How is hijab mandatory when namaz is not in Islam ? : Supreme Court

New Delhi – There is a ban on the use of hijab for Muslim girl students in the educational institutes in Karnataka. The decision was challenged in Karnataka High Court, but the Court upheld the Government’s order. It was then challenged in Supreme Court. It was stated while arguing their side by the Muslim parties that ‘namaz (prayers), hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), roza (fasting), zakaat (almsgiving for Islam), and imaan (faith in Islam)’ was not mandatory in Islam; therefore, the Court asked how was hijab decided as mandatory ? The next hearing will be held on the 11th of September 2022.

Advocate Mohammad Nizamuddin Pasha, the counsel for the petitioner Fatma Bushra said that there was no compulsion on following the five tenets of Islam; but that didn’t mean they are not essential under Islam.

Pasha gave an example of a turban used by the Sikhs in support of his argument. The Court, however, observed that five ‘ka’-kaars (kangha (comb), kripan (a ceremonial sword), karaa (an iron bracelet), kesh (uncut hair), and kachhhera (breeches) were mandatory under the Sikh religion. There is a mention of ‘kripan’ even in the Constitution.