What is the Difference Between Hijab and Jilbab?

What is the difference between hijab and jilbab? Hijab is a head covering worn to cover the hair, ears, and neck. Jilbab is a loose, long outer garment that is worn on top of clothing to cover the body. There are many Muslim women who wear them both, but each does a different job. Both words have also undergone changes in their meanings, making it easy to be confused. 

What is a hijab?

The word "hijab" is commonly used to describe the scarf worn by a Muslim woman to cover her head in daily life. It is long enough to cover the hair, ears, and neck, and is typically long enough to cover the chest, but not the face. It can be made out of a variety of fabrics and styles, ranging from basic jersey wraps to pinned chiffon.

In fact, the Arabic translation for hijab is a barrier or a screen. In the Quran, it is used only for a physical partition (33:53), but not for a piece of clothing. In the course of time, its meaning came to refer to the headscarf itself and many Muslims use it today to refer to modesty in general, encompassing not only modesty in dress but also modesty in behaviour. 

What is a jilbab?

A jilbab is a long, loose robe put over one's clothes. It falls down to ankles, has long sleeves and it's designed to not reveal body shape. There are some jilbabs that are a single loose piece with a separate scarf. Some are available in two parts, where a long headpiece hangs down from the top. What is the difference between hijab and jilbab? A hijab is a head covering, whereas a jilbab is a loose outer garment that covers the body.

The term is derived from the Quran, where it is stated that believing women should draw their jalabib (plural of jilbab) over themselves (33:59). According to the classical scholars, it was a long outer garment placed over the other garment while going outdoors.

This word may vary in meaning from place to place. Jilbab refers to the outer garment of full length in the UK and the Arab world. In Indonesia, jilbab is the daily term used for a headscarf. 

What the Quran says about modest dress

The Quran doesn’t use the word hijab for a headscarf. Two verses are usually cited on women’s dress:

• Surah An-Nur (24:31) tells believing women to draw their khimar, a head covering, over their chests.

• Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59) tells them to draw their jalabib over themselves so they are recognised and not harassed.

Most scholars agree that in public, a woman should cover everything except her face and hands. Some schools of thought say the face should be covered too. Scholars differ on whether a separate jilbab is required. Many contemporary scholars hold that any outfit that is loose, opaque and covers the body meets the requirement. Others say a distinct outer garment should be worn on top whenever a woman leaves home.

Men’s head coverings vary by region too. A shemagh is common in the Gulf and Jordan, and if you’re unsure how a kufiya shemagh differs from a keffiyeh, our comparison guide covers it.

Hijab vs jilbab at a glance

Two other terms often come up alongside these. A khimar is a longer head covering that drapes over the shoulders and chest, often to the waist. A niqab covers the face and leaves the eyes visible.

Modest dress for men too

Modesty isn’t only about women. In Surah An-Nur, the instruction to lower the gaze and guard modesty is addressed to men first (24:30), in the verse just before the one about women. Scholars hold that a man must cover at least the area between his navel and knees. For prayer and public life, many men prefer loose, full-length clothing.

That’s where thobes come in. A thobe does for men much of what the jilbab does for women: it’s a single loose garment that covers the body without showing its shape. The style changes by region. The Emirati version is called a kandura, and our guide to the kandura thobe explains how the two differ.

Choosing what’s right for you

Begin with what you want to cover and then consider practicality. Inspect the fabric to ensure it is not transparent, especially in daylight. Ensure that the jilbab is not too tight on shoulders and hips, and that it is long enough to fall to the ankles when you walk.

In the UK, for the winter months, a jilbab in crepe or a thicker jersey can be worn over a jumper. In summer and on holiday in hot places, a lighter nida or chiffon would be more appropriate. Many women who don the hijab for a few days to pray in a mosque or Eid prefer to first wear the jilbab alongside the hijab, as it seems easier for the novice. 

 In colder months, a Moroccan thobe with hood adds warmth without losing coverage.

The Bottom Line

The hijab is a head covering, and the jilbab is for the body over clothes. They are both derived from the concept of modesty in the Quran, and many women wear them both. When you must choose between styles, it is essential that you are aware of the rulings and that you know what your own lifestyle is and what suits you. 

Frequently asked questions

Is wearing a jilbab compulsory in Islam?

Scholars differ on this. Most agree a woman must dress loosely and cover everything except her face and hands in public. Some say a separate outer jilbab is required whenever she goes out. Others say any loose, opaque outfit that meets those conditions is enough. If you’re unsure, ask a scholar you trust.

Can I wear a jilbab without a hijab?

A one-piece jilbab covers your body but not your head, so you’ll still need a hijab or khimar with it. A two-piece jilbab comes with an attached head covering, so you don’t need a separate scarf.

What’s the difference between a jilbab and an abaya?

They’re very similar. Abaya is the usual name in the Gulf, where it’s often a flowing black cloak, sometimes open at the front. Jilbab is the more common word in the UK, North Africa and the Levant, and it usually refers to a closed, fitted-at-the-shoulder design, often with a matching head covering. Many shops use the two names for the same thing.

Can I wear a jilbab to school or work in the UK?

Usually, yes. Religion is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, so employers and schools must not discriminate on religious grounds. They can still set reasonable dress codes, though. In 2006, the House of Lords ruled that a school hadn’t breached a pupil’s rights by refusing her a jilbab, because its uniform already offered a modest alternative. What is the difference between hijab and jilbab is also relevant when considering religious dress, as a hijab covers the head, while a jilbab is a loose outer garment. Check the uniform or dress policy, and ask about adjustments if you need them.

What’s the best fabric for a jilbab in the UK?

Crepe and heavier jersey are good choices for most of the year. Both are opaque, hang loosely and don’t crease much in a bag. Nida is light and floaty, so it suits warm days and travel. Avoid thin chiffon unless it’s lined, because it can turn see-through in sunlight.