DRESS CODE IN ISLAM

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TearfulEyes

Guest
Brothers and Sisters, Peace Be Upon You!

There is something that bothers me everytime I see a muslim male revert in a picture or a video. It is his new clothes. I dont know how the idea comes up to our new brothers in Islam that they have to change the way they dress. I can understand if they stop wearing any religious symbols but why they have to dress like an Arab or Afghani? An example is our beloved brother Yousef Islam, why does he have to wear like Afghani. I know it is a personal matter but it appear to the non Muslim that Islam is not universal!!

This applies to the Imams of the mosques in non-Muslim countries too. The Imams wear Arabic clothes, we call it Mishlah or Abah. I dont understand the the idea behing wearing Mishlah in order to be Imam in a Mosque? Do they wear to show off that they are Imams? Insha Allah they are not doing this in order to distinguish themselves from their other brothers in the Mosque.

I have not seen any article discussing this issue anywhere in the web, so this ust be the first time, I guess. Tot my knowledge it has not been discussed before. :astag:

One note here for my Arab brothers and sisters, I am proud of my Arab dress and culture but we are all Muslims of differnet cultures, European Nordic Muslims, European English Muslims, Asian Indian Muslims, Australian Muslims, African Muslims, and so on and so on....

Thank you

A Muslim Arab :arabi1:
 
ibn azem

ibn azem

Super Moderator
Staff member
:salam2:

:jazaak: May Allah (swt) reward you for showing your concern about this matter brother.
" I dont understand the the idea behing wearing Mishlah in order to be Imam in a Mosque? Do they wear to show off that they are Imams?" That is most probabaly not the case my dear brother. Think of this hadeeth: "The Prophet (PBUH) said as reported in a sound Hadith: 'Who imitates non-Muslims he is one of them' [Imams Ahmad and Abu Dawud]. and that is only one of them. So why do they wear the dresses of the Islamic countries (which to my opinion does not mean that Islam is not a univeral religion as it is spread in the whole world, and most muslims are not arabs for ex.) that is a very helpful method even I think, to get away from the clothing of every kind (not specifying any) they used to wear.
And some clothes that arabs wear belong to the sunnah right?
So that is the least thing that bothers me if it ever would about our new brothers in Islam or those born in a muslim family.

Wassalaam, a non arab muslim brother :wink:
 
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TearfulEyes

Guest
Ibn Adham, thank you for your input.

Your quote of the Hadith is irrelevant here. We are not talking about immitating the Non-beleivers (Kuffar) to give appearance (knowlingly) that we are like them. There is no Islamic clothes and non-Islamic clothings. We are not talking about ornaments, that men wear with their clothes. My point was that Arabic clothes (fashion) is NOT necessarily Islamic, nor non-Muslim clothes non-Islamic, think about it . (Again, I am an Arab saying that) LOL..
 
Mabsoot

Mabsoot

Amir
Staff member
Wa alaykum salam,

Firstly, the Prophet :saw: and people at time of the Prophet would wear clothes similar to what the people in Yemen wear. i.e. they wore two piece clothes, a long shirt and the Izaar, which is a cloth that goes around the waist.

The long shirts like the thawb that Arabs wear these days eminates from African attire.

Now, in middle east, you will find all sorts of people who wear these clothes including Christians. So without the correct intention or belief it is of little value

I have seen with my own eyes Arab men walking with their girlfriends and going Casinos. Many are proud of that. So, obviously judging a person simply by the clothes they wear or what they look like is no good.
However, we are talking about people who wear these clothes because of their love of the Prophet :saw:, because they feel that the Prophet :saw: used to wear similar, then it can only be a good thing.

There is nothing wrong with that. These clothes are mostly worn by Muslim people these days, so it is a way for Muslim people expressing their love for Islam. Simple as that.

Why should Muslims have to wear other clothes? We have freedom to wear those clothes and people should not be judging in the first place. The onus is on them to change, not on Muslims.

As Muslims we must not judge any non-Muslim who comes into contact with us, we must be kind and talk to them in a good manner. This is clear from what Allah has taught us in the Quran, and what the Prophet :saw: advised us. And guidance is only from Allah, the most high the most merciful.

The non-Muslims must accept us for who we are. If they have pre-concieved ideas about Muslims its there problem. We do our best to address it by being approachable. Wearing a dishdasha and a ghutra is not going to make us any less approachable then imitating them by wearing a nice shiny prada suit.

Likewise, a person is not banned from wearing jeans or tshirts. As long as they dont wear tight fitted clothes. And dress decently.

As for Imams, they do not have any special dresscode. They do not have any special cloaks, or special coloured hates/turbans as they do in some countries. Infact, in some places they colour coordinate to differentiate the Sunni, Sufi, and Shia, Red/White, Green and black lol.

So, no thats not from the sunnah.

I dont understand what the problem is with allowing people to express their love of Islam by wearing the clothes of predominantly Muslim countries, whether they wear the beautiful printed shirts of Malaysia, the Yemeni clothes, Nigerian, Kuwaiti or the lesser known Lebanese and Palestinian Shirt.

wasalam.
 
ibn azem

ibn azem

Super Moderator
Staff member
:salam2:

Brother I did not quote the hadith to show you my point, rather this is if you ask the most of them they will give you that answer. And that is what I was pointing at.
"There is no Islamic clothes and non-Islamic clothings." indeed there is brother. We should not imitate the nonbelievers brother, be it clothing or other habits that contradict Islam.
And I just wanted to give an information that i have been able to get with my limited knowledge dear brother.

hope you get your satissfying comment brother ;)
 
mosabaig

mosabaig

Junior Member
Be open minded in both way......

:salam2:

I personally feel better wearing overhaul when working under my car and when doing Ibaadah I feel more concentration and being modest specially in sijdah if I am praying out side that is not to say if I am at work or in a hurry.
:salah:

:hijabi:
I feel our sisters are doing excellant (May Allah reward them highly) of making there own choices without overly worried about what other might think etc. etc.:confused:
Sorry I never meant to offend or hurt any one my applogy in advance if I did.....
:muslim_child:
 
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Serafeddin

New Member
:salam2: As for me personally i think this is a silly argument. We should worry and think about how to become better muslims and how to better serve and worship Allah. i.e. Salah, Zakah,Fasting, Dawah, learning and teaching how to read and Understand the holy Quran and Sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammed SAWS (peace and blessings be up on him). Clothing or how some revert brothers dress is towards the bottom of the list. No offense. These are the kinds of arguments and discussions that creates resentment amongst muslims. If and when we all muslims are praying 5 times a day inshaAllah the clothing issue would work it's self out. Allah knows best and please forgive me if i have misspoke.:confused:
 
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ibnAbdullah87

Junior Member
Wearing a thawb or izaar does a better job of cover the awrah then pants do and it can be could for dawah when the non-muslims see you in that kind of dress and you deal with them in a good why. Also makes it easier for muslims to know each other because a lot of the muslim that dress the same as the non-muslim you can not tell wheather they are muslim or not so you are not sure if you should give them the salams. The Imaam of a masjid should dress that way, if he leads the prayer in pants his awrah will be exposed to those behind him. From the scholars that say wearing pants is aloud still say it is better to wear a thawb or Izaar. Plus why should the women be the only ones in the spotlight being seen as muslims without doubt in public.
 
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TearfulEyes

Guest
Mabsoot said:
Wa alaykum salam,

I dont understand what the problem is with allowing people to express their love of Islam by wearing the clothes of predominantly Muslim countries, whether they wear the beautiful printed shirts of Malaysia, the Yemeni clothes, Nigerian, Kuwaiti or the lesser known Lebanese and Palestinian Shirt.

wasalam.
Click to expand...

I agree with all what you said brother Mabsoot, except you should have expanded your geography in the quote there to include clothes from our reverted brothers from Eastern Europe, Africa, Nordic, Scandenavian, Irish, Scottish (including the skirt), Indian, and so on. Islam is spreading to all cultures and continents and we should expand our horizons to welcome different fashions from all nations.

I dont think this is a silly argument since lots of new reverts and people seeking truth come to this website looking for information regarding Islam. They must know that they do not have to change their external appearance to be Muslims. I disgree with the idea that all muslims must look alike wearing Arabic clothes.


Brother Ibn Aham, thank you for your clarification.
 
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rguyah

Junior Member
Muslim Clothing

Q: Why do you dress the way you do?
A: First and foremost, because Almighty God (Allah) commands us to do so. In the Qur'an, Allah tells the believers to "lower their gaze and be modest." Specifically, it says: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their chests and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers..." [continuing list of family members and others in front of whom women are exempt from covering] (Qur'an 24:30-31)
Of course, Muslims believe that God has full Wisdom and knows what is best for us, so we strive to follow His guidance in every aspect of our lives. Muslims have also discovered other advantages to dressing modestly, including: being known for who you really are; not being judged by your beauty or lack thereof; being able to conduct business in an atmosphere of respect; being readily known as a Muslim; liberation; comfort.
Q: Aren't you hot?
A: In many ways, covering the body protects it from the heat of direct sunlight. In loose, flowing clothing, the air around the body flows freely and cools more readily. The choice of fabric covering the body is more important than the square inches/centimeters exposed or covered. On severely hot days, we might be uncomfortable as is everyone else. During those times, we find comfort knowing that we are following the commands of Allah, and "the fire of hell is hotter."
Q: Do the different colors mean anything?
A: Muslims are to dress in modest clothing, without attracting attention to oneself. For this reason, many Muslims choose earth-tone colors such as green, blue, gray, as well as the usual black and white. Beyond this, there are no specific meanings behind the choice of color. Some colors are more common in certain parts of the world, based on local tradition.
Q: Why are there differences in the specific styles of dress?
A: While Islam outlines a code of modesty, it does not command a certain style, color, or fabric. The range of clothing you find among Muslims is a sign of the great diversity among the Muslim community.
Q: Do men have a dress code as well?
A: Absolutely. Both men and women are commanded in the Qur'an to "lower their gaze and be modest." It is generally understood that men are not to expose the area of their body from the navel to the knee. However, many Muslim men would feel shy to expose a bare chest or bare legs in public. As with women, men are not to wear clothing that is tight or see-through. Indeed, in many Muslim societies the traditional clothing for men includes long, flowing robes, or long tunics that fully cover the body.

[SIZE=+2]Part I: What do the Qur'an and Hadith have to say about Muslim Clothing?[/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]The Qur'an tells both women and men to be[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] modest[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]. [For some Muslims, [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]modest[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] clothing for women is a head covering called a '[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]hijab[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]', but this was not worn in all medieval Muslim societies. Whenever a woman entered a mosque, however, she would always have her head covered. [/SIZE](This was also true of medieval Christian women entering a church.)[SIZE=+1] In some societies even the woman's face was covered.][/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]The Qur'an tells [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]men[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] that they [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]should not wear silk or gold jewelry[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] to show off their wealth. [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]Clothing should [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]not attract attention or be worn to show off[/SIZE][SIZE=+1].[/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]Clothing must [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]cover the entire body[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]; only the [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]hands and face may remain visible[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]. [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]The [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]material must not be so thin[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] that one can see through it. [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]Clothing must hang loose[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] so that the shape of the body is not shown off.[/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]The [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]woman's clothing must not resemble the man's clothing, nor should the man's clothing resemble the woman's[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]. [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]Women shouldn't artificially lengthen their hair[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] with wigs or weaves, [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]nor have tattoos[/SIZE][SIZE=+1].[/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]A Muslim should [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]not wear clothing to look like a non-Muslim[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]. [/SIZE](For example, the Persians were known for wearing red, many silk robes, and their men's robes had long trains which dragged behind them. The Prophet Muhammad was against Muslims copying these styles.)
  • [SIZE=+1]Men's robes or shirts should extend down from halfway below the shin but over the ankles, but not so long as to trail behind on the ground.[/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]While praying[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] in a mosque, [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]clothing should be plain[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] and not be distracting.[/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=+1]A [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]man's hair[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] might be criticized if it was shoulder-length or longer. The Prophet Muhammad preferred men to wear their hair neat and cut a little below the ears.[/SIZE]
Read the rest at: http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/Clothing/Islam_Clothing,_Jewelry_Ma.html
 
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rguyah

Junior Member
Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 32:
Clothing (Kitab Al-Libas)

Book 32, Number 4041:
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) once prayed wearing a garment having marks. He looked at its marks. When he saluted, he said: Take this garment of mine to AbuJahm, for it turned my attention just now in my prayer, and bring a simple garment without marks.


Wait no longer and read more: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/abudawud/032.sat.html
​
 
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rguyah

Junior Member
A lot of people make fun of the Muslims whom wear pants above their ankles... a lot of Muslims follow the disbelievers and make fun too... but be ye warned:
Book 32, Number 4082:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
AbdurRahman said: I asked AbuSa'id al-Khudri about wearing lower garment. He said: You have come to the man who knows it very well. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: The way for a believer to wear a lower garment is to have it halfway down his legs and he is guilty of no sin if it comes halfway between that and the ankles, but what comes lower than the ankles is in Hell. On the day of Resurrection. Allah will not look at him who trails his lower garment conceitedly.

Book 32, Number 4073:
Narrated AbuJurayy Jabir ibn Salim al-Hujaymi:
I saw a man whose opinion was accepted by the people, and whatever he said they submitted to it. I asked: Who is he? They said: This is the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). I said: On you be peace, Apostle of Allah, twice. He said: Do not say "On you be peace," for "On you be peace" is a greeting for the dead, but say "Peace be upon you".
I asked: You are the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon you)? He said: I am the Apostle of Allah Whom you call when a calamity befalls you and He removes it; when you suffer from drought and you call Him, He grows food for you; and when you are in a desolate land or in a desert and your she-camel strays and you call Him, He returns it to you.
I said: Give me some advice. He said: Do not abuse anyone. He said that he did not abuse a freeman, or a slave, or a camel or a sheep thenceforth. He said: Do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother, show him a cheerful face. This is a good work. Have your lower garment halfway down your shin; if you cannot do it, have it up to the ankles. Beware of trailing the lower garment, for it is conceit and Allah does not like conceit. And if a man abuses and shames you for something which he finds in you, then do not shame him for something which you find in him; he will bear the evil consequences for it.
​
 
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seekingtruth2

Junior Member
as salaamu alaykom brothers and sisters in islam,
I would like to add a couple of things here just for the benefit of all perhaps. For women especially there is a dress code. I am a resonably new revert to islam but I find in the Hadiths that there are very very specific requirements for dress ect. In america one cannot find clothing anywhere to fulfill these requirements in regular store, ie: sears jcPenny walmart (lol) ect. we should not wear pants we should not wear tight clothing, we should have only our hands and face showing ect. I would perhaps appreiciate your trying to find american clothing at one of our local stores that will fit the bill and make me look american still! Sorry perhaps that was too harsh.... I go to a store with Islamic clothing ie: abayas and jilbabs ect. now to buy my cloths... I'm sorry if this somehow offends you but I find it is easy on me to go to one store and actually find something I am allowed to wear according to Hadith... When I was first a muslim before I had correct clothing I actually felt some amount of guilt for being unable to dress in a suitable manner, though I felt Allah would not judge me, I wanted to do my very best for the sake and love of Allah!!! Please do not let it offend you in some way because your new brothers and sisters in Islam simply love Allah!!! And when Walmart comes up with appropriate clothing for me I will shop there!!! lol
 
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rguyah

Junior Member
Point taken sister. You are right about it in most cases. I found that there are many brothers here in Pittsburgh whom sell clothing out of their vans. Clothing that fits upon what the Sunnah has directed. I for one cut all of my jeans above my ankles this Ramadan after reading the hadith about having the cloths below the ankle. My wife wasn't too happy about it at first but I quoted her the Ahadith and it's all good now. Do I get people looking at me like I'm weird... sure and I enjoy that because this is a part of my identity as a Muslim.

This website had some nice Jilbabs for the sisters: http://www.thehijabshop.com/jilbabs/
Inshallah my wife will be getting some from them.
 
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TearfulEyes

Guest
To my sister SeekingTruth2, the subject of dress code in this thread was meant for MEN, not women's dress code. Women's dress code is a vast area and may be we shall address it in the future.

I am not sure about the jeans below the ankle issue, because I dont think there is jeans pants that trails ! I dont know!
 
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