Minorities in an Islamic State — Page 51
51 except military uniform nor can they carry arms. Because military uniform will confuse them with the Muslim soldiers. " 60 Another reason against this sartorial uniformity was that Hadrat ‘ Umar ra insisted that the Muslims lead plain lives, wear rough home-spun stuff, and live hard and austere lives and not be self-indulgent and easy-going like the conquered Iranian. Ab u ‘ Uthm a n Nahdi says: "We were stationed in Azerbaijan under ‘ Utbah bin Farqad in connection with a border expedition, "We received a directive from Hadrat ‘ Umar ra in which he had ordered, "Wear Tehband and sheets and use sandals. Stop using trousers and socks. In short, stick to the dress of your father Ishmael. Avoid Iranian ways of living, because they would make you easy-going and self-indulgent. Live under the open skies and the sun, because they are a bath for Arabs and eliminate toxic poisons from the blood that cause disease. Lead a rigorous and exaction life". 61 It is clear that this was a general directive which sought to inculcate in the Muslims the spirit of plain and hard living. The Muslims were, therefore, expected to wear dress which was much simpler and