Abstract

The word hijab and its synonyms have been frequently used in some Qur'anic verses and traditions transmitted by Islamic leaders and, before them, in several important gnostic texts.In this paper, based on a study of verses, traditions, and gnostic sources, it has been tried to explain the usages of the word hijab and its synonyms and gnostics' intention of it. Here, the writer has also explored the relationship between Qur'anic hijab and gnostic hijab.Given the background of the discussion, the writer has examined and criticized the meanings of some of the related terms, such as "union" and "proximity" in order to see if the concept of "gnostic union" is in conformity with "proximity" as used in the holy Qur'an.It is finally concluded that gnostics have used some Qur'anic terms, such as hijab, turned them into gnostic terms, and used them in the sense intended by themselves. Moreover, it is argued that there is an absolute general and particular relationship between Qur'anic hijab and gnostic hijab, and not all the uses of this word in the Qur'an are intended in its gnostic sense. Given the fact that, according to gnostics, not all the hijabs between the servant and the Truth can be removed, the writer also concludes that the union intended by gnostics is in unity with and related to the concept of "proximity" in the Qur'an