Is the Jilbab (outer garment) Obligatory? 

Answer:

There have been several questions about this.

Allah Most High says:

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons. That is most convenient that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful". (Surah al-Ahzab, 59).

As Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam explained in his answer:

"A jilbab [f: the Qur'anic term, translated above as "their outer garments"] is an outer garment that women must wear when emerging in front of strangers. This garment must be wide, loose, and modest and covers the body completely."

What is meant by an outer garment is something that:

• covers the awrah,
• is thick and non-transparent,
• loose,
• and modest.

This can be something that is a separate loose garment worn over one's clothes, or simply loose clothing that fulfills the abovementioned conditions, as the scholars explicitly mention.

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani

MMVIII © Faraz Rabbani and SunniPath.
All rights reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of both copyright holders. For permission, please submit a request at our Helpdesk.

Now What?

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.

Through joining an online class at SunniPath Academy, you can benefit from convenient, online courses that will give you access to reliable scholars and our popular curriculum learning tracks. Knowledge gained in these courses will both build your iman and assist you in putting into practice what you learn. Don't give yourself less than you deserve, register today.

Related Links:

1. Why you'll love our courses
2. How SunniPath courses work (video)
3. What our students say
4. Our current available courses