What is meant by the clothing of fame?

The questioner : What is meant by the clothing of fame or the garment of fame, which is warned against in the hadith, in our contemporary reality?

The Shaykh : Our contemporary reality means that every country has its own style and form of dress. If a man wears clothing in that country that is not customary or known there, and he seeks fame, then it is the clothing of fame. However, if he is in a country where this clothing is not worn, and the concept of fame is not at all in his mind, then this is not the clothing of fame. In other words, the clothing of fame is, above all, related to intention, and then the custom of the country is considered. But here is something that must be pointed out and warned against: some people, who have no knowledge, may justify falling into a clear violation of the Shari'ah in order to escape a violation or a supposed violation. For example, many Muslims travel to Western countries. The clothing you are wearing now is not known in those countries. Satan suggests to him that he should adorn himself with the dress of the people of those countries because people will point at him with their fingers. We say this is a suggestion from Satan, because the Muslim must maintain his dress and the clothing of his nation, such that if he were lifted by helicopter and placed among the disbelievers, it would be said of him, "This is a Muslim," because he wears the clothing of Muslims. It is not permissible for a Muslim, in order to escape what he supposes to be the case—that if he continues to wear his Islamic clothing, it will be considered the clothing of fame—to wear the clothing of the disbelievers when he is afflicted with travel to those countries. What do you have?