Q:Can a Muslim woman wear her country’s traditional dress in public, provided it covers the Awrah, meets all requirements of Islamic dressing and does not reveal the form and shape of any part of the body? Or is it obligatory (fard) for her to cover up using an outergarment (jilbab/abaya)? Please clarify…
Answers:
- She may wear her traditional dress.
- So long as her body is properly covered, she does not need to always wear an abaya.
- Abaya is used as a precautionary measure, it adds greater modesty.
- Some wear Abaya that continue to expose the body. This too would not be correct.
Allah Certainly Knows Best.