The Dressing of the Imaam

Q: Salaah-653: Will salaah be valid behind an Imaam who wears Western attire (shirt and trousers)?

Answer: Although the salaah will be valid. it will still be Makrooh because in Ruku and Sajdah such filling clothing reveals the shape and size of those parts of the body that need to be concealed at all times. Dressing in this manner also entails emulating the Kuffaar. Maa Laa Budda Minhu (Pg.I24) states that it is Haraam for Muslims to emulate the ways of the Kuffaar.

Rasulullaah SAW. was once watching a man leading others in salaah, when the man spat in the direction of the Qibla. When the salaah was over, Rasulullaah SAW. told the people not to allow him to lead them again. Consequently, when the man stepped forward to lead the next salaah, the people stopped him, saying that Rasulullaah SAW. had given them the instruction. The man approached Rasulullaah SAW. who confirmed the action. adding that he had hurl Allaah and His Rasool SAW. by what he had done.

The Imaam should therefore adopt the dressing of the pious and righteous. A poet says that even though one may not be like them, but emulating the ways of the pious and righteous servants of Allaah will surely bring success. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2