Martine Antle Introduction













 
  • The fourth passage Sura 42:51 speaks of the veil God uses to speak to humankind as a protection to humans from the divine brilliance.
  • Only the last passage (Sura 33: 53) uses the word hijab to speak of the Islamic dress code for women (I will return to this citation below). And it is this passage, in combination with 3 other passages from the Quran that are regularly invoked by Islamic theologians ('ulamas) in some countries to coerce women into wearing the headscarf; and it is these passages also that are invoked by Muslim women as a justification for their adoption of the veil.

These 3 additional passages are given below. While reading them, it is crucial to keep in mind the fact that although the translation into English and French sometimes uses the word "veil," the Arabic Quran actually never uses here the word hijab. Passages in bold refer to the particular areas where women clothing is more directly addressed.

VI. Sura 24: 30-31 (Medina revelation):

"Tell the believing men to lower their eyes and guard their private parts. There is for them goodness in this. God is aware of what they do./ Tell the believing women to lower their eyes, guard their private parts, and not display their charms except what is apparent outwardly, and cover their bosoms with their veils and not to show their finery except to their husbands or their fathers or fathers-in-law, their sons or step-sons, brothers, or their brothers' and sisters' sons, or their women attendants or captives, or male attendants who do not have any need (for women), or boys not yet aware of sex. They should not walk stamping their feet lest they make known what they hide of their ornaments. O believers, turn to God, every one of you, so that you may be successful."

"Dis aux Croyants qu'ils baissent leurs regards et soient chastes. Ce sera plus décent pour eux. Allah est bien informé de ce qu'ils font./ Dis aux Croyantes de baisser leurs regards, d'être chastes, de ne montrer de leurs atours que ce qui en paraît. Qu'elles rabattent leurs voiles sur leurs gorges! Qu'elles montrent seulement leurs atours à leurs époux, ou à leurs pères, ou aux pères de leurs époux, ou à leurs fils, ou aux fils de leurs époux, ou à leurs frères, ou aux fils de leurs frères, ou aux fils de leurs soeurs, ou à leurs femmes, ou à leurs esclaves, ou à leurs serviteurs mâles que n'habite pas le désir [charnel], ou aux garçons qui ne sont pas [encore] au fait de la conformation des femmes. Que [les Croyantes] ne frappent point [le sol] de leurs pieds pour montrer les atours qu'elles cachent! Revenez tous à Allah, ô Croyants! Peut-être serez-vous bienheureux."

VII. Sura 33: 32-33 (Medina revelation):

"O wives of the Prophet, you are not like other women. …/ Stay at home, and do not deck yourselves with ostentation as in the days of paganism; fulfil your devotional obligations, pay the zakat, and obey God and His Apostle."
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Sahar Amer
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