Over the years I’ve come to notice a disturbing trend in our Ummah. And this is not to be confused with the other disturbing trends that are much more complex issues, and that not everyone can affect right now. No I’m talking about something much simpler, albeit as important as any other, and that is answering the question of where did our Jumu’ah clothes go?

While we should not compare ourselves to the other Abrahamic faiths because we know Islam is the final version and culmination of all these others, but what we do know is that each of the other faiths have a weekly holy-day (holiday), and we can always spot when their holy-day is from afar. How we’re able to do this is also very simple. It’s because they’re more usually than not, dressed well, and in most cases very well for the occasion. Thusly, the very notion of “church clothes” should make a Muslim cringe.

We have ghusl, instinjaa’, wudu, tayummum and a host of other rituals that clearly and widely separate us from the other “people of the book” in terms of physical and personal cleanliness. But what sense does it make to prepare spiritually by making intentions to attend Jumu’ah, washing ourselves ritually to attend Jumu’ah then show up looking homeless, when we probably have a closet full of better looking attire than what we routinely wear to this important day.

We have been taught that if, when attending The Day of Congregation, our intention and salah have been accepted, then our sins from the previous week would be forgiven, wouldn’t we want to meet our maker in his house looking our best as well? As Muslims we should all be striving be our best in every endeavor and to do things in the most excellent of manners possible, yet as I see brothers in their work clothes, or sweatpants or in the exact same clothes we would do anything besides go to the masjid, it hurts my heart.

Style and Adab are mostly about doing or wearing the right thing at that right time, and inshallah, as Muslims it all qualifies as ibadah. However, this is one area where we can immediately change if we want. I challenge myself and anyone reading this to get back to the days of taking pride in our “Jumu’ah clothes.” Back to the days when someone would clearly notice we are dressed differently on Friday than on any other day of the week, ask us about it, and then we get to give dawah by replying, “It’s Jumu’ah today.”

As Muslims we are to be the example and leaders of humanity so this is a pretty simple step to continue our path in that direction. It just takes the right intention for us to do.

Our Beloved Rasul (SAW) said, “If one has the means, he should buy two pieces of clothing, other than his work clothes or [everyday clothing], to wear on Friday.” [Abu Dawud]

Let’s take the words and example of Rasullah (SAW) and make Fridays a true holy-day by dressing like it, therefore preparing both internally and externally for it. Inshallah, it weighs heavy our scales!