Dress According to Islamic Law

What does Islam say regarding Dress Code?

Islam promotes modesty and seeks to minimize vice and immorality in society. One of the ways it does so is by requiring modest dress. Islam sets the standards of decency for both men and women.

Islam wants to achieve two things through appropriate dress. Firstly, to cover human body properly as it is not right to expose human body indecently. Secondly, for the purpose of protection and adornment ( the Qur'anic term "Reesh" is both for beautification and to provide body against the severity of climate ).

The Qur'an, the book of Allah, states in this regard:

"O, children of Adam, we have sent down to you clothing in order to cover the shameful parts of your body and serve as protection and adornment and the best garment is the garment of piety" (QS. 7: 26).


Islam prescribes a more conservative minimum dress code for both men and women. In Islam, both men and women are expected to dress simply, modestly, and with dignity. A man must always be covered in loose and unrevealing clothing from his navel to his knee. This is the absolute minimum covering required. He must never, for example, go out in public wearing a short bathing suit. When leaving the home, a Muslim woman must at least cover her hair and body in loose and unrevealing clothing, obscuring the details of her body from the public; some also choose to cover their face and hands. The wisdom behind this dress code is to minimize sexual enticement and degradation in society as much as possible for both men and women. Obeying this dress code is a form of obedience to God. Islam forbids any sex appeal and physical allurement outside of marriage. In contrast, Islam encourages sex appeal and physical attraction for both men and women within the privacy between married couples.

Islamic law has provided mankind with appropriate instructions and guidelines regarding dress for men and women. There should be a balance between appropriate covering of body and adornment. If this balance is destroyed, this will be a deviation and following the way of devil.

The Qur'an states in this regard:

"O, children of Adam, let not satan seduce you in the same way as he caused your first parents to be driven out of the heaven and stripped them of their garments in order to expose their shameful parts before each other" (7 27).

Islam has not permitted the use of same type of dress or garments by men and women. Islam wants to maintain the distinction between man and woman. It is not proper for men or women to imitate the other sex in respect of dress. The Prophet of Islam has said, "It is prohibited for men to dress like women and it is prohibited for women to dress like men" (narrated in the books of tradition of Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, -Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban).

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has also cursed such people (narrated by Imam Bukhari in his book of tradition of the Prophet).

Islam has prohibited show and pomp in the matter of dress. The Qur'an has stated,

"Allah does not like any proud person" (57 : 23).

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said, "Any person who will (unnecessarily lengthen his dress) to touch the ground only to show his pride, Allah will not look to him on the day of judgement" (narrated by Imam Bukhari in his book of tradition).

Dress should be very clean as Islam has emphasised on cleanliness. The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has said, "Adopt cleanliness because Islam is a religion which upholds cleanliness" (narrated in Ibn Habban, a book of tradition of the Prophet).

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has permitted use of gold ornaments and silk by women. He has not permitted use of these for men. The reason probably is that these are more suitable for women nature and not for men.

Men and women should wear decent dress. It is the Sunnah of the Prophet that men and women should cover their body properly. However, men are allowed to expose their body except the portion between navel and knee for the need of work or otherwise.

Women should cover their body very properly. The Prophet has said that it is not appropriate for a grown up girl to expose any part of her body except face and forehead (to any male who is not her husband or close relation). (Narrated by Abu Dawood in his book on tradition). This is the view of the majority of jurists including Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Abu Yusuf. Modern scholars Yusuf al Qaradawi, Hasan Turabi and Jamal Badawi also hold this view.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said that women are not permitted to wear any thin garment through which their body can be seen (narrated by Imam Muslim).

Islam believes in the dignity of women and wants to protect her from lustful eyes of evil persons. Islam, therefore, prescribed that women should put on a flowing outer garment (gown) over her normal dress while going out to do work or for other purposes. The Qur'an has stated:

"O Prophet ask your wives, daughter and women of the believers to put on a flowing outer garment (covering their bosom and head). This is better for recognition of good women so that they will not be bothered (33 : 59).

If mankind follows the principles of dress given by Islam, it will indeed ensure dignity of women and men and also help establish a decent society.

Conditions of Muslim Dress Code

1. Clothing must cover the entire body, only the hands and face may remain visible (According to some Fiqh Schools).
2. The material must not be so thin that one can see through it.
3. The clothing must hang loose so that the shape / form of the body is not apparent.
4. The female clothing must not resemble the man's clothing.
5. The design of the clothing must not resemble the clothing of the non-believing women.
6. The design must not consist of bold designs which attract attention.
7. Clothing should not be worn for the sole purpose of gaining reputation or increasing one's status in society.

The reason for this strictness is so that the woman is protected from the lustful gaze of men. She should not attract attention to herself in any way. It is permissible for a man to catch the eye of a woman, however it is haram (unlawful) for a man to look twice as this encourages lustful thoughts.

Islam protects the woman; it is for this reason that Allah gave these laws. In today's society womankind is being exploited, female sexuality is being openly used in advertising, mainly to attract the desires of men and therefore sell the product. Is the woman really free in today's society? The answer is obviously no. The constant bombardment by the media as to how the ideal woman should look and dress testifies to this.

Islam liberated woman over 1400 years ago. Is it better to dress according to man or God?

Allah has stated in the Qur'an that women must guard their modesty.
" Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty ; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof. " [QS.24.31]

" Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty ; that will make for greater purity for them, and God is well acquainted with all they do. " [QS.24.30]