The Style of Islamic Coverage in Martyr Motahhari's View

Clothing is one of the most important symbols of human civilization and a meaningful social act. Using a descriptive-analytical method, the present paper aims at elaborating on Martyr Motahhari's view about Islamic criteria of coverage and concludes that clothing is a divine grace to dignify man and that Islam directs man towards civilization by ordering him to cover himself. Although Islam does not specify a certain form and design for clothing, it lays down some criteria for it, which is studied under the title of "Islamic style of coverage". These criteria are laid down on the basis of man's nature and in order to enrich human civilization, maintain the strength and independence of Islamic society and consolidate family system. Among the requirements of Islamic clothing are orderly condition, taking into consideration social spirits- for example, devotion, sympathy and conformity with majority- keeping self-respect, observing order and cleanness, and keeping human dignity and respect. On the other hand, imitating foreigners and likening one to them, wearing clothes to gain fame, likening oneself to opposite sex, wasting, etc have no place in Islamic style of clothing and are forbidden.