Covering the Head in Daily Life or Leaving It Uncovered – In Light of the Sunnah
Source: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, p. 510
❖ Question:
Should a person keep his head covered in daily life, or is it preferable to leave it uncovered?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
According to research, apart from the state of iḥrām, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ always kept his head covered.
- Although it is permissible to leave the head uncovered, and prayer with an uncovered head is valid, covering the head is considered afḍal (better) and mustaḥabb (recommended).
✿ Covering the Head in Hadith
- Hadith mention the Prophet ﷺ wearing a black turban.
- Most often, the Prophet ﷺ had a turban (‘imāmah) on his blessed head.
- Hadith also mention him being on the minbar with a turban.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī narrates that the Prophet ﷺ made masḥ over his turban during wuḍū’.
- On the day of the conquest of Makkah, he wore a black turban.
✿ Caps (Topis) in Hadith
- Along with turbans, caps are also mentioned in Hadith.
- Although specific colors are not always detailed, Sayyidah ‘Ā’ishah (RA) reported:
The Prophet ﷺ would wear an ear-flapped cap while traveling and a Shāmī cap while at home.
(Abū al-Shaykh)
✿ Practice of the Companions (RA)
- Reports also confirm that the Companions (RA) regularly wore caps.
- Their narrations and detailed practices are numerous, though not all are mentioned here.
Conclusion
- Whether a turban or a cap, both are from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (RA).
- A Muslim may adopt either of the two, or alternate between them.
- Leaving the head uncovered is permissible, but covering it remains a practice closer to the Sunnah and is preferable.
