When exploring today’s modest wear for women, you come across the prestigious combination of abaya and hijab. This duo may make you think, ‘Can you wear an abaya without a hijab?’.
The simplest answer is no. Covering your body from head to toe is mandatory for women. Now, it is up to you whether to choose an abaya and head scarf to fulfill this purpose or some other types of modest clothing.
Al-Haq Thobes presents elegant outer garments for women, including kaftans and butterfly abayas. Our professionals will further elaborate ‘Can you wear an abaya without a hijab?’ to clarify your concerns. Also, learn about why do Islamic men wear thobes.
What is an Abaya?
An abaya is a full-body length outer gown for women. Muslim women wear it over their routine clothes while going out.
Abayas are designed to offer modest coverage of a woman’s body. It has its roots in Middle Eastern cultures. It has evolved in style and fabric. But, its overarching purpose is to provide a modest and dignified appearance.
Also, study the differences between thobes and dishdasha.
Based on modest-clothing discussions, the abaya serves as a shield for women. It preserves your physicality. It is also a source of refraining from flaunting your beauty to the outside world. Therefore, abaya is a key element in modest fashion. It safeguards your modesty like each pearl is concealed deep in the sea shells.
Besides abayas for women, men can get Moroccan thobe with hood.
What is a Hijab?
In Islamic terminology, the hijab refers to a headscarf. It is associated with modest dress. It covers a woman’s:
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Hair
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Ears
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Neck
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Shoulders
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Chest
The Qur’an instructs believing women to ‘draw their veils over their bosoms’ (24:31) and to not display their adornment.
That is why, the hijab is primarily about covering the head and neck in public or in the presence of non-mahram men. It is an obligation for women in Islamic modest dress codes.
Men must pair their thawbs with a Yemeni shemagh headwear.
Can You Wear an Abaya Without a Hijab?
No.
Wearing an abaya without a head scarf cannot fulfil the requirements of modest clothing for women. The abaya is an outer garment that conceals your body. Unless the head and neck are covered appropriately (with a hijab or equivalent covering), the modesty obligation is not fully met.
For instance, scholarly discussion notes that the abaya itself is not explicitly stated in scripture. The requirement is to cover the ‘awrah’ and to dress modestly.
The abaya alone does not fulfil the full Islamic requirement if the head remains uncovered. In short, modest dress in Islam instructs both body covering and appropriate head covering. Therefore, wearing only the abaya without a hijab is insufficient.
Study the differences between keffiyeh and shemagh scarves.
The Bottom Line
Now you know the solution to ‘Can you wear an abaya without a hijab?’.
Selecting modest attire is an important decision guided by faith and personal conviction. An abaya is a beautiful and dignified garment. But, it cannot replace the command of covering the head and neck with hijab (or equivalent head covering)
Know that abaya and hijab are a must for every Muslimah. The abaya for full-body modesty and the hijab for head covering. By doing so, uphold the principles of modesty in dress. Enjoy the benefits from the elegance and dignity that modest fashion offers.
Buy the best, authentic shemagh scarf for men.