The Duality of Custom – Value in Women’s Veil; A Realistic Evaluation

Is "hijab" an ethical value rooted in reality or considered as a custom which is related to different communities and traditions? The answer to this question requires a clear criterion for differentiating customs from values. Based on the differences between values and customs, we can say; any value which is original, reasonable, and common to everyone, relates to man's inner dimension, and if it is contacted to humans’ happiness, it is moral value, otherwise it should be placed among customs. These five features exist in the category of "hijab" and therefore hijab is an ethical value. Accordingly, hijab, is rooted in nature and it does not depend on the circumstances of different communities and traditions. This article clarifies the criteria for the distinction between customs and values, and also with a method of analysis, with an emphasis on the views of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, in an effort to show that "hijab" is a virtue. Hence the belief of those who consider "hijab" as a custom is not acceptable.