Clothes are a blessing and a favour from Allah*.
With them, we are able to cover whatever that needs to be covered.
With them, we are protected from cold or the harsh sun.
Imagine our lives without clothes! It would be horrible, wouldn’t it?
Islam does not reject people wearing pretty clothes. Some people have the misconception that Islam does not allow any good-looking attire.
The Prophet (s.a.w*.) addressed the companions once, saying: “He who has an atom’s weight of arrogance will not be admitted into Jannah*.”
One of the companions then stood up and said, “O Prophet of Allah, I love to wear fine thobes*. I love elegant shoes as well. Is this a part of arrogance?”
The Prophet (s.a.w.) answered, “No. Allah is beautiful. And Allah loves beauty.”
So, this shows that the Prophet (s.a.w.) approved of people wearing splendid clothes. There is nothing wrong with delightful fashion in Islam.
As long as we do not forget that our internal beauty is far superior to the external beauty. As long as we follow the guidelines set by Allah & His Messenger (s.a.w.). And as long as that we are not arrogant.
However, why do we see people follow fashion blindly nowadays?
There are a number of reasons as to why this is so.
The first probable reason is peer pressure. What is peer pressure?
Peer pressure is when someone feels that he will be looked down upon by his friends when he does not maintain a certain standard of dress (or own similar material items or do certain actions) when he is with them.
Every member of the group attempts to comply with the expectations of the group, putting a bit of pressure on each of them to dress similarly or possess alike things or act the same way. The influence made by every person of the group is usually too great for him to refuse.
Secondly, often you will find that some people are blindly-following fashion because they love celebrities. 
They love to imitate their beloved actors, sports stars, TV personalities, bloggers or singers by wearing comparable or identical clothes or shoes to their celebrities’ clothes or shoes.
Here’s another reason why people blindly-follow fashion. It is because they could have a defect. They probably have a weakness in their personalities or they are not confident enough to just be themselves.
They try to hide their shortcomings by wearing the latest trends so that they can try to divert attention away from their faults. They reckon that other people will not notice their flaws if they were to concentrate on their ‘cool’ fashion instead.
A proper Muslim does not get overly-impressed or obsessed with fashion.
A proper Muslim does not follow fashion blindly.
A proper Muslim wears good, clean clothes.
A proper Muslim wears decent clothes that do not attract perverts or lewd people.
A proper Muslim wears clothes that can preserve his identity and modesty. He or she does not wear outfits that expose his or her Awrah*.
Have you ever noticed that it is quite easy to be able to see if a practising Muslim woman is present around us? It is mainly due to her Hijab covering her hair. Her hijab not only quickly identifies her as a believing woman or a God-fearing or a God-loving or a modest woman. It also enables her to be in total control of who can see her and who can’t, what they can see, and what they can’t.
As one travels around the world, one would be able to easily spot an exemplary, always elegant, always appropriately-dressed and confident Muslim woman. A role model for all women in any society. Her overall speech, dress and actions actually exude decorum everywhere she goes.
A proper Muslim woman behaves honourably, speaks with dignity and wears clothes that protect her identity as a true practising Muslimah. Even if she is in the streets of New York or jungles of Africa or shops of China, we should be able to tell straightaway if she is a Muslim. Undeniably, she will usually be well-treated and well-respected by well-bred individuals around her. What an honour indeed.
Alhamdulillah*!
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Credits:
This article has been mostly transcribed from a video by Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem (details below). However, I would like to mention that it has been extended and edited.
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*Brief Meanings:
- Allah = God. The only one worth being worshiped.
- s.a. w. = sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam = Prayer of God be upon him (Prophet Muhammad) and peace
- thobes = long gowns worn by Arabian men
- Alhamdulillah = Praise and thanks to God. [In any situation when Muslims want to praise God Almighty, they usually say: Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله). ]
