HISTORY OF DUBAI ABAYA - Modest Wear For Women

The DUBAI ABAYA has been a high fashion cornerstone for women in the Middle East for thousands of years. The loose robe-like garment, which dates back 4,000 years to the ancient World, serves as a symbol of modesty in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia (ArabNews.com).  

An abaya is a long and wavy robe that is usually worn sloppily over everyday clothes. It covers the body completely and reaches the feet. The majority of abayas are black, but some colored ones have been seen over the years. The abaya is worn by local women and many ex-pats in Qatar, Dubai, and throughout the Middle East. In fact, it is now common in many other Muslim countries where women find it to be the most convenient and effective way to cover their bodies, leaving only their faces, hands, and feet exposed. Some people wear a niqab, which covers both the head and the face, over their abaya. Some non-Muslims wear the abaya to blend in with the locals and avoid having to worry about what they are wearing underneath (Iloveqatar.net).

The abaya is no longer the plain black cover it once was. The floor-length robe has evolved into a fashion statement over time, with numerous designs available. While designed for modesty, the new collection includes contemporary elements such as gemstone lush greenery, black lace trim, and embroidered hearts, as well as experimental and playful colors, silhouettes, and fabrics that are far from basic. Regardless of how much it has evolved, the abaya remains the ultimate garment for Muslim women throughout the continent (arabnews.com). 

JUSTIFICATION FOR WEARING AN ABAYA

The following verses from the Holy Quran are mostly attributed to the rationale for wearing the abaya in Islam. These verses are used to justify wearing an abaya. 

Verse 1:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, to cover themselves with a loose garment. They will, thus, be recognized and no harm will come to them." (33:59)

Verse 2:

“And say to the believing women to lower their gaze and to guard their private parts and not to show their beauty spots except that of it which is normally shown and to draw their veils over their chests. They shall not show their beauty spots except in the presence of their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, their slaves, the male attendants who have no carnal desire and the children who are yet to attain awareness of women's bodies. They shall not strike their feet so as to reveal details of their hidden beauty spots. You shall repent to God all you believers so that you may succeed.” (24:31)

According to the verses above, it is beneficial for women to cover their bodies properly and keep them hidden from men who are not related to them, especially when they are out of the house. This will protect them from men's impure thoughts as well as disrespectful and discourteous behavior. 

The modern concept of the Abaya and Kaftan is a far expression from the old and traditional black robe. Here are a few modern Abaya designs that will stand fashion in 2022. 

Did this article shed any new light on the abaya?  Tell us what you think of this article and whether you found it useful in the comments section. Like and share the article to help us keep going!.

Follow us on social media 👇

Instagram

Linkedin