Muslims men should follow the non- religious local custom as long as it is not peculiar to unbelievers or used to distinguish them. The Prophet used to wear the same clothes unbelievers used to wear at that time.

Wearing the Clothes of Local People

Similar Questions

•    Clothes non-Muslims wear;
•    Dressing according to local customs.

The Issue

To avoid appearing too conspicuous a Muslim living in a non-Muslim country may need to consider choosing clothes of the style the local people wear. What is the ruling on this point?

Ruling

A Muslim should follow the local custom in whatever is permissible in dress as long as it is not peculiar to them. He should not make himself too conspicuous in the way he dresses. Indeed a man is recommended, or even has a duty, to follow the visible tradition if this serves the interests of Islam. This is the view of Ibn Taymiyyah and endorsed by the Permanent Committee for Research and Fatwa. [1]

Evidence

The Prophet wore the same style of clothes as his people and never wore anything that distinguished him from others. Any non-religious clothes are permissible for Muslims to wear. Indeed, the Prophet wore the same clothes the idolater Arabs used to wear at the time.

It is not permissible to wear clothes that are peculiar to unbelievers or which are deliberately worn to distinguish themselves from others.

Sources

•    Ibn Taymiyyah, Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim.
•    Fahd Bahammam, Dalil al-Mubta'ath al-Fiqhi.