Clothing

Letters concerning

• https://bahai.works/MUHJ86-01/165/Laws_Regarding_Hair_and_Manner_of_Dress (also covering earrings specifically)

Lack of requirements as to specific clothing

The choice of clothing (and the dressing of the beard) are left to the discretion of men (but not to make selves playthings of the ignorant)

"The seventh Glad-Tidings

"The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its dressing are left to the discretion of men. But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves the playthings of the ignorant."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bishárát, p. 23)

Former restrictions on clothing removed

"It hath been forbidden you to carry arms unless essential, and permitted you to attire yourselves in silk. The Lord hath relieved you, as a bounty on His part, of the restrictions that formerly applied to clothing and to the trim of the beard. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the Omniscient."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 159)

"Many rules about dress had their origins in the laws and traditional practices of the world's religions. For example, the Shí'ih clergy adopted for themselves a distinctive headdress and robes and, at one time, forbade the people to adopt European attire. Muslim practice, in its desire to emulate the custom of the Prophet, also introduced a number of restrictions with regard to the trim of the moustache and the length of the beard.

"Bahá'u'lláh removed such limitations on one's apparel and beard. He leaves such matters to the "discretion" of the individual..."

(Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 175)

Permitted to wear silk

"It hath been forbidden you to carry arms unless essential, and permitted you to attire yourselves in silk. The Lord hath relieved you, as a bounty on His part, of the restrictions that formerly applied to clothing and to the trim of the beard. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the Omniscient."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 159)

"According to Islamic practice, the wearing of silk by men was generally forbidden, except in times of holy war. This prohibition, which was not based on the verses of the Qur'án, was abrogated by the Báb."

(Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 174)

Does not judge fashions but the wearer of the dress

"Correspondent: What do you think about women's fashions?

"ABDUL-BAHA: We do not look upon the dresses of women, whether or not they are of the latest mode. We are not the judge of fashions. We rather judge the wearer of dresses. If she be chaste, if she be cultured, if she be characterized with heavenly morality, and if she be favored at the Threshold of God, she is honored and respected by us, no matter what manner of dress she wears. We have nothing to do with the ever-changing world of modes."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, volume 4, issue 12, p. 207)

Natural for the heart and spirit to take pleasure in things that show forth symmetry, harmony, and perfection such as pleasing garments

"It is natural for the heart and spirit to take pleasure and enjoyment in all things that show forth symmetry, harmony, and perfection. For instance: a beautiful house, a well designed garden, a symmetrical line, a graceful motion, a well written book, pleasing garments -- in fact, all things that have in themselves grace or beauty are pleasing to the heart and spirit -- therefore, it is most certain that a true voice causes deep pleasure."

('Abdu'l-Bahá's words to Mrs. Mary L. Lucas, as quoted in "A Brief Account of My Visit to Acca" (Chicago: Bahá'í Publishing Society, 1905), pp. 11-14, in Importance of the Arts in Promoting the Faith, no. 24)

Moderation and chastity required

• See Sex and dress#Moderation and chastity required in dress

Dancers to be decently clad

• See Sex and the arts#Dance

To wear clean clothing

• See Clean clothing.

(Story about men spending money on clothing for their wives)

"Turning towards the ladies He said with a smile:

"I have said in America and Europe that there is only the question of votes in which women have been held back and claim equality with men. In California they even have this right. In all other respects it is men who must demand equality of rights. How many men in Europe and America work from morning until evening and whatever they save is spent on adornments and jewelry and colorful clothes and the latest fashions for their wives who spend their time in pleasure and enjoyment? In reality, these poor men are servants of their wives."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Mahmúd's Diary, p. 365)

See also

• Inheritance (regarding the inheritance of unused or used clothing)
• Burial (regarding the dress of the deceased)
• Ornamentation (regarding other items worn)
• Hunting (on use of arms being permissible in societies where hunting is done for clothing)
• Nudism
• The meaning of `Abdu'l-Baha's function as the Divine Exemplar (in regard to it being His example and not His mode of dress to which we should look)

To-dos for this page

• Find the abrogation of the practice on silk by the Báb; 'Abdu'l-Bahá praising sarees as most beautiful?