Hijab and abaya are two different garments worn by Muslim women for modesty. Hijab is a headscarf, while abaya is a long robe or cloak. Women in some countries wear both, while others wear only hijab. The dress requirements vary, but generally, women are expected to cover their heads, hair, and entire bodies except for hands and face. Abaya styles vary, and some women also wear a niqab and other accessories for additional coverage.
The differences between a hijab and an abaya are considerable, as they are two very different garments. A hijab is a headscarf or head covering worn by women in compliance with Islamic standards of modesty. An abaya is a long robe or cloak that covers a woman’s body and is usually worn over other clothing. In some cases, a woman will wear a hijab and an abaya together, although some Muslim women or women living in Islamic countries may decide to only wear a hijab. The abaya is typically worn in Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, while women in other predominantly Muslim countries may wear a different type of undergarment or not at all.
The modest dress requirements have generated some controversy among Muslims, and there are differing interpretations of how covered a woman should be when appearing in public or in the presence of men other than her husband or close relatives. Generally, however, women are expected to cover their heads and hair, cover their entire bodies except their hands and face, and wear clothing that conceals the shape of their bodies. Covering the head and hair is usually accomplished by wearing a hijab, which can cover not only a woman’s hair but also her shoulders, chest, and in some cases much of her back and torso.
While some women meet the other requirements simply by wearing loose fitting clothing that completely covers their arms and legs, some women will wear a garment over these garments for additional coverage. In Iran, women may wear a loose raincoat, called a manteau or chador, which is a large piece of cloth that covers the head and body. Women in other countries may wear a jilbab, which is a long dress often buttoned down the front, or an abaya.
Abaya styles vary, with some including a hood, while others do not cover the head. In any case, a woman who is concerned about coverage will wear the hijab and an abaya at the same time, as a hooded abaya does not provide the degree of head and hair coverage that a hijab does. In addition to a hijab and abaya, some women may also wear a niqab, a veil that covers most or all of the face. Other accessories used to provide additional coverage are arm gauntlets, which cover a woman’s arms when she wears an abaya with loose sleeves, and gloves, which cover her hands.
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