1. Hijab Is a Divine Command, Not a Cultural Practice

Allah says:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof, and to draw their coverings over their chests.” [Qur’an 24:31]

When someone calls hijab oppression, explain that it is first and foremost an act of worship. Like prayer and fasting, it is a command from Allah that brings dignity and closeness to Him. It is not imposed by culture but revealed in the Qur’an.

2. Hijab Protects Dignity and Privacy

Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves part of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be recognized and not be harmed.” [Qur’an 33:59]

Hijab shields a woman from unwanted attention and affirms her as a believer. It is a safeguard, not a shackle.

3. True Oppression Is Forcing Women Away from Their Faith

Preventing a Muslim woman from wearing hijab, mocking her, or legislating against it deprives her of her right to practice her religion. That is real oppression. Hijab itself, when chosen, is an expression of freedom and faith.

4. Modesty Is Praised, Not Oppression

The Prophet ﷺ said:
الحياء لا يأتي إلا بخير
“Modesty brings nothing except good.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 6117 | Sahih Muslim 37]

Modesty is a virtue honored in Islam. Hijab is one of its outward forms, protecting the dignity of women and society.

5. Hijab Shifts the Focus from Appearance to Character

In societies obsessed with looks, hijab allows women to be seen for their minds, morals, and contributions rather than their bodies. This is liberation from objectification, not subjugation.

6. Hijab Is Comparable to Other Religious Garments

Just as nuns wear veils and Jewish women cover their hair, Muslim women wear hijab as a sign of devotion. Calling only Muslim covering “oppression” is inconsistent and biased.

7. Hijab Is Empowerment through Choice

When a Muslim woman chooses hijab to please Allah, she asserts her agency over her body and image. She decides how she presents herself. That is empowerment, not oppression.

8. Hijab Protects from Harm and Harassment

Allah says:
ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ [Qur’an 33:59]

This verse explicitly links hijab to protection from harm. It is a measure to safeguard honor, not to imprison.

9. Hijab Elevates Women’s Worth

In Islam, women are honored for their piety, not their beauty. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إن الله لا ينظر إلى صوركم وأموالكم ولكن ينظر إلى قلوبكم وأعمالكم
“Indeed Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” [Sahih Muslim 2564]

Hijab reinforces this principle by making inner worth, not outward appearance, the measure.

10. Preventing Hijab Is Hypocrisy about Freedom

Societies claim to support women’s freedom to choose their dress. Yet they celebrate undressing and criminalize covering. True freedom respects both choices equally.