SIX CRITERIA FOR MUSLIM DRESSING

According to Qur’an and Sunnah, there are basically six criteria for Muslim dressing. The first criterion is different for men and women, while the other remaining five criteria are the same for both gender men and women.

(1) The extent of the body that should be covered.

This is different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face and the hands up to the wrist. However, if they choose to cover themselves further by means of a face veil and gloves, this is perfectly fine.

(2) The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.

(3) The clothes worn shouldn't be transparent such that one can see through them.

(4) The clothes worn shouldn't be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.

With regards to this, colors and styles should be as plain as possible so that unnecessary attention is not drawn to the person. In addition, the clothing should not be excessively rich and fancy in order to gain admiration nor excessively poor and ragged in order to gain sympathy. Modesty is the main goal.

(5) The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.

(6) The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the unbelievers’ religions.

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Some other criteria on dressing with regards to Muslim women:

>> Jewelry must not be displayed, and it is especially important that it does not make noise as a woman walks (an ankle-bracelet with bells, for example). Women in pre-Islamic Arabia used to wear such bracelets and stamp their feet in the markets in order to entice and attract men.

>> Make-up (unless it is completely covered by a face-veil) and perfume are strictly prohibited for Muslim women when outdoors or in the presence of non-mahrem men.

>> A Muslim woman who wears hijab should also strive to make her actions consistent with her dress with regards to Islamic guidelines for speech, manners and behavior.

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To all Muslims, men as well as women... please make sure you dress properly according to the Islamic teachings... May Allah bless you...