The shirt measured till the ankle...

The shirt measured till the ankle, the Tahmad measured from the waist down to the knee and the shawl not only covered his chest, but was much longer than his back. After having bought these clothes Hazrat Ali (a.s.) looked at the sky, thanked God and returned to his lodging. According to Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) God ordered the Prophet to keep his clothes clean and it meant that the clothes should not be so long as to gather dirt and must be free from impurities.

As related by Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) advised a person not to have his shirt and pyjama too long, as it is a sign of pride and God does not allow the proud to come near. About the clothes which are particularly used by women and non-muslims: Men are prohibited from wearing women's face-covering sheet (Muqna), veil, bodice and Burqa etc. and women should not wear men's clothes such as cap, cloak, cassock (qaba) etc.

Both men and women are prohibited from adopting the particular headgears by which the Jews, Nusairis and other non Muslims are identified. According to Imam Baqir (a.s.) men should not use make up like women and women should not make up themselves like men as the Holy Prophet had cursed such men and women.

It is stated in Fiqha-ur-Riza that one should wear the pyjama while sitting and recite the following prayer: ‘I begin with the name of Allah (Oh Allah!) Draw a veil over my nudity and let me not be insulted on the Day of Judgement! Shower me with chastity and separate not me from my faith!’ People who do not practise this are faced with disease and death. According to a tradition, all the Prophets and even Hazrat Ameer-ul-Momineen (a.s.) used to put on the shirt before wearing pyjama.

Instructions about wearing and cutting new cloth: According to Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), a person while putting on a new dress should recite the following prayer: ‘O Allah make this cloth to be the cause of peace, piety and reward! O Allah as long as I go on wearing this dress let me be able to carry out Thy worship in its entirety, and let me be able to be obedient to Thy bidding and thankful for Thy blessings.

All praise is for Allah who has given me such a garment that covers me up and is a source of respect and decency among people.’ According to a tradition coming down from Hazrat Ali (a.s.), the Holy Prophet had given the following prayer to Ali (a.s.) that he may recite it while putting on new clothes.