The Dressing of a Muslim
It is very common amongst the youth to emulate the dress code and ways of non-Muslims. Following Hollywood, Bollywood, western and eastern fashion, lifestyle, and culture is the pursuit, interest and fixation of many people.
I have mentioned to boys, girls, and even adults that the dressing which is according to the Sunnah, greatly benefits in different ways. This dressing of the Kurta, pants above the ankle and Topee/Amamah for the men, and the Hijab and Niqab for the women has Noor.
When this Sunnah attire and modest dressing are adopted, this Noor enters the heart and results in piety being nurtured in the heart, character, and speech. There is an immediate effect and improvement in a person’s spirituality.
The Sunnah dressing is also extremely modest and simple. As such, modesty and simplicity are also cultivated in the person.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Simplicity is a part of Imaan”[1] and: “Modesty is a branch of Faith.”[2]
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) also said:
“Haya (modesty) does not bring anything except good.”[3]
Where there is modesty, then virtue, chastity and purity will be found – in actions, speech and thoughts.
Another benefit of the dressing of Islam is that it becomes a barrier and protection from sins. It makes it so much easier to stay away from sins.
The person in Kurta or the sister in Hijaab and Niqaab will stay far away from committing open sin, going to places such as cinemas, clubs, and other evil venues. There is an understanding that this dress represents piety and that people consider such people pious. Being present in such places is most inappropriate, especially in such attire.
I advise and encourage all the brothers, young and old, who are not in the habit of wearing the Sunnah Libaas, to commence by wearing it for the Fardh Salaah. Salaah demands respect. Being in the House of Allah Ta’ala also demands respect and dignity.
In answering the call to Salah, also respond to the Command of Allah Ta’ala regarding our dressing to Salaah.
“O Children of Aadam! Take your adornment at every prayer …”
[Surah Al-A’raf 7:31]
Wearing short sleeves, tight-fitting pants, performing the Salaah bareheaded, etc., goes against the grain of respect and is Makruh (extremely disliked).
If a person wears this Sunnah Libaas five times a day for the Salaah, he will, insha Allah, see the day when he will cast off the western garb and adopt the Sunnah attire full time, with great love and happiness. He will establish great affinity with the Sunnah and lose interest in the ways of the non-Muslims.
Very sadly, so many of our sisters go out ill-clad, wearing immodest, revealing, and modern garb
—and then beautify and perfume themselves. They then become targets of filthy, lustful glances and even physical and verbal harassment. In a society where evil and obscenity abound, rape also has a ‘visual’ dimension.
Allah Ta’ala revealed the laws of the Hijab in various Aayat (verses) of the Qur’an Shareef. Hijab identifies a woman as a respectable human being, and she is safeguarded from any kind of harassment —which is so common in this day and age.
“O Nabi! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e., screen themselves completely). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed….”
[Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59]
Our sisters should look towards the pure wives and daughters of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the noble Sahabiyaat (radiyallahu ‘anhun) as role models. These are women who earned great honour and success in both worlds, and they are beloved by Allah Ta’ala. Aspire for this!
When the dressing of the Kuffar is worn, Zulmat (darkness) falls on the heart, and this darkness then becomes apparent in the person’s character, actions, and speech.
An attribute of the dress of the Kuffar is immodesty and indecency. It destroys the inherent modesty and shame of a person. Very quickly, the nature of a person becomes spoiled – inclining towards immodesty and indecency.
We see the result of imitating actors, actresses, singers and others: smoking, drugs, alcohol, swearing, illicit relationships, fornication, etc. Darkness spreads in the person’s life.
Their culture encourages girls to look like boys and boys to look like girls. Identity is lost, and natural characteristics are ruined.
Allah Ta’ala has defined the perfect dress code for men and women. Various Ahadith offer us guidelines and details regarding our dressing. We should acquaint ourselves with this knowledge, implement it practically, and appreciate the bounty of such beautiful, noble attire.
The clothing of a Muslim is extremely important. It is our identity. We should not be embarrassed or ashamed to be recognized as Muslims and followers of our Beloved Rasul (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam). We should be desirous of having this resemblance with him (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Moreover, our dress makes us ambassadors, representatives, and flag-bearers of this beautiful Deen without any effort.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the courage and the Taufiq of practising on all of Deen and give us the great benefits and rewards resulting from this, Aameen.
[1] Abu Dawud
[2] Nasai
[3] Sahih Al-Bukhari