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What is the difference between the hijab of Muslim women and Jewish women? What is the understanding of Jewish women regarding the hijab, and what about some of them wearing the niqab? And is the well-known hijab of Jewish women their lawful hijab, or is it a display of adornment?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The lawful hijab does not have a specific form or attire. Rather, anything that fulfills the Islamic conditions is considered hijab, such as the head covering (khimar) which requires concealment regardless of its sewing style. Among the conditions of hijab is that it should not resemble the clothing of disbelieving women, meaning it should not be attire exclusive to them. However, if a style has become widespread among Muslim women and is no longer exclusive to disbelievers, then it does not fall under this prohibition.

Regarding the "Spanish hijab" and others, if it is an adornment in itself, or exposes part of the awrah (intimate parts), or describes the body due to its tightness, or includes other Islamic prohibitions, then it is not permissible and is considered forbidden tabarruj (display of adornment).

As for the hijab of the Jews, it is a religious law among them, but its details and boundaries are a matter of dispute among them.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy