Have we ever counted how many times we change clothes in a day? From pajamas, work uniforms, to casual wear at home. This activity often passes by unnoticed as a normal routine. In fact, in Islam, this simple moment can turn into an extraordinary source of reward if we know the key.
Imam An-Nawawi in his famous book, Al-Adhkar, explains in detail how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ made the act of dressing a means of remembering Allah. Let us discuss one by one the procedures, starting from the supplication when wearing clothes to the manner of removing them in order to be protected from the interference of jinn.
1. Begin with Basmalah
The most basic and often forgotten step is to say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah). Imam An-Nawawi affirms in the initial chapter on clothing:
يستحب أن يقول: بسم الله, وكذلك تستحب التسمية في جميع الأعمال.
“It is recommended to say: Bismillah. Similarly, it is recommended to recite Bismillah at the beginning of every action.”
This is the key to unlocking blessings before we delve into more specific supplications.
2. Prayer Reading While Wearing Clothes
There are several variations of prayers taught by the Prophet ﷺ. We can practice them alternately.
Supplication for Good Clothing
Based on the narration of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri radhiyallahu ‘anhu (Hadith No. 43), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when wearing clothes—whether it be a gown, shawl, or turban—would mention the name of the garment and then pray:
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, 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.”
Supplication for Sins to be Forgiven
If you want a prayer that has the virtue of forgiveness of sins, pay attention to the narration from Mu’adh bin Anas (Hadith No. 44). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said whoever wears new clothes then reads:
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, not by my effort nor by my strength)
Therefore, “The Prophet ﷺ promised that his past sins will be forgiven.”
3. Etiquette for Wearing New Clothes
There’s a special feeling of joy when we get new clothes. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to channel that joy into gratitude.
In the narration of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (Hadith No. 45), it is mentioned that when the Prophet ﷺ received new clothes, he would name them (for example, “This is the turban of Medina”, “This is the shirt from Pekalongan”), then he would say:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، أَنْتَ كَسَوْتَنِيهِ، أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهُ وَخَيْرَ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ وَشَرِّ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ
(Allahumma lakal hamdu anta kasautanihi, as’aluka khairahu wa khaira ma suni’a lahu, wa a’udzu bika min sharrihi wa sharri ma suni’a lahu)
Imam Tirmidhi assessed this hadith as a good (hasan) hadith. This prayer contains the meaning of surrender, that the clothes we wear are not solely due to our money, but because Allah is the one who provides them (Anta kasautanihi).
Don’t Forget Charity with Old Clothes
Having new clothes often makes the closet full. Don’t let old clothes pile up uselessly. There is an interesting story 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, then takes his old, worn garment and gives it in charity, then that person will be:
في حفظ الله وفي كنف الله عز وجل, وفي سبيل الله حيا وميتا
“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.”
4. Prioritizing the Right (At-Tayamun)
One of the characteristics of the Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah is prioritizing the right side for noble matters. Imam An-Nawawi explained in Bab Kayfiyat Libas (The Manner of Wearing Clothes):
يستحب أن يبتدأ في لبس الثوب والنعل والسراويل وشبهها باليمين
“It is recommended to start wearing clothes, sandals, trousers, and the like with the right side.”
The rule is simple:
- Wearing: Start from the right (right arm, right leg of trousers).
- Removing: Start from the left.
Aisyah may Allah be pleased with her narrated (Hadith No. 49) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ greatly liked to prioritize the right (at-tayamun) in all his affairs, including purification, combing his hair, and putting on sandals.
5. Prayer When Removing Clothes: A Fortress Against the Gaze of Jinn
Have you ever felt watched while alone in a changing room? We are not alone. There are unseen creatures who live alongside us. However, the Prophet ﷺ provided a “shield” so that our private parts are not seen by the Jinn.
In Hadith No. 53 narrated by Anas may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
سِتْرُ مَا بَيْنَ أَعْيُنِ الْجِنِّ وَعَوْرَاتِ بَنِي آدَمَ أَنْ يَقُولَ الرَّجُلُ الْمُسْلِمُ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَطْرَحَ ثِيَابَهُ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ
“The screen between the eyes of the Jinn and the nakedness of the children of Adam is that when a Muslim desires to take off his clothes, he says: Bismillahilladzi laa ilaha illa huwa.”
This sentence is short, but its impact is extraordinary as a supernatural hijab (barrier).
6. Etiquette of Praying for Others
The ethics of dress in Islam are not just for oneself. When we see a friend, spouse, or child wearing new clothes, there is a special prayer taught by the Prophet.
For Children:
When the Prophet dressed Ummu Khalid (a young girl) in a new garment, he said:
‘Abli wa Akhliqi’
(Hadith No. 47). Its meaning is approximately: ‘Wear it out and make it ragged.’ (An idiom praying for long life).”
For Adults:
When the Prophet saw Umar wearing a garment, he asked whether it was new or washed. Upon learning it was washed, the Prophet still offered a prayer (Hadith No. 48):
البس جديدا, وعش حميدا, ومت شهيدا
(A new garment, a life lived well, and a witnessed death)
Meaning: “Dress in new clothes, live with praiseworthy conduct, and die as a martyr.”
Practical Summary of Islamic Dress Etiquette
To make it easier to practice, here is a summary table of prayers and etiquette in the order of activities:
| Activity | Sunnah / Adab (Etiquette) | Prayer Recitation (Latin) |
| About to Wear | Start with the right side of the body | Bismillah |
| While Wearing | Praise Allah & Ask for goodness | Allahumma inni as’aluka min khairihi… or Alhamdulillahilladhi kasani hadha… |
| New Clothes | Give away old clothes as charity | Allahumma laka al-hamdu anta kasautanihi… |
| Seeing Others Wearing | Pray for goodness/long life for them | Ilbas jadidan, wa ‘ish hamidan, wa mut syahidan |
| Removing Clothes | Start from the left side of the body | Bismillahilladhi laa ilaha illa huwa |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is there a requirement for the prayer recited when wearing new clothes to be in Arabic?
It is best to read it in Arabic according to the text of the hadith. However, if you haven’t memorized it yet, the essence is to praise Allah and be grateful. The prayer “Alhamdulillahilladhi kasani hadha…” (Hadith No. 44) is quite short and easy to memorize.
What if you forget to recite the prayer when wearing clothes?
If you remember it while in the middle of putting on clothes or after you have finished, you can recite it immediately. There is no prohibition, and remembrance of Allah is good to do at any time.
Why should one begin with the left side when removing clothes?
This is a form of respect towards the right hand. As explained in the hadith of Hafsah (Hadith No. 51), the Prophet used his right hand for eating, drinking, and dressing, while the left hand was used for other things (such as cleaning impurities or removing something).
Is the supplication for protection from Jinn only recited in the bathroom?
Hadith No. 53 mentions “when about to remove one’s clothing.” Therefore, whether in the bathroom, in the bedroom, or when about to change into sportswear, recite the prayer so that one’s private parts are protected from the gaze of the jinn.
Although the prayer when wearing clothes sounds common, there are actually differences in wording between everyday clothes and new clothes. For an in-depth discussion on this, you can read our article about the difference between the prayer for wearing ordinary clothes and new clothes.
Hopefully this guide helps us revive the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in our daily lives. Clothing is not merely a cover for the body, but also a manifestation of our gratitude to the Bestower of Sustenance.
Reference
Al-Nawawī, Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf. Al-Adhkār. Edited by ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Arnaʾūṭ. New revised edition. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1994.
