Salaam. Sometimes I feel there is so much talk about ladies’ dress code in Islam and too little emphasis on the males. Yes the women have more rules and theirs is more delicate. Equally important however, is the dress code for the Muslim men. The following are some of the basic rulings concerning the matter:
#1. No gold no silk
Basically, everything is permissible to wear except silk. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “These two [gold and silk] are forbidden for the males of my ummah and permissible for the females.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah.
Also, it is not permissible to wear the skin of dead animals unless it has been tanned. Clothes made from the wool of goats, sheep and camel are halal.
#2. Michael Jackson please
I do not know why I think of Micheal Jackson when I think of men in ankle length trousers but it is perhaps fitting considering that Michael later converted to Islam. But back to the issue at hand, It is haram for a man to wear clothes that go below his ankle. The hadith narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said “ Whatever of the lower garment is beneath the ankles is in the Fire.” (reported by Abu Huraira). It is also haram for a man to wear a cloth above his knees.
#3. Looking good is one thing, looking vain is another
The Prophet (PBUH) strictly discouraged arrogance, but emphasized cleanliness. It is haram for a man to dress up for fame or attention. Islam is humility. The Prophet said concerning cleanliness: “No one will enter Paradise in whose heart is a mustard-seed of arrogance.” A man said: “What if a man likes his clothes to look nice and his shoes to look nice?” He said: “Allaah is Beautiful and loves beauty; arrogance means rejecting the truth and looking down on people.” (Reported by Ibn Masood)
Concerning arrogance, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever wears a garment of fame and vanity, Allaah will dress him in a garment like it on the Day of Resurrection.”(reported by Ibn Umar)
#4. Do not dress like the non-believers
It is not permissible to wear clothes imitate the non-believers. Any dressing that identifies with non-believers and would make people think you are one when you wear it is haram.
In the same light, it is not permissible to imitate female dressing just as it is not permissible for females to imitate male dressing because the prophet (PBUH) cursed people who do so.
#5. Keep it loose
Another important point it that a man must not wear clothes that are see through. It is also not permissible to wear clothes that show the shape of his awrah (the part of his body that should be hidden). In other words, a man’s clothes should not be too loose or too tight.
Islam is all about submitting to the will of the Almighty. In doing so, we are expected to strive hard and do our best. That being said, it is our responsibility to represent our deen in the best possible way, from appearance to character.
Jazakallah.
