Wearing Muslim clothing in Western countries

1-9-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

Do you get more reward if you wear Muslim Sunnah clothing that is Saudi style Jubbah in Western countries where non-Muslims keep on looking at you because you have Muslim clothing?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If a Muslim wears a Qamees (long Islamic-style shirt) to imitate the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and to protect his Islamic identity in Western society, then he will be rewarded for sure, if Allaah wills. Umm Salamah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her said: “No clothing was dearer to the Prophet of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, than (his Qamees) - the long shirt.” [Abu-Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

The Qamees covers the body more than other clothes do, and so it was dearer to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Hence, wearing it with the intention of imitating the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is recommended.

Moreover, wearing Islamic dress in Western society helps a Muslim avoid committing sins and forbidden acts, because a Muslim would feel ashamed to be seen wearing Islamic dress in dubious or sinful places.

The fact that this dress may catch the attention of the people is not harmful to the wearer, and it is not included in the prohibition about which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "If anyone wears a garment to gain fame, Allaah will clothe him in a garment of disgrace on the day of Resurrection." [Ahmad, Abu-Daawood, At-Tirmithi] Imaam Al-Munaawi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said explaining this narration, “Wearing garments that suggest fame means wearing clothes that are forbidden, or wearing them to boast in front of poor people to break their hearts, or to make people laugh at the wearer (such as the clowns do by wearing strange costumes).

Anyway, a Muslim cannot escape the attention of non-Muslims completely unless he becomes like them. Do not bother about what many of them do or their comments. Their nature has changed and has become perverted; they consider evil as good and perceive good as evil. Do you not see that nudity and immorality has become the criteria of so-called modernism and civilization, while chastity, noble qualities and modest clothing are considered as signs of backwardness and barbaric practices?

Allaah Knows best.

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