The best way to ‘Dress’ – a Quranic point of view

Muslims in Malaysia today more than ever are very conscious and sensitive about how we dress.

On one side our religious leaders are making sure we pay attention to how we cover our ‘aurat’ and more recently, Dr Asri, Mufti of Perlis took importance on ‘how we should dress’ when we visit religious activities of non-Muslims.

While the focus and attention to the ‘externals’ may have its merit and significance, the Quran emphasize on the ‘internals’ - who we are as a total person, our character, our contribution, our deed.

Let us let the Quran speak for itself,

“O CHILDREN of Adam! Indeed, We have bestowed upon you from on high [the knowledge of making] garments to cover your nakedness, and as a thing of beauty: but the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all. Herein lies a message from God, so that man might take it to heart.”   Quran 7:26 

While there are numerous verses all over the Quran talking about true piety and God-consciousness (TAQWA), the verse 2:177 somewhat summarizes what is expected of a God-conscious person neatly.

Personally, I see this verse as the Quran’s 10 Commandments towards TAQWA and I remember/recite it during my prayer, daily.

“True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west - but truly pious is he:

1.    who believes in God,

2.    and the Last Day;

3.    and the angels,

4.    and revelation,

5.    and the prophets;

6.    and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish - it - upon his

a.    near of kin,

b.    and the orphans,

c.    and the needy,

d.    and the wayfarer,

e.    and the beggars,

f.     and for the freeing of human beings from bondage;

7.    and is constant in prayer,

8.    and renders the purifying dues;

9.    and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise,

10. and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril:

it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God”

Quran 2:177

I wish our religious leaders will pay more attention to ‘what is inside’ a person, too. Peace.

Anas Zubedy

Kuala Lumpur.