Hijab & Sunnah
According to Islamic teachings, should a woman's hijab be tight or loose-fitting?
Loose-fitting. Clothing should not reveal the shape/contours of the body. IslamQA lists looseness as one of the conditions of proper hijab.
Which Surah contains the well-known verse instructing believing women to draw their head coverings over their chests?
Surah An-Nur, 24:31.
What is the most fundamental reason a Muslim woman wears hijab?
To obey Allah. Hijab is first and foremost an act of obedience and submission to Allah’s command.
“You only have to start wearing hijab once you're married.”
❌ MYTH. Hijab isn't tied to marriage. Islamic rulings become applicable with religious accountability/puberty, not marital status. IslamWeb specifically states that the obligation applies to both married and unmarried women.
True or False: A woman's hijab must be black in order to fulfill the Islamic requirements of hijab.
False. There is no specific colour required for hijab. Clothing of any colour may fulfill the requirements provided the other conditions of hijab are met.
In Qur’an 24:31, what are believing women told to do with their khumur (head coverings)?
Draw them over their chests/bosoms. IslamWeb explains khimār as the head covering and cites this command in 24:31.
Hijab helps preserve what important Islamic quality relating to dress and behaviour?
Modesty (ḥayā’). IslamWeb describes preservation of modesty as one of the main purposes of hijab.
“Hijab colour doesn't have to be black.”
✅ REAL. The requirements of hijab concern things such as coverage, opacity, looseness and avoiding clothing intended to attract attention; black itself isn't listed as a requirement.
What does the Arabic word khimār refer to in the discussion of hijab?
A covering worn over the head that covers the hair/head and extends over the neck and chest/bosom. IslamWeb explains khumur as the plural of khimār in its discussion of Qur'an 24:31.
Besides instructions about covering, name two other commands given to believing women in the same hijab verse, Qur’an 24:31.
Lower their gaze and guard their chastity/private parts.
According to Qur’an 33:59, give one wisdom mentioned for drawing the outer garment over oneself.
So believing women may be recognized and not harassed/abused.
“Part of proper hijab is also avoiding perfume when going out where non-mahram men can smell it.”
✅ REAL. There are specific hadith concerning women going out wearing noticeable fragrance, including the Prophet ﷺ instructing women going to the mosque not to wear perfume.
“When any one of you comes to the mosque, she should not apply perfume.” - Sahih Muslim 443b
Abu Huraira said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Whoever (woman) fumigates herself with perfume should not join us in the 'Isha' prayer. - Sahih Muslim 444
Name three characteristics that clothing must have to fulfill the requirements of Islamic hijab.
Any 3: covers what is required to be covered; opaque/not transparent; loose-fitting; not attention-attracting adornment; not perfumed; not clothing of fame/vanity; and not resembling men's clothing. IslamQA gives a fuller list of conditions.
Complete the list: In Qur’an 33:59, the Prophet ﷺ is told to instruct his wives, his daughters, and ______ to draw their outer garments over themselves.
The women of the believers. This is also evidence that the instruction was not restricted only to the Prophet’s ﷺ wives.
True or False: The purpose of hijab is only to prevent men from looking at women.
False. The sources describe hijab more broadly as obedience to Allah, preservation of modesty, protection, dignity, and identification with Islam.
“If a woman takes her hijab off at home, angels won't enter the house.”
❌ MYTH. Okay THIS is the random aunty myth 😭. IslamWeb says there is no evidence that angels avoid a woman because her hair is uncovered. A woman doesn't have to keep her hair covered when she's alone or simply because angels are present.
True or False: Islam requires every Muslim woman to wear one specific style of clothing, such as an abaya, for her hijab to be valid.
False. The Shari'ah does not prescribe one fixed style. IslamWeb states that different types of clothing can constitute hijab when they fulfill its Islamic conditions.
Two different garments are referenced in the major Qur’anic verses concerning hijab. What are they, and what is the basic difference between them?
Khimār and jilbāb. The khimār is a head covering drawn over the neck/chest (24:31), while the jilbāb refers to an outer garment worn over the body (33:59).
Name three purposes or wisdoms of hijab discussed in Islamic teachings.
Any 3: obedience/submission to Allah, preserving modesty/chastity, protection, maintaining dignity/honour, and being recognized as a Muslim woman.
“A woman has to wear hijab even when she's completely alone outside because jinn may see her.”
❌ MYTH. If she's somewhere genuinely screened from non-mahram men, such as a private fenced area, she isn't required to cover because of the possibility of jinn seeing her; they state there is no Qur'anic or Sunnah evidence establishing that requirement.