The Islamic Etiquette of Clothing

It is common for teens all over the world to want to keep up with the latest fashions. The inappropriate styles are adopted that really are not Islamically acceptable. Some teens strike the balance very well while others will unfortunately push thing too far by wearing , for example, black spandex body suits under the revealing and skimpy clothing that are in fashion right now.

They try to justify their clothing by claiming that because they aren’t showing any skin this is good enough to comply with Islamic dress code.

Deep in their hearts they probably know that what they are wearing is not good. The fact is that they have become “fashion victims” which severely impairs their sense of reasons.

There is a common misconception that to dress Islamically, women have to wear black robes with no style, and men are to wear white.

In this chapter, we will consider what the requirements of Islamic dress are. First, let’s learn what the Qur’an says about clothing:

Clothes in the Qur’an س� ب�ا ل� ب� ش�ا ل�ي ب� م� س� ل� آ� م� ب� ل�ي ب�� سي ش�ا ب�ا ل� م� س� م� ب� ب� ب�ا م� �ب �م ��ب م� ب ب! ب" آ� ل�ي ب$ بيا ر& م� ب) ب( ل� ذب* ذ, ب� م- ./ ب ��

ب0 س&� ب/1 ب/2 بي م� س3 �/ ب ب4 ب� ل5 �/ ب �� ل6 بيا آ� م7 ل8 ب( ل� ذب*

O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upts) and as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, that they may remember (i.e. leave falsehood and follow truth).

ب9ا س3 بي ل& س� ل� ب9ا س3 ب� ب�ا ل� ب9ا س3 م� ب� س: �ل م� بي ل; �/ ب ب> م� � ب7 ل8 م� س� مي ب� ب$ ��ب ب= ب& م) ��ب ب9ا ب1 س0 ب<ا م� ب/� �� س� س� �/ ب ب� ل. م? بي بAا ب! ب" آ� ل�ي ب$ بيابAا ب7 ل2ي �/ ب ل� Bب ب�ا ل� م� ��ب ب7 �Cل ب�ا ب/� �� ب�ا م� ب4 Dب �ا/ ب �Eل م� س3 �ب م� ب& ب� بAا Gس م� Hب م7 ل8 س5 س� ل�� ب ب� ب� Iس م� س1 ب&� بي س5 �/ ب �Eل ب9ا ل3 ل� آ� م� ب�ب0 س�� ل8 Jم سي

O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitân (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabîluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayâtin (devils) Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.

Du’aa الناس في به أتجمل ما الرياش من رزقني الذي لله الحمد

عورتى به أواري و“Praise be to Allah who granted me the clothes that

made me look good in front of people and cover my body.Clothing

Table: ‘Awrah For Males And Females

In Public With Same Sex Relatives

With Opposite Sex Relatives

Emergency and Extreme Situations5

Man Navel to knees Navel to knees Mahram1:

Navel to kneesNon-Mahram2

Neck to Knees

Open,As necessary

Woman Head to toe Except handsAnd face

Neck to Knees Mahram 3:Neck to kneesNon-Mahram4:Head to toeExcept handsAnd face.*

Open,As necessary

1. Mother, grandmother, daughter, grand daughter, sister, niece and aunt.

2. Cousin and sister in law.3. Father, grandfather, son, grand son,

brothers, nephew and uncle.4. Cousin and brother in law.5. Surgery, rescue, doctor visits (When

same sex doctor is not available).

5. Mother, Grandmother, daughter, grand daughter, sister, niece and aunt.

6. Cousin and sister in law.7. Father, grandfather, son, grandson, brothers,

nephew and uncle.8. Cousin and brother in law.* Some scholars say that women must also cover

their face and hands. This contradicts many authentic ahadeeth that allow women to show the face and hands, without make up, of course. The feet must also be covered according to the majority of scholars. Imaam at-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud reported that Prophet Muhammed (PBUH.) ordered Ummuh Salmah And Aysha to cover their feet during Salah and in public.

Hadeeth Shareef : الله رسول قال قال عنه الله رضي جعفر بن عبدالله عن

عورة ” الركبة ألي السرة بين ما وسلم عليه الله .“صليAbdullah Ibn Jaf’far once said to a group of

men, “The Prophet said: ‘Between the Navel and the knee is “Awrah”(for males).”

Showing Off!It is common among teens and adults to show off in

front of their peers when they wear “cool” clothes. Muslims must not boast and brag about their outfits. It is Haraam in Islam to feel and show arrogance in any way, including through the clothing one wears. In the past, some people would wear clothing with pride and arrogance. Prophet Muhammed prohibited acting in a boastful manner by donning clothing that indicated wealth and status.

For example, some men would wear robes with trains that dragged along the ground as they walked to show off their status. They tried their best to look special and attract other’s attention. They didn’t care about the feelings and emotions of humble and poor people around them who were less fortunate.

In fact, many people used to have garments that barely covered the knees or a little lower. Therefore, the Prophet prohibited Muslims from wearing long clothes lower than ankles as a way to show their pride.

Islamic Standards Of ClothingWhen we consider evaluating fashion, we must first refer to the

basic Islamic principles of modest clothing: 1. Men and women are allowed and even encouraged to wear

neat, clean clothing in public. A man once asked Prophet Muhammed if wearing neat clothes and shoes can be Haram. He answered: “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.”

2. Men and women should refrain from wearing any type of clothing that is provocative and may attract the forbidden looks of others. Allah says in Surat-un-Noor,ب/7 ل3 ل$ س�� Dس Kذ ب� ب� ب/7 Iل ل& س9 Lس ل$ ب7 م$ ل& Mم ب� م� ب� ب3ا م� ل8 ب& ب3 Nب ب8ا /Aا ب �Eل ب/7 س3 ب. ب� لOي ب7 ل�ي م� سي بAا ب�

“And they should not display their beauty except what appears thereof [rings,bracelets] and let them cover their bosoms with parts of khimars [scarves]”

3. Men should cover most of their bodies from the neck down. However in certain situations, like during sports and physical labor, they must at least cover the area from the waist or the navel to the knees in front of men or women. It is also encouraged to wear a shirt around women so that one is not showing off the physique to the opposite sex

4. Women must cover everything except for the face and hands in public. When they are in private or just around women, they can uncover their hair, arms, legs to the knees and wear relaxed clothing. Allah says in Surat-ul-Ahzab:

اQب Rب ب7 Rم ب& م4 سي م0 ��ب Kذ �ب م" ��ب ب( ل� ذب* ب/7 ل3 ل� ل$� بQا Dب م7 ل8 ب/7 ل3 م� ب� ب� ب7 ��ل م� سي ب7 ل�� ل8 Jم س9 م� � Bل بSا �ل ب� ب( ل� ب�ا ب$ ب� ب( Dل ب�� Oم ب�ا Aل Tم س س/ي ل� �/ ب �� ب3ا س/ي ��ب بياش9ا �Hل ب� ش�� س?� Uب س5 �/ ب �� ب0 ب1ا ب� ب7 مي ب* Jم سي

O Prophet! 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 except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful

5. Covered areas must not be visible through transparent fabric nor can one’s physical shape can be observed through tight clothing

6. Men should not wear clothing that is directly or commonly associated with women, and women should not wear clothing that is directly and commonly associated with men.

Prophet Muhammed said, "Allah curses men who imitate women, and women who imitate men,”

Haram and Halal Haram for MenThere are certain clothes, jewelry, and fashions that

are haram for men to wear.They include the following:1. Gold Jewelry and silk-Based Clothes.Any clothes made of silk are prohibited for men in

Islam. Prophet Muhammad wore silk a few times, then Allah made it Haram for males. Prophet Muhammad once carried gold jewelry and silk clothes and said, “These are unlawful for men among my people In another Hadeeth, the Prophet said, “Whoever wears silk in this life will not wear it in the next life(in Jannah.”

As for gold, Imam Muslim reported that Ali Ibn Abi Talib once said:

بالذهب التختم عHن سلم و عHليه الله HلىHص الله رسHول HنهانيRasoolullah prohibited me from wearing gold rings.”2. Imitating women:Sometimes we see men wearing women’s clothing,

jewelry and even make-up. They adopt feminine hairstyles and fashion. Don’t you think they look strange and unnatural? Prophet Muhammad prohibited men from dressing l-Band behaving like women and vice versa. Imam Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn Abbas once said:

بالنساء المتشبهين Hالرجال وسلم عHليه الله صHلى الله رسHول لعنبالرجHال . المتشHبهات والنساء

“Rasoolullah cursed men who imitate women and cursed women who imitate men as well.”

3. Revealing clothes.Any clothes that reveal men’s ‘awraw’ or

private parts are Haram to wear. According to most scholars and imams, a muslim male must cover the area from the navel to the knees. In the Maliki School of fiqh, the awrah of a male muslim is what is usually covered with one’s underwear. This is due to reports that there were occasions when the prophet was seen with part of his thighs exposed. However, there are many authentic ahadeeth that prohibit showing one’s thighs, for example

Imam Ahmad, At-tirmithi and Abu Dawood reported that Rasoolullah was in the masjid and saw a Sahabi called Jurhud who was lying down and showing part of his thigh. The Prophet then ordered Jurhud to cover his thigh and said to his thigh and said to him:

عورة الفخذThe thigh is ‘awrah’Haram for Women1. Revealing and Tight Clothing.Any clothing that reveals the woman’s awrah is

obviously haram to wear.According to most scholar and imams, a Muslim

female must cover all her body except her face and hands. Once Asmaa,bint Abi Bakr, Aisha,s sister, came to visit her sister.

She wore some see-through and tight clothes. When Prophet Muhammad saw her he didn’t like the she dressed. So he said: “ O Asmaa’ When reaches the age of puberty she must properly cover all of her body except her face and hands.”

The above Hadeeth and other confirm that uncovering the ‘awrah is prohibited. Revealing the ‘awrah by wearing tight or see through clothes is forbidden as well.

Wearing tight shirts, pants, dresses or skirts that cover the skin, but shape the body’s figure make girls look attractive for males. Some girls even wears tight shirts or outfits that have wording or designs on the chest or other attractive parts of their bodies. This behavior obviously attracts men’s attention and would lead to temptation. This behavior is prohibited in Islam according to all schools of fiqh.

2. Makeup and perfumeWearing makeup and putting glittery lip gloss

on is forbidden because it would be attracting boys to focus on the girl’s facial features. Putting on perfume that could attract the attention of men is prohibited.

Some girls wear proper dress code but they also wear make up. This defeats the very purpose of hijab, because cosmetics obviously make girls look even more attractive.

Allah says in Surat-un-Noor:

31. 7ب ل�ي م� سي بAا ب� ب/7 س3 Dب س&� Rس ب7 Vم ب? Wم بي ب� ب/7 Iل ل� بXا م$ ��ب م7 ل8 ب7 Mم Mس Yم بي ل6 ب�ا ل8 Jم س9 م� ل� Tم س ب�م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� س�4 س� ل� /Aا ب �Eل ب/7 س3 ب. ب� لOي ب7 ل�ي م� سي بAا ب� ب/7 ل3 ل$ س�� Dس Kذ ب� ب� ب/7 Iل ل& س9 Lس ل$ ب7 م$ ل& Mم ب� م� ب� ب3ا م� ل8 ب& ب3 Nب ب8ا /Aا ب �Eل ب/7 س3 ب. ب� لOيم� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل� ب�� ب) ��ب ل�ي ب$ م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 �ل ب�� م) �Eل ل�ي ب$ م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 �ل ب�� م) �Eل م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� س�4 س$ Bل ب�ا م$ ��ب م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 Zل ب�ا م$ ��ب م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� س�4 س$ Bل ب$ا آ� م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 Zل ب$ا آ�س&�� ب3 Vم بي م� ب� ب7 ل2ي �/ ب � Tل م? ط< �� ل� ��ب ل\ بDا ط& �� ب7 ل8 ل; ب$ م� لEا Aم � ل�ي ���س ل& م� Uب ب7 ل�4 ل$ /.ا ب �� ل� ��ب ب/7 س3 �س ب9ا مي ��ب م[ ب� ب� ب8 ب8ا م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 Zل بSا �لب5 س/ي ��ب ش4ا ل�9 Dب ل5 �/ ب �� Kب� �Eل س$�� س�� ب� ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� لOي م7 ل8 ب7 ل?� Lم سي ب8ا ب� ب� م4 س� ل� ب/7 ل3 ل� Dس م� ب�ا ل$ ب7 م$ ل& Mم بي بAا ب� Bل بSا ط� �� ل6 ب�� م� ب� Kذ ب� ب�

ب0 �Wس ل� م? س� م� س� �/ ب ب4 ب� ب0 س�� ل8 Jم س9 م� �31 . ب7 Vم ب? Wم بي ب� ب/7 Iل ل� بXا م$ ��ب م7 ل8 ب7 Mم Mس Yم بي ل6 ب�ا ل8 Jم س9 م� ل� Tم س ب�ب/7 س3 ب. ب� لOي ب7 ل�ي م� سي بAا ب� ب/7 ل3 ل$ س�� Dس Kذ ب� ب� ب/7 Iل ل& س9 Lس ل$ ب7 م$ ل& Mم ب� م� ب� ب3ا م� ل8 ب& ب3 Nب ب8ا /Aا ب �Eل ب/7 س3 ب. ب� لOي ب7 ل�ي م� سي بAا ب� ب/7 س3 Dب س&� Rسم� ��ب ب/7 ل3 �ل ب�� م) �Eل ل�ي ب$ م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 �ل ب�� م) �Eل م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� س�4 س$ Bل ب�ا م$ ��ب م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 Zل ب�ا م$ ��ب م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� س�4 س$ Bل ب$ا آ� م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 Zل ب$ا آ� م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� س�4 س� ل� /Aا ب �Eل Tل م? ط< �� ل� ��ب ل\ بDا ط& �� ب7 ل8 ل; ب$ م� لEا Aم � ل�ي ���س ل& م� Uب ب7 ل�4 ل$ /.ا ب �� ل� ��ب ب/7 س3 �س ب9ا مي ��ب م[ ب� ب� ب8 ب8ا م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 Zل بSا �ل م� ��ب ب/7 ل3 ل� ب�� ب) ��ب ل�ي ب$س$�� س�� ب� ب/7 ل3 ل. ب� لOي م7 ل8 ب7 ل?� Lم سي ب8ا ب� ب� م4 س� ل� ب/7 ل3 ل� Dس م� ب�ا ل$ ب7 م$ ل& Mم بي بAا ب� Bل بSا ط� �� ل6 ب�� م� ب� Kذ ب� ب� س&�� ب3 Vم بي م� ب� ب7 ل2ي �/ ب �

ب0 �Wس ل� م? س� م� س� �/ ب ب4 ب� ب0 س�� ل8 Jم س9 م� � ب5 س/ي ��ب ش4ا ل�9 Dب ل5 �/ ب �� Kب� �Eل

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms,) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful

Girls must also avoid plucking their eye brows like many do in current days.

Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that Prophet Muhammad cursed the woman who plucks her eye brows and the one who does foe her.

Activity 1: Consider the following for girls. Are they

forbidden, discouraged or permissible?1. Text written on the back your pants.2. Flashy colored scarf.3. Text written on the front of your shirt.4. Shoes that make a clicking noise when you walk.5. Wearing pants instead of a skirt especially pants

that are so tight and shape your figure.6. Wearing a loose sweat shirt and rolling up the

sleeves.

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms,) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful

7- Letting hair fall out from the front and/ or the back of a scarf.

8- Wearing a loose shirt that just covers the buttocks and tight pants.

9- A low cut neckline that your scarf does not cover.

Activity 2.Consider the following for boys. Are they

forbidden, discouraged or permissible?1. Wearing shorts that go above the knee.2. Changing in front of your friends.3. Changing in front of your brother.4. Playing sports without a shirt on in front of

girls.5. Text written on the back of your pants.

6- Wearing a tight shirt in front of girls. 7- Looking at girl’s fashion magazines.8- Wearing perfume in public. 9- Text written on the back of your pants.Activity 3.Research the following issues using

website like www.Islamonline.net, www. Islamicicity.com, and others to learn what the Islamic stance on them:

1. Body piercing2. Tattooing3. Plucking eyebrows4. Nail polish

Study Questions 1. What does Allah mean by “But the garment

of piety is the best.” خير ذلك التقوى ولباس2. Compare and contrast the ‘Awrah for men

and women in Islam. 3. What is the purpose of clothing in Islam?

Support your answer with an Ayah.4. What is the du ‘aa’ the Prophet used to say

when he put on his clothes?5. What are the standards of acceptable

fashion in Islam?

6. What parts should men and women properly cover with clothing?

7. What is the hukm, or ruling, concerning hijab for Mulim women? Support your answer with ayaat and a hadeeth.

8. Describe three prohibited styles of clothing for men.

9. Describe three prohibited styles of clothing for women.

10. Write Du ‘aa’ for wearing new clothe without looking in the book.

11. Memorize and write Hadeeth Shareef about “Awrah”