Muslim Women’s Dress Code According to Quran and Sunnah

Islam is a complete code of life, each and every aspect of religion Islam is designed by Almighty Allah our Creator to lead happy and healthy communities by easing the path to eternal happiness in Paradise forever. Nowadays in society in which we are living modesty is seen as a sign of weakness or insecurity. But in religion Islam, modesty is seen as a sign of respect for oneself and others. The Quran and Sunnah have laid down certain principles regarding the dress code of both males and females. Muslim men and women are required to observe the Islamic teachings both internally and externally. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran: “And abstain from all sins, internal or external.” (Quran, 6: 120)

Religion Islam has a dress code for both women and men. The purpose of defining the dress code is to protect society as a whole and promote modest dressing and behavior. Regarding dressing Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “O children of Adam! Surely, we have bestowed upon you a garment to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you, and the garment of piety is the best.” (Quran,7: 26)

Religion Islam draws closer attention to the Muslim women wearing Islamic dress. The Islamic way of dressing is a Divine Command and is necessary in the best interest of the society of every age and place. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: “And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (Quran,24:31)

The whole body of the woman must be covered. Only the hands and feet and according to some scholars, the face, when there is no fear of Fitna can be exposed. The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A woman is supposed to be concealed. When she emerges outside (without covering herself properly), Shaytan makes her adorned in front of men.” (Tirmidhi)

The dress of the female must not be so thin that her body can be visible from it. Her clothes must not be close-fitting and tight; rather they must be loose, as to avoid the figure and shape of the body being exposed and visible. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen: People with whips like the tails of cattle, with which they beat the people, and women who are clothed YET NAKED, inciting men and their heads looking like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will not enter paradise and even smell it’s fragrance, even though it’s fragrance can be detected from such and such a distance.” (Muslim)

Hijab is the Islamic practice of preventing women from being seen by men except for Mahrams (their closest male relatives). Muslim Women should dress properly with dignity, respect, and modesty. May Allah (SWT) guide us to dress properly according to the teachings of Islam! Ameen