We all certainly do this every day: wake up, bathe, and then choose clothes to wear. Whether it’s work uniforms, casual clothes, or gamis for prayer. This activity is so ingrained in our routine that it often passes by without meaning. In fact, Islam is a very detailed religion. Even small things like how to put your hands into the sleeves of a shirt have rules.
Imam An-Nawawi, a great scholar whose works are a reference for Muslims throughout the world, wrote a special chapter about this in his book Al-Adhkar. He did not only talk about clothing styles, but more about how we treat our bodies and clothes as a form of worship.
This article will thoroughly discuss the etiquette of dress in Islam, why the right side is so special, and how short prayers from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ can transform daily routines into a fertile field of abundant reward.
Why Right and Left are Important? (The Concept of At-Tayamun)
Before we delve into the practice of wearing clothing, we need to first understand the philosophy behind it. Why must it be done from the right? Why not just freely as one wishes?
In Islam, there is a concept called At-Tayamun, which is the inclination to prioritize the right side in matters that are good and noble. Imam An-Nawawi in Al-Adhkar (p. 21) provides a golden rule that is very beneficial for us to hold onto:
يستحب أن يبتدأ في لبس الثوب والنعل والسراويل وشبهها باليمين من كميه ورجلي السراويل ويخلع الأيسر , ثم الأيمن
“It is recommended to begin wearing clothes, sandals, trousers, and the like starting with the right side, from the sleeve of the garment and the leg of the trousers. And (when) removing them, begin from the left, then the right.”
The Division of Tasks Among Body Members
Imam An-Nawawi detailed a list of activities that are recommended to be done with the right hand or started from the right. This is not an arbitrary rule, but a form of body part management to achieve balance and align with fiṭrah (natural disposition).
Use Right For:
- Wearing clothing (shirts, trousers, socks).
- Wearing sandals (tana’ul).
- Purification (ablution, ghusl after major ritual impurity).
- Combing the hair (tarajjul).
- Cutting the nails and trimming the mustache.
- Eating and drinking.
- Entering the mosque.
- Shaking hands.
Use Left For:
- Removing clothing and sandals.
- Leaving the mosque.
- Entering the bathroom/toilet.
- Cleansing after excretion (istinjā’).
The basis for this division is a ṣaḥīḥ hadith narrated by ‘Aisyah radiyallahu ‘anha (Hadith No. 49 in the reference):
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعجبه التيمن في شأنه كله : في طهوره وترجله وتنعله
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ greatly liked prioritizing the right side in all of his affairs: in his purification, in combing his hair, and in wearing his sandals.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim).
Indeed, another wife of the Prophet, Hafsah radhiyallahu ‘anha, affirmed in the narration of Abu Daud (Hadith No. 51) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used his right hand for eating, drinking, and dressing, while the left hand was used for other things (that which is impure or for disposing of waste).
Step-by-Step Guide to Wearing the Garments
Let us practice this sequence of dressing to be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
1. Begin with Intention and Basmalah.
The first step is setting the of intention (niyyah). Do not simply dress due to shyness of being seen by others, but intend to cover the ‘aurah because Allah commands it. Imam An-Nawawi opens the chapter on clothing with a brief but concise advice:
يستحب أن يقول : بسم الله , وكذلك تستحب التسمية في جميع الأعمال .
“It is recommended to say: Bismillah. Similarly, it is recommended to read Bismillah at the beginning of every deed.”
The utterance of Bismillah is a seal of blessings. Clothing worn with the name of Allah is hoped to bring goodness to the wearer throughout the day.
2. Prioritize the Right Side of the Body
When holding a shirt, insert the right arm first. When wearing trousers, insert the right leg first. Do not reverse it. This is a strong recommended command from the Prophet ﷺ.
In Hadith No. 52, from Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا لبستم , وإذا توضأتم فابدؤوا بأيامنكم
“When you wear clothing, and when you perform wudhu, then begin with your right side.” (Good hadith, narrated by Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi).
Getting used to this may take time for those who are not accustomed to it, but eventually it will become a beautiful reflex.
3. Accompany It with the Supplication for Wearing Clothing
When the garment has adhered to the body, or during the process of wearing it, recite a prayer. There are several variations of the prayer taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
General Supplication (Mentioning the Name of Clothing) Narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (Hadith No. 43), the Prophet Iḥrām used to mention the name of his clothing (for example: “This shirt,” “This gamis“) and then supplicate:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهِ وَخَيْرِ مَا هُوَ لَهُ , وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ وَشَرِّ مَا هُوَ لَهُ
Allāhumma innī as’aluka min khayrihi wa khayri mā huwa lahu, wa a‘ūdhu bika min sharrihi wa sharri mā huwa lahu.
Meaning: “O Allah, I ask You for the goodness of this garment and the goodness of what it is made for, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this garment and the evil of what it is made for.”
Special Prayer for New Clothes (Forgiveness of Sins) If the clothes you are wearing are new, there is a bonus reward of forgiveness of sins if you recite the prayer from the narration of Mu’adh bin Anas (Hadith No. 44):
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Al-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī kasānī hādhā wa razaqanīhi min ghayri ḥawlin minnī wa lā quwwah.
Meaning: “All praise is due to Allah who has clothed me with this garment and bestowed it upon me without any power or strength from myself.”
Whoever reads this, then “their past sins will be forgiven.” This supplication has a very great virtue. For a detailed explanation of its meaning, read our article regarding The Virtue of the Supplication Alhamdulillahilladzi Kasani Hadha.
The Procedure for Removing Clothing: Rules of Opposition
If putting it on starts from the right, then taking it off must start from the left. Why? The Ulama explain that this is a form of respect towards the right side. The right side is “honored” by being put on first and taken off last, so the presence of the clothing (which is a blessing) lasts longer on the right limbs.
So the order is:
- Bring out the left arm / left leg.
- Then the right arm / right leg.
The Prayer Upon Removing Clothing: An Invisible Shield
Have you ever felt uneasy when changing clothes alone? Islam teaches that we live alongside unseen beings (Jinn). They can see us, but we cannot see them. However, the Prophet ﷺ provided advanced “technology” to shield us from their sight.
In Hadith No. 53 narrated by Anas bin Malik radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ستر ما بين أعين الجن وعورات بني آدم أن يقول الرجل المسلم إذا أراد أن يطرح ثيابه : بسم الله الذي لا إله إلا هو
“The barrier (veil) between the eye of a jinn and the aurat of the son of Adam is when a Muslim intends to remove his clothing, he says: Bismillahilladhi laa ilaha illa huwa.”
The phrase “Bismillahilladhi laa ilaha illa huwa” (In the name of Allah, there is no god but He) functions like a mystical veil. Jinn may be present, but they will be unable to see our awrah.
Social Etiquette: When Seeing Others in New Clothes
The etiquette of dress is not only for oneself. As social beings, we often see friends or family wearing new clothes. How do we respond? With envy, or with polite praise?
The Sunnah teaches us to pray for them. This creates a strong bond of affection.
1. Prayer for Longevity (The Story of Ummu Khalid) In a ṣaḥīḥ hadith of Bukhari (No. 47), the Prophet ﷺ was once given a garment with black patterns. He called a young girl named Ummu Khalid, and dressed her in it. The Prophet ﷺ said:
أبلي، وأخلقي
“Ablī wa akhliqi” (Wear it until it wears out, and let it become worn through use.)
He uttered it twice. The phrase “wear it until it is worn out” is a metaphorical prayer that the wearer be granted a long life so that they have time to make their new clothes become worn out from prolonged use.
2. The Prayer for a Life of Praise and a Death as a Martyr When the Prophet ﷺ saw Umar bin Khattab wearing a garment (Hadith No. 48), he asked: “Is this new or washed?” Umar replied: “Washed.” Even though it wasn’t a new garment, the Prophet still prayed for him:
البس جديدا , وعش حميدا , ومت شهيدا
“Ilbas jadīdan, wa ‘ish ḥamīdan, wa mut shahīdan.“ (Wear new clothes, live praiseworthily, and die as a martyr).
This is a very complete prayer: requesting well-being in this world (new clothes), noble character (a praiseworthy life), and the best end to life (martyrdom).
Do Not Forget Charity of Clothing
Often our closets are crammed full, yet we continue to buy new clothes. Imam An-Nawawi transmits a narration from Umar bin Khattab (Hadith No. 46) that offers a spiritual solution to this.
If you buy new clothes, then you take your old clothes that are already somewhat worn (akhlaq) and donate them, then you will receive a guarantee of Allah’s protection:
كان في حفظ الله وفي كنف الله عز وجل , وفي سبيل الله حيا وميتا
“He is under the protection of Allah, in the shade of Allah Azza wa Jalla, and on the path of Allah, both in life and in death.”
So, establish a rule: One Garment In, One Garment Out. Buy one new one, donate one old one.
Summary Table of Dress Etiquette
To make it easier to remember, here is a summary table that you can use as a quick guide:
| Activity | Body Part | Prayer Recitation / Dhikr | Description |
| Intention | Heart | – | Intention to cover the aurah for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. |
| Starting to Wear | Right Side | Bismillah | For all types of clothing/accessories. |
| Finished Wearing | – | Allahumma inni as’aluka min khairihi… | Prayer asking for the goodness of the clothing. |
| Wearing New Clothes | Right Side | Alhamdulillahilladhi kasani hadha… | Virtue: Past sins are forgiven. |
| Removing | Left Side | Bismillahilladhi laa ilaha illa huwa | So that the aurah is not seen by Jinn. |
| Seeing a Friend | Tongue | Ilbas jadidan, wa ‘ish hamidan… | Praying for goodness for others. |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is prioritizing the right side obligatory or sunnah?
The majority of scholars are of the opinion that prioritizing the right side when dressing is sunnah (recommended), not obligatory. This means that if you forget and prioritize the left side, you do not sin, but you miss the reward of the sunnah. However, Imam An-Nawawi affirmed that the Prophet ﷺ “strongly liked” (yu’jibuhu) this, which indicates the importance of this practice.
What about left-handed people?
This sunnah ruling is general, including for left-handed people. The right hand has a legal (honorable) preference in Islam that does not depend on a person’s dominant hand habit. Therefore, left-handed people are still encouraged to eat and dress with their right hand.
Is the prayer for removing clothing to be recited aloud?
It is not necessary. It is sufficient to utter it with the tongue in a voice audible to oneself (softly). The purpose is dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and seeking protection.
Does this ruling apply to socks and shoes?
Yes, that is absolutely correct. In a principle written by Imam An-Nawawi (p. 21), it is mentioned “an-na’l” (sandals/shoes) and “asy-syabah” (things similar to them). Therefore, wearing socks, shoes, gloves, and even watches, should preferably begin from the right side.
Is it permissible to supplicate in In one’s own language?
Praying in Arabic according to the text of the ḥadīth is the most excellent (afdhal). However, if one has not memorized it or finds it difficult to pronounce, praying in one’s own language with the same meaning is permissible, especially for supplications that are of a free-form request nature. But for prayers that are of a dhikr rātib nature (such as Bismillah), it is best to remain in its original language.
Let us begin today with small changes. Pay attention to which hand moves first when reaching for a shirt. Recite a prayer of protection when removing work clothes. These small things, if done consistently, will transform ordinary activities into acts of worship of great value in the sight of Allah.
Reference
Al-Nawawī, Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf. Al-Adhkār. Edited by ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Arnaʾūṭ. New revised edition. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1994.
