are in need of a physical covering, for you are naked; and you are likewise in need of an intangible covering—righteous action—so that you are not left spiritually bare. For this reason some interpreters of dreams say that if a person sees himself unclothed in a dream, he ought to increase his seeking of forgiveness, because the vision indicates a deficiency in his God-fearingness, and God-fearingness is a garment.

In any case, we remain naked except for the clothing Allah provides. Out of His bounty He has subjugated for us all manner of garments with which we dress our bodies—praise be to Allah—especially in affluent countries that Allah has tried with wealth. Wealth is, in truth, a temptation that one fears for the community, as Muhammad ﷺ said: “By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you. What I fear is that the world will be opened up to you, and you will compete for it just as those before you competed for it; then it will destroy you as it destroyed them.” Wealth is a test and a trial: it demands patience in fulfilling the obligations it imposes and gratitude for the blessings it confers.

In short, Allah has favored us with clothing, and were it not for His facilitation, it would never have been attainable. Look around at people today and reflect: as we have heard, there are those who pass the night naked, with nothing to cover their bodies—perhaps they shield only their private parts with leaves or the like, and possess nothing beyond that. Who, then, clothed you and bestowed this favor upon you? It is Allah. Thus He said: “O My servants, all of you are naked except those I clothe; so ask Me for clothing and I shall clothe you.”

Regarding His words, “Ask Me for clothing and I shall clothe you,” we apply the same principle that we mentioned concerning His words, “Ask Me for food and I shall feed you.”