Because of pointless social media arguments, I had to go down the rabbit hole of reading Quranic verses to prove that Muhammad never demanded that Muslim women wear the Hijab.
Muhammad was one of the first law givers of the world. For someone living in the seventh century AD in Arabia, he was a very very reasonable man. (Nevertheless, a lot of what is in the Quran is controversial, just like most other religious books like the Bible.) It is really unfortunate, therefore, when his followers twist his words to invent things he never said.
Muhammad never used the word Hijab. Or Burqa. He taught people modesty. First, he told both men and women, separately, to "cast down their looks". That might seem preachy in the 21st century, but honestly, I would gladly have hoardings all over Goa even today, telling tourists to "cast down their looks" instead of ogling at others on beaches and otherwise.
Then he told people to cover/guard their private parts when not with family. For women he included the bosom. Again, perfectly decent advice, even for modern times.
He also told women to cover their ornaments, and ensure they are neither seen nor heard. So yeah, if you are wealthy, do not show off your wealth. Not a bad idea at all.
He then told women to wear an outer garment when stepping out, particularly when in a foreign land, in order to prevent sexual harassment. So, he is telling Muslim men to lower their gaze. And then suggesting to women that "it is convenient", if you are around non Muslim men (who won't listen to me and lower their gaze), that you cover yourself up to prevent being harassed.
Very sensible advice.
The Hadiths further recommend that women wear the khimar (headscarf, can be interpreted as the hijab) while praying. Covering the head while praying is common practice in many religions.
So anyway, no matter how much you research on the terms Quran and Hijab, nothing much comes up. All this covering up of women business is an Arabic practice that predates Muhammad. Oppressing women is a modern Arabic project that has nothing to do with religion. Of course religious sanction is invented for it, just like religious sanction was invented for not allowing Saudi Arabian women to drive.
Muhammad was one of the first law givers of the world. For someone living in the seventh century AD in Arabia, he was a very very reasonable man. (Nevertheless, a lot of what is in the Quran is controversial, just like most other religious books like the Bible.) It is really unfortunate, therefore, when his followers twist his words to invent things he never said.
Muhammad never used the word Hijab. Or Burqa. He taught people modesty. First, he told both men and women, separately, to "cast down their looks". That might seem preachy in the 21st century, but honestly, I would gladly have hoardings all over Goa even today, telling tourists to "cast down their looks" instead of ogling at others on beaches and otherwise.
Then he told people to cover/guard their private parts when not with family. For women he included the bosom. Again, perfectly decent advice, even for modern times.
He also told women to cover their ornaments, and ensure they are neither seen nor heard. So yeah, if you are wealthy, do not show off your wealth. Not a bad idea at all.
He then told women to wear an outer garment when stepping out, particularly when in a foreign land, in order to prevent sexual harassment. So, he is telling Muslim men to lower their gaze. And then suggesting to women that "it is convenient", if you are around non Muslim men (who won't listen to me and lower their gaze), that you cover yourself up to prevent being harassed.
Very sensible advice.
The Hadiths further recommend that women wear the khimar (headscarf, can be interpreted as the hijab) while praying. Covering the head while praying is common practice in many religions.
So anyway, no matter how much you research on the terms Quran and Hijab, nothing much comes up. All this covering up of women business is an Arabic practice that predates Muhammad. Oppressing women is a modern Arabic project that has nothing to do with religion. Of course religious sanction is invented for it, just like religious sanction was invented for not allowing Saudi Arabian women to drive.