A Beginner’s Guide To Wearing Abaya

An abaya is a loose overgarment worn by Muslim women. It is worn as an outdoor clothe for formal and informal occasions. It used to be black but these days, they come in diverse attractive colors. Muslim women wear it to cover their curves and sexiness.

When you read Qur’an 33”59, you get clarifications on Islam’s justification for the dress. Abaya is worn with a hijab or Niqab because it does not cover the head, feet, and hands. You would likely see women cover their hands in black gloves. The origin of this dress dates back to the Arabian Peninsula, long before Islam was founded.

This article however, does not intend to chronicle the history of the dress but to guide newbies by answering some common questions. Here are some of the questions:

Can a non-Muslim wear an abaya?

Yes, a non-muslim can wear it if they want. In Saudi Arabia for instance, every woman is expected to wear it before they are granted access to some restricted areas. American women now wear it as an item of fashion even though they belong to other religions. If you visit an Islam dominated region, it’s not a bad idea to wear an abaya as a sign of honor to the people and religion.

What materials are abaya made of?

There’s no specific answer to this question as Abayas are made with any type of fabric. Depending on your location and the material available there, you can make a beautiful dress out of it. abaya designs can be made out of cotton, polyester, crepe, satin, chiffon, and other special materials. If your abaya would be worn around the house, it can be made of cheap stretchy materials. Your location also determines the type of fabric to be used. Women who live in colder regions use a different fabric from their counterparts in hotter regions.

How much does an abaya cost?

The price vary depending on the quality of the fabric and your location. You shouldn’t expect to buy an embroided abaya for the same price as a plain one. If you are buying from a reputable store, the price is different from buying from a roadside. In other words, choose wisely.

What is the difference between an abaya and a burqa?

Both and a burqa are worn by Muslim women. They are different but serve the same purpose of covering a woman’s body. Abaya is a long dress with long sleeves worn over other clothing or as a gown. The burqa is similar to the abaya because is also a loose outer garment. While abaya covers from the shoulder to toe, burqas cover from head to toe. It covers the entire body and hides the woman’s shape.

What is the difference between an abaya and a hijab?

An abaya coves the body leaving the face, hands, and feet. The hijab on the other hand, a hijab is a headscarf worn by Muslim women in public. It covers the hand, head, and neck but does not conceal the face.