Are Old Foreign Clothes Impure?

Question

Concerning present-day coats, chesters (long overcoats), sweaters and other items of foreign clothing, people say that they are impure (najis); moreover, no care is taken when they are brought from there or at the time of sale. So is there any sin in praying, and leading the prayer, wearing the clothing mentioned — given that a great many people wear it without purifying it?

Answer

Clothing made by non-Muslims will not be called impure until knowledge of something impure on it is obtained. However, trousers, if they have been used [by them], then praying while wearing them without washing is makruh (Kabiri, p. 204). This pertains to purity; in itself, wearing such clothing as is the distinctive mark (shi‘ar)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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