Peace Robert
Perhaps we can use this argument to the Imam. First off, we have not established why the Imam wants the child to wear Shalwar Kameez.
From “Morals and Manners in Islam A Guide to Islamic Adab by Marwan Ibrahim Al-Kaysi” Published by Islamic Foundation on pages 81 - 85.
It covers ‘Dress’ … It draws a common requirement between men and women and then goes on to differentiate a difference between men an women. The strict difference is that women should have ankles covered whereas men uncovered. The type of head covering for men should be a cap or a turban but the women should cover the whole hair.
My concern with the topic starters thread is not the shalwar kameez, but the whole matter of:
a) Not giving the Imam his authority
b) Some unkempt clothes are being suggested to be worn when the child is sent to Madrassa.
He should be going as though he is like an angel. He should be given perfume to wear and be as clean as possible.
This child is sent to madrassa as is after sweaty martial art activity. Come on people is there no sense of adab anymore?
Please read snipped from: Etiquette of the Seeker of Knowledge - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
10. Have good manners towards the sheikh
Knowledge cannot be gained only from books; you must also have a sheikh whom you trust to open the door to knowledge and keep you from making mistakes. So you must have good manners towards him, for this is the way to success, learning and strength. So you must honor, respect and be polite to the sheikh. Observe the utmost standards of etiquette when you sit with your sheikh and speak with him. Ask questions in a proper manner and listen attentively. Be polite when studying the book with him and do not try to argue or compete with him. Do not initiate conversation with him, or walk ahead of him, or speak too much in his presence, or interrupt when he is teaching. Do not pressure him to give you an answer, and avoid asking too many questions, especially in front of other people, for this will make you appear to be showing off and make him bored with you. Do not call him directly by his name or nickname; rather say “O my sheikh” or “O our sheikh” (Ya shaykhi or Ya shaykhana).
If you think that the sheikh has made a mistake, do not let that make him lose respect in your eyes, because that will deprive you of his knowledge. Who is there who is entirely free from error?
Finally, we ask Allah to make you and us strong and steadfast, and to let us see the day when you will become one of the scholars of the Muslims and an authority in the religion of Allah and one of the imams of the pious.