Will Wearing the Air Force Uniform Be Considered Imitating Men?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Will wearing the Air Force uniform be considered imitating men?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Principle of Gender-Specific Clothing
Islamic law emphasizes the distinction between men’s and women’s clothing, as indicated by the words of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace):
“Allah curses men who imitate women and women who imitate men.” [Bukhari]
Allah (Most High) says,
“O children of Adam! We have provided for you clothing to cover your nakedness and as an adornment. But the clothing of righteousness—that is best. That is one of Allah’s signs, so perhaps you will be mindful.”
[Quran, 7:26]
Context and Intent
Imitating men in attire becomes impermissible when a woman intentionally adopts clothing specific to men, such as garments customarily worn only by men in a particular society. However, if the Air Force uniform is tailored for women, maintaining modesty and Islamic dress guidelines, it does not fall under impermissible imitation, and Allah knows best.
Conditions of Permissibility
Wearing a uniform for professional reasons, such as serving in the Air Force, is permissible under the following conditions:
- Maintaining Modesty: According to Islamic guidelines, the uniform should cover the body appropriately.
- Gender-Specific Design: It should be designed for women, not merely a men’s uniform worn by women (unless the design is suitable for both).
- Professional Necessity: The uniform should be worn as a professional requirement, not as a fashion statement or out of a desire to resemble men.
Scholarly Insight
Classical scholars clarify that the prohibition relates to the intention to resemble the opposite gender and adopting attire exclusively associated with them. As long as these concerns are avoided, wearing a women’s Air Force uniform is not considered an imitation of men.
And Allah (Most High) knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
