:salam2:
Hijab for men
People usually only discuss ‘hijab’ in the context of women only. However, in the Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) first mentions ‘hijab’ for men before ‘hijab’ for the women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Al Noor: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.” [Al-Qur’an 24:30]
Hijab for women.
The next verse of Surah Noor, says: “ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.” [Al-Qur’an 24:31]
Six criteria for Hijab.
According to Qur’an and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing hijab:
i. Extent
The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the obligatory level of covering is to cover the whole body except the face and the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these parts of the body.
It is through Allah's Wisdom that He distinguishes between man and woman in the process of creation. Woman, on the one hand, is created in a way that best suits her natural inclinations. The requirements that Allah asks of her give her full security and protect her against awkward and uncertain situations.
The differences between man and woman are more obvious in the physical appearance. A woman’s body, voice, hair and other feminine characteristics are evident and present to attract her husband.
That is why Allah Almighty has ordered woman not to uncover the natural beauty and attractiveness, that He Almighty granted her, before anyone except her husband.
A husband is allowed to look at any part of his wife’s body. According to Islam, this is not the case for the woman's male-Mahrams (relatives who are not allowed to marry her), for example her father, brother, etc., who are allowed to look at specific parts of the woman's body such as her hair and hands.
However, when it comes to non-Mahram men, the matter is completely different, because the exposure of the woman's body before non-Mahram men leads to immorality and temptation.
Man, on the other hand, is created by Allah in a way which is different from that of the woman. In his capacity as the breadwinner of the family, man is supposed to strive hard to cater for his family's needs.
With regard to women covering their faces, it is not obligatory, but it is recommended. Some women do cover their faces for the purpose of attaining Allah's greater reward. However, if a woman finds it difficult to cover her face, she is obliged to conform to the Islamic code of dress, which requires covering her entire body save her face and hands."
Finally, we can say that there is wisdom in Allah’s commands, and if we see the wisdom behind certain rulings, it is easier to accept them. We can look at the advantages of adorning a headscarf and trust that Allah, the Omniscient, knows what is better for us. We can wait for the reward for doing so, only if our intention is to obey Him, because when there is difficulty in doing something, the reward is given in proportion to the difficulty. And that reward is more worthwhile than having a breeze on our necks.
All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women
ii. Should not reveal figure.
The second criterion is that the clothes they wear should be loose and should not reveal the figure.
iii. Should not be transparent.
The third criterion is that the clothes they wear should not be transparent such that one can see through them.
iv. Not attract opposite sex.
The clothes they wear should be not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.
v. Should not resemble the clothes of the opposite sex.
The fifth criterion is that the clothes they wear should not resemble that of the opposite sex.
vi. Should not resemble the clothes of the unbelievers.
The clothes they wear should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the unbelievers’ religions.
Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things
Complete ‘hijab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijab’ in a limited sense. ‘Hijab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijab’ of the eyes, ‘hijab’ of the heart, ‘hijab’ of thought and ‘hijab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves etc.
Hijab prevents molestation
The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the following verse of Surah Al-Ahzab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being molested.
also for my own benefit 
