What exactly is the meaning of dressing according to the Sunnah? Some people say that ‘Abaya, ‘Amaama etc. are “culture” or “custom” and not “Sunnah” because the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم used to dress according to the custom of his land. Therefore can a person dress according to the custom of his land instead of wearing the “sunnah” clothing?

Also, I wanted to ask wether or not it is Sunna to wear a Shawl because in numerous Ahadith it is reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم wore “Ridaa” which is translated as Shawl and Izaar. And if yes how should this Shawl be? Can it be any Shawl including those commonly wore in places like Yemen?

Jazakumullahu Khairan

Assalamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
I would like to know regarding the Islamic understanding of “Sunnah dress”. Some argue that wearing Shalwar Kamees, ‘Abaya, Topi etc. is not Sunnah but culture.
They say the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم dressed according to the custom of his people, so therefore we may dress according to the custom of our people (provided it fulfills the requirements of Shari’a like covering ‘Awrah). Would it then be considered “Sunnah” to dress according to the custom? For example, one may argue that it was the custom of the Arabs to wear Topi, turban, etc. and the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم dressed according to the custom of his land and therefore wearing turban etc. is culture, not sunnah.

Also, would it be considered Sunnah to wear a Shawl because the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم wore a shawl? And if this is the case then how should the Shawl be?