Q.The individual is asking what is your advice for brothers who wear shirts, ties and suits when they have the ability to wear thobes?
A. The shaykh mentioned if that person is in a society where this is the norm in the society the wearing of ties, suits, shirts etc then it is permissible for that person to do so. But if the individual wants to pray then he should beautify himself with his clothing as Allaah tabaarakta wa ta’alaa mentions in the Qur’aan: ‘O children of Aadam, beautify yourselves at the time of prayer’. So when an individual prays he should wear the best of clothing. But if the individual for example would like to wear these suits, shirts, ties and pants because it is easier for him to perform his duties then it is permissible for him to do so. But if he begins to feel that he is imitating the disbelievers and this intention becomes apparent, that the individual starts to imitate the disbelievers then it is not permissible for him to wear this type of clothing.
Q.Yaa shaykh if the individual has the ability to wear a thobe?
A.The shaykh mentioned (hafithahullAllaahu ta’alaa) that the person if he has the ability to wear a thobe then that is befitting. But likewise the individual should try not to be different.
Shaykh Saalih Muhammad al-Luhaydaan (May Allaah preserve him)
(Kitaab-ut-Tawheed Class, Q&A Session 02.02.13 Riyadh)