Modest dressing
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AsalamuAlaykum,
I have a question for both men and women here, but especially the men.
If you believe in modest and decent dressing, how much coverage do you find necessary? Especially as a man? Putting aside the mainstream/sunni "man's awrah is navel to the knees" belief..
Women are far more scrutinized when it comes to clothing. They are judged by both Muslims and non-Muslims. Men, however, not so much.
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So you think a woman wearing a bikini at the beach would also be okay?
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A reply to such a question reminds me of the case of "spendings";
- "And they ask you what they should spend. Say, 'The excess' "
versus
"You will not reach piety until you spend from what you love"
Going from spending from the excess to spending from what you love is the whole purpose of these teachings.
Now to make the analogy with this question, the answer would be "The minimum", something like Wakas' reply.
However for the sake of piety, the "Modest dressing" is in my opinion about dressing in a manner that affects you and everyone around you in a way conforming to your "good" principles, e.g in a way as to not be sending messages that you shouldn't be sending though you are very inclined to do so ...Of course this requires one to be strictly honest with themselves and to have a good amount of self-knowledge because at this stage you are going against your own nature.
- "And they ask you what they should spend. Say, 'The excess' "
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I think you should give a clearer answer. )
How much do you think you, as a man, should cover in order to be classed as decent/modest?
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I think we're not seeing "modesty" from the same angle.
For me, much of it is an internal thing, and only a small portion of it appears externally and it is merely a manifestation of what is internal.What happens with people who try to force "modesty" through some kind of clothing without having the actual principle well understood in mind is that they end up showing contradicting behaviors. Kind of like women who cover their hair and at the same time beautify their face with make-up.
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I think we're not seeing "modesty" from the same angle.
For me, much of it is an internal thing, and only a small portion of it appears externally and it is merely a manifestation of what is internal.What happens with people who try to force "modesty" through some kind of clothing without having the actual principle well understood in mind is that they end up showing contradicting behaviors.
It's really not that difficult. Considering what you said above, let's say you understand the concept of modesty and decency from within. How much of it do you think should reflect on the outside for you as a man?
Kind of like women who cover their hair and at the same time beautify their face with make-up.
?? I'm asking you here. Not asking about women.
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Modesty is you live simply so that others may simply live. It is not modest if it is destroying our life/planet etc.
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It's really not that difficult. Considering what you said above, let's say you understand the concept of modesty and decency from within. How much of it do you think should reflect on the outside for you as a man?
?? I'm asking you here. Not asking about women.
If it's within, it should be easy to be reflected outside. The hardest part is the inner part. Anyone could fake modesty with typical average clothes.
Sorry but the question is too simplistic.
My whole point is that, in whatever you are going to wear, you're going to want to go against your instinctive tendencies. If you're a male then your tendency as a male (male as in the male animal) would be to get the females attention and / or appear superior than your peers. And so in dressing you will follow your principles and not your instinctive tendency.
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Peace All..
There are two aspects to this question
1- Are you breaking a law by your choice?
2-Why have you decided on your choice ?For example there are situations where everybody has to wear a certain uniform. Here, there is no choice, except an agreed type of clothing that all must wear.
Or certain societies are still adhering to a certain tradition and expect /insist on its keep.
Where there is freedom of choice, 1 and 2 above are indicators to what one wears.
For me the mind is key. One has to wear "libass Taqwa" -clothe the mind- first. This instinct, that both male and female can acquire, will help define modesty.
My simple answer here is I wear what is clean ,comfortable and appropriate to where I am. From a swimming truck to a suit to dressing up for a play...etc.
Modesty is a state of mind and an attitude towards why you want to wear a certain item of clothing for both male and female?
GOD bless.
Peace -
So you think a woman wearing a bikini at the beach would also be okay?
Most bikinis would probably be unsuitable (due to them being two piece). If it completely covers the necessary parts, and in my view is not too tight to reveal the obvious shape/etc* underneath then it would be ok. I think what Cerberus was alluding to in his post was that rather than simply doing the minimum one should also apply what one considers modest.
*Likewise for men I wouldn't consider tight swimming trunks to be appropriate.
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Peace Wakas.
I disagree with you on bikinis and swimming trunks.
Most bikinis , providing they cover the chest and private parts completely ,are fine for swimming. Similarly swimming trunks that have an underneath cover can be very adequate.. Swimming is a therapy for the body and one can benefit when most of the skin that does not constitute "private" is in contact with sea or fresh water.
But of course one should wear the proper size for their body.
I do not see why bikinis and swimming trunks cannot be worn?
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
If it's within, it should be easy to be reflected outside. The hardest part is the inner part. Anyone could fake modesty with typical average clothes.
Sorry but the question is too simplistic.
My whole point is that, in whatever you are going to wear, you're going to want to go against your instinctive tendencies. If you're a male then your tendency as a male (male as in the male animal) would be to get the females attention and / or appear superior than your peers. And so in dressing you will follow your principles and not your instinctive tendency.
Yes, my question is simple. I only want to know how much coverage each individual person (especially) men think is appropriate for themselves.
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Peace All..
There are two aspects to this question
1- Are you breaking a law by your choice?
2-Why have you decided on your choice ?For example there are situations where everybody has to wear a certain uniform. Here, there is no choice, except an agreed type of clothing that all must wear.
Or certain societies are still adhering to a certain tradition and expect /insist on its keep.
Where there is freedom of choice, 1 and 2 above are indicators to what one wears.
For me the mind is key. One has to wear "libass Taqwa" -clothe the mind- first. This instinct, that both male and female can acquire, will help define modesty.
My simple answer here is I wear what is clean ,comfortable and appropriate to where I am. From a swimming truck to a suit to dressing up for a play...etc.
Modesty is a state of mind and an attitude towards why you want to wear a certain item of clothing for both male and female?
GOD bless.
PeaceSalam!
I wish there is a LIKE button somewhere in this forum.
yeah -
There are also diving/wet suits for both men and women.
Thanks for your opinions Wakas and good logic.
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There are also diving/wet suits for both men and women.
Salam!
I personally like to see womenfolk when they look like womenfolk.
Peace! -
AsalamuAlaykum,
I have a question for both men and women here, but especially the men.
If you believe in modest and decent dressing, how much coverage do you find necessary? Especially as a man? Putting aside the mainstream/sunni "man's awrah is navel to the knees" belief..
Women are far more scrutinized when it comes to clothing. They are judged by both Muslims and non-Muslims. Men, however, not so much.
So you are asking about a man's modesty, I would say in the U.S.
culture.Loose fitting clothes from the neck to the knees.
Lowering of the gaze.
Avoidance of mixed company. peace
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Salam!
I personally like to see womenfolk when they look like womenfolk.
Peace!They don't suddenly start looking men if they wear wetsuits
Peace
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So you are asking about a man's modesty, I would say in the U.S.
culture.Loose fitting clothes from the neck to the knees.
Lowering of the gaze.
Avoidance of mixed company. peace
I see. )
Could you elaborate on the mixed company part. To what extent?
Salam.
