The Abaya as a Symbol of Faith | Perspectives from Pakistani Women

Abaya and hijab hold spiritual significance and have been a part of the social and cultural identity of Pakistani women. Muslim women all over the world wear hijabs and abayas in various styles and made out of different materials. Countless pictures of abaya designs can be found on Pinterest and Instagram due to their popularity among the masses.

Abaya for women are significant because of their spiritual significance and relation to Islam, with a history that dates back ages. The most common black abaya, worn by many Pakistani women, is influenced by Arabic styles. However, women are no longer limited to one color or style of abaya and a variety of hijabs and abayas are available in local markets in the country. 

Recently, many online abayas stores have emerged, offering a massive range of abayas at reasonable prices and delivering them to your doorstep. For the best collection, you can check out Malbus, Pakistan’s top rated modest brand!

Historical Significance of the Abaya in Pakistan

Looking into the historical significance of the Abaya faith in Pakistan, we see that it was not always a trend nor a matter limited to culture. Many women, especially from rural areas, used to wear big chadars to cover themselves. Over time, as rural people began to migrate to urban places, they did not abandon their veil but started wearing abayas for women. Thus, it was not just cultural but also a matter of religion for them that they chose to follow by heart.

 

 

Abaya and hijabs for women hold significant value not only due to their long history as cultural outfits but also as a religious duty. Multiple Quranic verses and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) advise Muslim women to cover their beauty. In Islam, women are considered more beautiful than men, and maintaining modesty requires them to cover their bodies which also requires discipline and perseverance. 

 

The Evolution of Abayas - From Tradition to Modernity

Abayas and hijabs have evolved in their patterns, designs, and the fabric used to make them. They are usually loosely fit and long gowns that are considered modest Islamic attire for women. Despite their evolution in designs and fabrics, they remain popular and are seen as symbols of faith and piety. Women choose to wear them in their daily lives, feeling empowered and honored by them.

 

The recent trend in Pakistan revolves around Instagram influencers, with a prominent category of Hijabi influencers emerging. Most Pakistani women are influenced by their hijab styles, abaya fashion, and tutorials and they follow these influencers to learn about Pakistani hijab fashion. Among these influencers, many have gained fame by presenting their hijab faith through colorful and fashionable yet modest Abaya collection offered by local Pakistani markets and online Abaya Brands. 

Abayas and Hijabs | Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

For Muslim women, abaya and hijab is not just a comfortable gown for minimalist dressing; it resonates deeply with their faith. Their perspective on the abaya has always been positive, leading to the emergence of hijab influencers on Instagram. 

 

Pakistani women view the abaya as a mix of conviction and fashion, wearing fashionable abayas to fulfill their religious duty in daily life. Across all provinces of Pakistan, women have a history of wearing abayas. From the traditional white Afghani Burqa to modern stitched black abayas, Pakistani women have blended modesty with the latest trends. 

 

 

Popular Pakistani hijab brands including Malbus have introduced new collections of abayas, ranging from various color tones to jacket styles, Arabic abayas, Korean kimonos, and more. Abayas for different occasions, such as parties and weddings are also customized, offering fashionable options for every event. 

 

The abaya is a symbol of faithful devotion and a beautiful blend of belief and fashion for Pakistani women. Beyond fashion inspiration, many young girls are exploring the meaning of Pardah (veil) and Haya (modesty). In the loud, chaotic world of Instagram, TikTok, and other online platforms, a thoughtful discourse has emerged where people seek deeper meaning of religious concepts.

 

Numerous online podcasts, channels, and talk shows offer countless narratives about religion, Islam, and the concept of the veil. Amid these thousands of voices, Gen-Z is pausing to understand these notions to live a purposeful life. Islam provides a purpose and deep understanding of every law it presents in Shariah, with the concept of Pardah being a significant one.

Influencer Impact | The Role of Social Media in Abaya Trends

A recent scholarly research published in local newspapers claims that abayas could be one of the biggest exports from Pakistan to other parts of the world. Not only are women in Pakistan obsessed with new and trendy abayas, but people across the globe are also impressed by Pakistani abaya collections. 

 

The abaya is a symbol of pardah - or hijab faith for Pakistani women, giving meaning to their lives. The popularity of abayas and hijab in Pakistan can be seen on Instagram. Pakistani influencer @peachybee_hijabi is popular for her abaya and hijab tutorials. With over 121k followers and 129 posts, many Pakistani girls adore her abaya and hijab collection. Her feed is filled with vibrant hijab colors matched with various Eastern and Western dresses and colorful abayas. Her page is highly beneficial for girls who intend to wear trendy abayas.

 

 

 

Another famous Pakistani sensation is @_.hijabify._, known for her modesty style in abayas and hijabs for women. With over 69k followers, her abaya collection is loved by many. She inspires girls to style their hijabs with modesty. Other influencers also create content about hijabs and influence Pakistani women’s narrative about abayas. They have a huge list of followers, indicating that women are obsessed with the latest abayas and love to learn how to carry them in different styles and seasons.

 

The Abaya as Cultural Identity and Personal Expression

A key social debate about Abaya for women is whether it is empowering or not for Pakistani women. Most Pakistani women agree that it is empowering and consider it an honor to wear the abaya. They wear it to universities, workplaces, and public spaces without worry. 

 

For young girls, apart from being a symbol of faith and devotion, the abaya helps them deal with multifaceted aspects of practical life. For instance, the abaya provides them with a sense of security when shopping in crowded places. It signals to people that they are not there to impress anyone casually. While there are multiple social debates regarding this narrative, most Pakistani women admit that wearing an abaya and hijab provides them with a sense of security.

 

The abaya has also become a cultural identity for women. They wear it as a representation of themselves in public spheres in their lives. Women wear abayas for different events and seasons, styling them with traditional accessories. Many young girls, around the age of 10-13 years, insist their mothers buy them an abaya at least once because they feel it is a part of their cultural identity and want to try it like other outfits.

 

Many Pakistani women find the abaya one of the most comfortable outfits they can wear daily without getting bored or looking minimal. Abayas are both comfortable and trendy. They are suitable for women of all age groups. Some women specifically buy abayas for traveling, especially during religious visits (Ziarat), feeling modest and comfortable in them.

The Takeaway

For Pakistani and Muslim women, the abaya is not mere fashion; it represents their piety and ethnicity. It helps them remain recognizable in crowds and more than representation, has become a personal and cultural identity. The abaya faith signifies their devotion and religious commitment. Pakistani women wear abayas with pride and dignity, showing their faith. The abaya is a symbol of faith for Pakistani women and they love wearing it.