By Sumaiya Rabeya
Residing in Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country attracting tourists from various Muslim nations, I frequently observe a recurring trend within devout families. On public transportation like the light rapid transit (LRT) trains in Kuala Lumpur, it’s quite common to come across Muslim couples—likely tourists—exhibiting a peculiar contrast in attire: the wife is modestly veiled, while the husband dons shorts. It’s important to remember that in the Quran the value of modesty was first stressed for men’s decency before being addressed for women. Despite this sequence, the attention often leans heavily towards discussing the hijab for Muslim women, inadvertently sidelining, or disregarding the significance of modest clothing for Muslim men.
It’s expected for men to dress with a certain level of decorum in their clothing, just as it’s required for women. In order to preserve modesty, it’s not just about being careful with their clothing choices, but also about being aware of their conduct.
Such a good example is the need to lower one’s gaze and a well-known hadith emphasizes this:
Narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “O Ali, do not follow a glance with another, for you will be forgiven for the first, but not for the second.” (Tirmidhi)
In this hadith, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله علیھ وسلم advises Ali رضي الله عنھ to be mindful not to let a single glance at a woman turn into a prolonged gaze. The underlying message encourages modesty and self-control, emphasizing the significance of guarding one’s gaze to maintain a respectful and honourable interaction with others.
It’s more common to use the word “hijab” to describe the modest clothing rule followed by Muslim women. That means wearing loose clothing that covers the body and hair. While the same standards aren’t usually imposed on Muslim men. They are still encouraged to dress in a modest way. However, the specific rules for their clothing are different from those for women.
For both Muslim men and women, the concept of hijab primarily emphasizes the premise of covering their “awrah.” The concept of “awrah” refers to the parts of the body that are considered private and should be covered for reasons of modesty. In the context of men, although the Quran does not explicitly outline specific rules for awrah as it does for women, there are general principles within Islamic tradition that provide guidance on modesty and proper dress for men. A verse often referred to in this light is Quran 24:30-31: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do….”
The general rule for men is to wear clothes that cover from the belly button to the knees. This usually means wearing clothes that are loose and don’t show the body’s shape.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whatever is below the ankles of the lower garment is in the Fire.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
This hadith highlights the importance of wearing attire that isn’t overly showy and doesn’t sweep the ground, as a way to humility and steer clear of arrogance. While this hadith focuses on the length of the lower garment (such as pants), it’s part of the broader context of Islamic modesty for men.
While focusing on ensuring that women dress modestly, Muslim men often overlook the importance of adhering to their own modest dress code.
Men and women are encouraged to uphold modesty in the Quran.
About The Author:
Sumaiya Rabeya is a researcher and content writer. She is the co-founder of a Malaysia-based media production company. Sumaiya is also a community volunteer, actively working on various projects related to Islamic dawah, social engagement and women. Born in 1989, she graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Gender Studies. Moreover, she has been working as a media content writer for over a decade. As a Bengali. young mother, she feels responsible in creatively contributing to society.