Is the khimar or jilbab intended for its own sake, or is any garment that fulfills their function permissible?
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Another questioner : Regarding the same issue, [An-Nur 24:31] the interpretation is that this should cover the chest. So, does this scarf in this form, without being on the chest, suffice?
The Shaykh : Here the issue returns to whether the khimar is intended for its own sake, or if anything that covers what the khimar covers is acceptable.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The same is said about the jilbab as is said about the khimar. If the scarf fulfills the function of the khimar, and in my opinion it does not, because often the scarf is not fixed on the head; it moves and shifts, whereas the khimar that is wrapped around the neck and head becomes one piece for the head. So the scarf does not fulfill the function of the khimar in current reality. I mean, what they call the jilbab today, which is the long pants, also does not fulfill the function of the Shari'ah jilbab, either because it is short, or because it is tight, or because it is form-fitting, and so on. Therefore, the garment with which a woman covers her body must be wide and thick, and not transparent, as mentioned regarding the hijab of the Muslim woman. In summary, the scarf does not fulfill the function of the khimar.
to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests
يضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهنThe Shaykh : Here the issue returns to whether the khimar is intended for its own sake, or if anything that covers what the khimar covers is acceptable.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The same is said about the jilbab as is said about the khimar. If the scarf fulfills the function of the khimar, and in my opinion it does not, because often the scarf is not fixed on the head; it moves and shifts, whereas the khimar that is wrapped around the neck and head becomes one piece for the head. So the scarf does not fulfill the function of the khimar in current reality. I mean, what they call the jilbab today, which is the long pants, also does not fulfill the function of the Shari'ah jilbab, either because it is short, or because it is tight, or because it is form-fitting, and so on. Therefore, the garment with which a woman covers her body must be wide and thick, and not transparent, as mentioned regarding the hijab of the Muslim woman. In summary, the scarf does not fulfill the function of the khimar.
Source
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