A burqa, also spelled burka, is an enveloping outer garment worn by some Muslim women which fully covers the body and the face. It is mostly worn when a woman leaves her home and is compelled to wear it until she returns.html). The burqa is often confused with the niqab, which is a face veil that leaves the eyes uncovered, while a burqa covers the entire body from the top of the head to the ground, with a mesh screen which only allows the wearer to see in front of her. The burqa should also not be confused with the hijab, which is a garment that covers the hair, neck, and all or part of the chest, but does not cover the face.

The burqa is a type of veil worn by some Muslim women in Islamic societies for the purpose of concealing their bodies and/or face.html). It is mostly worn in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia, and is sometimes required by law or social custom. The burqa falls under the category of hijab, which is an Arabic word that means to veil or cover and refers to a woman’s head and body covering.html). Modern-day Muslims base their authority regarding the burqa on the hadith or collected traditions of life in the days of Prophet Muhammad.html). However, it is important to note that these “collected traditions” have no place in Islam.html).

There are different types of Islamic head coverings worn by women around the world, and the burqa is one of them. Other types of Islamic head coverings include the hijab, niqab, al-amira, shayla, khimar, and chador.