Hijab: Word of God or Word of Man?

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.


About the Author
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.