about the difference between hijab (wearing two head coverings under the jilbab) and the jilbab?

The questioner: Okay, regarding the Shari'ah hijab that we discussed last time, I am pleased that I spoke with the sisters, actually, Your Eminence, about the aspect where one is wearing the wide jilbab, which is like the abaya, but it starts from the shoulder down, and with it a prayer cover, for example, that reaches the knee. What is the difference, in the end, between this form of dress and the one where the prayer cover is underneath and the abaya is on top from the head? I am asking the question not from one side... from the practical side. The second method is more practical, easier in dress and movement, especially here, where one has to, for example, go out to bring food for her children or work or something like that, and she has no mahram. So the ease of movement is easier when she is wearing a wide jilbab and on top of it a long prayer cover, for example, that might reach the knee. So what is the difference, from the Shari'ah perspective, between this and that?

The Shaykh : Excuse me, I am afraid there is a misunderstanding, or I do not say a misinterpretation.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : What is the image you are referring to now, and you are asking what is the difference between it and what I understood from you previously? What is this image that is easier? Describe it to me?
The questioner: Because she is wearing it now.

The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner: For example, a wide jilbab and on top of it a long prayer cover to the knee, for example.

The Shaykh : Okay, is this it?
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : The difference, I am telling you now, because it is very clear.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : From the Shari'ah perspective, of course, I do not think you are among those Muslim people, men and women, who do not accept the Shari'ah ruling unless they know its wisdom.
The questioner: No, if Allah wills, I will accept it whether I know the wisdom or not.

The Shaykh : Yes, that is what I think of you, O Umm 'Amr.
The questioner: May Allah bless you and prolong your life...

The Shaykh : Therefore, allow me.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : You know that in the Noble Qur'an.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : There is a command for two things.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : The command for the khimar, which is what you were talking about, and the command for the jilbab.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Did you do both commands? That is the difference. The difference is that you applied one command and neglected another, so you must combine the two commands. Perhaps it is clear to you now?
The questioner: For example.

The Shaykh : I am saying.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Perhaps the matter is clear to you up to now?
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Is it clear?
The questioner: Yes, it is clear.

The Shaykh : Okay, I will make it clearer for you.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : You, this khimar that you said reaches such a place on the woman's body.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : And under this khimar, what is it? The one you are calling the jilbab...
The questioner: ... for example, its color is black or... so that it is very wide, nothing of the body is shown, nothing is shown.

The Shaykh : Be patient, be patient.
The questioner: ... correct.

The Shaykh : Very good. Now suppose that you threw a second khimar over that khimar.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Does that mean you returned to the problem I was asking about, what is the difference between this and that which you understood from me before, and now I have confirmed it for you by warning you that you did one command and left another?
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Now, if you put on two khimars.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : You have applied the two commands and the issue you pointed out earlier is resolved, is that not so?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Okay, so the problem is also finished, correct?
The questioner: I mean, if I put on two khimars, a khimar over the second one, the problem is finished.

The Shaykh : Yes, that is how I understand from your words.
The questioner: And the jilbab reaches the ground.

The Shaykh : And the jilbab reaches the ground, we are done with that, meaning you, may Allah bless you, are not saying...
The questioner: The pants.

The Shaykh : Yes, the pants.
The questioner: The coat reaches the ground.

The Shaykh : It reaches the ground.
The questioner: And there are two khimars.

The Shaykh : And there are two khimars, is there a problem with this?

The questioner : Yes, it is clear, the two khimars... one reaches the ground, ... to the length of the knee, for example.

The Shaykh : Subhan Allah, I have been dealing with your reality completely. Do you imagine when you describe to me that you are wearing the jilbab, which is the long coat, and on top of it the long khimar, so I am telling you, put another khimar over this long khimar.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : So you have executed the two commands and there is no such issue.
The questioner: Okay, and the two khimars are just in length.

The Shaykh : That is it.
The questioner: Okay.

The Shaykh : That is it.
The questioner: Okay.

The Shaykh : Listen.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : This is it, but there is a dispensation that the lower khimar is shorter than the upper khimar.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Now I will tell you what is the goal that the Wise Lawgiver aimed for when He commanded the combination of the khimar and the jilbab.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : First, the khimar intended is to be thrown on the head and to cover the neck and chest.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Ah, second, when a jilbab comes over this khimar, or in the way we pointed out earlier, a second khimar comes over it, so here the head and what is not covered is not exposed.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Not exposed.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : And the chest also, when there is one khimar, it is exposed, especially if the woman is well-endowed.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Do you understand me?
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Ah, so when the second khimar comes, it makes the exposure more.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : So if the lower khimar is below the breasts and the upper khimar is to below that, for example, to below, let us say, the buttocks.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : It is fine if the lower khimar is shorter than the upper khimar.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Is it clear?
The questioner: It is clear, this is the way I am wearing the khimar, long, and underneath there is... it covers the head, so even if we suppose the wind blows away the upper khimar, the head is guaranteed to be covered.

The Shaykh : Yes, but the head is not enough, may Allah bless you, as I told you.
The questioner: The head is covered, of course, from the neck, yes, this is clear, meaning.

The Shaykh : No, no, and the breasts, we told you.
The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : The lower khimar must also cover the breasts.
The questioner: Yes, yes, okay, it is clear, Your Eminence.

The Shaykh : I told you, no harm.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.

The questioner : Abu 'Abd al-Rahman.

The Shaykh : Welcome.

The questioner : If Allah wills, are you satisfied?

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, I am well.