Dress

Dress in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Significance

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: لباس (Libās)
• Turkish: Giysi or Elbise

Introduction

Dress in Islam goes beyond mere clothing; it is a multifaceted concept that incorporates guidelines on modesty, piety, and cultural identity. This article delves into the significance of dress as mandated in the Qur’an and the Hadith, discussing its role in Islamic ritual, daily life, and cultural practices across different Muslim communities.

Qur’anic Injunctions on Dress

Islamic teachings on dress derive from several Qur’anic verses. Two key verses highlight both the encouragement of decent apparel and the prohibition of excess:

1. Decent Apparel:
   • Surah Al-A’raf (7:31): “O children of Adam! wear your goodly apparel when ye repair to any mosque.”
2. Modesty and Extravagance:
   • Surah Al-A’raf (7:26): “We (God) have sent down raiment to hide your nakedness, and splendid garments; but the raiment of piety, this is the best.”

Prophetic Traditions on Dress

The Hadith collections provide extensive guidance on the Islamic dress code, accentuating modesty and humility.

1. Guidelines for Men and Women:

   • Men are forbidden from wearing silk and gold, dishallow long garments out of pride.
   • Women are permitted to wear silk and gold.

2. Simplicity of the Prophet’s Dress:

   • The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) attire was notably simple, typically comprising two garments: the izār (under garment) and a mantle. He showed a preference for white clothing, considered the cleanest and most agreeable.

Cultural Variations in Islamic Dress

Islamic dress varies significantly across cultures but maintains consistent elements in terms of modesty and identity:

Egypt

• Men: Often seen in full drawers, qamīs (shirt), kaftān (long vest), and turbans. Over these might be worn a gibbeh or beneesh (robes).
• Women: Attire includes loose trousers (shintiyān), a long vest (yelek), and headgear such as the burkaʾ and habarah.

Bedouin Communities

• Men: Tend to wear a keffiyeh (headscarf), loose trousers, and a mesoumy or abba (woolen mantle).
• Women: Dress in cotton gowns (mekroune) and often sport silver jewelry, puncture lips for decoration, and cover heads with kerchiefs.

Ritualistic and Everyday Significance

Dress in Islam transcends mere aesthetics, embodying the principles of faith during public prayer, community interactions, and societal functions. Hence, clothing becomes a form of worship and a symbol of collective identity.

Recommended Books for Further Study

1. “Dress in Islam: From the Prophet Muhammad to Modern Muslim Societies” by Sahar Amer
2. “Men and Masculinities in Muslim Cultures: Dispossession, Performance, and Resistance” by Lahoucine Ouzgane
3. “Muslim Women in America: The Challenge of Islamic Identity Today” by Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad, Jane I. Smith, and Kathleen M. Moore

Takeaways and Conclusion

The discourse on dress in Islam highlights how attire serves as an important facet of religious, cultural, and social identity in Muslim societies. Rooted in the Qur’anic injunctions and Prophetic traditions, the guidelines on dress emphasize modesty, simplicity, and cultural continuity while accommodating a wide array of practices across different regions and communities.

Understanding the significance of Islamic dress codes facilitates better appreciation of its multifaceted role in expressing piety, upholding communal norms, and fostering a shared identity among Muslims around the world.