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05 May '16

Abaya

Posted by Priyanka S in abaya dresses

Abaya

Abaya are robes like dresses that Muslim women wear on top of regular clothing. The primary purpose of wearing an abaya is to completely cover oneself so as not to expose any bodily attributes or beauty as Islam instructs women to guard their beauty from all men except those who are specifically allowed.

Head abaya

Certain religious interpretations require a women to dress in clothing that should not expose any body formations whatsoever. In such cases, Muslim women wear abaya dresses that rest on top of their heads and extend below the ankles. This ensures that a women’s body formations stay hidden from men who are not lawful to a woman. Many Saudi Abaya fall in this category.

Black abaya

Black abaya are more commonly worn in black in most middle eastern countries, especially those in the Gulf region. These countries include Saudi-Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and other neighboring countries.

White abaya

These abayas are populary worn in Far Eastern muslim countries.

Colored abaya

As Muslim women buy abaya of various styles, abaya designers have created new abaya fashions and have designed embroidered and colored abaya. These abaya are popularly worn in Jordan, western countries and are also now being worn in Middle Eastern countries.

Abaya dresses come in many types of fabrics. However, Rayon/Polyester and Crepe material is the most common fabric used in their manufacture. Other fabrics used include cotton, chiffone and georgette.

22 Apr '16

Why do Muslim women wear the Abaya?

Posted by Laila T in abaya dresses

First and foremost, the main reason why Muslim women cover up is because they believe it is the commandment of Allah. For example, in the Quran, it says, "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do."

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their chests and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers..." It might leave room for other interpretations. But by and large, most Muslim women believe that they should wear the Abaya.

 

22 Apr '16

Can non-Muslim women wear the Abaya?

Posted by Laila T in abaya dresses

There is no law that forbids non-Muslim women from wearing the Abaya although there is little point in doing so unless you believe in Islam. However, a lot of expatriates in Arab countries do feel that they need to adapt to the local way of dressing. Because of this, the Abaya has become popular even among non-Muslim women living in Arab countries.