The Issue of Hijab

The need for the woman to cover in front of a male stranger (ghayri ma_ram) is one of the important Islamic issues. In the Holy QurÕan itself, there has been an order in this regard. In essence, therefore, one cannot doubt about the Islamic dimension of the subject. WomanÕs covering of herself from a male stranger is one of the manifestations of the need for segregation between male and female strangers. In the same manner, the impermissibility of a private meeting between a male and a female stranger is also one of its manifestations. This subject must be discussed under five headings: 1. Is covering (_ij_b) among the peculiarities of Islam and after the advent of Islam, has it been adopted by non-Muslims from the Muslims? Or, is it not among the peculiarities of Islam and the Muslims, and did it also exist among other nations prior to Islam? 2. What is the reason behind covering? As we know, there is no such restriction between male and female animals, as they freely have interco