. It is not the responsibility of women to regulate the behavior of men; both genders are equally responsible for upholding modesty in society[4]. Ultimately, wearing a hijab promotes modesty and morality by encouraging people to please God through their actions.
How can Non-Muslims Support and Show Solidarity with Hijabi Women?
Non-Muslims can show solidarity with hijabi women in a variety of ways. Firstly, they should avoid engaging in hijab solidarity, which creates boundaries between Muslim women and can lead to non-hijabi Muslim women feeling like their struggles are lesser[1]. Instead, non-Muslims should focus on supporting all Muslim women by engaging in meaningful dialogue and listening to their stories[2][3].
Non-Muslims can also demonstrate their support for hijabi women by educating themselves about the various meanings behind the hijab and its history[4]. They should also be aware of the potential implications of wearing a headscarf as an act of solidarity, as it could be seen as voyeuristic or reduce the experience of hijabi women to a fashion statement[3][4].
Finally, non-Muslims can show solidarity with hijabi women by standing up against Islamophobia and advocating for their rights[2]. This could include speaking out against hate speech or joining protests that support the rights of Muslim women.
How Has the Perception of Hijab Changed Over Time and in Different Cultures?
The perception of hijab has changed over time and in different cultures. In the West, particularly in France, the hijab has become a symbol of perceived oppression[1][2]. However, for some Muslim women, wearing a hijab can be a religious act – a way of demonstrating their submission to God[3]. It is also seen as a mark of empowerment by some Muslim women[3].
In pre-Islamic times, Jewish, Christian and Hindu women have covered their heads[3], and the Quran instructs both men and women to observe modesty in their dress and behavior[3]. The hijab has also been used in some cultures as a way to express cultural identity or political beliefs[2][5]. In recent years, it has become more fashionable in countries like Egypt, with young women matching their headscarves with trendy clothing and glamorous makeup[5].
The perception of hijab has also been affected by global events such as 9/11. After this event, Muslim women who wore the hijab became targets of religious and racial discrimination[5]. Emirati Muslim women perceive veiled faces as less attractive than unveiled faces when judging facial attractiveness[4], which may not be consistent with a preference for one’s own cultural group (cultural endogamy)[4].
Quotes from Famous People:
“The hijab is not simply a piece of cloth that covers a woman’s hair; it is much more than that. It is a statement of her identity, her beliefs, and her values.”
Dr. Laila Al-Marayati
Mona Eltahawy
“Wearing the hijab can be empowering for women. It allows them to take control of their bodies and their sexuality and shift the focus onto their intellect and personality.”
Amani Al-Khatahtbeh
“The hijab can be seen as a form of self-care. It protects women from the harmful effects of the sun and pollutants in the air, and can also help prevent hair damage and breakage.”
