The Ghanaian Minaret

Muslim women in Ghana who manifest their religion by observing the hijab are likely to encounter some difficulties at schools, workplaces, and even sometimes at home.

They are likely to be subjected to some form of discrimination, mockery, and all kinds of abuses for choosing to uphold their rights of honouring Allah and pleasing him.

In solidarity with all hijabis as we mark World Hijab Day, this article seeks to educate and address common misconceptions Ghanaians have about the hijab.

1. Hijab has to do with covering the hair

A common mistake people make about observing the hijab is that they think it is only about covering the hair and so prioritise the hair while neglecting other parts of their body.

Some Muslim women do well to wear a head veil but fall short in wearing attires that fully cover “vital” parts of their bodies.

For example, in the corporate environment, one is likely to find a Muslim woman with her hair well covered but likely to expose her neck, cleavage, her arms, and her legs in a bid to stay fashionable and meet conventional corporate standards of dressing.

Islam only allows the showing of the face and hands of a woman as far as observing the hijab is concerned.

2. Hijab is an attire

Some Ghanaians think of the hijab as an attire or outer garment that is being worn to the extent that they mistakenly refer to the veil or scarf as hijab.

You are likely to hear one say she is wearing the hijab when, in actual sense, she is wearing the Khimar, an Arabic term for headscarf, or the Jilbab, which is the outer garment worn to cover the head, neck, and hands.

It is important to note that hijab is not worn but rather observed as commanded by Allah. And so observing the hijab could entail covering the entire body by putting on a veil, a long descent robe also known as Abaya, and a headscarf.

3. Hijab is observed best with Arabian garments

There is nothing spiritual about observing the hijab properly using garments from the Gulf states.

It is a misconception that the abaya, jilbab, or khimar is the most suitable garment for observing the hijab.

If the design of the garment and quality of the fabric meet the stipulated requirements in Islam, the hijab can be observed within a culturally friendly setting.

So, for example, Hijab can be observed with a Ghanaian textile sewn to cover the entire body without any part of the garment being skimpy or the fabric being transparent.

4. Covering the body fulfils the requirement of hijab

There is a general misconception that once you “cover” well with a garment, then hijab has been fully observed. Well, that is not enough.

While this is true, it is not entirely the case, as observing the hijab demands that one follow certain etiquette and rules of engagement.

For example, it is not appropriate for a person observing the hijab to engage in free mixing by way of handshaking, hugging, or engaging in idle talks with the other sex who are non-mahram, thus are not family members whose marriage is permanently prohibited.

It is also important for a person observing the hijab to lower their gaze and shy away from looking at things that are not permissible.

5. Hijab is only prescribed for women

When hijab is being mentioned, Ghanaians are most likely to associate it with women covering up.

On the contrary, it is important to note that men are also obliged to observe the hijab by way of covering certain parts of their bodies, thus from their navel to their knees.

Any man that appears to be at variance with this prescription is regarded to be sinful, nude, and exposed, especially when he is in the presence of others who are non-mahrams.

Men are also required to observe the etiquette of rules of engagement that prohibits free mixing.

6. Observing hijab is optional

Many Ghanaians, including some Muslims, believe that observing the hijab is optional, especially for women yet to be married.

This is a misconception as the prescription of hijab is for all irrespective of marital status.

The hijab is a divine injunction. It’s clearly stated in the Qur’an and further explained by learnt scholars; see Quran 24:31 and 33:59.

We wear it to seek the pleasure of Allah ALONE. The hijab helps the muslim women to standout, identified as Muslim women, and be protected from molestation.

In conclusion, it is important to note whatever attire cannot be worn to pray is not hijab complaint.