Author: Abu Raef
The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Sciences (Part 64)
The beauty of clothes
Another part of beauty is the beauty of clothes, which Islamic law has paid special attention to. Islam has also paid special attention to what a person wears, that is, clothes; because clean and beautiful clothes are beneficial both for the wearer himself and for those who live with him; and even for the one who sees him, even if he does not know him, they are effective.
When speaking about the blessing of clothes, the Holy Quran stated that clothes cover flaws and are also an adornment.
Human nature is created in such a way that it naturally tends to cover its private parts, unlike animals and birds; and this natural tendency is in itself a beautiful thing, even if it is inherently necessary. When Adam and his wife ate from the forbidden tree, their nakedness became apparent to them, and when they realized it, they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise: “طَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ” Translation: “And they began to gather leaves (of the trees) of Paradise and spread them over themselves.” [1]
“And this indicates that what was meant was the physical nakedness, which man is naturally ashamed of showing, and only when his nature becomes corrupt, may he not be ashamed of being naked.” [2]
So, wearing clothes is a natural and internal necessity in human, and He or She needs it. This is a blessing from Allah. But Allah has also drawn our attention to the beauty of clothing, and then He has called us to inner beauty. Allah says: “یَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَیْکُمْ لِبَاسًا یُوَارِي سَوْآتِکُمْ وَرِیشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِکَ خَیْرٌ” Translation: “O children of Adam! We have sent down to you clothing that covers your nakedness and is an adornment, and the clothing of piety is better.” [3]
One of the first verses that was revealed is the verse in which Allah says: “وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ” Translation: “And purify your garments” [4] and how beautiful it is that from the very beginning, Islam has given as much importance to the appearance of human as to his inner self, in such a way that it brings purity of appearance along with monotheism: “وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ” “وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ” Translation: “And glorify your Lord and purify your garments.” [5] Purity here means both the senses (purity of clothing) and purity from sin and disobedience. Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah bless him) says: “This verse may include both meanings, along with the purity of the heart, because the Arabs sometimes use the word «ثیاب» for the heart as well.” [6]
Allah also called us to be well-groomed and said: “یَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا” Translation: “O children of Adam! Bring your adornment at every place of prayer and worship, and eat and drink, but do not be extravagant, for Allah does not love the extravagant.” [7]
And further, He has denied those who do not benefit from this adornment: “قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ والطیبات من الرزق” Translation: “(O Muhammad! Remind them of the ugliness of the work of slander and prohibition and) Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good things of provision?” [8]
Some Islamic scholars were so careful in understanding the verse: «خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ» Translation: “Take your adornment at every mosque” that they considered it a condition that the clothes be washed with rose water. Imam Fakhr al-Razi (may Allah bless him) narrates in his commentary that these scholars believed that since Allah Almighty has called us to prayer and prayer is a supplication and since we have carried out the command, then it is sufficient in terms of appearance; but since the verse says: “Take your adornment”, one must observe the utmost adornment (like clothes washed with rose water). [9]
When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw a man with dirty clothes, he said: “Could this man not find water to wash his clothes with?” [10]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) loved white clothes and advised: “Wear white clothes, for they are purer and better.” [11]
There are two interesting situations in the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him): one about a man who loved beauty but feared that this love was due to arrogance, and the other about a man who was indifferent to his appearance.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever has an atom of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.” A man asked: “But a person likes his clothes and shoes to be beautiful.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance is rejecting the truth and belittling people”. [12]
This is the exact Islamic equation; paying attention to beauty and adornment; but without falling into the trap of arrogance, arrogance means looking down on others and considering yourself great. There is no problem with being beautiful; because Allah loves beauty, but be careful not to have even a trace of arrogance; because one speck may deprive you of entering Paradise.
In this context, completely avoiding beauty is not considered religious piety or caution, and this is where we come to the second situation; Abu al-Ahwas narrated from his father: “I entered the Prophet while I was wearing worn-out clothes. The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Do you have wealth? I said: Yes. He said: What kind? I said: Allah has given me camels, sheep, horses and slaves. He said: So the effects of Allah’s grace and dignity should be seen on you.” [13]
In this way, Islam has established moderation between excess and extravagance, between arrogance and ugliness. Allah is beautiful and loves beauty and loves that the effects of His blessings be seen in His servants; but those who have a speck of arrogance in their hearts will be deprived of Paradise.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wore the best and most beautiful clothes. When Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was sent by Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to talk to the Khawarij, he wore his most beautiful clothes. Imam Abu Dawud narrated that Ibn Abbas said: When I went to the Khawarij, they said: O son of Abbas, what is this dress? I said: What is wrong with it? I myself have seen the most beautiful clothes on the Messenger of Allah. [14]
Attention to clothing and cleanliness is so important in Islam that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) disliked a Muslim coming to prayer, especially Friday prayer, in dirty clothes; he even advised those who worked in dirty jobs to wear clean clothes for Friday. He said: “What is wrong if each of you has a separate garment for Friday prayer, other than his work garment?” [15]
In Islamic jurisprudence, if a garment is contaminated with something such as urine, feces, or blood, it is considered impure and prayer in it is not valid unless the impurity is removed; of course, there are differences and disagreements among the jurists of Islamic schools regarding its amount.
Imam Manawi (may Allah bless him) summarized this issue as follows: “Cleanliness of clothing and body is necessary, both according to reason, Sharia, and custom.” It is said that the clothes of “Shaikh al-Islam Burhan ibn Abi Sharif” were so clean and white that they were cleaner than the clothes of kings in his time, as if He had like a piece of light with his clothes.
Cleanliness causes amazement in the eyes of others and a place in their hearts. Some of the poor showed laxity in this regard, as the clothing of some of them was to the extent that it was not condemned in terms of intellect and custom, and may even have been condemned in terms of Sharia. Satan tempted one of them to say, “First purify your heart, then your clothing,” but his purpose was not to advise; rather, to prevent him from carrying out the command of Allah and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and respecting the rights of his companions and the community in which cleanliness is necessary. If we look closely, we will see that external cleanliness also helps in purifying the inner self.
It has been narrated that the clothing of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never became dirty; as stated in “Al-Muwahhib” and other sources. It is said: “nothing but cleanliness and fragrance emanated from him.” [16[
Continues…
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References:
1. A’raf: 22.
2. Sayyid Qutb, In the Shade of the Qur’an, Vol. 3, p. 1269, Dar Al-Shorouq, Beirut, Lebanon.
3. A’raf: 26.
4. Muddaththir: 4.
5. Muddaththir: 3-4.
6. Ibn Kathir, Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, Vol. 8, p. 263, Dar Taybah.
7. A’raf: 31.
8. A’raf: 32.
9. Razi, Fakhruddin, The Great Commentary, Vol. 14, p. 229, Dar Ihya’ Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut.
10. Abu Dawud: 4062.
11. Ahmad: 20166.
12. Muslim: 91.
13. Nesa’i: 5234.
14. Abu Dawud: 4037.
15. Abu Dawud: 1078.
16. Al-Manawi, Fayz al-Qadir Sharh al-Jami’ al-Saghir, Vol. 2, p. 225, Commercial Library, Egypt.
