Question Summary:
Strange incident

Question Detail:

I faced a difficult but strange situation last night. After praying isha, I was standing outside the mosque waiting for my father to come. An old man came out, and I said Salaam to him. He asked me if I had a shalaw/kamiz dress, I should wear it and then come to pray. I wear jeans and shirt usually because of comfort. I told him okay I will try. I thought he was asking me this out of the respect for the religion. Then I was shocked when he said that satan is everywhere, and the person behind praying may get wrong feelings.. :( Please tell me what should I do? I'm scared to go to the mosque now. 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is permissible to pray salaah with shirt and jeans. The salaah will be valid. However, It is advisable to wear shalwaar/khamis as that is more concealing. The advice of the old man should not stop you from coming to the masjid. While you should endeavor to adorn modest attire, you are not responsible for other people’s feelings. Furthermore, wrong feelings of people could be at any given moment and more so even outside the masjid. Do not succumb to the tricks and whispers of shaytaan to distract you from going to the masjid.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Huzaifah Deedat
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
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رد المحتار - ط. بابي الحلبي- دار الفكر (1/ 641)
 ( وصلاته في ثياب بذلة ) كسر الباء الموحدة وسكون الذال المعجمة الخدمة والابتذال وعطف المهنة عليها عطف تفسير وهي بفتح الميم وكسرها مع سكون الهاء وأنكر الأصمعي الكسر
........ قال في البحر وفسرها في شرح الوقاية بما يلبسه في بيته ولا يذهب به إلى الأكابر والظاهر أن الكراهة تنزيهية ا هـ حلية