An Analytical View on the Ruling of Face Covering (Part Three)
The Difference Between the Terms Cover and Hijab
1. Difference Between Burqa and Niqab: Both the burqa and the niqab are used to cover the face. The main distinction is that the niqab can also refer to artificial faces or masks in the shape of animals or people.
2. Difference Between Burqa and Khimar: Both the burqa and the khimar are coverings used by Muslim women. The burqa covers the entire face, while the khimar covers the head and chest.
3. Difference Between Hijab and Khimar: The hijab encompasses the whole body of a woman, whereas the khimar only covers the head.
4. Difference Between Hijab and Burqa: The hijab covers a woman’s entire body, while the burqa specifically covers and conceals the face.
5. Difference Between Hijab and Jilbab: The hijab is a comprehensive covering that fully shields a woman’s private parts from the eyes of those not privy to them. It can also refer to any barrier, such as a wall or tent, that separates two entities. In contrast, the jilbab is a specific type of outer garment worn over all clothing that covers the body, leaving only one or two eyes visible.
Conditions of the Burqa
The burqa, or Shariah veil, has specific conditions that must be met for it to be considered Shariah-compliant. If these conditions are not fulfilled, it loses its character as a Shariah covering. These conditions include:
1. It must cover the entire face, except for the area around the eyes, which should be visible to navigate effectively.
2. The material should not be so thin that the face can be seen through it.
3. The burqa should not be decorated.
4. The eyes should not have conjunctivitis.
5. The forehead and eyebrows must not be visible through the burqa.
