According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the Hijab (الحجاب), linguistically meaning 'barrier' or 'screen', is a divine command and a central aspect of modesty in Islam. The Quran, in Surah An-Nur 24:31, instructs believing women to 'draw their head-coverings (khumur) over their chests (juyub)', a directive that forms the basis of the Islamic dress code. Classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir and legal scholars like Al-Qurtubi explain that this is part of a holistic system that begins with lowering the gaze and guarding one's chastity, applying to both men and women. The consensus (Ijma) among the major schools of Islamic law—Sunni and Shia—is that it is obligatory for a woman to cover her hair and entire body in public, with the common exception being her face and hands. Beyond a garment, the Hijab is considered an act of worship, a symbol of religious identity, and a means of protecting a woman's dignity by encouraging society to value her for her intellect and character rather than her appearance.