Fantasy Hijabi Woman Warrior

A Concept for a fantasy Woman Warrior, probably of eastern background adorned with Hijab as her headdress as well as fully covered attires. The term "fantasy"is used because I'm not sure if such actual design exists, and secondly, the term Hijabi Woman Warrior is used because of the specific usage of Hijab as the head gear, rather than generic head covering. Drawing this was pretty fun actually

This was made after a discussion with few of my colleagues regarding fantasy women warrior who are mostly populated by either western or orient design. One of the suggestion was to include some islamic element into the design to create a rather, distinct Muslim Woman Warrior but still goes along the line of fantasy (just add some plate armor and other out-of-this-world designs). This isn't something new because there's plenty of Hijabi Woman Warrior designs spread both within and outside DA.

However,

I find it really interesting that artistic depictions of the "Hijabi Woman Warrior" often incorporated style which became popular in the 20th-21st century, hence, while it's possible that the rest of attires is of fantasy imagination (fully covered of course!), the headgear consist of the distinctive hijab which you can easily recognize. On the practical side, it provided very light protection, unless the said Woman wears protective helmet underneath. In my opinion, this kind of stylization can be compared to how some people think that vikings wears horned helmet

Of course covering's one's head for protection was a common practice, as you can see in the form chainmail coif and aventail, or full plate armors, both western and eastern designs. Some good example would be the Eastern conical helmet  with mail veil, the Timurid "Tarkan" Attires which incorporates fully covered, metal face plate Mongolic Head Armor with mail coif (or aventail?) or 16th-17th century Indo Persian veiled helmet  . But then again....incorporating these historical gears would loose the significant meaning or why Hijab is drawn in the first place. right ?


But what exactly is Hijab to begin with? surely we have heard of it or even seen it personally. It is the veil that covers the head and chest of Muslim women, typically after puberty, worn in the presence of non immediate male family members as well as guest or strangers, both Muslim and non Muslim. This is practiced as a symbol of modesty, privacy and morality within the Islamic world, though the extend of the values varies between regions and culture.

A similar comparison can be made to a catholic nun who covers their head and body though it is unfortunate that some double standards still exists. The common one would be the idea that a woman who wear hijab is seen as a symbol of oppression, while a nun who dress in similar fashion is seen as a symbol of one's dedication to faith, chastity and purity. Regardless of what the public perception is, generally speaking those women who wears hijab chose to do so of their own will, though exceptions, like in Iran for example, where women must wear hijab as a legal requirement while in Turkey, wearing hijab is banned in public and private schools/universities.

On the other hand.....

Historically speaking, the practice of wearing Hijab was not that commonly practiced during the early Islamic era, especially during the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The mention of Hijab in the Quran has a different context altogether. "Hijab" literally means "A Screen or Curtain"in Arabic, and used in the Quran to refer partition. Nevertheless, the Quran has instruction for modesty, such as for men to lower their gaze in front of women (Al Quran 24:30), and for women to cover their private parts in the form of drawing their khimar/veil over their bossoms (Al Quran 24:31). As for the guidelines of covering oneself for modesty, it can be found in various texts of fiqh and Hadith, developed from the verses in the Quran. (see note for explanation)

The practice of covering's one head is not something new when Islam came, as it had already been practiced since the antiquity. Ancient culture like the Assyrians, had clearly define law about wearing veil for women. It was seen as a symbol of seclusion and separation, to clearly define and create a distinct image between the "respectable" women (Wealthy, Noble) and "Publicly Available" Women (Commoners, Unchaste, slaves). This practice was prevalent in the ancient Greek society where they were expected  to seclude themselves from the eyes of strange men (through dress). When christianity came, was mentioned in the Bible (see Genesis 24:65 and 1 Corinthians 11:3-7) and as the age progress, the tradition was later adopted into the Byzantine customs. Wearing veil was also practiced in Zoroastrian Persia amongst the nobility and wealthy class.

With the conquest of Arabs in the 8th century, the practice of wearing veils/hijab by the conquered Greeks, Semitic (Jewish), Persians and Mesopotamian people in the region was seen as fitting and appropiate expression of Quranic Ideals of modesty and piety. This wasn't out of context, since the Muslims ruler identified Islam with the rest of Monotheistic faith, so the practice began to spread wide. At first, it was adopted by the Nobility, and later spread to the urban population, although, the adoption was very very slow in rural area because wearing hijab restricts one's movement during physical labor, like farming for example.

As the era progress, many variants of veils and hijabs became adopted through various cultures, creating distinct images within the Islamic world itself, but still serve as one's symbol of devotion to their faith and one's perception of modesty and piety
 
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Note:

Since alot of people may misunderstood, one must understand that there is a clear and distinct difference between the Verses of Quran (revelations), the Hadith (Prophetic Traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) in Islam.

One of the best example is in the prohibition of consuming Alcoholic drinks. There is no verse in the Quran that specifically says "don't drink alcohol" or forbids the consumption of alcohol, which to a non-muslim point of view, would be rather interesting. But why is it forbidden then?

Indeed, Al-Quran does not specifically mention about alcohol being Haram or not to drinking alcohol, but it does mention that "Intoxicants" must be avoided in the verse 5:90. Intoxicants can be anything, from Alcohollic drinks to recreational drugs, so Quran forbids the consumption of anything that intoxicates a person. The Hadith, which is compilation of Prophetic traditions, pointed out that "whatever harmful in large quantities, is harmful in small quantities" which gives no excuse for drinking even a bit of alcoholic drinks, though exceptions to be made in life-threatening situation. In Fiqh which is Islamic Jurisprudence/Law through consensus, how the consumption alcohol is forbidden is where it is defined: whether or not it intoxicates through direct or mixed consumption, it's origin (Fermentation or Distillation), its usage (Medicinal or recreational) and where it is used (External, like Parfumes and  Hand Sanitizers).