Why the Jilbaab?

The Mention of Jilbab in Primary Muslim Religious Sources

The authority of the requirement for women to wear the jilbab is the Qur'an itself. In the chapter of al-Ahzab (The Confederates) the following verse instructs Prophet Muhammad:

"O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their jalabib (pl. of jilbab) close around them; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle."[1]

The divine wisdom for instructing women to wear the jilbab mentioned in the above verse is so that women be modestly attired and not be subject to the irreverent insults of the unscrupulous.

The obligation of jilbab is also derived from the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), which is the second primary source of law for Muslims.

Narrated Umm Atiyya: We were ordered to bring out our menstruating women and screened women to the religious gatherings and invocation of the Muslims on the two Eid festivals. These menstruating women were to keep away from the musalla. A woman asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What about one who does not have a jilbab?" He said, "Let her borrow the jilbab of her companion."[2]

The above understanding was practised by women at the time of the revelation of the above verse as the following reports indicate:

Narrated Umm Salama, (A wife of the Prophet): When the verse, "That they should draw their jalabib close around them" was revealed, the women of Ansar (inhabitants of Madinah) came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing jalabib."[3]

Narrated Aisha (Another wife of the Prophet): The wife of Rifa'a al-Qurazi came to Allah's Messenger while I was sitting...and she was showing the fringe of her jilbab.[4]

[1]Surah-al-Ahzab [33:59]
[2]Sahih Bukhari Book 8/347
[3]Sunan Abu Dawud 32/4090
[4]Sahih Bukhari Book 72/684

(source of above text: http://www.hizb.org.uk/opinions/index.php?id=3093)