In recent years, the outfits of Muslims have attracted more and more attention. Many non-Muslims feel that some of the rules regarding Muslim clothing are demeaning to women. European countries even tried to outlaw some of them. This attitude is mainly due to a misconception about the reasons underlying the principles of wearing clothes among Muslims. In fact, they were born out of a reluctance to attract too much attention and modesty. Muslims do not usually resent enforced clothing restrictions.
Basic principles of wearing clothes
In Islam there are instructions about all aspects of life, including the issues of decency. Although the named religion does not have a fixed standard as to the style or type of clothing to be worn, there are some minimum requirements. Muslims are guided by the Quran and hadiths (traditions about the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad).
It should also be noted that the rulesrelated to Muslim clothing are greatly softened when people are at home and with their families.
Clothing requirements
There are certain clothing requirements associated with being a Muslim in a public place. They discuss:
- Which parts of the body should be covered. For women in general, standards of modesty require that the entire body be covered except for the face and hands. At the same time, in some, more conservative branches of Islam, it is required that the face and / or hands should also be covered. For men, the minimum that should be covered is the body between the navel and the knee.
- Cut. Muslim clothing should be loose enough so that the contours of the figure cannot be seen. Tight outfits are not recommended for both men and women.
- Density. Transparent clothing is considered immodest for both sexes. The fabric should be thick enough not to show through skin or body contours.
- General appearance. A person should look dignified and modest. Shiny, flashy clothing may technically meet the above requirements, but may not look modest and is therefore not recommended.
- Imitation of other religions. Islam encourages people to be proud of who they are. Muslims should look like Muslims, and not imitate representatives of other faiths. Women should be proud of their femininity and not dress like men. Men, in turn, should be proud of their masculinity and not try to imitate women in theirclothes.
- Preserving dignity. The Qur'an states that clothing for Muslims, men and women, is intended not only to cover the body, but also to adorn it (Quran 7:26). The clothes worn by Muslims should be clean and neat, neither frilly nor casual. You can't dress in a way that arouses the admiration or sympathy of others.
Types of women's clothing
Muslim women's clothing is quite diverse:
- Hijab. Often with the help of this word they denote a generally modest dress. Actually, it refers to a square or rectangular piece of cloth that is folded, wrapped around the head, and fastened under the chin as a handkerchief. It can also be called Sheila.
- Khimar. A specific type of cape that covers the entire upper half of a woman's body, down to the waist.
- Abaya. In the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, this is a common dress for women, which can be worn over other clothes. The abaya is usually made from black fabric, sometimes embellished with colored embroidery or sequins. This is a loose fitting dress with sleeves. It can be combined with a scarf or veil.
- Chadra. This is a tight-fitting veil that hides a woman from the top of her head to the ground. Sometimes it is not fixed in front, and when worn, it is held with hands.
- Jilbab. Used as a general term for the cloak worn by Muslim women in public. Sometimes it refers to a specific style of cloak likeabaya, but featuring a wide variety of fabrics and colors. In this case, only the eyes, hands and feet remain open.
- Niqab. A headdress that completely hides the face, leaving only the eyes open.
- Burka. This type of veil hides the entire body of a woman, including her eyes, which are hidden behind a net.
- Shalwar kameez. This type of clothing is loose-fitting trousers worn with a long tunic. They are worn by both men and women, mainly in India.
Types of Muslim men's clothing
- Taub, dishdasha. A traditional men's shirt with long sleeves that covers the ankles. Usually white, although taub can be worn in winter in other colors such as gray or bluish.
- Gutra and egal. Goutra is a square or rectangular shawl worn by men along with an aegal cord (usually black) to secure it. Gutra is usually white or checkered (red/white or black/white). In some countries it is called shemagh or keffiyeh.
- Bisht. Outerwear in the form of a cape. Made from a variety of materials. May be black, brown, beige or cream. Gold or silver braid is often sewn along the edge.
It is important for the followers of Islam to be modest in manners, behaviour, speech and appearance. And clothing for Muslims is only part of the overall image, which reflects the essence of a person.
