❖ Always Remaining Bareheaded: 5 Sharʿi Aspects in Light of Hadith ❖
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 404
Is it permissible for a man to always remain bareheaded? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed to tie turbans over caps—does this ḥadīth imply that wearing a cap without a turban is not allowed? If that is the case, how can remaining bareheaded be permissible?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The Noble Prophet ﷺ used to wear both a cap and a turban.
At times, he ﷺ wore a turban without a cap, and on other occasions, he ﷺ wore only a cap without a turban.
As stated in Zād al-Maʿād (Volume 1, Page 135), both forms were part of the Prophet's ﷺ practice.
However, it is also clear that the Prophet ﷺ never adopted the practice of always remaining bareheaded.
It is permissible for men to temporarily remain bareheaded.
However, always remaining bareheaded is not the practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
Permanently keeping the head uncovered is a habit of European nations, and it is more appropriate for a Muslim to cover his head with a cap or turban.
The ḥadīth referenced in the question—that turbans should be tied over caps—is not authentic in terms of its chain of narration.
This narration is found in the following books:
However, the narrator in the chain, Abu al-Ḥasan al-ʿAsqalānī, is unknown (majhūl).
Imām Tirmidhī also criticized the chain of narration, indicating its weakness.
Additional references:
It is not permissible to impose anything upon people based on a ḥadīth that is not authentically established.
Islam is a religion of ease and gentleness, not of severity and harshness.
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
① The Prophet ﷺ covered his head with a cap and turban, in various combinations.
② Always remaining bareheaded was not part of his ﷺ practice.
③ Temporarily uncovering the head is permissible, not habitual bareness.
④ The ḥadīth about tying turban over a cap is weak and cannot be used as proof.
⑤ Sharīʿah does not compel actions based on unauthenticated narrations.
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 404
✦ Ruling Regarding Men Always Remaining Bareheaded – In the Light of Ahadith
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a man to always remain bareheaded? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed to tie turbans over caps—does this ḥadīth imply that wearing a cap without a turban is not allowed? If that is the case, how can remaining bareheaded be permissible?
✔ Response:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and the Manner of Covering the Head
The Noble Prophet ﷺ used to wear both a cap and a turban.
At times, he ﷺ wore a turban without a cap, and on other occasions, he ﷺ wore only a cap without a turban.
As stated in Zād al-Maʿād (Volume 1, Page 135), both forms were part of the Prophet's ﷺ practice.
However, it is also clear that the Prophet ﷺ never adopted the practice of always remaining bareheaded.
◈ Bareheadedness According to Sharīʿah
It is permissible for men to temporarily remain bareheaded.
However, always remaining bareheaded is not the practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
Permanently keeping the head uncovered is a habit of European nations, and it is more appropriate for a Muslim to cover his head with a cap or turban.
◈ Status of the Mentioned Ḥadīth
The ḥadīth referenced in the question—that turbans should be tied over caps—is not authentic in terms of its chain of narration.
This narration is found in the following books:
- Abū Dāwūd (Volume 2, Page 209)
- Tirmidhī (Volume 1, Page 308)
- al-Mishkāt (Volume 2, Page 374)
However, the narrator in the chain, Abu al-Ḥasan al-ʿAsqalānī, is unknown (majhūl).
Imām Tirmidhī also criticized the chain of narration, indicating its weakness.
Additional references:
- Ḍaʿīf al-Jāmiʿ (Ḥadīth 3959)
- al-Irwāʾ (Volume 5, Page 329)
◈ Sharʿi Principles and General Guidance
It is not permissible to impose anything upon people based on a ḥadīth that is not authentically established.
Islam is a religion of ease and gentleness, not of severity and harshness.
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
❀ Summary of the Five Sharʿi Aspects:
① The Prophet ﷺ covered his head with a cap and turban, in various combinations.
② Always remaining bareheaded was not part of his ﷺ practice.
③ Temporarily uncovering the head is permissible, not habitual bareness.
④ The ḥadīth about tying turban over a cap is weak and cannot be used as proof.
⑤ Sharīʿah does not compel actions based on unauthenticated narrations.
