The ʿabāʾ is a long, loose-fitting, outer garment worn over other clothing, sometimes a form of cloak intended for men, but also sometimes worn by women. It is used by Arabs and non-Arabs alike. The ʿabāʾ has been used a variety of ways in different circumstances and variously called ʿabāya, ʿabāʾa, ʿabāh etc. (Dozy, 292). Garments such as the ʿabāʾ were habitually used by every social class but in different ways, depending on circumstance or occasion (Ibn Saʿd, 4/62; al-Masʿūdī, 2/305). The finest ʿabāʾs are woven from camel hair, and come in a light brown, natural shade (Yūs…