Introduction to the Definition of Clothing and Its Rulings
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : Clothing is of two types: spiritual clothing and physical clothing. Allah referred to both in His saying: [Al-A'raf 7:26] This physical clothing, which covers the private parts, is the necessary clothing that is indispensable. And the adornment is the clothing of beauty and ornamentation that is in addition to the necessary clothing.
Then He said: And this is the spiritual clothing.
The original ruling for physical clothing is that it is permissible, except for what evidence has established as forbidden, because it falls under the generality of Allah’s saying:[Al-Baqarah 2:29], and because Allah rebuked those who forbade the adornment of Allah that He brought out for His servants, saying, Mighty and Majestic: [Al-A'raf 7:32].
So if any person tells us that this clothing is forbidden, whether in its essence or in its description, we demand evidence from him. In its essence, he must say that this type of clothing is forbidden. In its description, meaning the style of its tailoring, embroidery, or pattern, we demand evidence from him.
So if a person says, "Silk is forbidden," right? We say to him, "Bring the evidence?" He will bring evidence for the prohibition of silk for men. And if a person says, "Gold is forbidden, gold clothing is forbidden," we say, "Bring the evidence?" And he will bring evidence that it is forbidden for men.
And if a person says, "Silver is forbidden," we say, "Bring the evidence?" But there is no evidence in it; there is no evidence for the prohibition of silver in general.
And if a person says, "Precious metals that are more valuable than gold and silver, wearing them is forbidden," we say, "Bring the evidence?"
The original ruling is permissibility in everything that is worn, whether on part of the body or on the whole body, except that two matters must be observed: the first is extravagance, and the second is arrogance.
So extravagance is exceeding the limit, and it is a relative matter. It may be extravagance for some people or for one man, and for others it is not extravagance, or for another man it is not extravagance. If a poor man wears the clothing of a rich man, it is extravagance, because he has exceeded the limit. For Allah says:[At-Talaq 65:7].
Arrogance is that a person intends by it pride, meaning elevating himself above people, and that he has fine clothes. And among that is dragging one’s garment in arrogance.
Now, if a person asks: "Is using the good and beautiful of clothing included in arrogance?" The answer is: No, if it has not reached the limit of extravagance, it is not included in arrogance. Rather, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Oh, now, wait, Ahmad. The commentator. Yes?
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment
يا بَني ءادَمَ قَد أَنزَلنا عَلَيكُم لِباسًا يُواري سَوءاتِكُم وَريشًاThen He said:
and the clothing of piety; that is best
وَلِباسُ التَّقوى ذلِكَ خَيرٌThe original ruling for physical clothing is that it is permissible, except for what evidence has established as forbidden, because it falls under the generality of Allah’s saying:
It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth
هُوَ الَّذي خَلَقَ لَكُم ما فِي الأَرضِ جَميعًاSay, "Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?"
قُل مَن حَرَّمَ زينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتي أَخرَجَ لِعِبادِهِ وَالطَّيِّباتِ مِنَ الرِّزقِSo if any person tells us that this clothing is forbidden, whether in its essence or in its description, we demand evidence from him. In its essence, he must say that this type of clothing is forbidden. In its description, meaning the style of its tailoring, embroidery, or pattern, we demand evidence from him.
So if a person says, "Silk is forbidden," right? We say to him, "Bring the evidence?" He will bring evidence for the prohibition of silk for men. And if a person says, "Gold is forbidden, gold clothing is forbidden," we say, "Bring the evidence?" And he will bring evidence that it is forbidden for men.
And if a person says, "Silver is forbidden," we say, "Bring the evidence?" But there is no evidence in it; there is no evidence for the prohibition of silver in general.
And if a person says, "Precious metals that are more valuable than gold and silver, wearing them is forbidden," we say, "Bring the evidence?"
The original ruling is permissibility in everything that is worn, whether on part of the body or on the whole body, except that two matters must be observed: the first is extravagance, and the second is arrogance.
So extravagance is exceeding the limit, and it is a relative matter. It may be extravagance for some people or for one man, and for others it is not extravagance, or for another man it is not extravagance. If a poor man wears the clothing of a rich man, it is extravagance, because he has exceeded the limit. For Allah says:
Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allah has given him
لِيُنفِق ذو سَعَةٍ مِن سَعَتِهِ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيهِ رِزقُهُ فَليُنفِق مِمّا ءاتاهُ اللَّهُArrogance is that a person intends by it pride, meaning elevating himself above people, and that he has fine clothes. And among that is dragging one’s garment in arrogance.
Now, if a person asks: "Is using the good and beautiful of clothing included in arrogance?" The answer is: No, if it has not reached the limit of extravagance, it is not included in arrogance. Rather, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Oh, now, wait, Ahmad. The commentator. Yes?