Is it not in the interest of Islam and Muslims to focus on investing in science and weapons manufacturing for defense, and to abandon what is considered non-essential, such as the hijab, which has led to a failure to achieve peace in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Chechnya, given that these are regressive ideas from a past environment?

The statement that a woman's hijab is a sign of backwardness or a product of outdated environmental ideas is clear disbelief (kufr), because it is a denial of the Quran and Sunnah. Allah Almighty has commanded the hijab in many verses, such as His saying: "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments" and "And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition." The Sunnah also confirmed this with the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "A woman is 'awrah (nakedness), and when she goes out, the Shaytan (devil) entices her." This was also practiced by the female companions, such as Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. Adherence to the hijab is obligatory for every Muslim and does not contradict the preparation of strength. The weakness that afflicted the Ummah came after its negligence in its religion. The statement that hijab led to fitan (trials/temptations) indicates ignorance of reality.