Origin of hijab in Islam

[KingsGambit]

The other day, someone on a friend's Facebook made a startling claim - that the origin of the hijab is that one of Mohammed's wives was recognized defecating outside, and the hijab was instituted to prevent a recurrence. I did some searching, which was somewhat uncomfortable with the search times, and mainly found a viral Reddit thread with thousands of upvotes (but without hard evidence, and that site's users are more than happy to upvote anything that criticizes religion). Is anyone aware of any hard evidence for or against this claim?

[rogue06]

The other day, someone on a friend's Facebook made a startling claim - that the origin of the hijab is that one of Mohammed's wives was recognized defecating outside, and the hijab was instituted to prevent a recurrence. I did some searching, which was somewhat uncomfortable with the search times, and mainly found a viral Reddit thread with thousands of upvotes (but without hard evidence, and that site's users are more than happy to upvote anything that criticizes religion). Is anyone aware of any hard evidence for or against this claim?

First I've heard of it. The tradition (at the risk of oversimplifying a complex issue ) is widely agreed to have preceded Muhammad and came to Arabia from Mesopotamia.

[Ronson]

I would guess the hijab is simply one more item meant to keep men from seeing anything that might get them aroused. There's not much left, so maybe long hair was the target.

[Sparko]

Seems like it might have been a cultural thing in the area long before Islam. Just think of the dress of women in bible times, full robes, hair covering. Paul even talks about women covering their hair. I think the muslims just extended that to cover the entire face as well.

[DesertBerean]

I dunno about the origins, but I thought the hijab covered only the head and left the face exposed.

[Sparko]

I dunno about the origins, but I thought the hijab covered only the head and left the face exposed.

I think it depends on the severity of the sect of Islam the woman belongs to. The Hijab that covers the face is called the niqab.

[rogue06]

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[Sparko]

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Whatever you want to call it, similar dress was in vogue in the ANE during Jesus' time. I am betting that is where it started and was continued until the time that Islam came about at which point they took it to the extremes as they are wont to do in most things religious. Like no graven images, for example.

[Cow Poke]

I dunno about the origins, but I thought the hijab covered only the head and left the face exposed.

In some cases, even the face is covered except for a "peek window", which even then, may be more of a veil through which she can see, but outsiders can't see her eyes.

[rogue06]

In some cases, even the face is covered except for a "peek window", which even then, may be more of a veil through which she can see, but outsiders can't see her eyes.

That's the burka

[Cow Poke]

That's the burka

Yes.

[Cow Poke]

Hijab - covers hair and/or hair and neck
Niqab - adds face covering
Burka - full body

coverings.jpeg

[KingsGambit]

First I've heard of it. The tradition (at the risk of oversimplifying a complex issue ) is widely agreed to have preceded Muhammad and came to Arabia from Mesopotamia.

This is also what I've heard, and what I seemed to find when looking into it. It's probably easier to make up things about Islam online when few people in English speaking communities are going to know better.

[rogue06]

This is also what I've heard, and what I seemed to find when looking into it. It's probably easier to make up things about Islam online when few people in English speaking communities are going to know better.

It makes no sense. Better to screen off the area where people use as a toilet than to have someone covered head to toe all the time. And as been noted, the hijab still leaves the face uncovered so it's not like people wouldn't still recognize her.

[Cow Poke]

It makes no sense. Better to screen off the area where people use as a toilet than to have someone covered head to toe all the time. And as been noted, the hijab still leaves the face uncovered so it's not like people wouldn't still recognize her.

So the old story ---- a guy robbed a jewelry store in the mall, and ordered the customers to empty their pockets, and get undressed - totally naked - and he would allow them to leave the store unharmed.
All of the customers ran out of the store covering, as best they could, their private parts, except one man who covered his face.

When asked why he didn't cover his private parts, he replied, "Well, I don't know about here, but where I come from, one is recognized by their face, not their private regions".