Dua for New vs. Daily Clothes: What is the Difference in the Sunnah?

Every day we certainly carry out this routine: opening the closet, choosing clothes, and then wearing them. This activity feels very automatic and ordinary. However, did you know that in Islam, a simple act like dressing can turn into a source of reward if done with awareness and following the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

Imam An-Nawawi, a great scholar in the Shafi’i school, summarized various authentic and good narrations regarding daily etiquette in his phenomenal book, Al-Adhkar. In that book, there is a subtle but meaningful difference between the prayer recited when wearing everyday clothes and the prayer when we have the joy of wearing new clothes.

This article will review the differences between these two types of supplications based on direct references from the book Al-Adhkar (pages 20-22), so that we can practice the sunnah of dressing more accurately.

However, if you want to learn the complete sequence of its etiquette from beginning to end, including removing your clothes, please refer to a complete guide to the prayer for wearing clothes according to the Sunnah which we have discussed previously.

Basic Foundation: Begin with Basmalah

Before delving into specific supplications, there is one fundamental thing that must not be neglected. Imam An-Nawawi opens this chapter with a general principle:

يستحب أن يقول: بسم الله, وكذلك تستحب التسمية في جميع الأعمال.

“It is sunnah to say: ‘Bismillah’. Similarly, it is sunnah to read Bismillah at the beginning of every action.” (Al-Adhkar, p. 20)

So, whether it’s old clothes that have been worn frequently or newly purchased clothes, the first step is the same: In order for every activity of ours to be a worship, it is highly recommended to contemplate the recitation of the Basmala and its meaning every time we are about to begin it. This is the key to unlocking blessings in every activity of a Muslim.

The Prayer for Wearing Everyday Clothes (Ordinary Clothing)

When we take clothes from the hanger—whether it’s a work shirt, a casual t-shirt, or a robe that we usually wear—there is a special prayer taught by the Prophet ﷺ. This prayer is general, encompassing a request for goodness from the function of the clothing itself.

Based on the narration quoted by Imam An-Nawawi from the book of Ibn Sunni (Hadith No. 43), the companion Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri radhiyallahu ‘anhu narrated the habit of the Prophet ﷺ. He stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when wearing clothes—whether it was a gown, shawl, or turban—he would name the garment, then make a prayer.

Arabic Text and Its Meaning

The following is the wording of the prayer recited by the Prophet ﷺ for clothing in general:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهِ وَخَيْرِ مَا هُوَ لَهُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ وَشَرِّ مَا هُوَ لَهُ

(O Allah, I ask You for its good and the good of what it is for, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it is for)

Meaning: “O Allah, indeed I ask You for the good of this garment and the good 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.”

The Meaning of This Prayer

This prayer is very profound in meaning. We ask that the clothing function as it should, namely to cover the private parts and protect the body (the goodness of clothing). We also seek refuge from its evils, for example, clothing that actually makes us arrogant, or clothing used to go to places of sin. This is a prayer of protection for our daily activities.

Prayer and Etiquette for Wearing New Clothes

There is a different feeling when we wear new clothes. There is a sense of gratitude and joy. Islam recognizes this feeling and provides guidance for a slightly different prayer, which emphasizes gratitude more. Imam An-Nawawi made a special chapter for this: (What is said when wearing new clothes, sandals, or the like).

There are two popular supplication options mentioned in this reference.

Option of Prayer 1: Specific Expressions of Gratitude

In Hadith No. 45, Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri radhiyallahu ‘anhu again narrated that if Rasulullah ﷺ got new clothes (istajadda tsauban), he named them, then prayed with a lafaz similar to the daily prayer, but began with special praise:

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ كَسَوْتَنِيهِ، أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهُ وَخَيْرَ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ وَشَرِّ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ

(O Allah, to You is all praise, You have clothed me with it, I ask You for its goodness and the goodness of what it was made for, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it was made for)

Meaning: “O Allah, all praise is due to You, You have clothed me with this garment. I ask You for its goodness and the goodness of what it is made for, and I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it is made for.”

This hadith is narrated by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Nasa’i, and Imam Tirmidhi graded it as a hasan hadith. The main difference lies in the opening phrase “Allahumma lakal hamdu anta kasautanihi” (O Allah, all praise is to You, You who have clothed me with it). This is an explicit acknowledgment that the new garment is a direct provision from Allah.

Option of Prayer 2: The Key to Forgiveness of Sins

This is a very special prayer and has extraordinary virtues. Based on the narration of Mu’adh bin Anas radhiyallahu ‘anhu (Hadith No. 44), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that whoever wears new clothes and then reads this prayer, then:

غفر الله له ما تقدم من ذنبه

“Allah forgives his past sins.”

Here is the prayer wording which is quite short but powerful:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ

(All praise is due to Allah who has clothed me with this and provided it for me without any effort from me or strength)

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.”

This prayer teaches us to negate our own greatness. The new clothes were bought not because we are clever at earning money, but purely due to provision from Allah. This sincere acknowledgement is what invites His forgiveness.

Key Differences: What Makes It Different?

From the explanation above, we can see the difference in focus between the prayer for ordinary clothes and new clothes:

1. Focus of Daily Prayer: More focus on the function of clothing as protection and a request to be protected from the negative impacts of wearing it in daily activities.
2. Focus of the Prayer for New Clothes: Strongly emphasizes the aspect of gratitude (thankfulness) and the acknowledgement that the new blessing comes solely from Allah.
3. Virtue (Fadhilah): The prayer for new clothes narrated by Mu’adh bin Anas has a very significant specific promise, namely the forgiveness of past sins, which is not explicitly mentioned in the ordinary clothing prayer.

Bonus: Don’t Forget Your Old Clothes

As a complement to the etiquette of wearing new clothes, there is an interesting narration from Umar bin Khattab radhiyallahu ‘anhu (Hadith No. 46).

He heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say that whoever wears a new garment, praises Allah (with a prayer like the one above), then intentionally takes his old, worn-out garment (khaliq) and gives it in charity, then that person will be:

فِي حِفْظِ اللَّهِ وَفِي كَنَفِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ حَيًّا وَمَيِّتًا

“In the care of Allah, under the protection of Allah Azza wa Jalla, and in the way of Allah, whether in life or in death.”

So, when your closet welcomes a new resident, it is the right time to give away old clothes as charity in order to obtain this extraordinary guarantee of protection.

Summary of Differences (Table)

To make it easier to understand, here is a summary table of the differences between the two types of supplication:

Aspect	Prayer for Ordinary/Daily Clothing	Prayer for New Clothing
Basis (Obligatory)	Reciting Basmalah	Reciting Basmalah
Main Reference	Hadith No. 43 (Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri)	Hadith No. 44 (Mu’adz bin Anas) & No. 45 (Abu Sa’id)
Core Reading	Allahumma inni as’aluka min khairihi…	Alhamdulillahilladhi kasani hadha… OR Allahumma lakal hamdu anta kasautanihi…
Emphasis of Meaning	Asking for the goodness of the clothing’s function & seeking protection from its bad aspects.	Deep expression of gratitude & acknowledgment of one’s helplessness (without power & effort).
Special Virtue	Daily protection.	Forgiveness of past sins (for the narration of Mu’adz bin Anas).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Hopefully, by understanding these differences, our routine of dressing will no longer be a hollow activity, but rather a moment of spiritual connection with Allah, the Provider of Sustenance.