How to dress as a Muslim(ah)?

(Islamic Dress Code)

Islam encourages modesty (Haya - حياء) in dress for both men and women. The way a Muslim dresses should reflect decency, humility, and faith while maintaining cultural diversity.

1. General Guidelines for Both Men & Women

✅ Clothing must cover the Awrah (private areas):

• For men: From the navel to the knees.

• For women: The entire body except the face and hands in front of non-mahram men.

✅ Clothes should be loose and not revealing.

✅ No see-through or excessively tight clothing.

✅ Avoid extravagant or overly luxurious dressing out of pride.

✅ Do not imitate the clothing of the opposite gender.

✅ Dressing should be dignified, clean, and respectful.

2. How Should Muslim Men Dress?

✅ Recommended Attire for Men

• Loose-fitting and modest clothing.

• Wearing a thobe (long robe) or loose pants & a shirt that covers the navel to the knees.

• Head coverings (optional): Some men wear a kufi (cap) or turban.

• Keeping the beard (Sunnah).

❌ Prohibited for Men

• Wearing silk (forbidden for men but allowed for women).

• Wearing gold jewelry (e.g., gold rings, chains, or bracelets).

• Dressing like women or in a feminine manner.

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The Messenger of Allah cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men."

(Bukhari)

3. How Should Muslim Women Dress?

✅ Recommended Attire for Women

• Clothing should cover the entire body except for the face and hands in public.

• Loose-fitting garments that do not define body shape.

• Wearing a Hijab (headscarf) covering the hair.

• Some women may wear a Jilbab (long coat), Abaya (long robe), or Niqab (face veil).

• Modest, simple, and non-transparent fabric.

❌ Prohibited for Women

• Wearing tight, transparent, or revealing clothes.

• Wearing perfume in public (as per hadith).

• Dressing like men (e.g., wearing men's clothing styles).

🔹 Qur’an on Modesty for Women:

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to expose their adornments except what [necessarily] appears thereof, and to wrap their headscarves over their chests..."

(Surah An-Nur 24:31)

4. Dressing in Different Cultures

Islamic modesty varies by culture:

• Middle East: Abayas, Thobes, Niqab (some women).

• South Asia: Shalwar Kameez, Hijab.

• Africa: Hijab, Long dresses.

• Western Muslims: Modest tunics, long skirts, maxi dresses.

Islam allows cultural flexibility as long as modesty and Islamic principles are followed.

5. Is wearing modest a choice or obligation from God

1. Hijab Is a Clear Command from Allah

   • The Quran instructs believing women to cover themselves (Surah An-Nur 24:31, Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59).

   • Just like prayer, fasting, and zakat, hijab is part of obedience to Allah. A believer does not pick and choose obligations but submits fully to Allah’s will.

2. Islam Is About Submission, Not Just Personal Choice

   • Islam means submission to Allah, and true faith is about obeying Him even when it is difficult.

   • If someone says, “It’s my choice,” the response is: Yes, but in Islam, the choice should be to obey Allah.

3. No Justification for Disobedience

   • Some people justify not wearing hijab with excuses like “It’s what’s in the heart that matters” or “I’m a good person without it.”

   • However, being a good person does not remove religious obligations—just like praying, fasting, or avoiding haram.

   • We should strive to improve, not justify our weaknesses.

4. Encourage, Don’t Judge

   • Many Muslim women struggle with wearing the hijab due to societal pressure, personal challenges, or weak faith.

   • Instead of condemning them, remind them that every act of obedience to Allah brings blessings, and hijab is no exception.

   • The Prophet (ﷺ) taught wisdom and kindness in da’wah—our goal is to help others, not push them away.

Would you like support and help to find suppliers of Modest Islamic clothing? 😊