Is the hijab truly oppressive, or is the removal of women’s clothing throughout the past century the real oppression? Dr. Bilal Philips examines the Western fashion industry’s systematic undressing of women, its direct correlation with the rise of sexual violence, and why Islam’s approach to modesty is the rational, dignified alternative that genuinely protects women’s honor and safety.
A Century of Undressing Women
At the beginning of the 20th century, Western women were covered from head to toe — virtually like Muslim women, with head coverings and full-length dresses. Over the past hundred years, the fashion industry systematically shortened, tightened, and removed women’s clothing until many women today walk the streets virtually uncovered. During this same period, the crime of rape skyrocketed. By the early 1990s, reported rapes in the United States alone exceeded 100,000 annually, with researchers estimating the actual number to be 7 to 10 times higher. These parallel trends demand serious reflection.
“As clothing was dropping, at the same rate we find a rise in rape. More laws have been enacted to protect women, yet the rise in sexual violence continues to increase. Is there not a relationship between the systematic undressing of women and the epidemic of sexual assault?” — Dr. Bilal Philips
Why Islam Commands Modesty
- Islam’s dress code for women is not about restricting freedom — it is about protecting dignity, honor, and safety from exploitation
- The Western fashion industry uses women’s bodies to sell everything from cars to perfume, reducing women to commercial objects
- Islam separates men and women in certain settings not because men are inherently evil, but because close physical proximity combined with immodest dress encourages corruption
- Modest dress for children is equally important — the epidemic of child molestation is exacerbated by the inappropriate sexualization of minors in modern society
“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) spoke about times when women would be clothed yet uncovered — wearing clothing so tight that they might as well be naked. This prophecy has come true before our eyes.”
The hijab is not a relic of the Dark Ages — it is a shield of dignity in an age that has stripped women of their honor in the name of freedom. Islam empowers women by valuing their intellect, their faith, and their character above their physical appearance. We invite every woman to reflect on what true liberation means and to explore the beautiful balance that Islam offers.
