Types of hijab
External Hijab is a phrase used to denote garments (typically female) associated with the modest dress of Muslims. It is merely one aspect of hijab which is an all encompassing "modesty" that every Muslim is called to have.
| Abaya | A type of outergarment that covers the head and body; it is all but shapeless | |
|---|---|---|
| Boushiya | File:Boushiya.jpg | A veil that is tied on at the forehead and falls to cover the entire face but has no cut-out for the eyes; instead, the fabric is sheer enough to be seen through |
| Buknuk | File:Buknuk.jpg | This is similar to Khimar (2) - see below - but comes down just to the bosom. Sometimes called "Amira hijab" if it has embroidery at the edge |
| Burqa (1) | File:Burqa (1).jpg | A veil that covers the face and entire head but with a place cut out for the eyes |
| Burqa (2) | File:Burqa (2).jpg | Also known as the Afghan Burqa. Covers the entire body and has a grille over the face that the woman looks through. May have slits for the hands |
| Chador | A type of outergarment that covers the head and body; it is sort of like Khimar (2) - see below - but comes down to the ankles or the ground. May have slits for the hands | |
| Dupatta | Also called "shayla" and "milfeh"; a type of headcovering that is wrapped around the head | |
| Hijab (1) | generic | The entire modest dress of the Muslim woman |
| Hijab (2) | generic | The headscarf; this is properly referred to as a "khimar" |
| Hijab (3) | File:Hijab (3).jpg | A type of headcovering that is a square of fabric folded into a triangle then placed over the head and fastened under the chin; this is probably the most common style |
| Jilbab (1) | generic | The term used in the Quran (Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59) to refer to the outergarment |
| Jilbab (2) | File:Jilbab (2).jpg | A type of outergarment that looks like a long raincoat or trenchcoat |
| Khimar (1) | generic | The term used in the Quran (Surah an-Nur ayah 31) to refer to the headscarf; the word "hijab" is more commonly used with this meaning |
| Khimar (2) | File:Khimar (2).jpg | The word "khimar" is most commonly used to refer to a circular type of headcovering with a hole cut out for the face, which usually comes down to the waist. Note the variations Buknuk and Chador above, which are the same style but different lengths |
| Milfeh | see above | See Dupatta |
| Niqab (1) | generic | Any type of veil for the face or outfit that covers the face |
| Niqab (2) | File:Niqab (2).jpg | A veil that is tied on at the forehead and falls to cover the entire face with a place cut out for the eyes. Also called "full niqab" |
| Niqab (3) | File:Niqab (3).jpg | A veil that is tied on at the bridge of the nose and falls to cover the lower face. Also called "half niqab" |
| Shalwar Kameez | An outfit common in Pakistan that involves a very long tunic (at least knee length) and trousers. Also worn by men | |
| Shayla | see above | See Dupatta |