If Men and Women are Equal... I would just like to ask you something. If men and women are equal, then why on earth do women have to cover up their whole bodies, even their hair, for God's sake, and men are allowed to go swimming in just their swimming trunks, showing everything except their front and behind? In my opinion, if God gave us hair, then why the hell must women (not men) cover it up???!!! Also, why must men and women be separated whenever they go out to a party where there are a lot of Muslims? Jenni. Reply Men and women are indeed equal as human beings. However, before answering your question let I would like to clarify that the implications of the term "equality" may differ in different cultures, or point of views. The word equality does not have the same implication in every society. Unfortunately, it is the Western concept or implication of equality that prevails today. This Western concept of equality is quite different from the Qur'anic concept of equality. What is this Western concept of equality and how did it originate? This is the key question, which I shall try to answer here. The Western concept of equality has developed over time as a reaction to the Christian concept of woman. In Christianity, women as a human being, irrespective of rights and responsibilities, is considered an inferior being, one who committed the first sin and hence was condemned forever. When the West broke itself away from religion, at the start of Renaissance, there was nothing which could provide as basis for the concept of equality between men and women as human beings. The West then constructed a concept, which was based on having equal rights and responsibilities in different spheres of life. This is what the whole feminist movement is all about. This meant that in order for a woman to be equal to a man, as a human being, she must have equal political, social and economic rights. This was done because the actual concept of equality, that is whether the One who has created all, considered men and women equal as human beings - irrespective of political, social and economic rights and responsibilities - could not be proved until and unless God Himself had said so. This the West could not do because it had broken away from religion, a religion which already had a distorted concept of woman, so it was impossible for them to have the judgment of the Supreme Being in this regard. Facing this dilemma the West turned towards political, social and economic rights as the standard which would define the equality between men and women as human beings. Contrary to this concept, Islam primarily declares that men and women are equal as human beings. This is the declaration of the Almighty, after which no other declaration is needed. Now what is left is not determining whether men and women are equal, but to determine the various responsibilities of the male and the female gender. Because the determination of responsibilities must take into account the varying natural inclinations and capabilities of the individuals, therefore, in this determination Islam takes into account the concept of "justice", rather than "equality". The problem with Muslims, generally, and with the Muslim feminists, specially, is that they view the whole concept through the eye of the West and not try to understand the concept presented by the Qur'an. The fault is that Muslims try to implement a concept of the West, which has a special context and history, to their situation which has a totally different context. In Islam women are already considered as equal human beings, who have their own separate identity. After this explanation let me answer your question. It may be a cultural and not Islamic concept that women have to wrap their selves up totally. The verse which is presented as an argument for covering from head to toe, that is verse 59 of Surah Al-Ahzaab , was actually related to distinguishing free women from slave girls under specific social circumstances, which I have explained in one of my earlier responses . The other verse, which is sometimes presented as an argument for covering up women is the verse 53 of the same Surah and is actually explicitly restricted to the wives of the Prophet (pbuh). The only verse which is related to the etiquette of interaction between men and women is verse 31of Surah Al-Noor . This verse only directs women to dress up decently and to cover their chests with their head coverings when they are to interact with men, other than prescribed relations called Mehram . It is also wrong to assume that men do not have any restrictions on their clothing when interacting with women. The referred verse of Surah Al-Noor also directs men to observe decent clothing when interacting with women. Moreover, it is true that it is God who made hair an adornment for women. However, God in His infinite wisdom has directed women [as well as men] to avoid flaunting their adornments and to attract members of the other sex for the well being of the individual - in this world and the hereafter - as well as the society in general. Finally, men and women can attend mixed parties and gatherings, while observing the injunctions of Al-Noor 24: 30 - 31). However, please keep in mind that the "head covering" mentioned in the referred verse of Surah Al-Noor , which a woman should spread over her chest while interacting with men, is not necessarily the one which is called " Hijab " these days. It can be any adaptation of the dress of women living in their respective cultural contexts. Islam has not prescribed a special style or form of clothing. I hope this explanation answers your question. You can always get back if you are still unclear. However, this is only my opinion in this regard and I admit any chance of mistake in forming this opinion. I would be open to other points of view if based on stronger reasons. May Allah guide us all towards the right path. Amar Ellahi Lone