Hadith #1655

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to wear clothing that does not attract attention or degrade our status. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this beautiful saying in light of the Quran.

The word (ilbis) "اِلْبَسْ" means "wear" in Arabic. It is a command from Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), urging Muslims to be mindful of their appearance and the clothing they choose to wear. The word (ma) "ما" signifies "that which" or "what." It implies that the Imam is referring to a specific type of clothing.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further elaborates on the type of clothing we should wear by stating, (la tashthiru bihi wala yuzri bika)

لا تَشْتَهِرُ بِهِ ولا يُزْري بِكَ

which translates to

neither makes you famous nor degrades you.

This implies that our clothing should strike a balance between modesty and avoiding excessive attention.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of modesty in various verses. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:26), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands the children of Adam to wear their beautiful apparel at every place of worship. This verse highlights the significance of adorning oneself appropriately when engaging in acts of worship.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hijr (15:36), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) mentions the story of Iblis, who was banished from Paradise due to his arrogance. This story serves as a reminder that excessive pride and seeking attention through our appearance can lead to spiritual downfall.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice aligns with these Quranic teachings. By wearing clothing that does not make us famous, we avoid seeking attention and indulging in vanity. This fosters humility and prevents us from becoming consumed by worldly desires.

Similarly, by avoiding clothing that degrades us, we uphold our self-respect and dignity. Islam teaches us to present ourselves in a dignified manner, as mentioned in Surah Al-A'raf (7:31), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) commands the children of Adam to dress properly whenever they attend the mosque.

Wearing clothing that neither makes us famous nor degrades us also has practical implications. It allows us to focus on our character, actions, and the content of our hearts rather than being preoccupied with our outward appearance. It encourages us to prioritize inner beauty and spiritual growth over superficiality.

Moreover, this Hadith teaches us the importance of moderation in all aspects of our lives. Islam encourages us to strike a balance between fulfilling our worldly needs and maintaining our spiritual well-being. By not seeking excessive attention or indulging in extravagance, we avoid falling into the traps of materialism and pride.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us to wear clothing that does not make us famous or degrade us. This guidance aligns with the Quranic teachings on modesty, humility, and self-respect. By adhering to this advice, we cultivate a balanced approach to our appearance, focusing on inner beauty and spiritual growth. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to implement these teachings in our lives.