"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their Jalabeeb over their bodies. That will be better (for them), (so) that they shall be known (as free respectable women and) and not harmed. And Allaah is ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
--Surah al-Ahzaab [33]:59
The term 'Jalabeeb' mentioned in this verse from the Qur'an is plural for the word 'Jilbaab'. This clears the modern belief that Jilbaab is a new innovation. Contrary to that belief, it is instead an important part of the well known attire of the dress code for Muslim women.
Umm Salamah, the Mother of the believers said:
Clearly this is no ordinary peace of cloth. From the above stated verse and proofs, we can see it is actually fardh (obligatory) upon the Muslim women.
Once we are told and given evidences regarding whether something is fardh what do we do? We do as the Salaf-as-Salih did -- 'We hear and we obey'.
May Allaah ('azza wa jal) fill all our hearts with steadfastness in that which He Loves. *Ameen*
*As always, I would definitely recommend doing your own research as well just for a stronger base for yourself as well as to strenghthen your own understanding on the conditions of Jilbaab.
“When the verse, "That they should draw their jalaabeeb close around them" was revealed, the women of Ansaar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing Jalaabeeb.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 32, #4090)
Ibn Kathir (rahimullaah) has said:
‘Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aala) commands His Messenger (peace be upon him) to command the believing women – especially his wives and daughters – to draw the Jilbaab over their persons’
In the Oxford Dictionary of Islam edited by John L. Esposito, it defines the term 'Jilbab' as:
‘A Generic term for women’s outer garment (shawl, cloak, wrap) in Arabian sedentary communities before and after the rise of Islam. The Qur’an (33:59) instructs Muslim women to cloak themselves as a mark of status and as a defensive measure against sexual harassment in public places.’
