It's perhaps very little to do with how you're dressed, but I wonder if you realise that you look desperately, desperately unhappy. Am sorry for that.
A Muslim should not seek elation, nor despair... the Muslim aims for a contentment with God that means that no matter what the situation, one can say 'Mash'Allah' (God willed it) and be not effected. Unfortunately for me I am more on the happy side of that balance, it can be very easy to forget that God has made some people the denizens of hell, and some the denizens of heaven. Neither I nor you know of which group we are, in that situation, one should well take care of taking too much joy in this dunya (realm of deception).
The dress sense is legalistic in that it confirms to the mandatory amount of modesty. However for me it is more about emulation. When I see my shadow I see not myself, I see those better than me and long to do better. It reminds me who I am, not just to myself, but to others, and keeps me calm and well mannered (insha'Allah, God willing).
The distinctive robes a priest wears are to distinguish his spiritual office as a priest.
Why are not all of you priests? What about priests causes a distinction to be made?
Yes, every Christian is, at the moment they are saved, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. It is this "clothing in righteousness" that makes a person acceptable to God. Understand, though, that this righteousness is Christ's righteousness, which is imputed to the believer; it is not that the Christian suddenly is righteous in their actual conduct. Such righteous living develops out of the new life in Christ that salvation obtains.
None is saved by their deeds, they are saved through the mercy of God, this is my understanding too... however would you consider the works of an individual somewhat of a reflection of their state? Is not, in many ways, believing simply a work of the soul?
Wa'alaykum (and upon you).
Would it make me "a better christian" if I wore the clothes that Jesus wore? Personally I'd look a bit silly, Im a women, but if I were a man?
Allahu Alim (God knows), I personally find that emulation is a step towards actualisation. Would one be worse off for doing thus? Is it not an easy thing?
In my community it certainly is. The beer bottles and abuse thrown at me from cars is little hardship compared to the struggle to awake at night for remembrance of God.. yet few do it, for few know its benefits. The former makes the latter easier.
The way Jesus dressed had very little to do with his actual character. Character is what counts, and that's what Jesus is concerned about.
How can one separate character from action? Action from form? Form from appearance?
Ampbelle, I do not argue that clothing equals salvation, rather that one must clothe oneself in garments that aid one's internal covering. The body is the shell of the Nafs (base soul), which is itself the shell of the Ruh (spirit).... there are veils between us and God, what is it that makes the veils that Christ chose to cover his body not those perfect for his followers?