Does wearing the jilbab mean that a Muslim woman should wear only one long piece, in other words, a long dress that covers the body? Can a Muslim woman wear two pieces which meet all the conditions of Islamic modest dress instead of one robe – dress- taking into account that these two pieces cover all the body, and they are not transparent, nor they do describe the body.

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Islamic Shari’s determined the condition of the Islamic dress that Muslim women should wear regardless of naming them. These clothes should meet the restrictions and conditions. Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council was once asked about the Islamic dress that a Muslim woman should wear.

He said that Allah has ordained women to observe hijab for great goals. Some of which are keeping Muslim women honored, pure, and to let them appear in the best image. Allah says: “O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they will be known (as free respectful women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Al-Ahzab: 59”

A Muslim woman who does not obey Allah and does not wear hijab is sinful as she is considered disobedient. Allah says: “And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH), and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.” An-Nisa’: 14

The restrictions that women should observe are:

1. What women wear should cover the whole body except for her face or palms. Allah says:  “And not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent.” An-Nur: 31. Ibn Abbas explains this part “except only that which is apparent” as the face, hands and worn ring
2. The dress itself should not be considered as adornment that attracts men’s attention.
3. It should be loose so as not to wrap the body to let others able to describe the body, nor should it be too thin to let others see what is below it; it should not be transparent. The prophet said: “There are two types of people who will be punished in Hell, and whom I have not seen: men having whips like the tails of cows, and they will be beating people with them, and women who will be dressed but appear to be naked…” Related by Muslim.
4. The dress (or jilbab) should not be perfumed as the Muslim woman is not allowed to go outside being perfumed.
5. Women should not wear clothes that make them look like men. The prophet said: “Allah has cursed women who imitate men and men who imitate women.” Sunan Abu Dawood.
6. The woman should not wear clothes which are similar to the clothes of disbelievers.

Finally, the Muslim woman should observe hijab and be committed to what Allah says. The prophet said: “If I forbid you to do something, then stay away from it. And if I order you to do something, then do it as much as you can.” Related by Bukhari. aa