Why do Muslim women have to dress like that?

This is a question I get asked by nearly every group that visits the mosque. This is a short'n'sweet answer that so far has worked like a charm.(Which of course is a turn of phrase I just realised that is pure shirk and in fact charms don't work! So it works anyway, unlike a charm, but like something that does work..like a Toyota maybe..anyway) it goes something like this:

Moi: "Have you ever seen a nun?"
Questioner: "Yes, sure!"
Moi: "How did you know it was a nun?"

At this stage please watch expression on questioner's face as dawn breaks on it / light bulb goes on.

Questioner:"Because of the way she was dressed."

You can take it further....

Moi: "And don't most people treat them with a certain respect because the modest dress shows that they are religious people.
This is exactly what Allah tell us in the Quran, that the believing women should cover themselves so that people will know that she is a believing woman and she will go unmolested."

read this interesting article: http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_hijab_chinesetrial.html

Comments

[Nisa]

Assalaamu 'alaikum

MashaAllah an excellent way for Muslim women to explain the hijaab!

May Allah swt reward you, Ameen.

[Aisha]

Assalamu aleikum!

I couldn't stop myself from smiling, and even laugh a bit when I read you're answer =)
I really liked the "At this stage please watch expression on questioner's face as dawn breaks on it / light bulb goes on.". I'm just sitting here and imagining how the questioner's face must've looked like!

I if people ask the question, and you answer them like this, they'll remember it InshaAllah!

Keep up the great work! Alhamdolillah!

JazakAllah Khayran!