Women veiled: religion and society in al-Andalus

Abstract

Veiled women are usually considered a specific feature of social life in Islamic culture
In this article, Qur'anic verses on the veiling of women are examined, but the religious
injunction is considered to be only one of the factors which explain the historical development
of veiling. To document this point of view, two texts from a Medieval Islamic society (al-
Andalus) are presented. These examples show how social and economic position were as
important as religion in secluding and veiling Muslim women.