Jilbab
Q: My question is based on my recent reading of Qur'an (specifically verses 24:31, 24:60 and 33:59) and the following Hadiths (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 32 4090, Sahih Bukhari Book 8 347, Sahih Bukhari Book 72 684, Sahih Bukhari Book 10 552 and Sunan Abu Dawud Book 32 4091) which focus on the subject of a Muslim woman's dress. My questions are:
- Is an outergarment (jilbab) compulsary?
- Is there any specifications for this jilbab such as it should cover from head-to-toe, be an overcoat etc? Or could it be any outer garment wrapped around one's body such as the dupatta or saree end (in the case of Indian clothes)?
- And if the jilbab in the form of a coat/cloak is not fard and can assume any form such as a dupatta or large headscarf over a regular skirt-and-blouse combination, then would you please explain the meaning of the verse 24:60?