Wearing dirty clothes is not from humility – Explained by Shaykh Fawzan

Questioner:

May Allah grant you good. The questioner says: An Imaam of a masjid has a lot of money; but when he comes to the prayer, he comes wearing a dirty Izar and a dirty shirt. And when I say to him: “Why don’t you buy some new clothes for the prayer”? He says: “Whoever humbles himself for Allah, He will elevate him”. So what is the ruling for his prayer?

Shaykh Fawzan: This is not humility. Allah the Exalted says:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid. (Soorah Al-’Araf 7:31)

This means for every prayer. Adornment is not only covering the awrah, rather adornment includes clothes, beautifying oneself for the prayer. You are facing the Lord of all that exists; you are standing in front of Him. Therefore beautify yourself with what you are able to from adornment; in recognition of the prayer, and exalting the standing before your Lord. This is something desired, and favorable. 

And the hadith says:

إِذَا وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عليكم فَوْسِعُوا

When Allah makes you wealthier then you should clothe yourself properly.

And he says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبَّ أَنْ يُرَى أَثَرُ نِعْمَتِهِ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ

Verily Allah loves to see the effects of His favors upon His slave.

O my brother this is not humility. Yes, do not wear extravagant clothes. Do not wear extravagant clothes such that it becomes an issue of fame or notoriety. Wear moderate clothes which are clean and beautiful.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ

Verily Allah is Jameel and He loves beauty.

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee http://mtws.posthaven.com