MUSALMAN KA LIBAAS

Whenever we talk about Islamic Dressing, rape/abuse is dragged into the debate justifying obscene dressing. Let's talk a little differently today. And kindly note that this article is not just about women's dressing; whatever I am going to write is for both men and women.

Ask yourself, whenever you step out of your house to attend a business meeting, or a wedding, or any corporate dinner party; what made you choose the dress you put on? Obviously you spent some time selecting one particular dress and then you put some effort to make that dress flawless by dry cleaning, ironing etc. So, what made you spent so much of time and effort for a dress that you would be wearing for probably just a couple of hours?

Because your dress matters the most. It matters more than the vehicle you arrive in because not everyone is going to see you stepping out of your vehicle but almost every eye will catch a glimpse of your dress and you know that it's the dress that will make or break your personality. And if you are rich, you will make sure to have a dress that makes eyes drooling over you and make you stand alone in the entire arena. The dress speaks on your behalf; it is a symbol of your status and your personality.

We don't wear the same dress on two different weddings. We don't wear something out of fashion to an event. We may even borrow a dress from someone so that we don't feel left alone and embarrassed. Nowadays, we even have special dresses for funerals.

Be it an educational institute or a multinational company, everyone has a dress code. There are always limitations on what you can't wear to your workplace. Some occupations even have uniforms that are a symbol of pride. For example Doctors and Lawyers.

Similarly, Muslims have a dress code too; a dress that is supposed to be our status symbol and our pride. A dress that makes us unique. A dress that defines a Muslim's dignity. This world belongs to Allah, we belong to Allah so isn't it necessary to follow the protocols and guidelines set by Him?

But, it also doesn't mean that the dress is the ultimate evidence of your character. Just like borrowing a Tuxedo for a corporate event doesn't make you rich. There could be someone wearing obscene clothes but having a pure heart while someone wearing an authentic Islamic dress with a heart filled with dirt.

For example, there are some cars having average looking shape but their performance is top notch but then there are cars having very modern and eye catching outer body but they lack the actual performance. What would you prefer? Looks for bragging or performance? Or, won't you prefer to have both looks and performance?

But indeed having a car that has both top notch looks and performance is not affordable for everyone; only some people can get their hands on such a perfection. But a car is a worldly material that requires money; Deen requires will which costs no money.

So dear brothers and sisters, try to be a proud symbol of Islam by your actions and appearance both. And Islamic clothing is not limited to a black veil or disdasha; you can wear western clothes and still be a symbol of Islam. There are just some restrictions that you have to take care of. Believe me, sometimes a western attire looks more Muslim than a Muslim dress itself.

And a last thing. Though dress is very important in determining a person's persona, but it isn't the only element. If you look at someone wearing improper dress, try to look beyond it and you may find many jewels hidden beneath it.

And to those who don't take Islamic dressing seriously, you aren't necessarily a bad Muslim or a grave sinner. It all depends on your overall deeds; your dress is not the ultimate judgement of Jannat or Jahannum but don't take it light either. Having a sense of wrongdoing is extremely important because it will keep you from falling deeper and will help you in rectifying your mistakes. But if you refuse to accept the wrong as wrong, it may take you on a darker path where all your good deeds can vanish.

No one is perfect but the worst is to refuse accepting the wrong. Allah may forgive you if you have slightest of remorse inside your heart for your actions. But being a rebel is self destruction.

May Allah forgive all of us.