The relationship between women's clothing and social stratification at the beginning of Islam; Rereading traditions based on an interpretive anthropological approach

The hijab has become a prominent issue in Iranian society, mainly influenced by how religious texts interpret and define it. Most studies on hijab in early Islam have used jurisprudential methods. However, as the hijab is a cultural matter, understanding its historical-cultural objects can reveal new insights into the act of wearing a hijab. In this research, hadiths were analyzed as oral history using a historical-anthropological approach to examine the hijab in its socio-cultural context. The goal is to understand the connection between social structure and cultural system. This research aims to study the meaning of hijab and perceive how the social structure and cultural system of early Islam influenced it. Using hadiths as oral history and analyzing them with a historical-anthropological approach, this research examines hijab in its socio-cultural context. The main focus is to study the connection between social structure and cultural system, specifically regarding the meaning of hijab in early Islam. The research suggests that portraying hijab as a way to control sexual lust in society is inaccurate. The true essence of hijab is shaped by the historical context of Islamic societies, where women's status and respect were based on their social class. The hijab is essential for free-believing women compared to maidservants and dhimma people, who have fewer restrictions, as it upholds the respect of a free-believing woman. If the hijab aimed to control sexual lust, it would be compulsory for all women. However, it was only mandatory for devout Muslim women, not all.