What is the origin of the burqa?

Answer 1

627 C.E.

The Prophet Muhammad wanted to segregate the women from the men. Also, he wanted to help the women to wear a hijab so they won't be recognized in the streets, and no harm would come to them.

The above answer gives the (wrong) impression that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) wanted on his own to introduce hijab. The fact is that he was ordered by Allah as per following quotation from The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to wear over them "jalabeebs". That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. "

The interpretation of jalabeeb can be given only by a person who is well versed with Arabic language, and the customs of Arabs in those days when the order came from Allah. May be jalabeeb was worn to distinguish the Muslim women from non-Muslims as the latter went around showing themselves without any hijab.

I invite some Arab scholar to kindly elaborate on jalabeeb. Jazak Allah Khair, (May Allah reward you with good)

Answer 2

Burqa is an Arabic word that means the face full covering with just provision of view for eyes. The origin of the burqa comes from the traditions and practices of some Asian Middle Eastern countries. It has nothing related to Islam as a religion. Burqa is neither called for nor forbidden in Islam religion however many radical Muslims and fundamentalist Muslims strictly support and at times, force women to wear the Burqa.

Answer 3

The burqa has been introduced by Islamic culture, norms, and values for women to cover their bodies and their face in order to protect them from evil eyes and most importantly from men that were not supposed to see her. But the origins of a burqa traces back to pre Islamic times when the women in Afghanistan covered themselves with a chadar. This was a sign of respectability shown towards women. Then the Taliban took over them and made their lives miserable. After that Islam came into being and the respect of the women was returned to them. Since a chadar or a shawl was difficult to handle so a properly stitched outfit from head to toe was stitched and called a burqa.