What is the Punishment of Wearing Immodest Clothing on the Day of Judgement?

Perhaps clarity on what we mean by immodesty would be helpful. We distinguish in the spectrum of immodesty between what is legally obligatory and what is disreputable. To disregard the former would entail punishment, whereas the latter would do so if done repeatedly.

As a starting point, we strive to cover what is legally required at all times. Then one thinks about the specific kind of situation in which more precautions would be necessary. This could be due to the specific people one is interacting with or the cultural standard of decency.

To review the legal obligations as well as the moral considerations of clothing, consult the following articles:

To cover one’s nakedness/nudity (‘awra) in front of strangers of the opposite sex is obligatory. This is defined by our Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) as being from navel to knee for men; and everything except the face, hands, and feet for women. To leave these areas uncovered knowingly would be sinful.

Asma (may Allah be pleased with her), daughter of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), entered upon the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) wearing a thin dress. The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) turned his attention from her. He said: “O Asma’, when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of the body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands” (Abu Dawud).

 وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا – «أَنَّ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا – دَخَلَتْ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – وَعَلَيْهَا ثِيَابٌ رِقَاقٌ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا، وَقَالَ: ” يَا أَسْمَاءُ! إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْمَحِيضَ لَنْ يَصْلُحَ أَنْ يُرَى مِنْهَا إِلَّا هَذَا وَهَذَا، وَأَشَارَ إِلَى وَجْهِهِ وَكَفَّيْهِ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ.

The hadith refers to her dress by its thinness and not primarily by what it is or is not covering. This alerts us to the importance of how one should be covered and not just what we – as men and women – cover of our bodies.

As a reminder to the greater aims of clothing oneself, reflect on the following hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) advised his companions, “Set your saddles in order, and elevate your attire so that you may stand out amongst people. For Allah does not like obscenity and indecency” (Abu Dawud).

فأصلحوا رحالكم، وأصلحوا لباسكم حتى تكونوا كأنكم شامة في الناس، فإن الله لا يحب الفحش ولا التفحش‏ (رواه أبو داود)

We should see what we wear as not just a means of avoiding punishment but as a means of earning reward and promoting decency and beauty.

And Allah knows best

[Ustadh] Nail Kadi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani