I see American Muslims sometimes dress like Arabs or Middle Easterners. I realize some American Muslims are immigrants and they simply continue to wear their native dress - that make sense.
But for example, look at Joshua Evans. He was born in South Carolina and converted to Islam. I've seen him on various YouTube programs where he is dressed like an Arab. He is one example but there are many I have seen.
Is there something in Islam that commands Muslims to dress in this manner? I was under the impression that Muslims could wear what they wanted (excepting commandments about modesty, etc.)
You are correct, modesty is the main part of the Islamic dress..
For women is required something that covers her from head to toe, lose, non see through, not attention seeking etc, the same is required for the brothers.
I believe the long dress is known as the thobe/thawb..
I am not sure but i think its because the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of allmighty be unto him) wore something similar, so i guess the brothers who do wear the thawb are doing so to follow the sunnah (way of life) of the prophet (pbuh) the best way possible..it is the closest as far as I am aware..
I wouldnt call it the arab dress, but a way of showing you are a muslim dress, muslims are from all nations. So everything the Prophet (pbuh) did in his life, the muslims try to implement..It is pure modesty in my opinion
However, i may be wrong, so I will let the others answer your question..
"Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists).".."[Al Qur'aan 3:2]
But for example, look at Joshua Evans. He was born in South Carolina and converted to Islam. I've seen him on various YouTube programs where he is dressed like an Arab. He is one example but there are many I have seen.
Salam brother,
I underlined your words to show you how you defined a person, now lets say he was wearing a tie and a three piece suit, then he would seem ordinary and you would not have mentioned him.
Therefore his dress code made a statement that he is not ordinary.
As I do not know the man I can't speak on his behalf but as a revert I can tell you I don't like to be mistaken for a non Muslim for one thing, plus I believe in the Hadith (prophetic saying) "he who looks like a people is of those people" (not ad verbum).
That could be one possible answer or that he just feels comfortable.
Clothes don't make a person and as the other brother pointed out Islam has no uniform.
Never the less Islam has a dress code for males and females and as long as that code is adhered to, the fashion decision is up to the individual.
As Muslims we also need to keep good opinions of our brothers and sisters Husnuzon and not look for negative aspects where there are none obvious.
I hope this helps.
Salaam
I think because they think it is the "Islamic Dress" for men , but i don't agree with that as long as the clothing cover the parts which a muslim is ordered to cover then i think it is acceptable.
But no as long as you are modest in your cloth it doesn't really matter what culture or clothing style you are wearing if it implies modesty.
and God knows best , just my thoughts , i hope it helps .
For new reverts it is one way to be certain they are dressed in a halal manner. Those of us who contine to dress in such clothing do so for several reasons for myself the reasons are:
1. It is sunnah to do so
2. It identifies me as a Muslim in an area that has very few Muslims. But that does not hold true all the time as I often get mistaken as being Amish or Native American, as the clothing is somewhat similat to the traditional Lakotah and Cheyenne Clothing.
3. It is comfortable and I have no need to make a fashion statement.
This thread reminds me of something that happened a while back.
I was having a cuppa at a roadside stall when some friends at the next table called me over. They were arguing with another friend who insisted that being a Muslim does not mean one has to dress like an Arab. They wanted me to tell that friend why I was dressed like an Arab. This was, more or less, what I said:
"It is not a coincidence that the Holy Prophet (saw) is an Arab. If you say that the Holy Prophet is an Arab, by chance, then you are saying that Allah works by chance. That is totally unacceptable. Allah does not do anything by chance. Everything that Allah does is planned with a purpose. Just because we do not see the purpose does not mean that there is no purpose.
I wear a serban and a jubah not because I want to dress like an Arab. I do it because it is the Sunnah.
Look at it another way. Have you seen people who idolize certain singers like, say, Michael Jackson? They would dress like him. Why? Because they adore him. Because they love him.
So let's leave aside the question of Sunnah for the moment. Let's just ask ourselves how much do we love the Holy Prophet? Do we love him enough to want to dress like him?"
My first reply was to the O.P, this reply is to what I've read in other posts.
I feel it is a Hypocrisy on the males part to ensure their wives wear a Hijab and as for them without their wives tagging along (Muslim by association) there is no visible distinction from non Muslims.
I'm not talking about walking around looking like an "Arab" unless of course you are and not ashamed, but rather the minimum which is a CAP and an effort to grow a beard and the absence of tight fitting clothes.
Unless we are referring to a new revert, then I would repeat the Hadith "he who follows a Kawm is of that Kawm".
Should any Sunni (*) man hide his faith I hope for their sake they have a solid excuse that would hold in Qiyamat.
When it comes to dress code I believe the sisters Mashallah have the brothers beat, hands down.
This is our new world "Zaman Fitnah" where women are braver than men as prophesied in Hadith.
Masalam
PS: (*) Shi'a under the principle of Taqia may hide their faith and even their gender.
I don't see why people can't dress like Arabs. I mean a thawb and an abaya is a simple dress that allows both men and women to dress modestly. Furthermore, it's their own personal choice... Who are we to tell them not to?
"It is not a coincidence that the Holy Prophet (saw) is an Arab. If you say that the Holy Prophet is an Arab, by chance, then you are saying that Allah works by chance. That is totally unacceptable. Allah does not do anything by chance. Everything that Allah does is planned with a purpose. Just because we do not see the purpose does not mean that there is no purpose.
Why would it have to have a purpose? To state that it did not matter that Muhammed (saws) was an Arab does in no way imply that Allah works by chance. Coincidentality does not imply chance. It might just as well be that Muhammed was chosen for other reasons (ergo, Allah did not work by chance, but chose Muhammed because of those reasons), and that therefore him being an Arab was coincidental.
I am sorry but my understanding of English is very poor. From what little I know about the wonderful vagaries of the English language, "purpose" and "coincidence" are on quite different sides of the coin, so to speak. To say something happened on "purpose", as I was taught, means that it did not quite happen by "coincidence".
Also I must apologize for my very poor understanding of Islam. So far I have been taught that everything, and that includes everything with no exception, is in the knowledge of Allah. That means anything and everything that happens, happens with a purpose and a plan. Said purpose and plan being what Allah intended it to be.
Someone, most probably me, will have to do a lot of re-learning about Islam.
Why would it have to have a purpose? To state that it did not matter that Muhammed (saws) was an Arab does in no way imply that Allah works by chance. Coincidentality does not imply chance. It might just as well be that Muhammed was chosen for other reasons (ergo, Allah did not work by chance, but chose Muhammed because of those reasons), and that therefore him being an Arab was coincidental.
Salam brother futuwwa,
First of all you should respect your fellow brothers and reply to their Salam.
Secondly brother T.O.M was repeating some one else's words mainly.
Thirdly the use of semantics is not the way to communicate with others who obviously like myself don't possess Academic language skills.
He disagrees with coincidence (Just because we do not see the purpose does not mean that there is no purpose) you don't (that therefore him being an Arab was coincidental)
But you both agree that Allah S.W.T plans all and nothing is by chance.
So why the post ? you upset an old brother for nothing.
As you are obviously the youngest of the two it falls on you to apologise and make peace.
I was going to ask "Why does it matter what they wear?" but I believe that question has already been answered.
Most of the brothers I've met at the masjid wear normal clothes. I see one or two in robes and all, but most look like any normal guy I would see on the street. The only clue I would have that they were Muslims is their beards. Other than that, they look like regular guys (which they are).
I don't think women should be forced to wear hijab. If they feel the faith strong enough inside them that they want to, it is their choice. Otherwise, that is also their choice.
There is no compulsion in religion and there are varying degrees of religious intensity.
We do not have the right to force anyone to wear anything. It is up to that person to display themselves however they feel is fitting according to their understanding and faith.
Of course the Qur'an is a lot more clear about how women should cover themselves than it is about how men should cover themselves, so there is a lot less of an excuse for women who consider themselves Muslims and yet want to dress immodestly.
Alhamdulillah for our guidance.
Like you said though men also have ways of distinguishing themselves as Muslims and it shows their faith too when they do so.
In some Arab countries people think that if a woman shows any part of herself, men are unable to control themselves. This is not true and it is not an excuse for un-Islamic behavior on their part. On the Day of Judgment we will be responsible for ourselves.
This thread reminds me of something that happened a while back.
I was having a cuppa at a roadside stall when some friends at the next table called me over. They were arguing with another friend who insisted that being a Muslim does not mean one has to dress like an Arab. They wanted me to tell that friend why I was dressed like an Arab. This was, more or less, what I said:
"It is not a coincidence that the Holy Prophet (saw) is an Arab. If you say that the Holy Prophet is an Arab, by chance, then you are saying that Allah works by chance. That is totally unacceptable. Allah does not do anything by chance. Everything that Allah does is planned with a purpose. Just because we do not see the purpose does not mean that there is no purpose.
I wear a serban and a jubah not because I want to dress like an Arab. I do it because it is the Sunnah.
Look at it another way. Have you seen people who idolize certain singers like, say, Michael Jackson? They would dress like him. Why? Because they adore him. Because they love him.
So let's leave aside the question of Sunnah for the moment. Let's just ask ourselves how much do we love the Holy Prophet? Do we love him enough to want to dress like him?"
Hope that is useful. WaLLahu aklam.
As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):
Read the Sirat Rasul Allah (Biographies, History) of the Nabi Muhammad ibn Abduallah () and you will realize the modern dress of the Arabs differ from what was wore during the Nabi Muhammad()
day. They were poor. Many modern Arabs only have linage in common.
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:144
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَى أَعْقَابِكُمْ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىَ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللّهَ شَيْئًا وَسَيَجْزِي اللّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ (3:144)
Wama muhammadun illa rasoolun qad khalat min qablihi alrrusulu afain mata aw qutila inqalabtum AAala aAAqabikum waman yanqalib AAala AAaqibayhi falan yadurra Allaha shayan wasayajzee Allahu alshshakireena
3:144 (Y. Ali) Muhammad is no more than an apostle: many Were the apostle that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then Turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah. but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.
__________________________________________________ __
Ya ayyuha alnnasu inna khalaqnakum min thakarin waontha wajaAAalnakum shuAAooban waqabaila litaAAarafoo inna akramakum AAinda Allahi atqakum inna Allaha AAaleemun khabeerun
49:13 (Y. Ali) O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
__________________________________________________ __
Qalati alaAArabu amanna qul lam tuminoo walakin qooloo aslamna walamma yadkhuli aleemanu fee quloobikum wain tuteeAAoo Allaha warasoolahu la yalitkum min aAAmalikum shayan inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
49:14 (Y. Ali) The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah,' For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Last edited by sabr*; 06-13-2011 at 04:57 AM.
Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku
Wa lahu-l-hamdu yuḥyi Wa yumītu Wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada
ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr
wa huwa ‘alā kulli Shay’in qadīr.
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Why do American Muslims Dress like Arabs?
on the males part to ensure their wives wear a Hijab
and as for them without their wives tagging along (Muslim by association) there is no visible distinction from non Muslims. 
and the absence of tight fitting clothes. 
I hope for their sake they have a solid excuse that would hold in Qiyamat. 
) and you will realize the modern dress of the Arabs differ from what was wore during the Nabi Muhammad(
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