Is it permissible for a Muslim to wear western style clothes?
It is forbidden in Islam to wear something which is a distinctive mark of any religion other than Islam. It is forbidden, therefore to wear the dress normally worn by Buddhist or Christian priests or Jewish rabbis etc. There is nothing wrong on the other hand in wearing what is commonly acceptable by people of different nationalities. Western-style clothes, such as a suit and a tie, are used by the general public in many an Islamic country, especially in towns and cities. There is nothing wrong therefore, in wearing such clothes, provided they do not violate the essential rules of Islamic dress which are well known for both men and women. Though we are certainly required to maintain our own characteristics so as not to be confused with the followers of other religions. Imam Ibn Taimiyah wrote a dissertation on this subject showing that Muslims must try to have their own distinctive style in dress, food and practices so that a Muslim is immediately distinguished by his appearance in the
