STUDYING ISLAM

More on Covering the Head

Earlier archive · · October 7, 2026

Question

More on Covering the Head I had a question about this word Khumr. Isn't Khumr in Arabic a generic word for ANY covering. Secondly, why are we translating Izrib as "extend". Is this word ever used for extending anything. Any instances in the Quran? Reply The word "khumr" is the plural of "khima'r". The word "Khima'r" when used with reference to women, particularly implies the head covering. The well known Arabic dictionary "Aqrab al-Mawa'rid" writes about the word "Khima'r": (All such pieces of cloth which are used to cover the head. It is a piece of cloth which is used by a woman to cover her head) The word is so well known that the phrase: is used to imply that the woman is wearing a "Khima'r". Sometimes, the word "khima'r" is also used for a man's head covering, as is the case in a hadith which says: (The Prophet annointed over his socks and his head covering). As far as the word "dharaba" is concerned, when it comes with , it can imply "to cover" or "to daub" as is used in the Qur'anic verse: Thus means: "she covered her chest with her head covering". I hope this helps. Regards The Learner

Answer

More on Covering the Head I had a question about this word Khumr. Isn't Khumr in Arabic a generic word for ANY covering. Secondly, why are we translating Izrib as "extend". Is this word ever used for extending anything. Any instances in the Quran? Reply The word "khumr" is the plural of "khima'r". The word "Khima'r" when used with reference to women, particularly implies the head covering. The well known Arabic dictionary "Aqrab al-Mawa'rid" writes about the word "Khima'r": (All such pieces of cloth which are used to cover the head. It is a piece of cloth which is used by a woman to cover her head) The word is so well known that the phrase: is used to imply that the woman is wearing a "Khima'r". Sometimes, the word "khima'r" is also used for a man's head covering, as is the case in a hadith which says: (The Prophet annointed over his socks and his head covering). As far as the word "dharaba" is concerned, when it comes with , it can imply "to cover" or "to daub" as is used in the Qur'anic verse: Thus means: "she covered her chest with her head covering". I hope this helps. Regards The Learner

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