The Quran defines hijab as both an inner and outer expression of modesty, commanding believing women to cover with the khimar and jilbab in Surah An-Nur and Surah Al-Ahzab. These verses establish hijab not as culture, but as divine guidance rooted in dignity, identity, and faith.

The concept of “hijab” in Islam is much deeper than just a headscarf; it’s an entire system of modesty and conduct for both men and women.

However, the question is most often about the specific dress code for Muslim women. To understand this, we must look directly at the primary Quranic verses that guide us. 

Is Hijab Mentioned in Quran?

Yes, hijab is mentioned in Quran. The Quran explicitly mandates the hijab for Muslim women, not as a cultural tradition, but as a divine command for modesty and protection. 

Where in the Quran Does It Say to Wear Hijab?

The command for the woman’s covering is stated explicitly in Surah An-Nur and Surah Al-Ahzab

Surah An-Nur (24:31): With the command to draw the khimar (head-covering) over the bosom.

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59): With the command to wear the jilbab (outer-garment).

The Quranic Instruction for Hijab in Surah An-Nur

This verse from Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24) is perhaps the most direct instruction regarding the believing woman’s personal covering. Allah Almighty says:

“وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ” 

“wa qul lil-mu’mināti yaghdudna min absārihinna wa yahfazna furūjahunna wa lā yubdīna zīnatahunna illā mā zahara minhā wal-yadribna bi-khumurihinna ‘alā juyūbihinna” 

“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests…” (Quran 24:31)

The crucial instruction here is “wal-yadribna bi-khumurihinna ‘alā juyūbihinna” (and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests).

The Arabic word khumur (خُمُر) is the plural of khimar (خِمَار). This is not a generic word for “cloth.” A khimar was known to the Arab women at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) as a head-covering.

The command here is not just to wear a khimar—they were already doing that—but to draw it (yadribna) over their juyub (the neckline, bosom, or upper chest area). 

The previous practice was to wear the khimar but let it hang down the back, leaving the neck and upper chest exposed. This verse specifically commanded them to bring that head-covering forward to conceal those areas.

This is a beautiful example of the Quran’s precision. Understanding the specific meaning of khimar is a subtlety that becomes truly clear when you study Quranic Arabic. It’s not just “scarf,” it’s a specific item, and the verb “to draw” (يضربن) is a specific action. 

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The Quran’s Guidance on Hijab in Surah Al-Ahzab

This second key verse, from Surah Al-Ahzab (Chapter 33), addresses the outer garment. This verse provides the wisdom behind this command: identification and protection.

“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا” 

“Yā ayyuhan-nabiyyu qul li-azwājika wa banātika wa nisā-il-mu’minīna yudnīna ‘alayhinna min jalābībihinn; dhālika adnā an yu’rafna fa-lā yu’dhayn. Wa kānallāhu ghafūran rahīmā” 

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)

Here, Allah uses the word jalabib (جَلَابِيب), which is the plural of jilbab (جِلْبَاب).

A jilbab is a large, loose, non-transparent outer garment that would cover a woman’s entire body and her everyday clothes. The command is “yudnīna ‘alayhinna” (to bring down over themselves).

The great scholars of tafseer, like Ibn Abbas (a companion of the Prophet), explained this verse meant that women were to cover their entire bodies.

The wisdom is stated clearly in the verse itself: “dhālika adnā an yu’rafna” (That is more suitable that they will be known). Known as what? As pious, modest, believing women—not as those who are immodest. This recognition, in turn, leads to their protection: “fa-lā yu’dhayn” (and not be abused).

It is a mark of honor, identity, and safety.

Grasping the difference between the khimar (the head-covering drawn over the bosom) and the jilbab (the all-encompassing outer-garment) is essential. 

These precise terms are why a dedicated Tafseer Course is so valuable; it moves beyond simple translation to the actual context and linguistic meaning.

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Hijab in the Quran is an Inward and Outward Command

From these two verses, it is clear that the Quran’s guidance on hijab is not ambiguous. It is a divine command for believing women to cover their bodies in a specific way.

But it is vital to remember the context. Notice that the verse in Surah An-Nur begins with the command to “lower their gaze and guard their modesty.”

The physical covering is the outer manifestation of an inner state of haya (modesty, shyness, and God-consciousness). 

One cannot be separated from the other. The physical act reinforces the inner state, and the inner state gives meaning to the physical act.

This connection between action (fiqh) and spirit (iman) is a core theme you will find throughout a comprehensive Islamic Studies Online Course, which connects all the pieces of our beautiful deen.

Read Also: What Does The Quran Say About Women?

Can You Recite Quran Without Hijab?

Yes, women can recite Quran without hijab. There is no religious ruling from the Quran or the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that states a woman must be wearing her khimār or jilbāb simply to recite the Quran.

Here, we must distinguish between two different acts: recitation and Salah (the formal prayer).

1. For Salah (Prayer)

Yes, for a woman’s formal prayer to be valid, she must be properly covered (including her head), based on clear instructions from the Sunnah (the Prophet’s way). This is a condition of the prayer itself.

2. For Recitation

This is different. You can recite Quran from memory, or read from your phone, at any time. If you are reading from the physical book (the Mushaf), the main point of etiquette taught by scholars revolves around being in a state of purity (wudu/ablution), though there is discussion on this as well. But the head-covering is not considered a requirement for recitation.

Read Also: Where in the Quran Does It Say Music is Haram?

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Conclusion

The Quranic verses in Surah An-Nur and Surah Al-Ahzab clearly outline the principles of hijab, describing both the khimar and jilbab as essential elements of modesty for believing women. 

These commands emphasize the importance of covering while maintaining honor and protection in society.

Beyond external attire, the Quran presents hijab as a reflection of haya—spiritual modesty and awareness of Allah. 

The physical act of covering complements the inner discipline of faith, forming a complete expression of devotion and self-respect. While hijab is required in prayer, it is not a condition for reciting the Quran.