What is a Jilbaab

THE JILBAAB

"O Nabi! Say to your wives, your daughters and the women of the Believers that they draw over them their jilbaabs (outer-cloaks).
That (covering with the jilbaabs) is the least (requirement) so that they be recognized (as respectable and honourable ladies) and not
be molested (by evil men)". (Surah Ahzaab, aayat 59)

A jilbaab is an outer sheet or cloak which during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was large enough to conceal two women. The way in which the ladies during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sahaabah wore the jilbaab covered them from head to feet including the face. The term (yudneena - they should lower or draw down) appearing in the above aayat orders that the cloak be drawn over from above and lowered in such a way as to conceal the face as well. Covering the face outside the home precincts was the standard and normal practice of the womenfolk during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). In this regard Hadhrat Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) narrates:
"During the occasion of Hajjatul Wida when people passed near to us, we (the ladies) would draw the jilbaab over the head and the face. When they (the people) departed from us, we would open our faces". (Abu Dawood)
Imam Ghazaali (rahmatullah alayh) mentions in Ihyaaul Uloom: "Women emerged (during the time of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) with niqaabs on their faces".