What were Prophet Muhammad’s clothes and is it forbidden to wear western clothing?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

The ‘Ulama say the dressing of a person is either Waajib (Fardh), Mustahab, Haraam, Makruh or Mubaah (permissible). A person should, when dressing, diligently follow the Mandub (preferred) mode, and abstain from the Makruh mode of dressing. It is Waajib to dress in a manner where the Satr is covered at all times. The Mandub manner is that which the Shari’ah has preferred and induced us to wear, like the wearing of one’s best clothing on the two ‘Eids, and the wearing of white on Fridays. Makruh is that clothing which the Shari’ah has discouraged us from wearing. For example, a rich person should not always wear torn and tattered clothes, the praiseworthy act for him is to put on such clothes that may indicate the signs of Allah’s bounty to him.

Haraam clothing is that which the Shari’ah has prohibited us from wearing:

1) When wearing clothes the intention is to cover and look beautiful, as “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty.” (Muslim)

However, to wear clothes with the intention of pride, arrogance, self-admiration and Riya is Haraam. Therefore, one should avoid extravagance and avoid wearing branded clothes as a status symbol.

Allah Ta’ala says,

“Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster.” (31:18)

“Certainly He (Allah) likes not the extravagant.” (7:31)

Jundub (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) said: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “He who so acts to show off, Allah will disgrace him on the Day of Resurrection, and he who does good deeds so that people (may hold him in high esteem), Allah will expose his hidden evil intentions before the people on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

2) To wear clothes which are worn by the opposite gender.

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) cursed those men who imitate women and those women who imitate men.” (Al-Bukhari)

3) It is Haraam for a man to wear silken clothing without a valid Shar’ee reason.

Umar bin Al-Khattab (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying, “Silk (clothes) are worn only by him who has no share in the Hereafter.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Anas (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) permitted Zubair and `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (RadhiyAllahu Anhuma) to wear silk because they were suffering from an itch. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

4) It is Haram and sinful to have one’s garment, lower garment etc, below the ankles.

It is narrated by Mughirah Ibn Shu’bah (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) that Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,”O Sufyan Ibn Sahl! Do not do Isbaal (letting the garment fall below the ankles), because Allah does not like the one who let their garment fall below the ankles. (Nasai’)

5) It will be Haraam and impermissible to wear clothes of non-Muslim having Qasd (intention, resolving) to imitate them and be like them.

It will be Makruh Tanzeehi (Less offensively disliked) to wear non-Muslim clothes, without the Qasd (intention, resolving) to immitate and being like them. However, if such clothes does not cover the Satr (private parts), silk is worn etc, then this will be Haraam.

It will be Haraam and impermissible to wear such clothes which imitates another religion i.e christian clerical collar and its like – such that an onlooker would consider that person from among such people.

Rasullulah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “Whosoever impersonates a nation (other than Islam) will be (resurrected) from them on the day of judgment”. (Abu Dawud)

Also, one should try to the best of one’s ability to totally avoid the resemblance with non-Muslim. Remember, a person should always be identifiable as a Muslim.

(Takmilah Fathul Mulhim Vol.4 Pg.87-89, Taqrir Tirmidhi Vol.2 Pg.331 – Fiqhi Jawahir Vol.2 Pg.47,48, Mufti Faruq Sahib Damat Barakatuhum)

Clothes worn by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam):

1) It has been reported from Ummi Salamah (RadhiyAllahu Anha): “Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam) preferred wearing, from among all clothing, the Qamis (Thowb)”.

2) Asmaa bint Yazeed (RadhiyAllahu Anha) says: “The sleeve of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam’s) Qamis reached to the wrists”.

Commentary :

This narration apparently contradicts the one where it has been stated that the sleeves of the qamis of Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam) were a bit longer than the wrist. The ‘Ulama have summed up the difference in several ways. Firstly, that at different times it had different lengths. Secondly, that when the sleeves were creased they were above the wrists, and when they were smooth and straight they were over the wrists. Some are of the opinion that both are taken on estimation. In this case there is no difficulty.

Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saahib has written in the ‘Badhlul Majhud’ that where it is mentioned till the wrists, it is taken to be the best and desirable. Where the sleeves are stated to be longer, it is considered permissible. ‘Allaamah Jazari states that it is sunnah that the length of the qamis (kurtah) sleeves reach till the wrists, and that of a jubbah be a bit longer, but in no case should it be longer than the fingers.

3) Ibn Abbas (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) reports that lengthwise, the Kurta of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would be above his ankles while the sleeves would reach upto his fingers. Allama Munawi writes in his commentary of this Hadith that it is learnt from the coupling of another narration with this one that “Above the Ankles” means the middle of the calf (halfway between the ankles and knees), just as it has been reported in one narration.

(Faizul Qadeer vol. 5 pg.173)

4) Abu Sa’eed Khudari (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) says, “When Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam) put on a new garment, he would in happiness mention that garment’s name. For example, ‘Allah Ta’aala gave me this Qamis (thowb, kurtah), ‘Amaamah (turban) sheet, etc” Then recited this du’aa:

‘Allahumma lakal hamdu kama kasauw- tanihi, as-aluka khayrahu wa-khayra ma-suni’a lahu wa-a’u- dhu bika min sharrihi wa-sharri ma-suni’a lahu’.

Translation

“Oh Allah, all praise and thanks to You for clothing me with this (garment). I ask You for the good of it and the good of what it was made for, and I ask Your protection from the evil of it and the evil of what it was made for.”

5) Anas bin Maalik (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) says: “The sheet (body wrap) most liked by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) was the Yamaani printed sheet.”

6) Abu Rimthah Taymi (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) says,”I saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam) covering himself in two green coloured sheets.”

7) Ibn ‘Abbaas (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) says that Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam) used to say: ” Choose white clothing, as it is the best clothing. White clothing should be worn whilst living, and the dead should be buried in white.”

(Shamaa’il)

Please read more: http://www.inter-islam.org/hadeeth/stmenu.htm

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

————————————–
Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK