Page 91 - Seekers Guide Book

The Seeker’s Guide
during the winter season and the second, as a covering or
chaadar, like a shawl, for village women. Although the
word burqa existed in the Arabic vocabulary at that time,
the Quran did not use this word for women’s purdah.

History shows that the present veil or burqa first came
into vogue in Persia. When Islam entered Persia, a
complete civilization was already in existence there.
Many things were introduced into Muslim culture
from the Persian culture. As per the pre-Islamic Persian
culture, even the Iranian kings used to keep their women
separately and would make them wear a veil. Under
the influence of Iranian culture burqa was adopted by
Muslims. Gradually, it became a part of Muslim culture.

At present Muslims use the term hijab as equivalent to
burqa, but the word hijab is likewise not used in the
Quran in this sense. Hijab literally means curtain. Hijab
is used in the Quran seven times, but not in the sense that
is prevalent among the Muslims today, rather it is used in
its literal sense of ‘curtain’.

Regarding women’s purdah, two words have been used
in the Quran: jilbab (33:59) and khimar (24:31). But again,
these words are not used in their present connotation.
It is a fact that both words have a similar meaning, that
is, chaadar or duppatta, that is, something which covers
the body of a woman and not her face. So, it is very clear
that the present burqa or hijab are not Quranic terms;
both are part of Muslim culture and not part of Quranic
commandments. The concept of hijab as understood in
the popular sense today has emerged from Fiqh.

90