Fatwa ID: 08017
Answered by: Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
Alhamdulillah I am a devout, practicing Sunni Muslim. I like the look of Irani Chadors.
Is it ok to wear them or should they be avoided?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Islam places great emphasis on modesty and identity, which is reflected in our actions, behavior, and, of course, clothing. While there is no explicit prohibition in the Quran or Sunnah regarding a specific style of clothing, there are certain guidelines we must follow. One of the core principles in Islam is to protect and maintain our identity as Muslims, and this is equally applicable to both men and women. It is narrated in a Sahih Hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who copies any people is one of them.[1, 2]
Mulla Ali Qari commentates on this Hadith in Mirqāt Al-Mafātīh:
That is, whoever likens himself to the disbelievers, for example, in clothing and other things, or to the sinners or the criminals, or to the people of Sufism and the righteous and the pious. (Then he is one of them): That is, in sin and goodness.[3]
As Muslims, we have a distinct identity and religious culture which is reflected in both our actions and our appearance. It is important for us to avoid adopting the clothing and customs of those who do not share our faith and practices, whether they are from other religions, sects, or groups associated with sinful behavior. Wearing an Irani Chador would fall under this category and therefore would not be allowed. Consider exploring other modest styles that better reflect your Islamic identity and uphold the purpose of hijab.
Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.
Written by Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَسَّانُ بْنُ عَطِيَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُنِيبٍ الْجُرَشِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ ” .
(Sunan Abi Dawud 4031, Book 34, Hadith 12)
[2] وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمد وَأَبُو دَاوُد
(Mishkat al-Masabih 4347, Book 22, Hadith 39)
[3] ٤٣٤٧ – (وَعَنْهُ) : أَيْ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ (قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – (مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ) : أَيْ مَنْ شَبَّهَ نَفْسَهُ بِالْكُفَّارِ مَثَلًا فِي اللِّبَاسِ وَغَيْرِهِ، أَوْ بِالْفُسَّاقِ أَوِ الْفُجَّارِ أَوْ بِأَهْلِ التَّصَوُّفِ وَالصُّلَحَاءِ الْأَبْرَارِ. (فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ) : أَيْ فِي الْإِثْمِ وَالْخَيْرِ.
(Mirqāt Al-Mafātīh, vol. 7, pg. 2782, Dār Al-Fikr)
