Why should I wear hijab?

**Aprender** · 04-30-2011

Where I live there are so many young Muslim women today who tell me that it doesn't exactly say in the Qur'an that a woman should cover her hair. Now, I've seen the verses in the Qur'an in reference to it so I don't need those to be quoted but please do it if it's beneficial to what you're trying to explain for me and maybe other non-Muslims who may be lurking here and have the same question.

On my campus at the university the women are split into two groups. The girls who wear the hijab and the girls who don't. The girls who wear the hijab are seen as more religious and respected whereas the girls who don't wear the hijab are more so outcasts and frowned upon. Especially in MSA. This is the behavior that I am seeing as a non-Muslim. To learn more about Islam I have started to hang out with more sisters and this divide that I am seeing is a bit troubling. I've been told by the girls who don't wear it that hijab has much more to do with culture than it has to do with Islam. What are your thoughts on this?

I know my religious status here says Christian but this is something that I would like to be informed about. For all of the sisters out there why do you or don't you wear the hijab? To the men, what is your take on women who wear it in comparison to those who don't?

Just so you all know I am not against wearing hijab. In fact I respect the Muslim women so much who wear it and it puts a smile on my face every time I see a young woman with her hijab on because I see the presence of the ummah in my area which could be a reason in and of itself to wear it.

But convince me. As a non-Muslim, show me evidence, give me a reason to wear the hijab. (I am aware that there is a verse about it in the Bible)

**Aprender** · 08-09-2011

Wow. So many different perspectives put into this thread. I'll have to read through all of them when I get the chance insha'Allah as my perceptions have since changed from the time that I originally started this thread.

Peace be with you all.

**Emm87** · 09-05-2011

Hi I'm new here. Just wanted to say I think I know why the frustrations come about. We can understand during the prophet's time that women were to be protected because of how uncivilized society was then. However today I see women covered head to toe and you can't even see her eyes yet her husband wearing t shirt and shorts. What about the women looking at her husband's toned arms and legs? Isn't that bringing about unwanted attention towards the male and creating sin? There is that huge inequality in culture these days and that is what leaves some non muslims and muslims scratching their heads regarding this issue.

**GuestFellow** · 09-06-2011

Originally Posted by Emm87

Hi I'm new here. Just wanted to say I think I know why the frustrations come about. We can understand during the prophet's time that women were to be protected because of how uncivilized society was then. However today I see women covered head to toe and you can't even see her eyes yet her husband wearing t shirt and shorts. What about the women looking at her husband's toned arms and legs? Isn't that bringing about unwanted attention towards the male and creating sin? There is that huge inequality in culture these days and that is what leaves some non muslims and muslims scratching their heads regarding this issue.

Hi! Welcome to the forum. =)

Both men and women in Islam have a dress code. A Muslim man is not supposed to wear revealing clothes. To avoid confusion, it is helpful to distinguish between Islam and culture.

**Asiyah3** · 09-06-2011

Originally Posted by Emm87

Hi I'm new here. Just wanted to say I think I know why the frustrations come about. We can understand during the prophet's time that women were to be protected because of how uncivilized society was then. However today I see women covered head to toe and you can't even see her eyes yet her husband wearing t shirt and shorts. What about the women looking at her husband's toned arms and legs? Isn't that bringing about unwanted attention towards the male and creating sin? There is that huge inequality in culture these days and that is what leaves some non muslims and muslims scratching their heads regarding this issue.

Hello Emm87,

Welcome to the LI forums.

May you have a beneficial and enjoyable stay.

It seems you are under the impression that we Muslim women wear a hijab (veil) for the sake of men. This is not true. We wear the veil because we have concluded that Islam is the religion of God. We believe that God is All-knowing, All-wise, our Creator knows best what is good for us and what is harmful, and that by following His guidance we live a peaceful and balanced life both in this world and the Hereafter.

We have chosen to please God and follow His guidance in our lives, and that includes our dressing manner. Any act we do with the intention of pleasing God, is worship.

It is important to learn to distinguish between Islam and culture. Wearing the veil is a religious matter, not a cultural one, even though in some cultures women do wear the veil. This is an Islamic forum, not a forum of any particular culture. The members here as well as Muslims elsewhere come from very diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Islam is about submission to God's will, not any human's nor culture's will.

Did you know that Muslim men are forbidden to wear silk and gold? These things are allowed for women.

Why hasn't anyone claimed that Muslim men are forbidden to wear gold or silk, because of inequality?

Peace,

**Rhubarb Tart** · 09-08-2011

Men are not meant to show their legs anyways and they can’t wear shorts or tight shirts. And some women do find men’s leg attractive. Sportsmen’s leg is also commented on by non Muslim women. Just a thought…

Men’s dress code
ar - en - es - ur
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In Qur'an, it has clearly mentioned, how Women should be dressed at any country or environment whether in a Islamic country or Non-Islamic country. I want to know, how should Men be dressed at any country or environment whether in a Islamic country or in a Non-Islamic country?.

Praise be to Allaah.

There follows a summary of the rulings on dress for men. We ask Allaah to make it sufficient and beneficial.

1. The basic principle concerning everything that is worn is that it is halaal and permissible, except for that concerning which there is a text to state that it is haraam, such as silk for males, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “These two [gold and silk] are forbidden for the males of my ummah and permissible for the females.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 3640; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. Similarly it is not permissible to wear the skin of a dead animal (one that has died of natural causes) unless it has been tanned. With regard to wearing clothes made of wool, goat hair and camel hair, these are pure and permissible. For more information on the use of the skin of dead animals after tanning, please see question no. 1695 and 9022.

2. It is not permissible to wear thin or see-through clothing that does not conceal the ‘awrah.

3. It is haraam to imitate the mushrikeen and kuffaar in their manner of dress, so it is not permissible to wear clothing that is unique to the kuffaar.

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw ‘Ali wearing two garments dyed with safflower and said: “These are garments of the kuffaar; do not wear them.”

Narrated by Muslim, 2077.

4. It is haraam for women to imitate men and men to imitate women in the way they dress, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the men who imitate women and the women who imitate men.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5546.

5. It is Sunnah for a Muslim to start with the right when dressing, and to say, Bismillaah (In the name of Allaah), and to start with the left when taking clothes off.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When you get dressed and when you do wudoo’, start on the right.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4141; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 787.

6. It is Sunnah for the one who is putting on a new garment to thank Allaah and make du’aa’.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) put on a new garment, he would call it by its name, whether it was a turban, a shirt or a cloak, then he would say: “Allaahumma laka al-hamd anta kasawtanihi as’aluka khayrahu wa khayri ma suni’a lah wa a’oodhu bika min sharrihi wa sharri ma suni’a lah (O Allaah, to You be all praise. You have clothed me with it. I ask You for the good of it and the good for which it was made, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of it and the evil for which it was made).”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1767; Abu Dawood, 4020; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4664.

7. It is Sunnah to pay attention to keeping one's clothes clean, without feeling arrogant or exaggerating about that.

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one will enter Paradise in whose heart is a mustard-seed of arrogance.” A man said: “What if a man likes his clothes to look nice and his shoes to look nice?” He said: “Allaah is Beautiful and loves beauty; arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”

Narrated by Muslim, 91.

8. It is mustahabb to wear white clothes

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Wear white clothes, for they are the best of your clothes, and shroud your dead in them.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 994, hasan saheeh. This is what the scholars regarded as mustahabb. Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 4061; Ibn Maajah, 1472.

9. It is haraam for the Muslim man to let any garment he wears hang down beneath his ankles (an action known as isbaal); the limit for any garment is the ankles.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said; “Whatever of the lower garment is beneath the ankles is in the Fire.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5450.

It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three to whom Allaah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and will not look at them or praise them, and theirs will be a painful torment.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) repeated it three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they be doomed and lost; who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said: “The one who lets his garment hang beneath his ankles, the one who reminds others of favours he has done, and the one who sells his product by means of false oaths.”

Narrated by Muslim, 106.

10. It is haraam to wear garments of fame and vanity, which means a garment that stands out from others so that people will look at the wearer and he will become known for it.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever wears a garment of fame and vanity, Allaah will dress him in a garment like it on the Day of Resurrection.”

According to another version, “…then set it ablaze.” And according to a third version, “will dress him in a garment of humiliation.”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4029; Ibn Maajah, 3606 and 3607; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 2089.

The brother may also refer to the section on Dress in this website, where there is more information.

And Allaah knows best.

According to the Hanafi Madhab, the Satar for males (those parts of the body
which must be covered) is from the navel uptil the knees, excluding the
navel itself and including the knees. (Bahrur raaiq vol.8 pg.192)

This means that it is not permissible for a man to expose his knees or
thighs or to look at the knees or thighs or to look at the knees or thighs
of another male. In such circumstances, it will be permissible to wear such
shorts which hang below and comfortably cover the knees.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Question
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Is it permissible for a Muslim male to wear shorts that fall just above the knee? Or to wear shorts at all?

Regards,

Question from United Kingdom
Answer
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Under normal circumstances, especially while interacting with the opposite sex, the Qur'an has directed Muslim men to keep themselves clothed in an attire, which is recognized by the society as decent (one which should at least cover his private parts). The commonly worn attire of a Muslim as explained by the Prophet (pbuh), according to a few narratives ascribed to him, should adequately cover his private parts down to below his knees. This directive ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) actually implies that a man (as well as a woman) should strictly refrain from exposing any part of their bodies, without a reasonable cause for doing so. In other words, the stated directive refers particularly to normal circumstances, which do not require a person to expose any part of his body. However, under a situation, which requires a person to wear shorts, as in a hockey-field or a swimming pool for instance, a person may wear shorts. Nevertheless, where the situation does not require him to expose any part of his body, he should strictly refrain from doing so.

In the light of the foregoing explanation, one may decide for oneself whether the situation is such, which allows a person to wear shorts or not. As far as the attire of a Muslim man, under normal circumstances, is concerned, I am more inclined toward holding that wearing shorts is against the spirit of Islam, even though the Shari`ah has not expressly prohibited it.

**Emm87** · 09-11-2011

Exactly people get confused because here in the west esp. I've seen women covered from head to toe and their husbands are dressed revealing. Women look at men as well

There is a fine line between Islamic teachings and just culture/traditions themselves helping to form people's opinion.

I personally think both men and women can dress modestly in a general sense at least. When a woman shows a lot of cleavage and not just men but everyone's gaze quickly goes there while talking to her. Then the woman complains about it afterwards but it is to be expected! Same for men showing off their toned bodies. Why would you want to grab other spouses attention in that way for example? It's an awkward situation all around, its just about common decency.

**Emm87** · 09-11-2011

Did you know that Muslim men are forbidden to wear silk and gold? These things are allowed for women.

Why hasn't anyone claimed that Muslim men are forbidden to wear gold or silk, because of inequality?

Secondly, how and why would men wearing shorts create sin?

Hi and thank you all for the welcome! Some men have toned muscles and that may draw attention. In my opinion men wearing silver chains brings about just as much attention as gold or silk. I really don't understand that one. I personally hate gold chains, prefer silver myself

I understand at the time esp. women are to be protected, it is for their own good and overall dressing modestly is important! But the men shouldn't be excluded from that because women can stare at men and have immoral thoughts as well and the whole sense is not to bring about that kind of attention to one self...man or woman.

**Salahudeen** · 09-12-2011

I'm sure this has been mentioned but I haven't read the whole thread, anyway men have a dress code that they have to follow too, it's just many men don't follow it but the religious one's who follow the religion do.

**Ali Mujahidin** · 09-12-2011

Originally Posted by Emm87

women can stare at men

In Islam, both men and women are enjoined to lower their gaze so as to avoid the temptation of immodest thoughts. I remember reading about one incident concerning a sahabah who, on getting aroused by the sight of a woman's bosom while he was outside his home, immediately went home to relieve himself with his wife. Nowadays it is more likely that a man so aroused would have relieved himself with that other woman instead.

**Hulk** · 11-30-2011

Some sisters have the mindset that "it is the inside that counts, what i wear is merely an outside thing.", but the outside is a manifestation of what is on the inside. Similarly, if we want to improve ourselves in terms of being a better muslim. We should strive to change both. And which is easier to change first? The outside of course. And soon the inside will follow inshallah.

**Emm87** · 12-27-2011

I personally believe women can cover as much as they believe is best. I don't think you need to cover everything but your eyes to be "modest" and a good human being.

**Muhammad** · 12-27-2011

Greetings,

Originally Posted by Emm87

I personally believe women can cover as much as they believe is best. I don't think you need to cover everything but your eyes to be "modest" and a good human being.

This is the difference between following Islam and following any other path. Islam is about submission to God's Will and recognising that His knowledge and wisdom far supercedes ours, and thus following His guidelines is the only way to success. This is why a person who recognises God puts their own opinions aside and follows the guidance given by God instead.

On the topic of Hijab, I read the following about Tawakel Karman (the 2nd Muslim woman to win a Nobel Prize and the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate to date):

When asked about her Hijab by journalists and how it is not proportionate with her level of intellect and education, she replied:

"Man in the early times was almost naked, and as his intellect evolved he started wearing clothes. What I am today and what I'm wearing represents the highest level of thought and civilisation that man has achieved, and is not regressive. It's the removal of clothes again that is regressive, back to ancient times."

**Crystal** · 12-27-2011

This was an interesting thread to read. As I am currently thinking to become Muslim it is definitely an important thing for me to think about. I do think that how you dress does affect how people treat you - I wear casual clothing in general and I definitely can notice guys treat you differently when you wear revealing clothing. Obviously if you are standing beside a girl with revealing top and you are wearing a jumper the guy is more interested in her. So I can see the logic behind hijab. I do think though that modesty differs from culture to culture although some of you may disagree with this..I think even wearing loose jeans and a cardigan in one country would attract attention if it is not popular form of dress ...then wearing the same outfit for example in another country may not attract attention because women wear more revealing things..i duno if I explained that well lol!

I definitely respect women who dress modestly, I can't stand the way kids and teenagers dress these days - it seems like kids are becoming more and more older (yet immature) and like some of the things they wear I don't understand how their parents let them go out like that! I am only 20 so its not like i am an old person complaining about the young generations :P

**Emm87** · 12-28-2011

Originally Posted by Muhammad

On the topic of Hijab, I read the following about Tawakel Karman (the 2nd Muslim woman to win a Nobel Prize and the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate to date):

When asked about her Hijab by journalists and how it is not proportionate with her level of intellect and education, she replied:

"Man in the early times was almost naked, and as his intellect evolved he started wearing clothes. What I am today and what I'm wearing represents the highest level of thought and civilisation that man has achieved, and is not regressive. It's the removal of clothes again that is regressive, back to ancient times."

If that is the case men and women should practically all be wearing "burqas" as a sign of moving "forward."

The truth is the headcover was something that women wore in Arabia before Islam, the Quran goes a bit further to say to cover the chest as well.

**CosmicPathos** · 12-28-2011

I am a bit confused here. So the concept of "hijab" also applies to men? I did not know that I am sinning by wearing knee-length shorts (my calves are naked) and flip flops in summer. :S What is the difference between "hijab" of men and satr of men?

**Afifa** · 12-28-2011

Asalaam 'Alaykum

Satr is what needs to be covered. Hijab describes the way your satr is covered but Hijab is a word specifically used more for women. A man's satr is from his navel to his knees but that doesn't mean they don't need to cover the rest of their bodies. A womans satr is ofcourse her whole body.

**Marina-Aisha** · 12-28-2011

i was saything this to my partner that he should always cover his knees he was like no just when i go to the mosque, i kept telling him its all the time like women...just cos ur man doesnt mean u can pick and choose.

**Muhammad** · 12-28-2011

Greetings,

Originally Posted by Emm87

If that is the case men and women should practically all be wearing "burqas" as a sign of moving "forward."

Nowhere is the implication that men and women should dress exactly the same. God has given a dress code for women and and a dress code for men. In the case of women, then yes, they should all be wearing burqas as a sign of moving forward.

The truth is the headcover was something that women wore in Arabia before Islam, the Quran goes a bit further to say to cover the chest as well.

Hijab is not only about covering the head or the chest, rather it is covering the whole body. Moreover, Allaah (swt) enjoined upon Muslim women good conduct and manners which were not present before Islam. During the time of ignorance before Islam, women would engage in much shameless behaviour and if they were to put a covering on their heads, it would not be tied properly such that necklaces, earrings and their necks could be seen. Islam guided women to far superior behaviour, as Allaah (swt) says in the Qur'an, the interpretation of which is:

"O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allāh, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech. And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance...” [Qur'an 33:32-33]

**fahim kamran** · 01-17-2012

Hijab: A commandment of the Quran and Sunna

In the first part of this article, I have argued that part of our commitment to Allah SWT is to trust that He knows what is best for us and that what He has commanded is what is right. I said that if we find ourselves disliking the way that He has set for us, our challenge is not to ignore or to try to change His command, but rather it is to seek for ourselves the wisdom in the command and to surrender to His will. If we don't like what He has commanded, we should try to change ourselves not Him. We should try to find reasons why His command is right and will be beneficial for us, and we should try to motivate ourselves through this to obey the command.

In the second part of the article, I have established why the Quran and Sunna are where we look to find what Allah SWT has commanded. Neither one can be taken alone but they both go together.

So, what do the Quran and Sunna say about hijab? There are two ayat of the Quran that deal with hijab. These are Surah an-Nur ayah 31 and Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59. Let's look at what these ayat say, and how the Prophet (sAas) has explained them.

Surah an-Nur ayah 31 says:

Wa qul li al-mu'minat yaghdudna min absarihinna wa yahfazna furujahunna wa laa yubdina zenatahunna illa maa zahara min haa wal-yadribna bi khumurihinna ala juyubihinna; wa laa yubdina zenatahunna illa li bu'ulatihinna aw aba'ihinna aw aba'i bu'ulatihinna aw abna'ihinna aw abna'i bu'ulatihinna aw ikhwanihinna aw bani ikhwanihinna aw bani akhawatihinna aw nisa'ihinna aw maa malakat aymanu hunna aw at-tabi'ina ghayri ulu'l-irbat min ar-rijal aw at-tifl alladhina lam yazharu ala awrat an-nisa wa laa yadribna bi arjulihinna li yu'lama maa yukhfina min zenatahinna. Wa tubu ilaAllahi jami'an, ayyuha al-mu'minun la'allakum tuflihun

And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful

Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 says:

Ya ayyuha an-Nabiyy qul li azwajika wa banatika wa nisa al-mu'minin yudnina alayhinna min jalabib hinna; dhalika adna an yu'rafna fa laa yu'dhayn. Wa kana Allahu Ghafur Rahim

O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments (jilbabs) close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle.

Together, these two ayat lay out seven commandments for Muslim sisters:

1. "to lower their gazes"
2. "to guard their private parts"
3. "not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it"
4. "to extend their headcoverings to cover their bosoms"
5. "not to display their beauty except to their husbands or their fathers..."
6. "not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide"
7. "to draw their outergarments close around themselves"

It can be seen that three of these commandments relate to behavior. These are:

* lowering the gaze
* guarding the private parts
* not striking the feet on the ground so as to give knowledge of what is hidden

Lowering the gaze means not looking at what is forbidden to be seen of others. Guarding the private parts means that only the husband is allowed to see or touch them. Not giving knowledge of what is hidden means not posturing or strutting around so as to jangle hidden jewelry or make men think about hidden body parts. All of these are part of what Allah SWT has commanded in regard to hijab.

The other four commandments relate to dress, and can really be expressed as three rules:

* not displaying the beauty beyond "what is apparent of it" except to the people listed in 24:31
* extending the headcovering to cover the bosom
* drawing the outergarment close around

What exactly is the meaning of each of these rules? For this, we need to look to the Sunna, because the Sunna shows us how the Prophet (sAas) explained the Quran.

The Prophet (sAas) explained to Asma bint Abu Bakr (rAa) that the phrase "what is apparent of it" refers to the face and hands. This is narrated by Aisha Umm al-Muminin (rAa), Qatada (rAa), and Asma bint Umais (rAa). This has been confirmed as the explanation of the phrase by the following scholars:

Sahaba: Aisha Umm al-Muminin (rAa), ibn Abbas (rAa), Anas ibn Malik (rAa), and Miswar ibn Makhrama (rAa)

Tabi'un: Ata (rAa), Qatada (rAa), Sa'id ibn Jubayr (rAa), Mujahid (rAa), al-Hasan (rAa), and al-Dahhak (rAa)

Commentators on the Quran: Imam Tabari, Imam Zamakhshari, Imam Razi, and Imam Qurtubi

In fact, the majority of scholars have agreed that the phrase "what is apparent of it" refers to the face and hands. For further information, please see Opinions of Scholars in Favor of Displaying the Face and Hands.

Therefore, the first rule can really be phrased as "do not display the beauty except for the face and hands around non-mahram men". This is the basic rule of hijab. You must recognize it. This is where it comes from. It is nothing other than the Prophet's (sAas) explanation of the Quran.

The second rule is to extend the headcovering (khimar) to cover the bosom. The commentators on the Quran have explained exactly what this command entails:

Imam Abu Abdullah Qurtubi: "Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears, in the manner of the Christians. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar."

Imam Abu'l-Fida ibn Kathir: "'Extend their khimars to cover their bosoms' means that they should wear the khimar in such a way that they cover their chests so that they will be different from the women of the jahiliyyah who did not do that but would pass in front of men with their chests uncovered and with their necks, forelocks, and earrings uncovered."

From this we can see that the jahili women wore their khimars kaffiyah-style, with the ends tossed over their backs. This covered most of the hair, but left the forelock (front of the hair), the ears, the neck, and the upper chest uncovered. Then when the commandment, "Extend their khimars to cover their bosoms," was revealed, the women secured their khimars around the circles of their faces, fastened them at the chin, and let the ends drape down toward their bosoms. This would cover the forelock, the ears, the neck, and the upper chest, just as Imam Qurtubi and Imam ibn Kathir have indicated. And the end result is clearly a headscarf.

So what we have is that all of the body except the face and hands is commanded to be covered around non-mahram men (by the clause "not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it"), and the covering of the hair, ears, neck, and upper chest is specifically to be accomplished by the khimar (headscarf).

These are the two rules indicated by Surah an-Nur ayah 31, and once we understand how the Prophet (sAas) explained the meaning of the ayah, we can see that it clearly and explicitly sets out the dress of the Muslim sister around non-mahram men: a headscarf and conservative clothing that together cover everything but the face and the hands.

There is also the commandment in Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 to wear a jilbab (outergarment). According to the majority of the scholars, this commandment applies when a sister is outdoors or in open public places (like the market or the masjid). The jilbab is thus the modest Islamic coat that goes over our modest Islamic clothes whenever we would wear a coat.