Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
The scholars of dream interpretation are in agreement that if someone sees a shirt (qamees) in a dream, it signifies religion (deen), just as a shirt covers the private parts, so too does the religion of Islam cover up evils and becomes a barrier against every disliked action.

The statement of Allah, the Exalted, is:
“...But the clothing of taqwa (piety) — that is best.” ( al-A'raf: 26/7)

In this hadith, there is an indication that religious people differ in their religion in terms of quantity and quality, and in strength and weakness.

Also, in this hadith, the religiosity of Umar radi Allahu anhu is described, whereas in the previous hadith, testimony was given regarding his knowledge.

And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
It is understood from this that the religion and faith of Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was very strong.
From this, his superiority over Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) does not necessarily follow, because Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) is not mentioned in this hadith.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In this, there is an eloquent analogy in which religion is likened to a shirt; the point of similarity is covering and concealment.
Just as a shirt covers a person's private parts, similarly, religion conceals a person's faults.

➋
The scholars state:
To see a shirt in a dream is interpreted as religion, and its length alludes to the fact that after the dreamer’s death, his virtues and the effects of his religious deeds will remain.

➌
From this hadith, it is understood that the religion and faith of Umar (radi Allahu anhu) were very strong and firm.

Explanation:
The meaning is that the religion was gathered in the person of Umar radi Allahu anhu in such a way that no one else attained this honor. The personality of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu, in terms of his self-sacrifice, devotion, religious greatness, and capability, is even greater than that of Umar radi Allahu anhu, and in nobility and greatness, he surpasses all. However, the progress of Islam and the grandeur of the religion that manifested through the person of Umar radi Allahu anhu was far greater. From this, it is also understood that his shirt was the largest, therefore his understanding of religion was also greater than others. In this variation of religion lies the refutation of those who say that faith (iman) does not increase or decrease. The very purpose of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah in narrating this tradition is this.

«ومطابقته للترجمة ظاهرة من جهة تاويل القمص بالدين وقد ذكر انهم متفاضلون فى لبسها فدل على انهم متفاضلون فى الايمان» [فتح] That is, the correspondence between the hadith and the chapter is evident in that "shirts" refer to religion, and it has been mentioned that people are in a state of variation in wearing them. This is itself evidence that they also vary in faith.

Allamah Qastallani rahimahullah says: «وفي هذا الحديث التشبيه البليغ وهو تشبيه الدين بالقميص لانه ليسترعورة الانسان وكذلك الدين يستره من النار وفيه الدلالة على التفاضل فى الايمان كما هو مفهوم تاويل القميص الدين مع ماذكره من ان اللابسين يتفاضلون فى لبسه» That is, in this hadith there is a deep and eloquent analogy in which religion is likened to a shirt; the shirt covers the human body, similarly, religion will cover him from the fire of Hell. In this is also evidence for the increase and decrease of faith, as is understood from the expression of religion with the shirt. Just as those who wear shirts differ in the extent to which they wear them, likewise, people have varying degrees in religion; thus, the increase and decrease of faith is established. All the narrators of this hadith are Madinan. The Imam of the hadith scholars (Imam al-Muhaddithin) is now beginning to mention those things, the absence of which results in deficiency in faith.

Accordingly, the next chapter is related to this subject.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The connection between religion and the shirt is that, through the shirt, a person protects his exterior; it safeguards the body from heat and cold.
In addition, it serves to adorn the body.
Similarly, religion is also a protector for a person; it is the highest adornment and embellishment for him, and it saves a person from the heat and cold of Hellfire.
When religion is attained, there is ease in advancing towards every matter.
Due to religiosity, a person becomes honored and accepted in the sight of Allah, and on this basis, the people of the world also respect him.

➋
In this hadith, three levels regarding the shirt are mentioned: up to the chest, less than that, and dragging on the ground.
Then, this was interpreted as referring to religion, as if it is established that among the believers, there are differences in rank with respect to religion.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s intent is also this: that in religion, i.e., in faith (iman), there is increase and decrease.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/101)

➌
In light of this hadith, the people of interpretation say that seeing a shirt in a dream is a sign of religiosity, and to see one’s shirt being dragged is a sign that even after death, his religious influence will remain for a long time, and the chain of his righteous legacies will continue.
To see Umar radi Allahu anhu in this state meant that he would erase the effects of disbelief, and his effects of faith would remain for a long time.
The living achievements of Umar radi Allahu anhu made this dream come true.
(Sharh al-Kirmani: 1/119)

➍
In this hadith, a particular virtue of Umar radi Allahu anhu is indicated: that during his era, there would be an abundance of conquests. The phrase “he had a shirt that he was dragging” points to this.
This particular virtue cannot match the superiority of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu, because the just Ummah has consensus on his superiority.
For the conquests of Umar radi Allahu anhu, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu paved the way.
When al-Faruq al-Azam began to walk on the road cleared by him, a long and vast series of conquests began.
In any case, after the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the greatest religious person in the Ummah is Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu, and after him is our master Umar radi Allahu anhu.

Hadith Commentary:
A shirt covers the body and protects it from heat and cold; similarly, religion protects the soul, safeguarding it from evil.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The shirt covers the body and protects it from the cold; similarly, religion also safeguards the soul and protects it from evil. In a dream, dragging the shirt on the ground while walking is a sign of steadfastness and firmness in religion.
This matter is praiseworthy in a dream, but in the waking state it is blameworthy, because there are hadiths prohibiting it, and warnings regarding it have been mentioned in the hadiths.
➋
In this hadith, the superiority of Umar radi Allahu anhu is established in that he was very strict in religious matters. Sometimes, even the Mothers of the Believers radi Allahu anhunna ajma‘een felt this strictness and expressed it to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
The verses regarding veiling (hijab) were revealed in this very context.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: The shirt (qamis) is, for a person, a means of covering and concealing the private parts, as well as a source of adornment and protection. In a similar manner, religion protects one from the attacks of the self (nafs) and Satan, refines one’s character and morals, and the fact that the shirt of Umar radi Allahu anhu was full-length is evidence that he was completely immersed in religion and every part of his being was molded in the form of religion. However, this does not mean that Abu Bakr or other Companions were deprived of this quality.

Explanation:
1:
That is, Umar radi Allahu anhu is so complete in his religion and has held onto it with such firmness that his religion is like a protector for him in all his states—when he stands, sits, sleeps, or is awake—just as a shirt protects the body. In other words, from a religious perspective, Umar is far ahead of other people, and just as people benefit from his religion during his lifetime, likewise after his death, people will continue to benefit from his religious works and the good traces he has left behind.

(1) An action that is blameworthy in the state of wakefulness can be praiseworthy and desirable in a dream, for example: dragging the shirt below the ankles. While awake, this act is religiously blameworthy and impermissible, whereas in sleep it has been deemed praiseworthy and desirable. This is why the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) interpreted it as the perfection of religion.

(2) From this blessed hadith, the legitimacy of interpreting dreams is established, and it is also permissible to ask a reliable interpreter for the interpretation of a dream.

(3) The virtues of a learned and religious person can be mentioned before the listeners, provided there is no fear that the person of virtue will fall into self-admiration or arrogance, just as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) informed the listeners regarding Umar al-Faruq (radi Allahu anhu). Furthermore, the virtue of our master Umar ibn al-Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) is also established from this.

(4) A shirt covers the defects, shortcomings, and flaws of the human body and adorns a person; similarly, religion removes a person’s moral defects and makes him refined. Therefore, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) took the shirt to mean religion.

(5) According to the hadith scholars, religion (din), faith (iman), and Islam are all names for the same thing; therefore, mentioning religion in the context of the increase and decrease of faith is correct. And in this hadith, the increase and decrease of religion is clearly established.