What is the difference between hijab, khimar and niqab?

Hijab: the big umbrella word

In Arabic, hijab means a barrier or screen. In Islamic teaching it refers to the whole idea of modest covering and behavior, not just one piece of fabric. In the West, though, people say "hijab" for the headscarf Muslim women wear, and that's fine in daily use. For what it covers in practice, see What does hijab actually cover?

Khimar: the word the Quran uses

The Quran's word for the head covering is khimar (plural khumur). The verse tells believing women to bring it down over the chest:

Aisha said that when this verse came down, the women of the Muhajirun cut up their wraps and covered themselves with them straight away (Sahih al-Bukhari 4758). Today "khimar" is also the name shops use for a long, cape-like headscarf that reaches the waist or below, slipped on over the head without pins.

Niqab: the face veil

A niqab covers the face and leaves the eyes visible, usually worn with a headscarf and a loose outer garment. Scholars have two main views:

• Recommended but not required in the majority of the Hanafi, Maliki and many Shafi'i scholars, who say the face and hands are not part of what must be covered.
• Required in the well-known Hanbali view and some Shafi'i scholars.

Interestingly, a woman in ihram for Hajj or Umrah is told not to wear a niqab or gloves (Sahih al-Bukhari 1838). For the full discussion, see Is niqab required in Islam?

Other words you'll hear

• Jilbab: a loose outer garment over your clothes (Quran 33:59).
• Abaya: a long, robe-like dress, popular in the Gulf. See Do I have to wear an abaya as a Muslim woman?
• Shayla and al-amira: styles of headscarf (a long rectangular wrap and a two-piece tube style).
• Burqa: a full-body covering with a mesh over the eyes, mostly worn in Afghanistan.