Source: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani – Ahkām wa Masā’il: In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
Nowadays, a new type of men’s clothing has appeared that features embroidery. Some scholars argue that such garments resemble women’s clothing and are therefore impermissible. What is the correct Islamic position on this issue?
If a garment features embroidery that is typically associated with women's clothing, and such embroidered garments are commonly worn by women in society, then men should not wear such clothing. This is because it constitutes imitation of women, and men are required to avoid anything that resembles women in dress, adornment, or mannerisms.
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah has cursed those men who imitate women and those women who imitate men.”
“The meaning of this ḥadīth is that it is not permissible for men to imitate women in garments or adornments specific to women, nor is it permissible for women to imitate men in clothing or adornment unique to men.”
“Likewise, imitating women in speech and walking style is also forbidden. The form and fashion of clothing differ by society and region, and in some cultures, men and women wear similar clothing. However, women are generally distinguished by the rules of ḥijāb and modest covering.”
Embroidery that is customary for men is permissible, and there is no harm in wearing it.
“I do not dislike men wearing pearls, unless it is something specific to women’s customs.”
Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr رضي الله عنها narrated:
“She brought out a cloak of the Prophet ﷺ which had silk embroidery on the collar, sleeves, and front slit.”
This was in response to ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما, who feared that decorated garments may fall under the prohibition of silk for men.
Shaykh ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Bassām said:
“This ḥadīth establishes the permissibility of embroidery in the mentioned parts of the jubba (robe) and ʿabāʾ, and by extension, similar embroidery in men’s clothing is also allowed.”
✔ Men are allowed to wear clothing that has embroidery specific to men's fashion.
✘ Men must avoid clothing that features embroidery or design specific to women, to avoid resembling them.
✔ Tailors are also permitted to sew such clothing as long as it conforms to Sharʿī guidelines.
✘ Any clothing that entails imitation of women is impermissible in Islam.
(And Allah knows best.)
❖ Question:
Nowadays, a new type of men’s clothing has appeared that features embroidery. Some scholars argue that such garments resemble women’s clothing and are therefore impermissible. What is the correct Islamic position on this issue?
❖ Answer:
If a garment features embroidery that is typically associated with women's clothing, and such embroidered garments are commonly worn by women in society, then men should not wear such clothing. This is because it constitutes imitation of women, and men are required to avoid anything that resembles women in dress, adornment, or mannerisms.
◈ Clear Prohibition in the Sunnah:
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah has cursed those men who imitate women and those women who imitate men.”
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad 1/339 ḥadīth 3151; Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Libās, Bāb al-Mutashabbihīn bi’l-Nisāʾ: 5885
◈ Commentary by Scholars:
- Imām al-Ṭabarī رحمه الله said:
“The meaning of this ḥadīth is that it is not permissible for men to imitate women in garments or adornments specific to women, nor is it permissible for women to imitate men in clothing or adornment unique to men.”
- Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī رحمه الله elaborated:
“Likewise, imitating women in speech and walking style is also forbidden. The form and fashion of clothing differ by society and region, and in some cultures, men and women wear similar clothing. However, women are generally distinguished by the rules of ḥijāb and modest covering.”
Reference: Fatḥ al-Bārī 10/332
What Type of Embroidery is Permissible?
Embroidery that is customary for men is permissible, and there is no harm in wearing it.
- Imām al-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله said:
“I do not dislike men wearing pearls, unless it is something specific to women’s customs.”
◈ Evidence from the Practice of the Prophet ﷺ:
Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr رضي الله عنها narrated:
“She brought out a cloak of the Prophet ﷺ which had silk embroidery on the collar, sleeves, and front slit.”
Reference: Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Libās, Bāb al-Rukhṣah fī al-ʿIlm wa Khayṭ al-Ḥarīr: 4054
This was in response to ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما, who feared that decorated garments may fall under the prohibition of silk for men.
◈ Related Ḥadīth and Chapter Titles:
- In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, this garment is mentioned under the heading:
“Prohibition of Using Gold and Silver Utensils”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Libās wa’l-Zīnah: 2096 - Abū Dāwūd titled the chapter:
“Concession Regarding Embroidery and Silk Threads in Garments.” - Ibn Mājah:
“Permissibility of Designs and Embroidery in Clothing.”
Reference: Ibn Mājah before ḥadīth 3593
◈ Modern Explanation:
Shaykh ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Bassām said:
“This ḥadīth establishes the permissibility of embroidery in the mentioned parts of the jubba (robe) and ʿabāʾ, and by extension, similar embroidery in men’s clothing is also allowed.”
Reference: Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām 3/124
❖ Summary & Ruling:
✔ Men are allowed to wear clothing that has embroidery specific to men's fashion.
✘ Men must avoid clothing that features embroidery or design specific to women, to avoid resembling them.
✔ Tailors are also permitted to sew such clothing as long as it conforms to Sharʿī guidelines.
✘ Any clothing that entails imitation of women is impermissible in Islam.
(And Allah knows best.)
