the clothing worn on their bodies, which protects them from heat, cold, and weapons and covers their nakedness. This is what is mentioned in His words, Exalted is He: “We have sent down to you clothing to conceal your nakedness” [al-Aʿrāf 26].

Then there are the qualities inherent in a person that serve as clothing for him and by which he becomes one of the God-fearing, as He says: “But the clothing of righteousness—that is best” [al-Aʿrāf 26].

His words, “the clothing of righteousness,” cannot be described as departing from their apparent meaning and therefore requiring reinterpretation. He did not use the word “clothing” without qualification; rather, He connected it to righteousness. This may encompass both outward clothing that affords protection and virtuous character and righteous deeds. Thus, these qualities are presented as containing the person who possesses them, just as he may be presented as the locus in which they reside. Hence one says, “So-and-so, in his knowledge, judgment, truthfulness, and justice, is among the best of people.”

Some of a person’s clothing is not suitable for another to share with him, such as his waist-wrapper, cloak, trousers, and the like. Indeed, sharing such clothing with another person