I need to correct those who say the Quraan does not order a specific dress code for women, and that it is purely culteral. these are some of the verses (english translation) ordering he believing women to cover. Also, the men are ordered to lower their gaze and keep their eyes to themselves, to refrain from looking at the women, as well as follow a specific dress code. the believing women and men take the command of the dress code from the verses of Quraan firstly, then look to the 'Sunnah' (meaning 'way' or understanding)of Muhummad and his rightly guided companions, both men and women, and take their example of how the verses of Quraan are to be implemented and practised in the correct manner. This is why we see similarities (not with every muslim, but generally) with the women wearing loose, flowing garments which cover the body, and the men growing thick beards, wearing long dress like shirts, or 'thobe', usually white, which is always worn above the ankle and below the knee, and a head piece or scarf. to say muslim women cover is a result from a culteral practice rather than religious is incorrect, as they take the command from scripture. because any person from any background, any culture or any part of the world east an west may become muslim, sometimes their own cultural dress may influence their islamic dress. i can tell a muslim from pakistan for example, and the somali muslims have a their own way of covering, as do the arabs themselves. so perhaps this is why many people think its a culteral thing more than religious. (i will stop here cos i dont think im coming across very well! cant put into text what's in my head!)
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils)* all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
*the arabic word here is Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab), which is the loose outer garment that covers all a woman's body. It says here to use the Jalabeeb to cover all, and scholars say this means to use it to cover her head (agree upon by all scholars) and her face (agreed by many scholars, not all, as some say to cover the face, and others say it is not obligitary), in order for it to be known that she is a free woman and so not to be exposed to any harm.
Hadith - Bukhari 6:282
'Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) used to say: "When (the Verse): 'They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,' was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces."
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin
When the verse "That they should cast their outer garments over their persons" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
Allaah, The Sublime, The Exalted says: {Tell the Believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts).That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All Aware of what they do. And tell the Believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparnt, and to draw their Khumaar all over their Juyoob (5) (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)...} (The Noble Qur'an: Surah 24 Ayat 30-31)