Short answer
Islam sets rules, not a uniform. A Muslim man must cover from the navel to below the knees, avoid gold and silk, keep his clothes from hanging below the ankles, avoid tight or see-through clothes, and not imitate women or wear other religions' symbols. Within that, a thobe, a kurta, a suit, or jeans and a shirt are all acceptable.
Covering the awrah (navel to and including the knees) is fard. Gold and silk are haram for men. Isbal, dress of fame and imitation are disliked or forbidden as explained in their entries. Clean, modest clothing is sunnah, and white is the preferred colour.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The Quran calls clothing a blessing that covers and beautifies, and says the best clothing is taqwa (God-consciousness). The Prophet ﷺ said Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, so looking neat is part of faith, not vanity. Here are the rules a Muslim man follows. The four schools agree on the main points.
- Cover the awrah: from the navel to below the knees. See can men wear shorts.
- Not tight or see-through over the awrah. See tight clothes.
- No gold and no pure silk. See gold and silk.
- Above the ankles. See isbal.
- Not women's clothing, and not the symbols of other religions. See imitating non-Muslims.
- Not for fame: avoid clothes worn to stand out and show off.
What Muslim men wear. There is no single Islamic garment. Common names include the thobe or thawb, called a kandura in the UAE and a dishdasha in Oman and Kuwait; the jubba; the kurta and shalwar kameez of South Asia; the izar or lungi (a wrap); and on the head a kufi, topi or taqiyah, a turban (imamah), or the Gulf ghutra and agal. All are fine, and so is ordinary Western clothing that meets the rules.
Sunnah touches. White was the colour the Prophet praised most. Wear clean clothes, especially for Jumuah and prayer, start with the right side, and say the dua when wearing clothes.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-A'raaf 7:26
يَٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًۭا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًۭا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾
O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.
Clothing covers and adorns, and taqwa is the best garment.
Quran, Surah Al-A'raaf 7:31
۞ يَٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُوا۟ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍۢ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿٣١﴾
O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.
Dress well, especially for prayer.
Sahih Muslim 91
Sahih... إن الله جميل يحب الجمال ...
"Allah is beautiful and loves beauty."
Looking neat and clean is encouraged.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3878
Graded sahih... البسوا من ثيابكم البياض فإنها من خير ثيابكم ...
"Wear white clothes, for they are among your best clothes."
White is the preferred colour.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4029
Graded hasan... من لبس ثوب شهرة ألبسه الله يوم القيامة ...
"Whoever wears a garment of fame, Allah will dress him in a garment like it on the Day of Judgement."
Clothes worn to show off are blameworthy.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, section on clothing. The rules of clothing for men.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on clothing. The chapter on what men may and may not wear.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.