Does the Hijab perpetuate inequality between men & women?

Too many people in Western society carry a misconception about the principles of a Muslim women's head-scarf (Hijab), especially with regards to the female's status in community.

In reality, it does not in any way perpetuate inequality between men and women. In fact it does quite the opposite.

It is a personal choice made by the woman to fulfill her religious duties; and is her right alone to put it on. In no way does Islam give the right for men to enforce it upon her.

So if it is so physically restricting according to many, why does a Muslim woman choose to put it on in the first place?

The simplest answer to that question is liberation.

It is a statement that prevents the man from treating her as an object of his desires. Her beautiful features are no one's business but her husband's alone, and she chooses to flaunt her physical features only to the man that matters to her the most.

The Muslim woman liberates herself from the pressures of society which constantly tries to push her to accessorize so as to keep up with an ever-changing fashion statement in order to compare herself with such models as are found in L'Oreal, Cosmo, and Cleo. She liberates herself from the constant stress of battling body weight, body shape, and age, especially since these are naturally unavoidable. She also liberates herself from the insecurity of having her man compare her to a younger, "more attractive" female.

More importantly, it helps her remove that diseased attitude of competing with other females to "out do" herself superficially in order to get attention, especially when that attention means alienating her own friends and colleagues.

She is the true example of equality, because she demands respect and dignity from men. She forces men to actually listen to what she has to say, rather than get distracted with what she has to show.

As with all personal statements made by any modern woman in society, a Muslim women's choice should never be discriminated against.

One could argue then why a man has no such obligations in Islam. That notion couldn't be further from the truth. In fact a man's obligation is far greater than that of the woman's.

While a woman's obligation is to maintain and protect her external appearances, a man's commitment is to maintain and protect his internal thoughts.

Lets face it, if a man wore the same provocative bikini as a female, it wouldn't exactly provide the same aesthetic outcome, so his external traits aren't necessarily the matter at hand.

On the contrary, it is the man's mind that must be constantly purified. While a woman's desire in a man stems mainly from seeking one who could provide protection and security (whether physically, mentally or financially), the man seeks her beauty (physically or mentally).

This can have a negative effect if this beauty is sought out through lustful desires. Today, society understands this all too well and takes advantage of it by enticing the man to seek out these desires especially through advertisements and men's magazines.

That is why a man's obligation is to strive against his will, especially when having impure thoughts whereby Islam encourages the man to lower his gaze and steer away from scenarios that might create this unhealthy lustful environment.

This constant internal struggle is as much an obligation as a woman's obligations surrounding her external appearances, and these two separate roles between man and woman compliment each other in society. It provides a healthy environment that encourages respect, dignity and harmony in society.