What is the difference between hijab, niqab, and abaya?

These three terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they refer to distinct things. Hijab broadly means modest covering, and most commonly refers to the headscarf that covers a woman's hair, neck, and chest while leaving the face and hands visible; its basis is drawn from verses instructing believing women to draw their coverings over their chests and not display their beauty beyond what is apparent (24:31, 33:59). An abaya is a loose, flowing outer garment — typically a long robe or cloak — worn over regular clothing to conceal the shape of the body; it is a style of dress rather than a specific religious ruling, and equivalents exist across many Muslim cultures under different names, such as jilbab or chador. A niqab is a separate face veil, usually covering the nose and mouth and sometimes leaving only the eyes visible, worn in addition to a hijab or abaya, and represents a stricter, more specific practice. In short: hijab is the general covering including the hair, abaya is a garment style covering the body, and niqab is a face veil — three related but legally and practically distinct concepts.

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