What Is Jalbab?

Jalabib is the plural form of the word Jalbab. Many different interpretations have been made in explaining Jalbab. In his research of this word, ‘Allamah Ibn Al-Manzur concludes:

Jalbab is actually the outer sheet or coverlet which a woman wraps around on top of her garments to cover herself from head to toe. It hides her body completely. (Lisan-ul Arab,vol. 1, p. 273)

The root word is Jalbab which is basically used for such things which completely cover something. For example, the blankets we use in cold weather or the darkness of the night which covers all things completely.

Many other scholars, such as Mohammed Bin Sirin, ‘Allamah Ibn Jarir, Imam Suddi, Imam Abubakr Jassas,Imam Wahidi, and ‘Allamah Ibn Sa‘d Mohammed Bin Ka‘b Kurazi, have described the use of Jalbab in more or less the same way as the two ways described by Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him).

In addition to the scholars mentioned above, all interpreters of the Holy Qur'an, from the time of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to the present day, have consistently adhered to the same interpretation of this verse, i.e., women are required to cover themselves when coming out of their homes and that hiding of the face is included in the Hijab. To quote all these scholars would make this document unnecessarily long, but following are some examples:

 ‘Allamah Ibn Jarir writes:

In this verse, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is commanding the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to ask his wives, his daughters and to all Muslim women that they should not dress like slave girls leaving their heads and faces uncovered when they come out of their homes.

Instead, they should cover themselves with a cloak covering their faces so that nobody will stand in their way and everyone will know that they are respectable folks. (Tafsir Ibn Jarir, vol. 22, p. 29)

 ‘Allamah Nishapuri writes:

In the early days of Islam, all women used to come out dressed in knee -length shirts and scarves as was the tradition in the former Days of Ignorance. There was no difference in the dresses of street women and those from respectable families. Then Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) commanded (Muslim women) to cover their heads and faces so that people would differentiate them from the street women. (Ahkam-ul Qur'an, vol. 4, p.354)

 ‘Allamah Abu Hayyan states:

The advantage in observing Hijab is that these women are recognized as pious and respectable. Thus, the perverts would not be after them and the women would not have to face unpleasantness. Nobody will dare follow and make advances to a woman who has completely concealed herself as opposed to the one who has come out nicely decorated without Hijab; the malicious and evil-minded folks will associate great hopes with such women. (Al-Bahr-ul Muhit, vol. 7, p. 250)

These quotations are taken from some of the well-known Interpreters of the Holy Qur'an. Otherwise, almost all the scholars of the Holy Qur'an have been interpreting this verse to include hiding of the face in the commandment of Hijab. It is also noteworthy that among these scholars are the followers of all the four schools of thought. Thus, regardless of whether they are Hanafi, Shaf‘i, Humbali or Maliki, all include hiding of the face in the commandment of Hijab without any disagreement.

And, this is not a theoretical matter. We find from the Ahadith and other narrations that all women, including the wives of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), immediately implemented this commandment after the Revelation of this verse, and the use of Jalbab and Hijab by women quickly became the norm of the Muslim society. Actually, it was exemplary how readily the Muslim women obeyed and practiced it. Imam Abdul Razzaq narrated from Ummi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her):

After the Revelation of this verse, the ladies of Ansarused to come out of their homes and walk with such dignity as if there were birds sitting on their heads(which would fly away if they walked any faster). And, they used to cover themselves with big black cloaks.

It should be noted here that the modern day Burqa’ (which is used in some countries by Muslim women) also serves as Jalbab. It is this Hijab, customary among Muslim women since the beginning of Islam, which is now being abolished by those who have been influenced by the western thinking.

To accomplish this, they interpret the Holy Qur'an and Ahadith according to their own desires thereby going astray themselves and leading others on the same path. May Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) guide us and protect us from these mischiefs.