Fatwa #3028318 December 2018Bangladesh
Wearing of shoes is not gender specific
Question
Assalamua'laikum hazrat. I have a question regarding shoes for women. I know that anything that resembles to opposite sex shouldnt be worn or followed. Now what is the thought on women wearing shoes especially Keds. Although there are keds for women its difficult to say that it doesn't resemble men. Having said that Keds are comfi and very useful for day to day use. Your thought on that will be highly appreciated.
Jazakallah kahyer.
Answer
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
Sister in Islaam,
The wearing of shoes is not gender specific[1]. Shoes are worn by both, males and females. Yes, those that are designed specifically for males should only be worn by males and vice-versa. Those shoes that are unisex may be worn by both genders.
And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best.
Muajul I. Chowdhury
Student, Darul Iftaa
Astoria, New York, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] عقود رسم المفتي
والعرف في الشرع له اعتبار *** لذا عليه الحكم قد يدار
الأشباه والنظائر (القاعدة السادسة)
العادة محكمة