Before attempting to give a commentary on the verses 26 of Surat Al-A`raf, we would like first to mention the English translation of the verse as follows: “O Children of Adam! We have revealed unto you raiment to conceal your shame, and splendid vesture, but the raiment of restraint from evil, that is best. This is of the revelations of Allah, that they may remember.”(Al-A`raf: 26)
According to the books of tafsir or Qur’anic exegesis, Allah Almighty mentions this verse in the context of showing His showered blessings upon His servants. From among His blessings is that He revealed unto His slave servants the raiment to conceal their shame, as well as a splendid vesture as an adornment for them. Imam Az-Zamakhshari stated that although “libas at-Taqwa or the raiment of restraint from evil” is so important, and this doesn’t necessarily mean that one’s outer garments and covering one’s `awrah is not important. To the contrary, men and women referred to as the ‘Children of Adam’ in the above verse are commanded to wear modest clothes that cover their `Awrahs.
In conclusion, we would like to say that Islam is a comprehensive religion. It pays much attention to one’s outer appearance as well as his inner purity as both complement each other. Although one’s inner purity from evil, hatred and animosity as well as other bad qualities are important, one’s pure and neat appearance from the outside and one’s adherence to the Islamic dress code clarified in other Qur’anic verses and Prophetic hadiths is also required by one to be followed too.