Wearing a Shirt with Alcohol Images or the Word “BEER” and Praying in It

Question: ruling on someone who prays while wearing a shirt with an image of alcohol and the word BEER.

Summary:

• Wearing a shirt with an image of alcohol or the word “BEER” is forbidden, because it is promoting the forbidden and imitating non-Muslims. • Prayer in it is valid if its conditions are fulfilled, but the person is sinful for wearing it, and must repent to Allah and leave such clothing immediately.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

First: The ruling on wearing a shirt with an image of alcohol and the word "BEER":

1. The original command is that the Muslim is obliged to cover his ‘awrah and wear clothing that shows his appearance as a Muslim following the command of Allah. Allah the Exalted said:

    From the Qur'an:

    • al-A’raf: 31
      "O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful."

    2. Wearing something that has a forbidden symbol, such as images of alcohol or words indicating prohibited things, is forbidden, because it is a form of promoting sin or approving disobedience.

    From the Qur'an:

    • al-Ma’idah: 2
      "...Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression..."

    From the Sunnah:

    • Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 4031 and Graded Hasan Sahih by al-AlbānīNarrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):
      The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who copies any people is one of them.

    Wearing this shirt involves imitating non-Muslims and spreading the symbol of alcohol, and Allah has prohibited alcohol in the Quran:

    From the Qur'an:

    • al-Ma’idah: 90
      O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.

    Second: The ruling on praying in this clothing 1. The prayer is valid in terms of its pillars and conditions if the garment is pure and covers the ‘awrah, but the person is sinful for wearing this clothing.

    From the Scholars:

    • al-Majmu’ 3/172
      Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “If one prays in a disliked garment, his prayer is valid with dislike, if it covers the ‘awrah and is pure.”
    • Sharh al-Mumti’ 2/189
      Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Prayer in garments that have images of living beings is valid with sin, because the prohibition is not related to the act of worship itself but to a matter outside it.”

    Third: Advice and warning 1. The Muslim should avoid all clothing that contains a sin or a forbidden symbol, so that he is not a promoter of falsehood by his clothing, especially in prayer while standing before Allah, the Exalted.

    From the Salaf:

    • Al-Hasan al-Basri said:
      “They greatly revered the prayer and prepared for it as a person prepares to meet a ruler.”

    And Allah knows best.

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