THE TURBAN
IN THE LIGHT OF THE AHAADEETH OF RASULULLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

One must affirm that there can be absolutely no doubt in the fact that each and every act
(Sunnah) of our beloved Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is considered supreme and well
worthy of emulation by a true believer and follower of his esteemed lifestyle. In fact, a true
lover of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would be prepared to give his life for the practical
preservation of even one Sunnah.  Such is the overwhelming thirst for emulation present in a
true Ummati that it does not matter to him whether the Sunnah is connected to Ibadat (the
manner in which Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) carried out the various acts of worship) or
whether the Sunnah pertains to his habit or lifestyle (the manner of his speech, manner of
walking, eating, dressing etc.) As long as it can be ascertained that our Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) did it, then a true Aashiq-e-Rasool (lover of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will go
to any lengths to bring it into his life.At this point, one must realise that in order to cultivate such adherence, it would be of
fundamental necessity that we exhaust ourselves in searching for his Sunnats and then to the
extent of our ability attempt to practically adopt them into our lives. Furthermore, we should
note that it would be the dictates of devotion that those Sunnats which we perceive difficult
and are unable to inculcate should be a source of immense grief and distress to us. The divine
remuneration for such adherence is absolutely tremendous and beyond our wildest dreams.

Hadiths on turbans

(Bukhari Shareef Vol.1 Pg. 33)
Hazrat Mughaira ibn Sho'ba (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
performed wudu and made Masah of the front portion of his head as well as of his turban and
leather socks.

(Muslim Shareef Vol. 1 Pg. 134)
Hazrat Huraith (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed the
people while wearing a black turban.

(Shamaail Tirmizi Pg 8; Ibn Majah Pg.256)
Hazrat Jaabir (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that on the occasion of Fath-e-Makkah (The
Conquest of Makkah),  Nabi (Sallallaliu Alaihi Wasallam) entered Makkah Mukarramah while
wearing a black turban.

(Muslim Vol.1 Pg. 439; Tirmizi Vol.1 Pg 304; lbnMajah Pg. 256)
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that during the illness just prior to his passing
away, Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed the Sahaba while wearing a black turban

Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (Radiallahu Anhu) narrates: " It was the practice of Nabi (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) that whenever he wore a new item of clothing, he would (first) take the name
of it. i.e. turban or Kurta or Chaadar (cloak). Thereafter, he would make the following dua - "O
Allah, I am indeed grateful to You for this clothing which You have granted me. I beg of You
the virtue of it and the benefit for which it was made. I seek protection in You from its harm and
from the evil which it was created for
Hazrat Huraith (Radiallahu Anhu) narrates that he saw Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
standing on the pulpit while he had on a black turban. Both the loose ends of the turban were
hanging between his shoulder blades.
(Muslim Vol.1 Pg. 490; Ibn Abi Shaibah Vol.8, Pg.239, Ibn Majah Pg. 256,  Pg.653)
                                                                                                                
Hazrat Ayesha (Radiallahu Anha) narrates that once a person riding a Turkish horse (a
particular breed of horse) came to Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The rider had on a
turban, the tail of which hung between his shoulders. She questioned Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) concerning him. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) expressed surprise over the fact
that she had seen the rider and informed her that it was Jibraeel (Alayhis Salaam).
                                                                                                                                      
Hazrat Ayesha (Radiallahu Anha) narrates that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
tied on the turban of Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Auf (Radiallahu Anhu) and allowed for a tail
the length of four fingers. He said: "When I ascended to the sky (reference to the Meraj), I saw
that most of the angels had on turbans"

Hazrat Ubadah (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Make a
practice of tying turbans since it is a hallmark of the Angels. Futhermore, tie them in such a
manner that the tail hangs at the back".
(Baihaqi reported it in Shu'abul Iman; Mishkat Pg. 377)

Adopt the turban as it will increase your forebearance.
Hold fast to the turban as it is the sign of the angels. Also let the loose end hang from the back
(Baihaqi has reported this from Ibn Abbas (Radiallahu Anhu) marffoo'an (a narration in which
the words of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam are reported).  
.The reward of the Salah performed while wearing the turban is multiplied 25 times while
(Dailami has reported this in his Musnad from Ibn Urnar (Radiallahu Anhu)
The angels attend the Jumu'ah while wearing turbans.  Hence, those people who are wearing
turbans receive the benefit that the angels make dua for them till sunset.
                                                                                                                                      
   (Dailami hadiths)
The Jumu'ah performed while wearing a turban is 70 times superior to a Jumu'ah without a
turban.
                                                                                                                                      
(Dailami hadith )28
Some of Allah Ta'ala's angels stand at the door of the Masjid and seek repentance on behalf
of those wearing white turbans.

Narrated from Ibn Umar (Radiallaha Anhu) and Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Anhu)
Two rakaats of Salah performed while wearing the turban are superior to seventy rakaats
performed without a turban.

(Narrated by Jaabir Radiallahu Anhu)
Allah Ta'ala causes his mercy to decend on the people wearing turbans on the day of Jumu'ah
and his angels make dua for such people.

(Dailami reports from Abu Darda Radiallahu Anhu)
The turban distinguishes the Muslim from the Mushriks.
(Narrated from Ali Radiallahu Anhu)
Wearing turbans over one's topees distinguishes us from the Mushrikeen. (Narrated from
Rukana Radiallahu Anhu)
Sakhawi - pg. 466)

It is perhaps due to these very narrations that the Fuqaha (Islamic Jurists) have accepted the
fact that the remuneration of the salaah performed while wearing a turban is greater than one
performed without it. (Kabiri pg. 214, Fatawa Rashidia pg. 326; Fataawa b vol. 4 pg. 359). The
reason is that the common factor in the purport of all these narrations is an increase in reward.
It is reported from Sa'eed Ibn Jubair (Radiallahu Anhu) that when Jibraeel (Alayhis Salaam)
came down to punish Firoun (Pharaoh), he had on a black turban.
(Ibne Abi Shaibah vol. 8 pg. 326)
(Radul Muhtaar from Tahtawi)

Prayer offered wearing an turban is seventy times more excellent than that offered without.
(Ihya Uloom ud Deen
'Imaam al Ghazaali)