A question for students of Islam

[jmowreader]

What is the difference between hijab and burqa?

I hear the two terms and they both seem to refer to a garment worn over the head of an Islamic woman. But is hijab just a cloth that covers the hair and burqa a cloth that covers the face, or is it just two words for the same garment?

[ornotna]

1. From The Institute of Islamic Information and Education...

Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

Does this help?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. From The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an

by Abdullah Yusuf Ali (a translation of the Holy Qur'an with commentary-one used by Sufis I know-please remember that Sufis are a liberal sect of Islam and by some are considered heretics):

O Prophet! Tell
Thy wives and daughters,
And the believing women,
That they should cast
Their outer garments over
Their persons (when abroad):
That is most convenient,
That they should be known
(As such) and not molested.
And Allah is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful.

In the notes:

Jibab, plural Jalaibib: an outer garment: a long gown covering the whole body, or a cloak covering the neck and bosom.

Another note:
the object was not to restrict the liberty of women but to protect them from harm and moestation. In the East and the West a distinctive public dress of some sort or antoher has alawys been a badge of honour or distinction, both among men and women. This can be traced back to the earliest civilisations. Assyrian Law in its palmiest days (say, 7th century BC), enjoined the veiling of married women and forbade the veiling of slaves and women of ill fame: see Camridge Ancient History III, 107.

In a Hadith (saying of the Prophet)it is said that he said that a Muslim should dress in the manner of the country in which the person lives. Coupled with this is the Qur'anic admonition to dress modestly. That is why many Muslims in this country don't dress distinctively, but modestly try to blend in with others.

[Booberdawg]

2. I thought that said a question for student loans.

nevermind