This verse is addressed to the Prophet's wives, daughters, and all believing women, instructing them to draw their cloaks (jilbab) over them when they go out. This is for recognition and to avoid harassment. So not only dose it cover you but it protects you. In my opinion the hijab is a grament that is plain and less attractive but clean and should cover you from head to toe except for the face and hand .

Hijab should not only be seen as a covering for only women because it symbolizes modesty, privacy, identity and faith for both genders. Because a man has to wear cloths that cover from navel to knee.

In conlclusion Islam has shown us that it is a universal modesty applied through attitude,behaviour and appearance for muslims regardless of gender and hijab should be seen as women empowerment.

"What is the hijab?" This is the question my neighbour is too nervous to ask, but would have loved to ask, as he stares at me half in bewilderment and half in awe, as if I am an alien who fell straight out of the sky.

So, what is it?

Allah (SWT) in the Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, chapter 33 verse 59, commands the Prophet (SAW) to tell his wives, daughters, and the believing women draw their veils over their bodies, so that they should be known as free and respectable women.

For me, the hijab is protection from oppression, it is empowerment, it is submission to Allah, it is a symbol of freedom and a symbol of civilisation.

Allah also says in Surah Nur verse 31, "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms…”. When Allah revealed this verse, the female companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) promptly adopted these guidelines and we should follow their example as much as we can.