What is the difference between the niqab, the khimar, and the hijab, and what is the legal ruling on the obligation of each, specifying its generality and specificity?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The three terms: , khimar, and niqab, all denote covering and concealment. Hijab is the most general of them, encompassing the covering of all that a woman must conceal of her body and adornment. As for khimar, it is what a woman places on her head and lets down over her face and neck, as indicated by the Almighty's saying: "and to draw their khimars over their bosoms." Khimar is more specific than hijab, and likewise niqab, which is specifically designed to cover a woman's face with two openings for the eyes. It is obligatory for a woman, if she wears the khimar or niqab, to cover the rest of her body in front of non- men.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/38501
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 38501
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- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy