It is the general consensus among the Muslims that a Muslim woman is required to cover her head leaving only her face showing as part of an overall dress code and behaviour which Islam prescribes. It is therefore part of the social system of Islam, and a manifestation of important general Islamic principles.

Firstly, an educated Muslim woman does this because she is following guidance from God and His prophet Muhammad recorded in the Qur'an, and in the Sunnah. Allah (SWT) says: "And say to the believing women......that they should draw their head-coverings over the neck opening (of their dresses) , and not display their ornaments except to their husbands, their fathers.....etc." (Al-Qur'an, 24:31) 

The main principle reason for the hijab is modesty, which is not wishing to receive unnecessary attention from people, such as admiration and flattery, envy, or, most importantly, sexual attraction from those other than her husband. Great care is taken to keep sexual thoughts, feelings and interactions to within the boundaries of the marital relationship.

These types of attention may boost the 'ego' for the short term, but all have the potential to lead to disastrous consequences in the long term, for example leading to confused feelings, competition, suspicions, affairs, break-up of marriages and other relationships, disturbed children, and ultimately a community where people are insecure, unhappy, and divided amongst themselves.

From this it can be seen that the hijab is a manifestation of another important principle in Islam, which is valuing benefits which are permanent above those which are temporary.This is seen as that which brings about the true happiness of the soul for eternity, by purifying and keeping it in its pure, natural, God-created state, filling it with peace and contentment, patience, gratefulness, love and compassion.

What is temporary are the momentary pleasures derived from, for example, people's opinions of you, leading to your own self-satisfaction, or, even more basically, those derived from physical sensations.

Therefore, the freedom and benefit of the soul is encouraged, requiring a corresponding disciplining and moderating of the ego, but not a total denial or repression of it.

Speaking from an American/Western point of view, women have been trained to "stand up for your rights or you will be trampled on". 

In Islam women have been given many rights from the very beginning, such as:

The right to own Property in the women's name alone.
The right to divorce.
The right to keep her own name and property when she has came into a marriage.
The right to own and run business of her own.
The right to give away property without the consent of her husband.
The right to have her sexual and physical needs met (by her husband)
She is considered an equal in Religion with regards to her soul.
She is emaciated from being the reason for the original sin that mankind inherits that is still held accountable by Christian church.
The right to be maintained by her husband.
The right to inheritance, even if her husband doesn't want to give it to her.The right to refuse a marriage proposal.

Piety the measuring stick

In Islam the main focus is on Taqwa (piety). The Qur'an has made is perfectly clear that men and women are of equal worth, and that both are equally capable of the spiritual success and of being rewarded accordingly.Allah (SWT)says in the Qur'an:
"For Muslim men and women- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward."

Yes there are physical differences and responsibilities for men and women in Islam, but since Allah created us, He above all knows our nature. 

In every organization, country, army there is someone in charge. In Islam the woman is left from the compulsory position of earning money for the family, she is left to be the one in charge of the children and home, which consequently is viewed as a very high status in Islam.

Many books have now been written on the biological differences between men and women. They are both stimulating and fascinating. It seems that women tend to swallow the information a little easier when we have proof regarding the differences of our bodies. Though 1,400 years ago through the Holy Quran and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) recognized these differences, again not to demean women, but to just simply have the facts from the One who created us (Allah)

Throughout time both Men and women have a hard time understanding each other's differences.

Women as radar detectors

For, like most female mammals, women are equipped with far more finely tuned sensory skills then men. As child-bearers and nest defenders, they needed the ability to sense subtle mood and attitude changes in others. What is commonly called 'women's intuition' is mostly a woman acute ability to notice small details and changes in the appearance or behavior of others. 

Though both are to be a comfort for each other, the woman has more advantage with the way Allah made it to nurture the marriage, catch things before they get out of hand. This is not to say that men are exempt from this, but just even in the way Allah made the woman's brain shows her ability to see the environment around her.

Marriage in Islam offers tranquility to the soul and peace of mind so that man and woman may live together in an atmosphere of love, mercy, harmony, co-operation, mutual advice and tolerance and lay the foundation for raising a Muslim family in a nurturing sound environmen.

No one except our Creator and His Messenger (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon Him) could have been able to advise men to accept women for who they are. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said:"A believing man should not hate a believing woman, for if he dislikes one of her habits, he would surely like another."

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an : "And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect."

How can understanding the differences in the brain help us with our marriage?

First of all women are constantly wanting to know more about their environment around them. It helps them cope, most probably because this is her natural profession. If the woman starts from a clean heart with the desire to please Allah she can make the most beautiful "nest" if she really wants to.

Allah doesn't want harm to come to his servants. If the man is physically abusive, there is nothing in Islam that says she has to put up with it. Of course it never hurts to brainstorm how to keep the bull quiet in the china shop, if the woman really want to keep her family together for the sake of Allah, her kids etc. "

And Allah has promised us that He will not test us more than we can handle.

Over the years I have worked with women with marriage problems. Generally speaking it always amazes me how fast "her man" will turn around when she just changes her perception of the marriage and is willing to do things and get more "tools" to make the marriage relationship work. Some might call the woman a "daisy door mat" or "submissive" but if the woman really wants peace in the home, she can use her God given gifts to work for the family. 

I have seen marriages where the woman is ready to pack up and leave everything. As far as she is concerned it is hopeless and there is no use trying? She sees no way out. And miraculously after a few marriage-counseling sessions where she is armed with an objective view and a few new tools to handle and cope, I find that the honeymoon starts all over.

What does all this have to do with the difference in the woman's brain? Well she is just more perceptive and naturally inclined to process the feelings of her husband. But this only works if she is using this talent to please Allah, so that her feelings don't get hurt when her husband grunts at her four-course dinner she slaved over the stove for three hours. Why? Because she is doing for the sake of Allah.

But many of us are not willing to give? Either we felt that we have given enough and what's the use, or we just don't see an end to the problem.

Men tend to take the back seat, not because they don't care, they just don't get it. 80% of the men don't even get that she is ready to throw the whole bowl of macaroni and cheese on his head while he is thinking about "nothing" and flicking through the pieces of un-melted cheese. 

What makes the ideal Muslim man is his relation to his Eman (faith). Though he may not feel it is important he may reflect on a verse that his Creator has told him in the Holy Qura'n:" Do not forget graciousness between yourselves"

Allah made her eyes different

"The eye is an extension of the brain that sits outside the skull. The retina at the back of the eyeball contains about 130 million row-shaped cells called photoreceptors to deal with black and white, and seven million cones shaped cells to handle color. 

The X chromosome provides these color cells. Women have two X chromosomes which gives them a greater variety of cones than men and this difference is noticeable in how women describe colors in greater detail. A man will use basic color descriptions like red, blue and green but a woman will talk of bone, aqua, teal, mauve and apple green."

Generally speaking it is important to have both the husband and wife in marriage counselling, but if you had to pick between the two, the woman has more of an advantage than men due to the way Allah created her for communication.

The question is will or can she use these skills to pull together the family (not alone)? How was she taught communication while she was growing up? Did Mom isolate dad in order to show him who is boss through the "silent treatment with lots of non-verbal communication"? Or was she taught how to use her verbal skills to manipulate the situation to work for her. Or was she taught not to say anything, accept her fate and not act within the marriage.

Read below and see where they stand in each others lives from the noble words of our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH):"This world is just temporary conveniences, and the best comfort in this world is a righteous woman"

As far as peripheral vision goes, the woman has been created to be able to see almost up to 180 degrees. This is why men can never find anything in the cupboard:

Understanding these differences can help the husband and wife in their marriage. We just were not created the same.

Bringing home the gold!

Breaking the foundation of the family is the ultimate victory for Shayton. We were told that he is our open enemy and thus to be aware of his tricks. We fall into the trap of his button pushing sessions.

Shayton lives to break up marriages so thus he would have picked 1-3 in the above paragraph as his favourite choice of dealing with marriage problems. 

I'm not saying that we blame "Shayton" for all of our marriage problems, its just important when we are mad that we know that Shayton is taking a high surf through our emotions. He runs through our blood when we are mad where "blind rage" hurts and destroys trust and love between the couple