Introduction
Headveilig plays a significant role in many religions, including Judaism, Catholicism, and Muslims. Nowadays, covering is a manifestation of cultural and religious identity and is ubiquitous among Muslim women all over the world. This practice, with rare exceptions, is not compulsory even in Islamic countries. In Muslim countries, as well as in the West, there are many types of veiling, but they are divided into those that cover the face and those that leave it open. In particular, the hijab, which is the most widespread in the world and includes many subtypes, covers only the hair and neck, while the burka and niqab hide the woman’s face. Thus, the differences in the choice of veiling depend on the religious and cultural aspects of the woman’s identity.
The Practice of Veiling in Islamic Tradition
Various types of scarves and veils were common in many cultures even before the advent of Islam. They are also widely represented in modern religious traditions around the world, including Judaism and Catholicism. Veiling and covering have been practiced in pre-Islamic times, for example, in Mesopotamia, to demonstrate the high status of women, as well as distinguish them from slaves. In Assia, veiling was prohibited by law for unchaste women, making covering a symbol of modesty. Thus, this tradition was adopted by Muslims after the emergence of religion, mixing with other cultures. During Mohammed’s time, covering was only available to his wives, as well as high-ranking women, in order to protect them from enemies. Currently, there are many types of covering in Islamic tradition, including hijab, burka, and niqab.
Hijab
Most often, the hijab, the piece of clothing for Islamic women, is described as a headscarf that covers their heads. However, the word hijab itself means “curtain” or “partition,” not exactly a headscarf (Ahmad and Quraishi-Landes). In particular, the Quran uses terms such as “khimar” and “jilbab” when describing women’s clothing (Ahmad and Quraishi-Landes). These words mean covering, which a woman should wear to show her modesty. It is also noteworthy that the Islamic tradition dictates the rules of modesty in a dress not only for women but also for men.
In a broader sense, the term refers to a set of rules that men and women follow to demonstrate their modesty. Gradually, the hijab began to describe a way to cover a woman’s head to hide her hair. In particular, this type of covering is a large scarf with which a woman covers her head and wraps her neck as well as part of her shoulders. Thus, wearing a hijab is not limited to covering a woman’s head, neck, and chest with a headscarf; the term reflects a whole lifestyle. Men, as well as women in the Islamic tradition, should demonstrate their modesty by not wearing open and defiant clothes.
Hijab as a headscarf is the most open method of covering accepted in the Islamic tradition. In particular, the design of this garment was based on custom and function “What Does the Quran Really Say”). Thus, the hijab serves to demonstrate the role of women in society as a wife and mother and also traces to the pre-Islamic tradition of women’s clothing. Although hijab in Islamic tradition does not directly mean headscarf, it is a symbol of modesty for modern Muslim women. By wearing this garment, women can demonstrate their cultural and religious identity (Saeed et al. 12). Thus, a hijab can be any scarf that covers the head, neck, and chest of a woman. Hijab is legally required only in Iran and parts of Indonesia. Currently, in many countries of the Muslim world and Europe, bans on this garment in public places are being promoted.
Hijab is an important aspect of the Islamic tradition as it reflects the basic principles of the Quran. In particular, the Quran encourages women not only to hide their private parts but also traditionally wear a headscarf as a sign of freedom, not a slave position (“Hijab & Me”). Muslims wear the hijab only in public places or when interacting with men, whereas in the society of women or family members, they may not use covering. Thus, the Quran instructs women only to cover their hair, while covering other parts of the body remains the woman’s choice. Therefore, the hijab is a symbol of the separation of men from women, as well as the human from the divine.
Burka
Burka or burqa is the most concealing of all types of coverings adopted in the Islamic tradition. This type of coating is often confused with niqab, although they are two different garments. Burka has been worn by women in various Islamic countries since the 9th or 10th century (Mohammadi and Rastegar 2). This type of covering is most common in Central Asia, as well as Iran and Afghanistan. Burka is a complete outfit that covers all parts of the woman, including the face; even the eyes are often protected by a translucent fabric. Like other types, the covering burka is used in public places and when interacting with non-family males.
In Muslim countries, this type of clothing serves as a representation of the social role and marital status of women. Mohammadi and Rastegar underline that in Iran, burka “is a part of women’s everyday lives with multifunctional applications more than an object merely based on moral theologies taught by religious traditions” (14). Burka comes in a variety of colors, fabrics, and attributes to help women demonstrate their position in the community (Mohammadi and Hazeri 3). Thus, in the Islamic tradition, the burka is not only a symbol of modesty but also serves to identify a woman’s position in society and allows for the formation of interaction within communities.
Niqab
Niqab, like the burka, covers a woman’s face but does not hide the entire body. In a narrower sense, a niqab is exclusively a fabric that covers a woman’s face and is accompanied by a headscarf. This type of covering is “veils which cover women’s hair, neck, shoulders, and face, except two eyes are visible” (Chowdhury et al., “Probing Niqab” 60). It is widespread in the countries of the Persian Gulf, including Yemen, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman. It is a cultural norm in some African countries as well, including Morocco, Sudan, Lybia, Nigeria, Somalia, and Ethiopia (Chowdhury et al., “Wearing Niqab” 76). This piece of women’s clothing may have been adopted by Muslim culture during the Arab conquest of the Middle East. Thus, the niqab is not as concealing as the burka, but it still does not reveal the woman’s face.
Niqab, like the burka, has not only religious but also social significance, within the framework of which a woman can express her identity and differentiate herself in society. Niqab as hijab and burka are used by women “to protect their confidentiality and modesty from ill motives of the unknown males having incident and unlawful intention” (Chowdhury et al., “Wearing Niqab” 76). As with other types of covering, this type is non-obligatory in most Muslim countries. However, the niqab is part of the Shariah law, which is also part of the Islamic tradition. Therefore, the niqab is “is religious faith, a sign of personal freedom, a secured without exemption” (Chowdhury et al., “Wearing Niqab” 76). This type of covering is a cultural norm in many Muslim countries and is less strict than a burka.
Differences
With the spread of Islam among many countries, covering has become a religious practice as well. Although in certain countries specific types of veiling are more common, they are not limited geographically. Women in different countries may use various types within the Islamic tradition, which depends solely on customs and preferences. Hijab, which is a headscarf, is the collective name for many practices, including Al-Amira and Shayla. However, its main difference from burka and niqab is that it reveals a woman’s face. Thus, the hijab is the most open form of covering accepted in the Islamic tradition, which is also the most common in Western countries.
Burka and niqab covering the face of women are less common. In particular, the burka is the strictest form of covering and is often associated with the traditions of the Taliban in Afghanistan, where it is most widespread. The niqab is much similar to a burka but opens the eyes of a woman and does not require covering the entire body, and is also the most common in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the main difference between the three types of veiling is the degree of coverage of parts of the female body. To a greater extent, these aspects depend on the traditions of the woman’s homeland, the customs of her family, and personal preferences. Veiling is used as a manifestation of religious identity and is enforced in only a few regions of the world.
Conclusion
Although the practice of veiling or covering is associated with the Islamic tradition, it is also found in other religions. However, Muslim women use different types to manifest their identity and position in society. In particular, the hijab is both the name of the headscarf that covers the hair and is synonymous with the modest life prescribed by the Quran. Burka and niqab are more specific, belong to certain religious trends, and are also more common in particular territories. Moreover, both types cover the woman’s face as well, with burka being the most concealing dress.
Works Cited
Ahmad, Nadia B., and Asifa Quraishi-Landes. “Five Myths About Hijab.” The Washington Post, 2019, Web.
Chowdhury, Nasrin A., et al. “Probing Niqab Wearing as an Islamic Identity, Cultural Piety and Women’s Empowerment: A Phenomenological Approach.” International Journal of Ethics in Social Sciences, vol. 5, no. 1, 2017, pp. 58-76.
Chowdhury, Nasrin A., et al. “Wearing Niqab by Muslim Women Is a Divine Order, Religious Freedom, and a Superior Muslim Culture.” Journal of Islamic, Social, Economics, and Development, vol.5, no. 28, 2020, pp. 74-87.
“Hijab & Me.” YouTube, uploaded by TrueTube, 2019, Web.
Mohammadi, Naima and Ali M. Hazeri. “Two Different Narratives of Hijab in Iran: Burqa and Niqab.” Sexuality & Culture, vol. 25, 2021, pp. 680-699. Web.
Mohammadi, Naima and Yaser Rastegar. “The Social and Cultural Construction of Burqa: The Case of Gheshm Island in Iran.” Sexuality & Culture, vol. 22, 2018, pp. 962-979. Web.
Saeed, Munazza, et al. “Integrating Factors Influencing Hijab Purchase Intention Among Muslim Women.” Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 12, no. 1, 2021, pp. 95-112. Web.
“What Does the Quran Really Say About a Muslim Woman’s Hijab.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, 2017, Web.