Overview

"Hijab: Word of God or Word of Man? is the most comprehensive and exhaustive study of the subject of the Islamic veil to date. According to Muslim authorities, the Islamic veil is a religious obligation. For them, Muslim women who fail to wear the hijab commit a major sin that merits punishment in hell and even eternal damnation. Since the rise of Islamist movements in the twentieth century, some Muslims have gone as far as to mandate fines, imprisonment, physical punishment, rape, and even death for young girls and women who wear so-called ""bad hijab,"" or who fail to veil. What does the Qur'an really say regarding women's dress? What does the hadith literature of Islam teach? How did Muslim women dress throughout history? What impact did culture have on the process? What moral and ethical conclusions can we draw regarding the rules governing women's clothing? These are the questions that are answered in this seminal study."

Full Product Details

9781680535372

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Adopting a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Morrow explores a wide range of sources to provide valuable insights into diverse opinions concerning hijab in Islamic discourses from past and present. The result is an interesting and committed account of one of the most visible and contested symbols of Islam in our time, a battleground for identity politics and struggles over women's rights."" Dr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini, author of Journeys Toward Gender Equality in Islam, Founding member of Musawah, Professorial Research Associate, Centre for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, SOAS ""Dr. John Andrew Morrow's work on hijab is deeply thoughtful and very reasonable. He simply suggests that Muslim women be allowed to learn (or perhaps even insist on learning) the full range of religious opinions on the subject of the Islamic veil and then choose whether to wear hijab or not for themselves. He argues for the importance of education, tolerance, free choice, and freedom for women -- all post-Enlightenment values. Morrow is a religious Muslim (he converted when he was sixteen), an academic scholar, and a scholar of Islam. Morrow is an important voice for those who believe that reformation or modernization of Islam must come from within."" Dr. Phyllis Chesler, Emerita Professor of Psychology at City University of New York, best-selling author, legendary feminist leader, and retired psychotherapist ""Dr. Morrow's book is a treasure chest of facts that also includes a wide variety of scholarly opinions regarding hijab. His meticulous scholarship, laser-like vision, and accessible writing style clearly differentiate between what the Qur'an requires of women's dress and what the jurists (overwhelmingly male) have enforced. Morrow's book would be an invaluable addition to Islamic Studies curricula in the academy."" Esther Nelson ""In this book, John Andrew Morrow explores the so-called hijab, a major social and political issue in many so-called 'Islamic' countries, and presents a comprehensive academic discussion of it. The author has done an outstanding job of informing readers about the subject. Covering women from head to toe is a preoccupation of the Sunni and Shiite clergy and their followers. They are fixated on their beards, turbans, and bathroom rituals, but they are even more obsessed with women's hair and clothing. The Qur'an does not instruct women to cover their hair; nevertheless, the clergy pervert the meaning of a few words and imply such an order. Neither does the Qur'an instruct women to cover their faces; on the contrary, it talks about the beauty of monotheist women. However, the clergy bury women alive in black sacks, erasing their identity in society. Neither does the Qur'an instruct men to enforce a dress code on women, nor on any woman; nevertheless, the clergy insult, berate, and even beat women who do not adhere to their man-made religious rules. For centuries, the professional religious class has enforced explicit dress codes on women, but the Qur'an never issues such penalties. Despite hundreds of verses that narrate the debates and dialogues of more than two dozen prophets and messengers on a variety of topics including monotheism, freedom, reasoning, critical thinking, honesty, human rights, women's rights, social and economic justice, equality, rule of law, peace, forgiveness, the environment, unity, righteousness, and charity, the Qur'an does not provide a single discussion or debate about women's dress code. Yet, the clergymen's major mission is to cover and silence women. The word hijab refers to a wall or partition and has come to refer to the religious prison created for women by men inflicted with numerous psychological and theological diseases, including ignorance, arrogance, and polytheism. This book explores the relationship between women's dress codes and other social and political issues in 'Islamic' societies and argues that reform of women's dress codes is an essential step towards improving the status of women and quality of life in these societies."" Edip Y�ksel, J.D., Qur'anic translator and commentator ""In this well-researched book, Dr. John Andrew Morrow clearly argues that obligatory hijab has no foundation in the Qur'an and was fostered by patriarchal traditions, misogyny, suppression of dissent, and political Islam. His conclusions counter the contemporary dominance of the hijab, promoted as an iconic symbol by Islamist movements, and endorsed by Islamic feminists and the left. Morrow defends Muslim women's freedom to choose their attire and supports reformers who contest the hijab."" Dr. Ida Lichter, author of Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices against Oppression ""Islam came to free women from the brutal abuses of men. However, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and up until now, Muslims and their religious institutions have worked strenuously to control and manipulate women and keep them out of the mainstream using falsehoods and fabrications like the hijab and the niqab. As John Andrew Morrow's book masterfully demonstrates, the veil is a big lie that has no foundation whatsoever in the Qur'an."" Amin Refaat, Executive Vice President, International Qur'anic Center"

"""Dr. John Andrew Morrow is one of the most learned Muslim scholars of our times. Like his other writings, Hijab: Word of God or Word of Man? is based on exhaustive and meticulous research. The work is a veritable encyclopedia of information about significant aspects of an issue which is ... the most divisive in Islamic societies and communities, having had a serious impact on the lives of Muslim women through the ages."" Dr. Riffat Hassan, Professor Emerita, University of Louisville, Winner of the Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau Gender Equity Award for 2023 ""Dr. Morrow's book is a treasure chest of facts that also includes a wide variety of scholarly opinions regarding hijab. His meticulous scholarship, laser-like vision, and accessible writing style clearly differentiate between what the Qur'an requires of women's dress and what the jurists (overwhelmingly male) have enforced. Morrow's book would be an invaluable addition to Islamic Studies curricula in the academy."" Esther Nelson, Adjunct professor, Virginia Commonwealth University ""Morrow marshals evidence to show that accretion over the centuries has turned a simple Qur'anic command to cover the genitals into a major element of the faith. Scripture ""tells believing women to protect their vaginas and vulvas. In other words, to remain chaste. It by no means commands women to wear the hijab, burqa, chador, or niqab, and to cover themselves from head to toe..."" Among the most interesting chapters of the book are two that survey the views of twenty-three ""qualified and competent"" modern Muslim men and twenty-four equivalent modern Muslim women on the topic of hijab. Morrow does not spare ""weak Western nations"" from his anger: ""Terrified of being denounced as 'Islamophobes, ' they act as the allies of radical Islamists rather than stand on the side of moderate and secular Muslims."" Too true. Dr. Daniel Pipes, Founder and President of the Middle East Forum ""Adopting a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Morrow explores a wide range of sources to provide valuable insights into diverse opinions concerning hijab in Islamic discourses from past and present. The result is an interesting and committed account of one of the most visible and contested symbols of Islam in our time, a battleground for identity politics and struggles over women's rights."" Dr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini, author of Journeys Toward Gender Equality in Islam, Founding member of Musawah, Professorial Research Associate, Centre for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, SOAS ""Dr. John Andrew Morrow's work on hijab is deeply thoughtful and very reasonable. He simply suggests that Muslim women be allowed to learn (or perhaps even insist on learning) the full range of religious opinions on the subject of the Islamic veil and then choose whether to wear hijab or not for themselves. He argues for the importance of education, tolerance, free choice, and freedom for women -- all post-Enlightenment values. Morrow is a religious Muslim (he converted when he was sixteen), an academic scholar, and a scholar of Islam. Morrow is an important voice for those who believe that reformation or modernization of Islam must come from within."" Dr. Phyllis Chesler, Emerita Professor of Psychology at City University of New York, best-selling author, legendary feminist leader, and retired psychotherapist ""In this book, John Andrew Morrow explores the so-called hijab, a major social and political issue in many so-called 'Islamic' countries, and presents a comprehensive academic discussion of it. The author has done an outstanding job of informing readers about the subject. Covering women from head to toe is a preoccupation of the Sunni and Shiite clergy and their followers. They are fixated on their beards, turbans, and bathroom rituals, but they are even more obsessed with women's hair and clothing. The Qur'an does not instruct women to cover their hair; nevertheless, the clergy pervert the meaning of a few words and imply such an order. Neither does the Qur'an instruct women to cover their faces; on the contrary, it talks about the beauty of monotheist women. However, the clergy bury women alive in black sacks, erasing their identity in society. Neither does the Qur'an instruct men to enforce a dress code on women, nor on any woman; nevertheless, the clergy insult, berate, and even beat women who do not adhere to their man-made religious rules. For centuries, the professional religious class has enforced explicit dress codes on women, but the Qur'an never issues such penalties. Despite hundreds of verses that narrate the debates and dialogues of more than two dozen prophets and messengers on a variety of topics including monotheism, freedom, reasoning, critical thinking, honesty, human rights, women's rights, social and economic justice, equality, rule of law, peace, forgiveness, the environment, unity, righteousness, and charity, the Qur'an does not provide a single discussion or debate about women's dress code. Yet, the clergymen's major mission is to cover and silence women. The word hijab refers to a wall or partition and has come to refer to the religious prison created for women by men inflicted with numerous psychological and theological diseases, including ignorance, arrogance, and polytheism. This book explores the relationship between women's dress codes and other social and political issues in 'Islamic' societies and argues that reform of women's dress codes is an essential step towards improving the status of women and quality of life in these societies."" Edip Y�ksel, J.D., Qur'anic translator and commentator ""In this well-researched book, Dr. John Andrew Morrow clearly argues that obligatory hijab has no foundation in the Qur'an and was fostered by patriarchal traditions, misogyny, suppression of dissent, and political Islam. His conclusions counter the contemporary dominance of the hijab, promoted as an iconic symbol by Islamist movements, and endorsed by Islamic feminists and the left. Morrow defends Muslim women's freedom to choose their attire and supports reformers who contest the hijab."" Dr. Ida Lichter, author of Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices against Oppression ""Islam came to free women from the brutal abuses of men. However, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and up until now, Muslims and their religious institutions have worked strenuously to control and manipulate women and keep them out of the mainstream using falsehoods and fabrications like the hijab and the niqab. As John Andrew Morrow's book masterfully demonstrates, the veil is a big lie that has no foundation whatsoever in the Qur'an."" Amin Refaat, Executive Vice President, International Qur'anic Center"

"""Morrow marshals evidence to show that accretion over the centuries has turned a simple Qur'anic command to cover the genitals into a major element of the faith. Scripture ""tells believing women to protect their vaginas and vulvas. In other words, to remain chaste. It by no means commands women to wear the hijab, burqa, chador, or niqab, and to cover themselves from head to toe..."" Among the most interesting chapters of the book are two that survey the views of twenty-three ""qualified and competent"" modern Muslim men and twenty-four equivalent modern Muslim women on the topic of hijab. Morrow does not spare ""weak Western nations"" from his anger: ""Terrified of being denounced as 'Islamophobes, ' they act as the allies of radical Islamists rather than stand on the side of moderate and secular Muslims."" Too true. Dr. Daniel Pipes, Founder and President of the Middle East Forum ""Adopting a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Morrow explores a wide range of sources to provide valuable insights into diverse opinions concerning hijab in Islamic discourses from past and present. The result is an interesting and committed account of one of the most visible and contested symbols of Islam in our time, a battleground for identity politics and struggles over women's rights."" Dr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini, author of Journeys Toward Gender Equality in Islam, Founding member of Musawah, Professorial Research Associate, Centre for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, SOAS ""Dr. John Andrew Morrow's work on hijab is deeply thoughtful and very reasonable. He simply suggests that Muslim women be allowed to learn (or perhaps even insist on learning) the full range of religious opinions on the subject of the Islamic veil and then choose whether to wear hijab or not for themselves. He argues for the importance of education, tolerance, free choice, and freedom for women -- all post-Enlightenment values. Morrow is a religious Muslim (he converted when he was sixteen), an academic scholar, and a scholar of Islam. Morrow is an important voice for those who believe that reformation or modernization of Islam must come from within."" Dr. Phyllis Chesler, Emerita Professor of Psychology at City University of New York, best-selling author, legendary feminist leader, and retired psychotherapist ""Dr. Morrow's book is a treasure chest of facts that also includes a wide variety of scholarly opinions regarding hijab. His meticulous scholarship, laser-like vision, and accessible writing style clearly differentiate between what the Qur'an requires of women's dress and what the jurists (overwhelmingly male) have enforced. Morrow's book would be an invaluable addition to Islamic Studies curricula in the academy."" Esther Nelson ""In this book, John Andrew Morrow explores the so-called hijab, a major social and political issue in many so-called 'Islamic' countries, and presents a comprehensive academic discussion of it. The author has done an outstanding job of informing readers about the subject. Covering women from head to toe is a preoccupation of the Sunni and Shiite clergy and their followers. They are fixated on their beards, turbans, and bathroom rituals, but they are even more obsessed with women's hair and clothing. The Qur'an does not instruct women to cover their hair; nevertheless, the clergy pervert the meaning of a few words and imply such an order. Neither does the Qur'an instruct women to cover their faces; on the contrary, it talks about the beauty of monotheist women. However, the clergy bury women alive in black sacks, erasing their identity in society. Neither does the Qur'an instruct men to enforce a dress code on women, nor on any woman; nevertheless, the clergy insult, berate, and even beat women who do not adhere to their man-made religious rules. For centuries, the professional religious class has enforced explicit dress codes on women, but the Qur'an never issues such penalties. Despite hundreds of verses that narrate the debates and dialogues of more than two dozen prophets and messengers on a variety of topics including monotheism, freedom, reasoning, critical thinking, honesty, human rights, women's rights, social and economic justice, equality, rule of law, peace, forgiveness, the environment, unity, righteousness, and charity, the Qur'an does not provide a single discussion or debate about women's dress code. Yet, the clergymen's major mission is to cover and silence women. The word hijab refers to a wall or partition and has come to refer to the religious prison created for women by men inflicted with numerous psychological and theological diseases, including ignorance, arrogance, and polytheism. This book explores the relationship between women's dress codes and other social and political issues in 'Islamic' societies and argues that reform of women's dress codes is an essential step towards improving the status of women and quality of life in these societies."" Edip Y�ksel, J.D., Qur'anic translator and commentator ""In this well-researched book, Dr. John Andrew Morrow clearly argues that obligatory hijab has no foundation in the Qur'an and was fostered by patriarchal traditions, misogyny, suppression of dissent, and political Islam. His conclusions counter the contemporary dominance of the hijab, promoted as an iconic symbol by Islamist movements, and endorsed by Islamic feminists and the left. Morrow defends Muslim women's freedom to choose their attire and supports reformers who contest the hijab."" Dr. Ida Lichter, author of Muslim Women Reformers: Inspiring Voices against Oppression ""Islam came to free women from the brutal abuses of men. However, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and up until now, Muslims and their religious institutions have worked strenuously to control and manipulate women and keep them out of the mainstream using falsehoods and fabrications like the hijab and the niqab. As John Andrew Morrow's book masterfully demonstrates, the veil is a big lie that has no foundation whatsoever in the Qur'an."" Amin Refaat, Executive Vice President, International Qur'anic Center"

Author Information

John Andrew Morrow received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, where he focused on Hispanic, Indigenous, and Islamic Studies. He has also completed over four decades of Islamic seminary studies, both independently and at the hands of a series of Muslim scholars. Dr. Morrow has taught at universities around the world and reached the rank of Professor. Recognized as a Master Teacher and a Distinguished Faculty Member, he received a Student Impact Award, an Interfaith Service Award, and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. A prolific, pioneering, and path-forging author, academic, and activist, he is considered of the leading authorities on Islam and one of the most influential American Muslims.

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