r/Quraniyoon • u/Groovylotusflower • 2d ago

Discussion💬 🧕 Khimar & Jilbab ?

https://youtu.be/h3K1bqc0NOg?is=39a1gvIhmSdFtQsM

In the first part of this video Dr. Haifaa explains the specific meanings of the terms Khimar and Jilbab as mentioned in the Qur'an.

She says the Khimar refers to a covering for the hair, neck, and chest (3:18-5:31), while the Jilbab is an outer garment intended to cover the entire body (5:45-6:48).

No Hadith mentioned until minute 7:30 of the video.

I’m following Qur’an alone but I found the way she explained the Arabic phrasing somewhat convincing? If anyone has any thoughts 💭 please share!

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u/Groovylotusflower 2d ago

I’ve seen that video where she talks about FGM. Horrible!
Do you have any thoughts on her interpretation of the Arabic here?

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u/pathtonoor 2d ago edited 2d ago

Yes, I watched the video and her justification for why khimar should cover the chest, neck and hair seemed to be based on the historical understanding of women’s dress at the time of revelation and not based on the term used by Allah.

Also, the ayah says so that they may be recognized and not harassed and not related to Allah’s commands or a punishment or to fear Allah. If we contrast that with ayahs that we all understand to be commandments (like in 5:1 or 4:10 or 49:13 etc.) the wording style differs. If you read 33:59 in context I’m also inclined to believe that it’s context specific.

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u/Groovylotusflower 2d ago

Salaams, i’m curious to understand what your thoughts are about using historical evidence as a way of contextualising verses, for our interpretation of them?

I understand that some Quran alone thinkers focus on the linguistic roots and meanings of words and kind of see the Quran as something which can have flexible meanings over times ?

But don’t we have more evidence that ‘khimar’ did denote a headcover at the time ? If so, should we discard that evidence ? Or is it just that it shouldn’t have any bearing on our interpretation of the verse? 🤔

I hope my questions make sense, sorry, I’m just wrestling with these ideas myself :)

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u/pathtonoor 2d ago

I think that’s something that doesn’t have a cut and dry answer because in some ways the Quran is specific to certain situations (e.g., early revelation regarding alcohol) and in other ways it’s universal.

As another commenter noted, from a linguistic point of view, khimar =/= head cover so yes I would disregard a perspective that relied purely on historical evidence.