Question/Comment from Comment Box:

‘K… so i am still confused
Shouldn’t it be inappropriate for guys as well to wear jeans because
1. It’s imitating the Kuffar.
2. because those same jeans in todays society is considered clothing of women as well.
so there is no escape and no excuse for a woman to wear pants period?’Comment by sister — May 23, 2009

Answer: A learning educational response to:  anonymous, comment by sister and maria… (we are to focus on bolded portions of the above questions/comments.)

The definition of imitation:

‘Whoever imitates a people, then they are part of them.’ (Hadith)

“He is not of us who imitates women nor is he of us who imitates men (sic).”
(Al-Hakim) (From comment box)

The brief meaning of the above: to wear that set of attire that represents only a given group of people falls into the category of ‘imitating a nation.’ Ex: a chain with a cross attached to it, a sari as worn in the manner of the Hindus — exposing portions of the awrah, wearing the Buddhist robe whilst being a Muslim, etc. In each of these examples, the given attire functions as clothing specific to a given people/nation. To wear such clothing would be prohibited.

job interview, special events — suits and other specialty clothing

By contrast, when a person wears a business suit, such attire does not necessarily represent the dress of a Christian, Jew or a fire worshiper.  Suits are worn by doctors, lawyers, janitors on occasion, who may also be part of the Jewish, Mormon, Hindu, or Muslim faith. Wearing suits would not be a violation in Islam or in conflict with the above Ahadith. People do not associate a specific group of people to the wearing of a suit. Wearing a tight fitted suit, jeans or top whilst exposing portions of the shape of the body would be a violation of wearing appropriate clothing. But this is a separate matter showing a lack of class on wearer of such articles as well as possible religious implications.

As for wearing jeans, although it is not the best attire for respectable and dignified people, it functions as decent attire for painting, cleaning ones car, as well as other rugged work. As for woman, they too can wear it in the confinement of their homes without being a poor example to minors. Men and woman should not make themselves a mockery by making a public display of the self in a manner that lacks classy Islamic dress code behavior. For Allah says in the Quran: The clothing of taqwa is best. If jeans must be worn, loose fitting ones would be given preference over form fitting ones for men and woman.

In no way are we supporting any type of attire other then the sunnah, however, the above is to make matters clear, giving insight to the Hadith on ‘imitating of a people.’

Pant issue for men and woman

Raulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) mostly wore what is known as the sarong (or as some call it the lungi.) It was a piece of cloth similar to that of the wraparound, however, it was not tight fitting. It remained lose fitting and always above the ankles. Thus to argue that woman must only wear a skirt for it closely resembles the dress of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) would be wrong, for He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) also owned a set of pants. Thus, woman and men can wear pants if they chose as well as a sarong; however, they both should be worn in the proper context in the proper manner.

Woman wearing pants that is not form fitting is derived from Hadith. (Pants here are not defined as jeans or those clothing that hug one’s body. We prefer you get your hugs elsewhere.) Men wearing pants would not prevent woman from wearing pants, vice verse, as proven above.

A matter to reflect upon, as it relates to woman and pants

Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) turned his face away from a woman that fell of her conveyance, fearing that she was not wearing pants. Elsewhere, woman that resemble male like dress patterns (vice verse) remain cursed as well. This does not mean that woman must always wear pants to the point of it being fard. It merely means that a woman not wearing lady like pants is abstaining from wearing perfect Islamic attire. Should it become known as a result of her movements that her pants is missing, as when she climbs stairs, steps into her car, or has her little child clinging to her skirt, etc. then she becomes the agent of shaytan for showing off to the public that that which is to remain away from public viewing, and thus is cursed. (Also see hayatus sahaba hadith that was sent to us within our comment box. It gives praise to such adornment)

All Uluma (Muslims and those inclined to traditional Christianity and Judaism) unanimously agree that woman and men in a public setting should wear appropriate attire that rejects the showing of the female (male figure) which is also inclusive of adorning the pant for woman within public settings!

Allah Certainly Knows Best.