Leggings are gaining popularity among Muslim women, and for good reasons. This trendy clothing has become a wardrobe staple for many. Not just for the looks, leggings also come with a number of benefits, from health to hygiene.
The growing popularity of leggings has raised different questions, like can Muslim women wear leggings?
Yes, Muslim women can wear leggings. After a very long debate among Muslim clerics and intellectuals about the Islamic rule of wearing Leggings for Muslim women, it is now confirmed that, Yes, Muslim women are allowed to wear leggings.
However, they must wear tops or shirts that cover down to their ankle, in order not to show their awrah. Awrah means nakedness in Arabic. The nakedness of a Muslim woman comes down to the shape of her body.
Leggings tend to accentuate the shape of the body, which is why it is not permissible for Muslim women to wear leggings in public without covering up the shape with extra clothing.
Continue reading this article to learn about the Islamic dress code for women.
Factors to Consider Before Wearing Leggings as a Muslim Woman
There are many factors to consider before wearing leggings as a Muslim woman. It is not just about wearing these garments but also how they are worn.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. It must not be tight
Leggings are usually very tight, and that is why they are not allowed by some scholars. The tightness of the garment tends to put the awrah on display, which is not allowed for a Muslim woman. If you want to wear leggings, then ensure that you are wearing them within your house, or you wear a long loose top over them when you are stepping out.
2. It must not be revealing
The awrah of a Muslim woman should be guarded at all times. Nothing of her shape or ornament must be displayed for other than her husband. So, if she wears leggings, then they must not be revealing. The only way to ensure her shape is not revealed is by wearing tops that cover her shape over the leggings.
3. Must be worn within the house
If a Muslim woman wants to wear leggings without long tops, then she should only wear them within the confinement of her home, away from the prying eyes of strange people.
Can Muslim Women Pray in Leggings?
No, Muslim women are not allowed to pray in leggings. Muslim women cannot pray on leggings or any clothing that is tight-fitting or revealing. According to Islamic injunction, Muslim women are directed to pray by covering their heads to their toes.
The two parts of their body that can be left uncovered are the face and hand up to the wrist. By covering, their clothing is to be loose and not tight-fitted. Any clothing other than this renders their solah (prayer) invalid.
Apparently, wearing leggings during Solah flouts this rule, making it impermissible for Muslim women to wear leggings while praying.
However, a Muslim woman can wear leggings while praying if, and only if, she wears a flowing loose gown or khimar that completely covers her shape over it.
Islamic scholars have stated that there are many reasons why Muslim women can not wear leggings or tight-fitting clothes when they pray. Among these reasons are:
- It does not cover the ‘awrah properly, which means it does not cover all of a woman’s body and shape according to Islamic standards of modesty.
- It may lead to fitnah (temptation), so it is better to avoid wearing it as much as possible during prayer.
- If a woman prays like this, then other women will see her doing so and may follow suit, which could lead to widespread disobedience. This is something that Islam tries hard to prevent.
What Colours of Leggings Can a Muslim Woman Wear?
A Muslim woman has to be careful about what she wears. She should not draw any unwanted attention to herself in any way. The type of color she chooses to wear is essential. As a Muslim woman, wearing bright colors outside your home is prohibited, and that extends to leggings.
Generally, Muslim women’s attire should be black preferably, or any other subtle colors, and by extension, the same color of leggings is equally preferable.
The moment you step outside your house, then you should cover bright-colored leggings with longer tops or perhaps wear something else. Colour prescription prevents fitnah (unrest) from ravaging the Muslim community.
What Is the Female Dress Code for Islam?
The dress code for Muslim women is an important issue in Islam. Every cloth a Muslim woman wears must satisfy certain conditions laid down by Allah. On top of the list is that a Muslim woman must be mindful of tabarruj, meaning the display of beauty.
It is sinful for a Muslim woman to display her ornament and beauty for the world to see. The Islamic dress code of a Muslim woman is for her to cover her body draped in a loose outfit, covering her head to toes.
It is prohibited for a believing Muslim woman to step out of her house with her hair uncovered and in a tight-fitting outfit.
The outfit can be a hijab that covers her head down to her feet or a loose gown that covers her whole body without displaying her shape and ornament.
Also, talking about colors, Muslim females are not permitted to wear bright color clothes that call the attention of people, especially that of the opposite sex to them. The most preferred color for Muslim women is black or any other light-toned color.
Succinctly, the following rules apply when it comes to the dress code for Muslim women:
- It is impermissible for Muslim women to wear tight-fitted cloth in public
- Women should cover their hair with headscarves known as hijab
- It is preferable for women to cover their whole bodies except their faces and hands up to their wrists.
- It is preferable for Muslim women to wear black or any color other than bright colors.
Conclusion
Modesty in Muslim women is an important topic in Islam. An important aspect of Islamic modesty is the dress code and general appearance. There are injunctions describing the dress code of Muslim women.
Leggings do not fulfill the conditions required of Muslim women’s dress code because it is tight and revealing. This is against the general Islamic rule, which provides that Muslim women should wear clothes that covers their awrah and does not fall under the category of tabarruj (show off).
Therefore, a Muslim woman can only wear leggings if she wears a flowing gown or top over it.
