Something about Hijab

So I was thinking about hijab and why we must wear it.. And I was reading the Introduction to the book Lantern of the Path by Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a.s); a part of it reads-

"The outer behaviour, courtesies, practices and rituals of Islam are all manifestations of a subtler and finer inner conditioning, and the balanced fusion of the outer and the inner in the journey of this world. If there is an inner attribute there must be a corresponding outer expression, which is a symptom of an inner attribute. "

And this reminded me of hijab and why are we required to wear it. You see, as I understand- for example- If a person feels the attribute of kindness in his heart, he has to manifest it by an expression of it. He might help the poor or needy in some way, donate money in an institute or simply help an unable person cross the road! It would be an irrational and invalid thing if the person simply said that he felt kind but would do nothing to express it; or on the contrary would do unkind acts. 


Similarly, if a man or a woman (lets stick to women in this case) feels within herself the attributes of haya, modesty, bashfulness, an instinct of averting her gaze from forbidden things, and a need to cover her body from others out of the sense of rightfulness, then there must be a corresponding expression for these things. It would be illogical again if she said that she feels such things and did nothing about it. Here comes the physical hijab. It is a manifestation and expression of the above and many more attributes in general which apply to both men and women. 


The beauty of it, as I understand, is how perfectly and wholly the physical and spiritual aspects of hijab are intertwined together. It is as if one is incomplete and doesn't make sense without the other. One must check whether the spiritual and social qualities of hijab are found within oneself. Or rather if one feels an inclination towards these; or feels it important to incorporate these attributes within oneself. After introspecting, it is wise to put on the physical hijab because that will be a reminder of the spiritual qualities for which it stands, for without them it would only be reduced to a piece of cloth. If we ever find ourselves lacking or slacking in its spiritual essence, the hijab on our body should fill us with the consciousness of what is required of us. So, the spiritual will prod the physical and the physical in turn will prod the spiritual. This design therefore leaves no gaps in between for it to collapse. 


"..It is the balanced fusion of the outer and the inner in the journey of this world." It is a foolproof system and a way of life that is designed by Allah SWT, and He knows best.