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Is hijab an obligation(wajib) in Islam?

And is it obligatory on upon governments to propagate and enforce it?

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Quran gives a "code of conduct" for men and women interaction in public in Surah-e-Noor

Two guidelines are same for men and women:

  • Have modesty in their vision
  • Guard their private parts

Following guidelines are for women only:

  • Do not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof
  • Wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests
  • Don't stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment

Thus "hijab" is not a religious obligation. Since it is not an obligation, it can not enforced by an islamic state. The only two things an islamic state CAN enforce by law is "salat" and "zakat", as mentioned in Surah Al-Haj. If a muslim is performing these two duties, he is a "muslim" in the eyes of the law of an islamic state.

For more details, refer to this link

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    As per the linked Al-Haj 41, you should elaborate on how hijab wouldn't fall under "enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong" which is also the responsibility of an Islamic state.
    – goldPseudo ♦
    Jan 13, 2014 at 15:37
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    @goto: "the word used in Quran for good in the ayah refer to general good things that are universa"lly accepted as good things like honesty, not religious things" Why do you distinguish between universally considered good and religious good at all? Isn't religion to tell us what is universally good and what is universally evil?
    – infatuated
    Jan 18, 2014 at 5:14
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    @infatuated : humans don't need religion to tell us that honesty is a good thing and telling lie us a bad thing. Allah has given this much guidance to each one of us
    – goto
    Jan 18, 2014 at 15:32
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    Still, we can't identify many virtues by and on our own average intellect. Hijab is one! Hence the need for enlightenment from above!
    – infatuated
    Jan 18, 2014 at 18:45
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    Whatever Quran and the holy Prophet had required us to do in terms of deeds is Wajib and universally obligatory. Religion basically preaches us to do things that are universally good and beneficial to humankind.
    – infatuated
    Jan 28, 2014 at 14:20

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