Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger
In general, women in Saudi Arabia are required to cover up entirely using a large black “cloak” called an Abaya on the top of their clothes when they go outside. The traditional color of the Abaya is known to be black and covers the woman from the neck down to the ground, although we can occasionally see one of a different color. This is worn whenever a Saudi woman or woman of any other nationality is in a public place. They wear the Abaya according to religious customs which indicate that they must cover most of the body, from head to foot. The traditional black over garment (Abaya) is ankle length with long sleeves and a high neckline, and the hair is covered. Some Arab women are totally covered, including their faces as with the Burqa or Niqab, which is a veil or mask that covers the face except the eyes, and they cover their hands by wearing black gloves. This pertains especially to Saudis with strictly religious husbands or family members and is meant to protect women from unwanted attention. In Saudi Arabia even foreign women must wear an Abaya outside of the home.
In addition, women wear either the shoulder Abaya or head Abaya. The shoulder Abaya looks pretty much like a long black shirt. The head Abaya on the other hand is worn over the top of the head. Women in Saudi Arabia begin wearing the Abaya at a very young age. Girl’s public schools for instance force both teachers and students to wear the head Abaya with a head cover that covers up their face beginning at 4th or 5th grade.
Why is the colour of most Abayas black?
The Abaya was designed to be black and loose so that even under the bright light the female outline and posture would remain invisible.
Allah (SWT) said in Al-Qur’an:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters, and the believing women, to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies. That will be better that they should be known (as respectable woman) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (Quran 33: 59 ).”
Ibn ‘Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Wear white clothes, for they are the best of your clothes, and shroud your dead in them.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 994, hasan saheeh. This is what the scholars regarded as mustahab (means “recommended”) (Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 4061; Ibn Maajah, 1472.
So, if white is “recommended” and Muslims are “rewarded” for wearing white then why do all the women in Saudi Arabia wear black? Are they not to be rewarded? In fact, Arab women love color. The answer to this question can be based on this hadith:
“It is haram (means “sinful”) for women to imitate men and men to imitate women in the way they dress, because the Prophet (SAW) cursed the men who imitate women and the women who imitate men.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5546.
The tradition and customs of Saudi Arabia impose a dress code for men (wearing of the white thobe) and for women (wearing of the black Abaya). Foreigners are given some leeway in the matter of dress but they are expected to follow local customs, particularly in public places, especially for women.
However, nowadays, the Abaya has become more fashionable and colorful. Some Abayas are embroidered with silver threads, crystals, lace and many other materials. Some Abayas are made from jean material and some of them are totally made from lace and lined with silk.
For many girls and women living in Saudi Arabia Abayas are a fashion statement. A lot of effort can be put into finding the perfect Abaya that is eye-catching and nicely tailored, and many ladies often have more than one Abaya for different occasions. Religious police have tried unsuccessfully to limit access to these fashionable Abayas, claiming that decorated Abayas do not represent modesty.
In conclusion, wearing a long black Abaya can be fashionable and if you don’t like black, just add a bright scarf.
I personally do like the Abaya
