Why do American Muslims Dress like Arabs?

[al yunan]

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.

You have not been to Muslim East Africa ?
Men cover their face and some women show their breasts in public !

 

[Ramadhan]

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.

I agree with you, but on the other hand, we shouldn't be apathetic towards the (in)actions of other muslims and we should still encourage them to wear hijab. Remember the often occurred phrase in the qur'an: "amar ma'ruf nahi munkar", loosely meaning "enjoin good, forbid evil".

 

[sabr*]

You have not been to Muslim East Africa ?
Men cover their face and some women show their breasts in public !

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Akhi al yunan:

A suggestion! When attributing actions of people outside the pale of Islam separate Practicing Muslims and those to
are claiming to be Muslim. It does a disservice to the propagation of Islam.

If a person who claims to be Muslim commits acts that are unlawful in Islam do you attach the unlawfulness to Islam?

NO!

The description of what you insinuated as people claiming to be Muslim and performing acts outside the pale of Islam
are unrelated.

If this thread requires approval by a moderator before posting why are these posts being allowed? Are the vetting
of posts for every poster?

 

[Starrynight]

I agree with you, but on the other hand, we shouldn't be apathetic towards the (in)actions of other muslims and we should still encourage them to wear hijab. Remember the often occurred phrase in the qur'an: "amar ma'ruf nahi munkar", loosely meaning "enjoin good, forbid evil".

What do you mean about "enjoin good, forbid evil" in relation to wearing a Hijiab? Sorry, I'm still new to all of this...

 

[Futuwwa]

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.

Masalam

Brother, I was not making a semantic point. I was refuting his position, simple as that, we're not just speaking of the same thing in different words. I don't see where I have acted inappropriately. If he feels wronged by me he can say so and I will respect his feelings, but I think your intervention is unwarranted. Salaam.

 

[Ramadhan]

What do you mean about "enjoin good, forbid evil" in relation to wearing a Hijiab? Sorry, I'm still new to all of this...

It means: we encourage ourselves and others to do good, and we discourage ourselves and others from doing evil/bad actions.
This is may be a strange concept in individualistic western societies where people are expected to mind their own business. However we know that the actions of individual also impact society at large. Islam is a religion that is complete: it provides best way for individual AND society to flourish and attain true well-being in all sense,
In relation to hijab:
It is clear in the Qur'an that Allah SWT has commanded certain clothing requirements, and so when a muslim disregard it, that is disobedience and bad action, while conforming to the requirements is good. Hijab fulfills that requirements, and hence when we have our female relatives and friends still not conforming to hijab, we try to nudge them and encourage them to wear them. That is in effect "enjoin good, forbid evil". And the same applies the other direction.

 

[Scimitar]

Assalaam Alaikum, I found the followng hadith in Bukhari

Here are the English translations.

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 693:

Narrated 'Uqba bin 'Amir:

A silken Farruj was presented to Allah's Apostle and he put it on and offered the prayer in it. When he finished the prayer, he took it off violently as if he disliked it and said, "This (garment) does not befit those who fear Allah!"

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 694:

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:

A man said, "O Allah's Apostle. What type of clothes should a Muhrim wear Allah's Apostle replied, 'Do not wear shirts, turbans trousers hooded cloaks or Khuffs; but if someone cannot get sandals, then he can wear Khuffs after cutting them short below the ankles. Do not wear clothes touched by saffon or wars (two kinds of perfumes) "

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 695:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

The Prophet said, "Whoever cannot get an Izar, can wear trousers, and whoever cannot wear sandals can wear Khuffs."

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 703:

Narrated Qatada:

I asked Anas, "What kind of clothes was most beloved to the Prophet?" He replied, "The Hibra (a kind of Yemenese cloth)."

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 704:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The most beloved garment to the Prophet to wear was the Hibra (a kind of Yemenese cloth).

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 723:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet said, Whoever wears silk in this world shall not wear it in the Hereafter."

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 724:

Narrated Thabit:

I heard Ibn Az-Zubair delivering a sermon, saying, "Muhammad said, 'Whoever wears silk in this world, shall not wear it in the Hereafter."

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 730:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet allowed Az-Zubair and 'Abdur-Rahman to wear silk because they were suffering from an itch

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 737:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet forbade men to use saffron.

Volume 7, Book 72, Number 738:

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

The Prophet forbade Muhrims to wear clothes dyed with Wars or saffron.

I hope these helped,

 

[ayesha.ansari]

Oh ALLAH and now most of the people are wearing that dress that is forbidden by ALLAH and his beloved prophet that mean people are moving toward sinful life. look at the girls, women what they wear now a days. i have seen them on television and also on newspaper. what are they doing are not hey afraid of ALLAH.

 

[SFatima]

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.

:wa:

yes to purpose, no to coincidence , agree and well said.

 

[Ubaydullah7777]

Today even arabs doesnt dress like muslims.

 

[esperanza]

this aso true ..few arabs now dress in traditional clothes...even in saudi where young men used to asll wear thobes...many are happier wearing shorts in public..tweenty yeras ago that would have been unthinikab;e

i think some reverts believe its better to wear traditonal arab clothes..thats their choice

but wrong to tell other reverts they should not wear western clothes

 

[Sothis Girl]

I think a lot of new muslims think they must resemble the Arabs to be more Islamic, i.e. the way they're talking, dressing. In fact, Islam is not associated with any certain nation.

 

[Ali Mujahidin]

Pause and consider this:

1. Is it a coincidence that the Holy Prophet is an Arab?
2. Is it a coincidence that the Holy Quran is in Arabic?

 

[Abdul-Raouf]

cos our leader was from Arabia.. we like to follow his style (in other words - sunnah)

 

[Futuwwa]

Pause and consider this:

1. Is it a coincidence that the Holy Prophet is an Arab?
2. Is it a coincidence that the Holy Quran is in Arabic?

Why not? He has to be some nationality, and the Quran in some language. That it happened to be Arab and Arabic might very well be incidental.

 

[Ali Mujahidin]

Why not? He has to be some nationality, and the Quran in some language. That it happened to be Arab and Arabic might very well be incidental.

In that case, consider the following:

1. Does Allah do anything by coincidence?
2. Is it, in the first place, a coincidence that there is Allah at all?

 

[nfnmcmd]

Asalaamualaikum. It is not a matter of wanting to resemble anyone for me. It is easier to find appropriate dress. Also, when I took my Shahada, the Masjid I was attending told us not to wear western clothing. We were not to have clothing or shoes that had logos like Nike on them. Our dress was to be modest and not represent following styles. So, this is what I learned and now I am comfortable with Arab style clothing. I am not sure why what we wear is important as long as it follows the guidelines mandated.

 

[habibi31]

hello, I live in France and wearing a thawb is very badly perceived, as is wearing a hijab for a woman. What do you say about it in your country? is a man wearing a thawbin the street stared at?

 

[habibi31]

why in Western societies dressing according to Islamic traditions poses problems while in Muslim countries conforming to Western trends does not pose a problem. A woman should be able to wear an abayain the US in my humble opinion.

 

[Abdullah21]

I am curious about something...

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.)

Great question. Islam doesn’t require Muslims to dress like Arabs. The key requirement is modesty—clothing should cover the body appropriately and not be overly tight or flashy. Some converts or non-Arab Muslims choose traditional Arab dress like the thobe out of admiration, identity, or association with Islamic culture, but it's not a religious obligation.