Head Coverings, Beards and Modesty in Islam
A woman's hijab or head covering is a very public expression of faith, and readily identifies a woman as being Muslim. Indeed, this is one of the purposes of Islamic dress for women.
In the Holy Qur'an, Allah (God) commands women to draw their outer garments around them because: "That is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle." (Surah al-Ahzab: 59)
Hijab and Modest Clothing for Men
The word hijab refers not only to a woman's headscarf, but to full modest Islamic dress. In this sense, men also observe hijab.
Islam establishes a minimum dress requirement that men must cover the area from their navel to their knees. In addition, men are forbidden from wearing gold jewelry, garments made of silk, and apparel which has been dyed red or yellow from saffron. Modest clothing should be neither tight enough to delineate their bodies, nor sheer enough to reveal what’s beneath. The garments themselves should be simply styled and free of ornate decoration, and pants and thobes should not hang past the ankles.
Muslim Identity in the West
Because modest clothing for men may be less apparent than it is for women, many Muslim men in the West aren't as easily identified as Muslim women. It's not unusual, for example, to see a woman in hijab walking side-by-side with a clean-shaven man in casual attire like a t-shirt, jeans or even shorts.
In a 2007 interview for Islamic Horizons magazine, Hanafee scholar Shaykh Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf notes that he has chanced upon such scenarios numerous times. He applauds the fact that such women are expressing their faith publicly, but notes a disappointing effort put forth by many Muslim brothers.
“Not enough men are making a similar sacrifice,” he says. “This is not so much passing judgment as making observation. In the so-called ‘cosmopolitan’ cities in America, there are freedoms. Why aren’t Muslims using freedom of expression for the sake of the deen (religion)?”
Traditional Islamic Attire and Head Coverings for Men
In some parts of the Muslim world, men do wear garments which are almost as modest as that of the women. Traditional modest Islamic attire for men includes long sleeve shirts, pants, thobes and head coverings such as turbans, taqiyahs or kufis. Because such garments help distinguish them as Muslims, some Muslim men in the West adopt these clothing traditions.
Shaykh Abdur Rahman advises brothers in America to look at what the righteous and pious men of their communities are wearing, and to consider how easy it is to achieve a strong Muslim identity by growing a beard or wearing a kufi.
Beards for Muslim Men
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself covered his hair with a turban, and instructed men to trim their mustaches but leave their beards. The majority of scholars conclude that the beard is required; some say that it’s strongly preferred. The Prophet knew that his nation would reach a time when adhering to Islam would be a struggle, but he promised a great reward. He said: “The keeper of my Sunnah (traditions) at the time my community has lapsed into corruption will receive the reward of a martyr." (Al-Mundhiri, al-Targhib 1:87; Al-Hakim)
Modest Behavior for Muslim Men
Wearing a beard or Islamic clothing is only part of a Muslim man's identity. He should also try to adopt the righteous, modest behavior that the Prophet exemplified. This includes lowering the gaze, avoiding flirtatious speech and conduct, and refraining from relationships with unrelated women. Muslims should also endeavor to be truthful, sincere, humble, patient, forgiving, charitable, moderate, kind, and considerate.
Allah promises that such effort will not be in vain. Paradise awaits Muslims who embody these qualities. “For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise - for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.” (Quran 33:35)
