Understanding Hijab and Its Terminology

Why did this become known as hijabi?

Let us return these terms to their original meanings, as the Arabs knew them and as they appear

in religion.

A hijabi comes from hijab, whose root means prevention,

meaning she is concealed, with nothing visible of her.

A niqabi covers her face and shows only her eyes.

The niqab was known in the time of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

Safirah comes from safara, meaning to uncover,

meaning she has uncovered her face.

Tabarruj is when a woman displays her adornment and beauty,

even if it is her face or some of her hair.

Lisan al-Arab states, “A woman practiced tabarruj,” meaning she showed

her face.

Tabarruj is a Qur'anic term. God Almighty said:

“Remain in your homes and do not

display yourselves as women did in the Age of Ignorance

before.”

If showing the face is tabarruj in Arabic, then look at the image.

How many of them have displayed their adornment?

So why have the terms changed in our minds?

Religion has not changed, nor has the language. What

has changed is our perception, year after year.

An advertisement, a series, and a clip call

an unveiled woman hijabi.

The mind remembers what is repeated, not what is correct.

Until we came to call her that before we even think.

Whenever reality drops a level, names drop

a level with it. When a name grows lighter,

so does the judgment in the heart.

Restore names to their meanings, and things will regain

their dimensions. Then look at the picture again

and ask yourself,

Where am I?