Both hijabs and khimars are an essential part of modest attire for Muslim women. Below are their main qualities in brief:
1. Fabric Type and Coverage:
Hijab: It is primarily a cloth to cover the head and neck (like a dupatta or scarf). It is usually wrapped from under the chin to cover the head, hair, and neck.
Khimar: It provides more coverage than a hijab. Starting from the head, it hangs down over the chest, back, and sometimes the waist or knees, ensuring the upper body's shape remains concealed.
2. Ease of Wearing and Comfort:
Hijab: Can be worn in various styles and needs to be secured with pins or clips.
Khimar: Can usually be slipped on easily over the head without any pins. It is quite loose-fitting and extremely comfortable to wear.
3. Modesty and Protection:
Both garments help maintain modesty from the gaze of non-mahram men. However, because a khimar is draped and loose, it provides extra coverage to conceal body contours.