Why We Dress As We Do

In today's world, advertising is the fuel that drives the fashion-conscious to discern what's hot and what's not. If we look at fashion today, what is deemed modern and "with it" is what is glamorously exhibited on the catwalks of Milan and New York and splashed across bold fashion magazines. The must-have mentality, coupled with intense advertising, propels the hypnotized shopper into a frenzy and she just has to spend a lot of money on fabric or clothes that have convinced her that if she wears such things she's hot and has style.

clipped from www.islamonline.net When Islam ordained woman to cover her hair and to dress modestly, it was not to infringe on her rights and impede her freedom, but rather to grant her the dignity and respect that she deserves. The Islamic dress code enables the woman to have an independent identity that is far removed from the dictates of fashion. Wearing hijab does not mean abandoning a sense of style. While traditional values hold that modest dress entails bland colors, particularly black, Islam does not prescribe any particular color. In fact it is more liberal towards women with regard to color than men. In fact, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade men from wearing yellow, while these colors are permissible to women.