What is the ruling on wearing the garments of the People of the Book?
Chapter on Utensils
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Garments that have not been used by them or that are worn externally, such as the turban (*'imamah*) and the outer cloak (*taylasan*), are pure and permissible to wear. However, for garments that directly touch their private parts, such as trousers (*srawil*), lower garments (*ithar*), or undergarments, Ahmad narrated two possibilities regarding prayer performed in them.
Supporting text
One opinion, held by Al-Qadi, suggests that repetition (re-prayer) is obligatory because they are generally not heedful of impurity, suggesting the garment is likely impure where it touches their excretory areas. The second opinion, held by Abu al-Khattab, states that repetition is not obligatory because the default state is purity, which is not negated by mere doubt. Abu Hanifa and Al-Shafi'i disliked the *ithar* and trousers because the People of the Book are assumed to neglect major impurities.